Home Remedy Cough Syrup is made with kitchen ingredients! No dyes, chemicals, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. A natural expectorant that works.
Honey, spices, and apple cider vinegar combine to make this old-fashioned cough syrup recipe. It tastes good and works to help you stop coughing, and there are no side effects.
Soothe your sore throat and relieve persistent coughs with this DIY all-natural homemade cough syrup. Made in 5 minutes!
Making this homemade cough medicine will save you money. Believe me when I say this is the best natural cough syrup around! Over-the-counter cough medicine for coughs and colds taste terrible. Most of the time they don’t work and can be very expensive. There is also the risk of side effects.
It is just after the Christmas holidays, and colds and coughs are hitting everyone. This natural expectorant is a staple in our house this time of year. I prefer a more natural approach to help us during cough, cold, and flu season. This honey ginger cough syrup recipe is just what you need.
There are loads of foods and spices that are jam-packed with healing properties. I would much rather fight a cough and cold with food than medication. I did some searching and reading to find a better way to win the fight and yes it does exist. Natural cough remedies are a great alternative.
There is nothing better than wrapping your hands around a nice hot bowl or mug of homemade soup to make you feel better. Here are some of our favourites:
How To Make Homemade Cough Remedy
This old-fashioned cough syrup requires simple kitchen ingredients.
- honey
- apple cider vinegar
- cayenne pepper
- cinnamon
- ginger
- hot water
Place all the ingredients into a small glass jar. Shake to mix well. Your cough medicine is ready to use.
Here are some READERS Comments:
Christina says:
I have been suffering from a persistent cough for the last week. Finally, after trying to go to sleep with zero success for the fourth night, I decided to look something – ANYTHING – up to try to relieve this. I came upon this recipe and immediately went to the kitchen to make it. I will be honest, was not expecting the “whoa, my goodness!” moment I had when I took the first tsp. I will, however, admit that just the one teaspoon was certainly enough, for now anyway. Thank you for sharing this, it has turned out to be a very welcome “miracle.”
Barbara says:
I’ve had a horrible cough for over 3 weeks, actually had to postpone surgery because of it. I took so many otc cough syrups and nothing worked. Last night I found this…OMG I was skeptical but this stuff works! I actually slept last night without waking up coughing my head off. Thank you so much!
M. Corey says:
It works! It did a better job than the px cough medicine given to my husband. It has a bit of a punch, so some may wish to decrease the amount of cayenne pepper added.
DIY Cough Syrup Tips
This simple and effective herbal cough syrup contains no alcohol or chemicals.
- For this recipe, I used raw unfiltered honey. I find the liquid version works best as it dissolves a little easier. Creamed or Manuka honey would also be great alternatives.
- Be sure to use organic apple cider vinegar for the best health benefits.
- If you are going to make it for kids, you might want to cut back on the cayenne, they might find it too spicy.
- Ceylon cinnamon also called “true” cinnamon is a better choice than the Cassia variety found in grocery stores.
- DO NOT give honey to children under 1 year old.
Home Remedies for Coughs, Colds And Sore Throats
This natural cough suppressant is our go-to remedy hands down. Most colds are caused by viruses. Infections usually require antibiotics, so you would have to contact your health professional.
You are the only person that can make the decision for you and your family’s health. Honey, cinnamon, and ginger have strong antibacterial properties
It is a rich source of antioxidants that can give a boost to the immune system. Cinnamon and ginger are also antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal.
As long as it is used correctly, the acid in the vinegar may work similarly to lemon juice to stop the tickle in the throat. It always needs to be diluted with water.
Before giving honey to children, please read this article: FYI the medical profession advises against giving honey to children under 12 months of age.
Since this is made with kitchen staples, you can easily make this when needed. I have safely kept this in my kitchen cupboard for several weeks.
You can keep it in a small glass jar making it easy to shake before use.
This will be up to you. I can say we take 2 teaspoons when needed to help stop coughing. We have taken it safely several times a day, with no side effects.
Homemade Cough Remedy
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons hot water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small glass jar.
- Secure on the lid, and shake well to combine.
- Take as often as needed.
Rachael Moore
After coughing all day with this persistent tickle and came across this recipe! As I already love all the ingredients and am a bit of a chilli fan, I was dubious as to how this would feel on my already sore throat. Not only is it delicious but had an immediate effect on my cough. What an amazing find and so easy to put together. Thank you so much for the immediate relief! ❤️
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad this DIY cough remedy has helped you feel better.
Charlene
Your recipe also works with my son’s dog. When she gets overly excited she coughs a lot and can’t stop coughing. I checked out the ingredients and they are all safe for dogs so my son has been giving it to his dog now for a year and it really helps the her with her cough! He just gives her one eye dropper full until the cough is gone and it usually works pretty fast for her. Of course we use it for ourselves too when we have a cough and it works so good and it’s so soothing on the throat.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Well, this is a first, no one has ever told me they have used it on dogs. Glad it helps! I guess it is an all-round remedy then.
Nova
WOW. I am a BELIEVER!! For work and sleep, I have been taking Delsym for an annoying cough that just.won’t.go.away after my bout with the flu 3 weeks ago… but I ran out tonight. I tried this… and POW! My cough is under control! THANK YOU!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am SO happy you got some relief. This homemade cough remedy does work.
Danielle
Have made this in the past for colds but never a cough. This worked pretty well. Took a tbs right after making and it worked. took again a few hours later and didnt do much. Then I took 2 tablespoons at about 5am as I am not sleeping well and it helped. Its hit or miss but it seems the 2tbs did the trick. Also, tastes surprisingly good. Added some minced garlic to this as well.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes you have to experiment with this to see what works best for you. How did it taste with the garlic? Glad you got some relief. It does taste better than cough medicine from the pharmacy for sure.
connie
Is this remedy meant to be a just a cough suppressant or expectorant?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Hello Connie, this is a DIY cough remedy meant to help with those tickles and minor coughs. It is not meant to be used if you require traditional medication to treat any viral infection. For that, you need to see your health care professional.
Marie Bailey
Thank goodness I found your recipe. Have had an awful cough and taking medicine from the pharmacy which doesn’t help at all. Made this up earlier today using natural local honey and the rest of the stuff from my kitchen . It is very effective and is certainly helping . Will never use the store bought stuff again.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so happy this DIY cough remedy is giving you releif. Hope you feel better soon. We only use this as well.
Linda
My husband and I felt a cough and sore throat coming and I made this cough syrup. I took one teaspoon ever hour and every half hour the last couple of hours before bed. Slept like a baby and my cough and sore throat are gone completely. My husband didn’t believe in the cayenne pepper/honey combo and has spent the last 2 days in bed. Tonight he finally caved and has taken some! 🙂 The ingredients are all great for you, so I think taking a teaspoon every hour is absolutely no problem! Thank you for the recipe!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so happy this DIY cough syrup has helped you feel better. It is amazing what some kitchen cupboard ingredients can do.
Ashley
How many times does you take it to get a relief
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You will have to make that decision. There is NO medication in this recipe.
dontwanttocoughanymore
I have been coughing for 2 days. Couldn’t sleep at all last night. That deep, bark of a cough. Now a very sore throat due to all of the coughing.
I found this recipe, and I am all for organic and natural, so had to try it. I can’t say enough good things about it!! I haven’t coughed in over 2 hours since taking it. Before that, it was every couple of minutes!
My stuffy nose seems to be getting better as well!
Thank you for posting this!!!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad you are feeling better. We use this cough remedy when needed too.
Melissa Talansky
I was diagnosed with Covid on Friday. They gave me the typical Rx junk. I gave this a try a it stopped my cough. 😊 thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
WOW…I hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks so much.
Teddy
This is so delicious and it feels amazing on a tired throat.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is the only cough remedy we use. Glad you found it helpful.
Kari
This recipe worked. I live in a small town (nothing open but a couple gas stations for 30 miles) and my semi-adult (19yo) daughter got a cold. (Confirmed not COVID) had a raw throat from her cough… she stopped coughing within minutes and fell asleep.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
YES it works!! So glad she was able to find relief with this cough remedy.
Anecia
I’m gonna try this with a shot of whiskey next time I have a cough😂!!!!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well this is the only cough remedy we use.
Dolores
Does this need to be refrigerated?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I do not keep mine in the fridge. It is your choice.
Carol
Had a persistent cough. Mixed up this cough remedy and tried it with great success. Thanks!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
So glad this worked for you. Hope you are feeling much better. Stay well!!
Paula
Thank you Thank you Thank you very, very, very, very much!!!!!!!! I cannot say it enough. I did so enjoy the flavor and the added benefit of not coughing my head off. I have to admit, I took more than a teaspoon at a time, but hey there is nothing in it that will cause me to overdose or anything weird like that. So I thank you again.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
OMG THANK YOU for your comment. So glad this worked and you are feeling better. I will share this with my readers.
Erin
YES! I am such a huge fan of homeopathic and natural remedies. These are all of my favorite ingredients to fight illness in the house. I love that you have made a recipe for a natural cough syrup – I usually just do honey and ginger in hot tea, but I will try this. I have been trying to use a lot of these ingredients preventatively, as well, and it seems to be working!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
YES….that is awesome. I love the natural approach too. This is the only remedy we use for a cough.
Fern
Have my annual cold/allergy thing going on and I get so sick of taking OTC cold/cough medicine. I was sitting here tonight coughing up a storm and thinking that I’m not going to sleep again tonight. And then I remembered this cough recipe! It works so well. Thank you for sharing.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
SO glad you find this homemade cough remedy works like a charm. So do we.