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.
Corthenia Bolin
Hi, I have one question. I didn’t have apple cider vinegar, but I have distilled vinegar, could I use this instead?
Homemade & Yummy
NO…I would not use distilled vinegar. First is has NO healing properties…and second it would taste terrible. Think of it this way….would you drink regular vinegar?
Mrs. Deena Nolan
I use the honey cinnamon and ginger for my two year old she won’t take any cough meds but loves this. She will take all you give her. I haven’t ever added water or the other stuff.
Homemade & Yummy
Homemade remedies really do work….and taste so much better too. No side effects either.
Sandy Jones
I swear by this mixture. I even add 1 tbsp of lemon juice to it as well..not always but more so than not. Just made my first batch of the season. I will never buy otc stuff again.
Homemade & Yummy
Totally agree, I really don’t like stuff at the drug store.
Veena Azmanov
Oh this is so cool. My grandma use to make something similar with honey, cinnamon, lemon and ginger. Now that I know the benefits of apple cider vinegar I’m going to try this. Thanks Gloria
Homemade & Yummy
It works really well…and tastes good too.
Momina Arif
This is so helpful. thank you for posting this.
Chef G
Hope it helps if you have a cough. It works wonders here.
Diane
I will keep this recipe handy! This is the time of year we just may need it. We dont use cough meds. It’s mostly alcohol and sugar. Your recipe looks much healthier!
Chef G
It is so much better than the stuff at the store. Much healthier too.
Julie
Just encountering my third cough of the year and hate store bought cough syrup! After suffering through a tickle spell I decided to whip up a batch. That was two hours ago and haven’t cleared my throat or coughed since taking this. Tastes soo much better than Robitussin.
Chef G
I am so glad to hear it has helped you like it helps us. Yes it does taste so much better and is so much healthier than store bought cough syrups.
Sarah
My mom makes her own cough syrup and swears by it. I’ve been wanting to make my own for quite some time, but haven’t ever gotten around to it. Thankfully we don’t get coughs too often, but the next time we do I’m making this. thank you!
Chef G
You are welcome. It works wonders for us.
Oana@AdoreFoods
Such an interesting post! I will be saving this recipe and try it next time I am fighting a cough. Thanks for sharing it!
Chef G
You are welcome…hope it helps.
Wajeeha
What a great idea! And so simple too…will be trying this soon. How long can this be stored? And do we store this in the fridge? Thank you! 🙂
Chef G
I don’t store it in the fridge. Since you can make it up so quickly it is easy to have fresh batches. I have kept it for several months and it is perfectly fine. It is made with stuff that is in the kitchen, so I have found nothing goes bad in it. Hope it help you.
Anne Murphy
When I sang seriously I certainly used honey and lemon often enough… Cinnamon is the only one new to me in this context -interesting…
Chef G
So many awesome natural healing things in your kitchen!!
Brandy M.
Looks like a great cough syrup. I tend to head to the honey for my little ones first before we head to the medicine cupboard as well. Honey really helps them get the sleep they need as it coats their throat and I don’t have to worry as much about what I’m giving them.
Chef G
It works great….just adjust the cayenne for kids. Don’t give honey to children under 12 months of age.
Amanda
What an interesting post! I’ve never made homemade cough syrup, but I know I’ve detested the store bought stuff since I was a kid! Will save this to try for next time I’m under the weather.
Chef G
It really works…and tastes sooooo much better too!!
Shadi
I definitely prefer this to store bought medicine full of chemicals! My maman used to give us honey and lemon juice mixed with tap water and worked well too!
Chef G
I prefer EVERYTHING to medication!!
Sharee @ Savory Spicerack
I work in the medical field but I am still about anything natural that can help heal and or soothe the human body! Great share! Pinning to share with my all natural hubby! Thanks so much!
Chef G
Thanks so much. Hope you don’t get sick…but it will help.
Jeanine
My question is just apple cider vinegar or raw apple cider vinegar .?
Chef G
Raw apple cider vinegar….