Ever since I began making this delicious cold and cough syrup last year, it has become a staple in my medicine chest. I usually prepare the first batch of the season around this time in anticipation of the days ahead.
Let us first discuss the making of simple herbal syrups. I learned my method for making herbal syrups from Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
How To Make Herbal Syrups
- Combine approximately 2 ounces of herbs and 1 quart of water. Begin simmering the mixture over low heat and reduce liquid down to 1 pint.
- Strain herbs from the liquid by running through a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth or coffee filter. Pour concentrated liquid back into the simmer pot. Note: Be sure to compost the discarded herbs.
- Add 1 cup of honey (or maple syrup, vegetable glycerin, or other sweetener you have on hand) per pint of liquid.
- Warm honey and liquid, on very low heat, just enough to blend together. Note: Cooking honey any longer, or on a high heat, will destroy the healing properties of the honey.
- Bottle, label, and refrigerate syrup.
Herbal Cold and Cough Syrup
Gather the Ingredients:
-1/4 cup dried echinacea root
-1/4 cup dried licorice root
-1/8-1/4 cup freshly grated ginger root (to taste)
Grate Ginger.
Strain herbs.
Bottle, label, and refrigerate.
For persons 10 years and older: 1 tablespoon
Expiration:
Syrup will keep in refrigerator for approximately 3 months.
Tips
-Add 1/2 cup chopped onion to the herbs and ginger for a increase in medicinal properties.
DISCLAIMER: The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
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Pediatricians are starting to "prescribe" honey and warm drinks for cough . I would like to try this. My son is soooo picky . I can't get him to drink warm tea and honey. Wonder how this will go over?
You have inspired me to start researching herbs more. I am so intimidated by them. A lot of what we do in our house is rely on my hubby's Filipino remedies, which have benefit too. But, he doesn't always know why things work . . . (isn't that typical of traditional cultures though — it JUST works!)
How long does this keep in the fridge?
@Deb Great question! Approximately 3 months and up to six months if you preserve with the brandy.
Great post! I am going to try this. We grow our own ginger, so I have a bunch of that already. I may add some lemon balm and horehound that I grow. I also love Mountain Rose Herbs and have bought a lot from them.
This is great! I'm going to start making my own!!
Thanks for sharing
pinning this recipe! thank you:)
I am going to try this thank you I have always just used honey and lemon. I tried Buckleys once wow I was really out of it I would rather ignore that stuff now. Thanks again. B
I wish I came across this blog last week! I am going to try this. Thanks!!!
Anytime I am sick I take some zinc and vitamin C, when my first symptoms appear and then I drink lots of licorice root tea, echinacea tea, rose hips and hibiscus tea with raw honey and ginger, organic vegetable broth, and eat raw honey by the spoonfuls. I had swine flue two years ago, all I did is drink herbal tea, sleep and take hot baths until I felt better. Honey is scientifically proven to work better than cough medicine and even cough suppressants. Not only does it soothe sore throats, but it also kills the virus that is making you sick.
I am going to pin this! This is definitely something I want to give a try. New follower here. Would love it you would stop by and share this at my linky party
http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/bedazzle-me-monday-8.html
Also, PRETTY PLEASE check out Random Acts of Kindness Week going on right now!! Would love to see you be a part of it! http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/kindness-and-thanksgiving.html
I've been buying elderberry syrup. I'd like to try this too.
This looks great. I make a lot of my own lotions and things. I plan on trying this. Do you still use the syrup for kids when you add the brandy to it?
Wow. What a great resource. Thanks so much for linking up on my meme.
I shared a link over on Facebook as well.
Thanks- This will be something I can experiment with this winter- and thanks for the tip to add brandy- does this mean I should drink it out of a snifter? (LOL).
You are an awesome resource.
Last time I was here i was bookmarking your advice…. And i will be doing it again.
T
Thank you so much! This looks easy enough to make.
Thank you so much for this post! I'm at the point in our journey where I feel like I am ready to start this type of thing – and your steps make it seem very manageable…..and I think I could do it without burning my house down.
This great post is featured at Sunday Snippets this week! Thanks for sharing! Come and check it out!
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/11/sunday-snippets-november-20-2011/
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. The more people are exposed to herbal medicines the less they will reach for the dangerous over-the-counter and RX options that have more side effects than benefits.
People are slowing waking up to ways to find true health thanks to people like you.
Just a note: be sure to get real unpasteurised honey. Store brand honey is not even made from honey. Google it!
Saw this on New Nostalgia. What a great idea. I have a dry allergy type cough all the time. All I have to do is suck on a cough drop but I can't do that while I am going to bed. Maybe this is what I need. I would love you to share it at Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits…
http://permanentposies.com/2011/11/stuffed-poblano-peppers-with-pumpkin-chile-cream-sauce/
I need to search your blog more–great ideas.
cheri from Its So Very Cheri–come for a visit.
Quick question for ya – did you get the Purpurea or the Angustifolia Echinacea root?
And I'm having issues finding the dried Licorice root on Mtn Rose Herbs. I'm new to this and want to make sure I buy the right thing.
Thanks for all your help!!
Looks like a great concoction to have on hand! Is there an advantage to using the fresh ginger root vs. the dried?
I am *obsessed* with your blog. Stop it – I need to feed my family.
No, I lied. Don't stop it, they can do without.
Question: I'm wanting to start making these recipes, but am unsure of what size of herb packages I should buy? What are the shelf lives of these root herbs (and also of Horehound)?
glad i found this blog! i love learning about natural and herbal reedies, and i love finding new ones! i was wondering, i’ve read that making tea out of thyme helps with coughs too… do you think it would also work with this recipe if added to it?
I’ve been making a thyme and honey cough syrup for many years that I’ve found to be quite effective! After reading this post, I think I’ll add a few more herbs to it the next time I make it
Is there anything that could be used instead of honey? I have a 4 year old and a 10 month old with a cough, and I know children under 2 aren’t supposed to have honey.
Recently found you and just used this recipe as a jumping off point for another medicinal syrup I had in mind…a concentrated tea for a health need I have. I didn’t enjoy the taste of the tea to drink it throughout the day so I concentrated it and now I just have to muscle down a tablespoon or two once or twice a day. So far, so good. Thanks again!!!
Can anyone tell me what form the valerian comes in… We’re a little unsure where to buy it and in what form?
i like that idea making everything
Just a word of warning – licorice root can cause some drug interactions / problems for people with high blood pressure – it can also deplete the potassium in the body causing irregular heartbeat. I’m going to leave out the licorice, and use chamomile instead of valerian for the restlessness.
Great idea, though, and a lot tastier than “Super Tonic” Super Tonic will kill anything, but boy, is it hard to get a youngster to take it more than once!
1 part – Garlic Cloves,
1 part – chopped hot white Onions,
1 part – grated Ginger Root,
1 part – grated Horseradish Root,
1 part – chopped Habenero peppers.
NOTE: Use a Blender to chop up each of these Ingredients VERY FINE!
Find a Glass Jar large enough and fill it 3/4 FULL with these Ingredients.
Fill the Glass Jar to the Top with RAW Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg’s or Spectrum Naturals).
Let it sit two to four weeks before using.
Shake it frequently.
Top it off with more vinegar, as needed.
Strain through a fine cloth or unbleached coffee filter.
Take at least 1 oz. 3 times per day when you have a Cold or Flu.
Also, http://www.yearstoyourhealth.com is my local source for herbs. They do mail and phone orders.
Andrea, I make this often, but I also use marshmallow root in it as well as onion and garlic, it really works great. I enjoy your blog a lot, thanks!
Where do you buy your bottles for storing the syrup? Will a mason jar have a good enough seal for something like this? I’ve been planning to make a sleep tincture, but have been hesitant because I wasn’t sure if I have the right container to store it in. Thank you for this recipe. Is it safe to use for infants? My son is 6 months old and has a raspy cough and is extremely congested, but no fever. Just keeping him from sleeping well and causing discomfort.