Homemade Cough Syrup (How to Make Natural Cough Medicine)

Looking for a natural cough remedy? This homemade cough syrup recipe is a great natural remedy to have on hand to soothe sore throats and stop lingering coughs this flu and cold season. Read on to learn how to make this natural cough medicine as well as some extra tips for natural cough remedies.

Click HERE to save this recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup to Pinterest!

Homemade Cough Remedy

Cold and Flu season is unfortunately upon us, not to mention the other illness that has been on everyone’s mind this year!

With our first cold of the season this week, I was reminded of this recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup and Sore Throat Soother and thought it was time to make up a batch to keep on hand.

The Best Homemade Remedy for a Cough

I remember a few years ago when I had the worst cold. Nothing seemed to soothe my throat from all the coughing or help calm my cough.

It was one of those “I can’t get out of bed but every time I lay down I start hacking up a lung” type of colds. On top of that my voice sounded super amazing.

I was frustrated because it hit me at the worst time when I had a lot of things on my plate that I needed to deal with. And though it might sound trivial, but it kind of put a stop to the 24/7 Christmas carol singing that happens in my house and that is no fun at all.

My friend Becca brought me some Homemade Cough Syrup after struggling for a week with this cold. I felt like I had tried everything already and yet nothing was really helping.

At this point I was willing to try just about anything so that I could speak without hacking up a lung and breathing didn’t feel like so much work.

Let me tell you, this homemade cough remedy is amazing stuff. Becca warned me that it would taste awful. Like, really strong. Honestly, I didn’t think it was that bad. It is some seriously strong stuff and pretty hot, but it works!

After just a day of using this natural cough medicine, I was back to annoying my kids with my constant Christmas Carol singing.

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Click HERE to save this recipe for Homemade Cough Remedy to Pinterest!

Tools Needed to Make Homemade Cough Syrup

You’ll need a few different tools to prepare this old fashioned cough syrup recipe. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:

• Measuring Cups and Spoons – to measure the ingredients.
• Clean Jar – to store your natural cough suppressant in.
• Funnel – if your jar has a narrow opening this is helpful for transferring the liquids without spilling.

Homemade Cough Syrup Ingredients

You’ll need a few simple ingredients to make this homemade cough syrup and sore throat soother. I bet you have most of the items in your spice cabinet already – I only had to buy the fresh lemon juice.

• Apple Cider Vinegar (I recommend Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar for this homemade cough syrup recipe)
• Lemon Juice
• Ground Ginger
• Cayenne Pepper
• Raw Honey
• Water

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How Does Natural Cough Syrup Work?

Each ingredient in this homemade cough syrup has unique properties to help tackle the symptoms of sore throats and lingering coughs that come with a winter cold.

Click HERE to save this recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup to Pinterest!

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help a Cough?

Apple Cider Vinegar helps a cough by restoring the body’s pH factor, which becomes more alkaline during a cold.

Another remedy for coughs that apple cider vinegar assists with is that it also helps slow down mucus production and thins mucous.

Definitely a necessary ingredient in any homemade cough syrup recipe!

Does Lemon Juice Help a Cough?

Fresh squeezed lemon juice is loaded with Vitamin C. It helps the immune system.

The lemon juice in this homemade cough syrup also cuts through phlegm, which is usually in abundance during a cold, making it especially good if you have congestion with your cough.

Does Ginger Help a Cough?

Ginger is a natural antihistamine. It has anti-inflamatory properties, and relieves chest congestion.

Click HERE to save this recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup to Pinterest!

Does Cayenne Pepper Help a Cough?

Cayenne is warming (duh, because it’s freaking hot!) and relieves pain. How does cayenne pepper relieve pain when it causes pain because it is hot?

The cayenne pepper in this homemade cough syrup relieves pain by suppressing a chemical that carries the pain message to the brain.

How Does Honey Help a Cough?

Honey actually has a medicinal purpose in this homemade cough syrup, so it isn’t just included to help the cough syrup taste better – though that certainly helps!

The honey in this natural cough syrup works by coating the throat. It will draw pus from wounds, as well as possessing natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

*Note: it is not recommended to give honey to any child under 1 year of age under any circumstances.

How to Make Homemade Cough Syrup

The recipe instructions are super simple — combine all the ingredients in a glass jar with a lid and shake it up!

Store it in a jar, like one of these cute Weck Jars, in the refrigerator.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

How to Use Homemade Cough Syrup

I found that the best way to use this cough syrup recipe was to put a teaspoon (that’s all you really want to use at a time) in a small cup, like a shot glass, and down it in the back of your throat.

This method minimizes the super strong taste when you miss your tongue completely. Your throat is really what you want to coat with this homemade cough syrup — not your mouth, teeth, and tongue.

Then, chase that with a cup full of water.

I usually do a quick teeth brushing afterwards to protect the enamel of my teeth, since the mixture is pretty acidic. This isn’t something you want sitting on your teeth all day.

Who Should Use Homemade Cough Syrup?

You should always consult your physician if you have any questions or concern regarding your health or an illness that you are experiencing.

Seek medical attention immediately if you are having difficulty breathing or chest pains. Mayo Clinic has guidelines on when to talk to call your doctor if you have a fever.

Personal discretion is advised when using this recipe for homemade cough syrup. I did find it very helpful and beneficial in my personal use, however. 

Please be aware that it is hot and strong. It may not be best for children (or even adults) who have difficulty with the contained ingredients. It should never be used for babies or toddlers.

This post and recipe for natural cough syrup are not intended to replace professional medical advice.

Click HERE to save this recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup to Pinterest!

How Long Will Homemade Cough Syrup Last?

To be honest, I’m not sure! I have a big family, and when we’re all sick we go through a batch of natural cough medicine in about 4 weeks.

You’re probably safe to keep it in your fridge for longer than that since the individual ingredients don’t go bad quickly and have natural antibacterial properties, but I’d advise you to use your best judgement.

Tips for Making Homemade Cough Syrup

Be sure to give this homemade cough remedy a good shake before administering it. You want the ingredients to be properly mixed before taking a dose, otherwise you might not reap all the benefits.

Also note that you shouldn’t make ingredient substitutions. If you swap out some of the ingredients, this natural cough syrup may not work.

How Do I Stop Coughing?

Here are several tips to help stop coughing once your coughing as begun:

• Stay hydrated to loosen mucus – check out my tips to drink more water!
• Use a humidifier in your room at night.
• Take a hot, steamy shower – especially helps to soothe bad coughs before bed
• Use this recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup as needed
• Sleep with the head elevated – a wedge pillow is good for this.
• Diffuse essential oils – essential oils, such as Eucalyptus, are helpful for coughs. Diffuse them in the bedroom with an essential oil diffuser.
• Tackle allergens – make sure bed sheets are clean and washed with hot water (I like Branch Basics cleaners), regularly vacuum with a HEPA filter vacuum, and dust bedrooms.
• Use an air purifier – we have one in our bedroom and it helps a lot!
• Eliminate odors, perfumes, or other scents (such as from cleaning chemicals) that irritate breathing and trigger coughing.
• Gargle – gargling with a mixture of warm water and salt helps, especially before bed.
• Use saline spray or nasal irrigation – this helps clear sinus passages which will make breathing easier.
• Don’t hold a cough in – holding in a cough can be counterproductive, and can actually worsen your illness.
• Use menthol lozenges – menthol soothes the nasal passages and throat.
• Sip hot water with Honey. Is your honey crystalized? Check out this post about decrystalizing honey.

The best way to relieve a stubborn cough is to tackle the root cause. If natural remedies are not helping, work with your doctor or medical provider for additional guidance in soothing a persistent cough.

Try this Home Remedy for Cough and Cold Symptoms!

Next time have a hacking cough that just won’t seem to go away, give this Homemade Cough Syrup a try!

Did enjoy the health benefits of these powerful ingredients as they helped soothe your bad cough? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this natural cough suppressant.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of your own diy cough syrup!

Reader Reviews of this Recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup

“I made a batch of this today. Yes, it is hot, but it seems to work. I made a “daytime” and a “nighttime” version. (The “nighttime” version has whiskey instead of water to help with sleep.) Both are good so far. Thank you for this recipe.” -Poppy

Get More Delicious Recipes via Email

Did you love this recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup? Sign up for Good Life Eats email updates and never miss another recipe!

What are your favorite natural remedies for a cough or sore throat?

© 2011 GoodLife Eats™. All rights reserved. Images, photography original text, and original recipes (unless otherwise noted) contained herein are sole property of GoodLife Eats™ and may not be used, copied or transmitted without author consent.