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.
Ayesha
Thank you for the natural recipe.. it looks promising. I have one doubt. How can we store this and for how long? Should it be refrigerated or can we leave it outside? Please note that I live in south India where winters are not freezing cold, the coldest is 13°c.
Homemade & Yummy
I never put this in the fridge. It lasts for a least a month or more just in the cupboard.
Holly
I’m all about homemade remedies like this! You’re right – cough syrup from the store is pretty bad. I’m definitely going to give this a try – thanks!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…homemade remedies really do work. No side effects and actually taste good too.
Julie
We’re admittedly not into natural remedies because there are so, so many potentially dangerous ones out there (looking at you, essential oils!), but this one just sounds plain delicious. Honey and cayenne? Sign me up!
Homemade & Yummy
Well these are all food items, you are good to go!!
Nicole
This cough medicine looks like he has a bunch of good stuff in it that your body will love! Is this good for toddlers?
Homemade & Yummy
You would have to check the notice about the honey…and also adjust the amount of cayenne, or not put it in. I know my daughter uses cinnamon and honey for her kids.
Michele
This is such a great idea because I always have trouble getting my son to take cough medicine. Not only does it probably taste better, but I’m sure it’s better for you because it’s made with natural ingredients. Looking forward to trying this!
Homemade & Yummy
Stay healthy, but when you need a little help, this does work.
georgie
yikes, this is a strong concoction but I love the idea of making a natural cough remedy! I know that all those flavour combinations are meant to be awesome for coughs and colds so I would totally make this at home!
Homemade & Yummy
My husband is on his first batch of the season. Give this a try when you get that winter cough.
Jenlea Dixon
Can I substitute the apple cider vinegar for white distilled vinegar?
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
NO…..you CANNOT!! There is NO nutritional value in white vinegar at all….plus it will not taste good at all.
Charity
This is such a great idea! I’m not a fan of store bought cough syrups either. They taste awful and never work. Next time we catch a cold, I’m trying this!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you find this works so much better than the store bought medicines.
Sharon
I love the idea of making my own cough syrup at home. I can make it as I need it and know exactly what’s in it too.
Homemade & Yummy
YES exactly. It tastes good, works and has NO side effects.
Sri Mallya
I can’t thank you enough for this post. My husband is suffering from cough and no drug store syrup works for him. I will try this today and let you know the results. Pinning it too!
Homemade & Yummy
Oh I hope he feels better. My husband is on his first batch of the season, and it is working for him.
Lauren
I think I would take this even if I didn’t have a cough! I love the sweet and spicy combo of honey and cayenne! Now I just need to figure out how to trick my husband into taking this for his cough!
Homemade & Yummy
Honestly once he tries it…he will take it for sure. It takes great and works too. No side effects either.
stephanie
This is such a great idea! I’ll definitely have to keep this on hand because we always get sick sometime in the winter without fail!
Homemade & Yummy
Hubby is making his way through the first batch of the season right now.
Aleta
As you stated above, the 100 day cough is awful.. currently myself and my daughters are about 7 days into it and feel like it’s never going to let up. I’m super excited to give this a try! I also hate using cough syrups and you arent supposed to give the to children under the age of six, so this natural solution will be perfect!
Homemade & Yummy
OMG we both had that 100 day cough…so terrible. This does work and is so much better than traditional medicine for sure.
Michelle
My friend is a master herbalist and suggested this to me years ago, I make it every year now without fail. It is the only thing that really works, so much better than over the counter syrups that are just all sugar. We’re coming into flu season here now so thanks for the reminder x
Homemade & Yummy
Yes for sure. I really do not like medication (and NEVER take it when prescribed). This works with NO side effects.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
I love homemade remedy for cold and cough. This is really helpful.
Homemade & Yummy
Hubby is already on his first batch!!
Shelley
Oh my goodness – you got my attention right away since I totally agree with you – I don’t like cough syrup either, and it usually doesn’t work very effectively anyway! I’m so excited to try this (ok – but not excited to get sick so that I NEED to try it LOL)! I’m definitely pinning this so I can find it again ASAP the next time one of us is sick. Thank you bunches for the terrific, all-natural idea!
Homemade & Yummy
Well I do not like medication of ANY kind. This really does work and tastes good too. NO side effects.