Gwen's Nest

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Honey Lemon Cough and Cold Remedy

April 4, 2010 By Gwen Brown 44 Comments

cough remedy (5 of 5)This is our favorite cough, sore throat, and cold remedy.  Even the kids love the taste of it.  Which was important to me, because even the best natural remedy won’t work if it doesn’t get taken.

Colds are our most common complaint around here, so it was important for me to find a natural remedy that could be made up quickly and with ingredients that I had on hand.  After doing lots of reading about the benefits of using garlic internally for boosting immunity, I knew that I wanted to use it in a cold remedy.  But how to make it palatable?

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While researching natural remedies for coughs and sore throats, I kept coming across honey and lemon as two common ingredients.  Since our colds are usually accompanied by coughs, I had an ‘aha’ moment.

I experimented with a simple blend of honey, lemon, ‘bruised’ garlic cloves, and smashed ginger root.  The sweetness and flavor of the lemon honey masks the strong taste of the garlic cloves, and you just get a hint of spiciness.  We use it when we start to feel a cold or sore throat coming on, and to soothe a cough. (See the update below the printable recipe for a couple more great ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.)

My kids like the taste enough to ask for it, and remember to take it regularly.

Here’s how to make it:

4.1 from 8 reviews
Honey Lemon Cough and Cold Remedy
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
5 mins
Total time
10 mins
 
This is our favorite cough remedy for the whole family, from kids over a year old* all the way up. It's soothing, sweet, and it does its job at soothing throats and coughs when we're feeling poorly.
Author: Gwen
Recipe type: Remedy
Serves: 6-12
Ingredients
  • ½ c. Raw (unheated) Honey*
  • Half a lemon
  • 2 fresh or frozen garlic cloves- don't use the pre-minced stuff. It's lost its strong medicinal properties.
  • a chunk of fresh or frozen ginger* (optional)
Instructions
  1. Fill a small jar halfway with raw honey.
  2. Squeeze the lemon half into the honey and stir.
  3. Crush the garlic cloves and ginger. You don't want to pulverize them, or you'll end up with little bitty chunks floating around in the honey...just crush them one good time, to start the enzyme reactions in the cloves. I like to whack the cloves of garlic with the side of my meat tenderizer mallet, and I do the same thing to the ginger.
  4. Drop them into the honey and stir.
  5. We store this in the fridge, because the cold feels good on hot, scratchy throats.
Notes
*I would never use raw honey for babies under a year old, due to a natural bacteria that can make them very sick. If you have a little one under a yaer old and want to try a cough remedy, I recommend using maple syrup instead of honey.
**Raw honey has active enzymes, 'good' bacteria, and tons of other beneficial stuff that normal, pasteurized grocery store honey doesn't have. If it's raw, it will say so on the label. Local honey is also a great choice.

How to take it:
Take a spoonful of honey as needed, avoiding the chunks of garlic and ginger unless you just reeely like the taste of garlic.
Keeping it going:
We keep the mix going as long as we have colds in the house by adding more honey and lemon to taste as we use it up.
I also refresh the cloves of garlic and ginger daily, removing the old ones with a fork, and adding new ones.
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Update: Since writing this post, I’ve discovered the amazing properties of turmeric in fighting off infection and inflammation…I wrote a mini-article on turmeric, and share how to add this amazing herb to the lemon/honey mix to create a cough remedy based on this basic recipe.  Add a pinch of cinnamon as well to further boost the effectiveness.

Filed Under: Cough Cold & Flu Remedies, Health and Natural Remedies, Natural Remedies & Recipes Tagged With: cough remedy, garlic, ginger, honey, sore throat remedy

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  1. Good Things By Jenn says

    March 13, 2013 at 6:00 PM

    I am so glad I came across your website and this recipe! I have been battling a cold for several days, and needed some relief. I am pretty stubborn when it comes to taking medicine. I whipped this up, and oh my gosh, it worked wonderfully! Definitely a recipe I’ll keep!

    Reply
    • Its_Gwen says

      March 13, 2013 at 11:49 PM

      Yay! So glad you’re feeling better! I love quick, safe, and effective home remedies!

      Reply
  2. Charles says

    August 11, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    This sounds awesome.. Will post results! Thanks! Also, do you think instead of leaving the whole garlic in we can press the garlic?

    Reply
  3. Erica says

    August 18, 2013 at 2:33 AM

    Been researching on this topic too and your post just confirmed what I read. Excited to try this on the kids!

    Reply
  4. Hair-pulling Dad of 1&1/2 says

    April 21, 2014 at 2:08 AM

    My household is going through the later phase of whooping cough- I’ve been reading tons of things but now that I’ve read your posts and comments on this we’re gonna give it a try. My almost 2 yr old has that nasty cough sequence bothering him and my cosleeping pregnant wife. ~X•S
    I’ve read some stuff about the boosting of vitamin c as well so we started that already. I’m recovering better than my other 2, mostly because I don’t go down without a fight and I’m not squeamish to try the nasty recipes and methods to clear things up. I get sinus drainage at night time but don’t have the coughs anymore.- I work at night so that probly helps with the nighttime stress of cough/sleep mix.

    I hope to get my lovelies feeling better soon! Thanks for putting this information out for public view. I’ll share your webpage to my Facebook to let even more people know!

    Reply
    • Its_Gwen says

      April 22, 2014 at 9:23 AM

      Thank you! Hope your sweeties get well quickly!

      Reply
      • Vijay says

        November 1, 2017 at 3:08 AM

        What is the dosage for babies between 3 to 5 years?

        Reply
        • Gwen Brown says

          July 20, 2021 at 3:21 PM

          I consider this a food, and let them take what they want as often as they ask for it.

          Reply
  5. Megan B. says

    August 3, 2014 at 1:11 PM

    Going to give this a try! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with the world!

    Reply
  6. esther o brien says

    January 19, 2015 at 7:04 PM

    thank you so so much for such practical advice on these wonderful natural remedies. I take a mixture of all in different forms at different times. Have you any advice on a natural product for night sweats, (hormonal menopause), my nights are miserable, energy low, otherwise in great health.
    looking forward to hearing from your,
    yours,
    esther o brien

    Reply
    • Gwen says

      January 21, 2015 at 10:16 PM

      Esther, I’m not as familiar with the hormone balance issues, but that’s something I am going to be studying and writing on this year, so stay tuned!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        November 12, 2015 at 2:27 AM

        Get the book “What your doctor may not tell you about menopause.”
        It goes over your symptoms and what vitamins, herbs, and creams will work for
        those. It saved my life.

        Reply
        • Gwen Brown says

          November 12, 2015 at 8:49 AM

          I’ve seen the ideas behind the book as far as hormone replacement, and I feel like that approach is a band-aid, and somewhat outdated at this point.

          Reply
  7. Dianne says

    February 8, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    Your new blog doesn’t offer pinterest link? Disappointed.

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      February 9, 2015 at 7:05 AM

      I’ve got some glitches…I’ll make sure that they are up ASAP. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  8. Rhonda Clonts says

    May 13, 2015 at 3:52 PM

    Is there a beginners book on Herbs that you recommend? I started my own little garden this season. Am looking forward to reaping the benefits.

    Reply
  9. Yvonne says

    June 17, 2015 at 3:35 PM

    I use a really potent mixture of all hot ingredients, but I’d never heard about the use of turmeric. Thanks for the information!.

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      June 17, 2015 at 11:33 PM

      Sure! Turmeric is my favorite for coughs and headaches now. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Jackie says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:30 AM

    Love reading your articles. This one sounds especially helpful. We woke up to snow this morning in Colorado Springs!! It’s coming…! Thx.

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      November 11, 2015 at 2:35 PM

      Hope you enjoy it! It’s our favorite for coughs and colds. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Lynn tiemann says

    April 23, 2016 at 12:36 PM

    Hi, how much turmeric do you add to the cough syrup recipe?

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      June 4, 2016 at 1:15 AM

      Hi Lynn! You can find and print the Turmeric version of the turmeric cough remedy recipe here.

      Reply
  12. Geoff says

    August 30, 2016 at 2:10 AM

    We have been fighting whooping cough for weeks. Starting on your cough mixture with turmeric (we have a kilo of organic turmeric just waiting to be used). Will let you know how it goes.
    This bug is NASTY. My 18 yr old has been coughing his lungs up for at least a week. We have been heavy on the liquid consumption, beef broths, chicken soup etc. Have to hope the turmeric could be the difference.
    Thanks for all the info

    Reply
  13. aman says

    November 14, 2016 at 3:44 AM

    I will definitely give it a try, thanks for your effort helping others without a fee.. By the way, do you have any remedies on sleep disorder or insomia? Am having difficulties going back to sleep after having a pee between 2-4am…

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      November 14, 2016 at 4:22 PM

      Check out the article that Dr. Rob just posted about the liver…it may be a good start in researching this. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Amy says

    November 19, 2017 at 3:55 AM

    Thank you for this recipe, plus it’s add-ins, as well as your wassail recipe…that’s how my search tonight started…for your wassail! 🙂 Gonna try making both tomorrow to get me over this cold quickly, before Thanksgiving!!! 😉 Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Jackolyn says

    December 15, 2017 at 10:24 AM

    Thank You! I like to use my essential oils with the honey, as well.
    Looking forward to mixing some of your blends up that you shared on Jill’s page.

    Reply
  16. Marion Danyluk says

    May 4, 2019 at 1:35 PM

    Just found you by accident and have found a wealth of new info. Will be making visits often. Thank-you!
    Marion

    Reply
    • Marion says

      May 4, 2019 at 1:37 PM

      Sorry that was meant to have 5 stars! Marion

      Reply
  17. Rebecca Smith says

    May 4, 2019 at 6:08 PM

    How much tumeric did you put in this syrup mix? I have capsules with the ginger and pepper already in. I have just put one for now but maybe I need more? My son as really severe whooping cough being sick every episode and had for 3 weeks now severe.

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      July 14, 2021 at 12:07 PM

      I put between a half teaspoon and a full teaspoon when I make this.

      Reply
  18. MsLinda says

    September 17, 2019 at 11:01 PM

    After infusion of the lemon and garlic in the honey with the cinnamon do the solids need to be strained out? This reminds me of a homemade syrup my grandmother used to make when we were kids and came down with a cough and sniffles.

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      July 13, 2021 at 12:50 PM

      I don’t bother straining, as the honey is pretty thick. But I will scoop around the garlic chunks for my picky kids. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Keita Burrell says

    November 20, 2019 at 8:30 PM

    I thought the taste was okay, my 4 year old didn’t and refused to have any. Any tips to hide it in something else?

    I can’t rate it accurately because we only used it once and a tiny amount.

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      July 22, 2020 at 10:28 AM

      Hi Keita! Try adding more honey and lemon, and see if you can tip it toward a sweet tart flavor. I only offer the liquid portion…no chunks. Some kids are just super picky and it’s difficult to get them to use remedies. I have one like this too.

      Reply
  20. Crystal Vreeland-Bajkowski says

    January 16, 2020 at 8:55 AM

    If I fresh minced the garlic and stored in a mason jar with olive oil. . . How long before the medicinal properties are no longer potent?

    Reply
    • Gwen Brown says

      July 15, 2020 at 6:10 PM

      There are health concerns with storing garlic in oil long term. Anarobic bacteria can become a problem and result in botulism. You can read more about that here.

      If you want to enjoy the antimicrobial component of garlic, allicin, then you’d want to use it soon after preparing. You can actually prepare in oil short term, and get the best of both worlds! 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Whooping Cough III: Natural Remedies for Prevention and Treatment | Gwens Nest says:
    February 6, 2013 at 1:18 AM

    […] had both been taking this homemade honey/lemon ‘cough syrup’ all along, with no real changes, but they liked it, so I let them have as much as they wanted.  […]

    Reply
  2. Garlic Remedies | Gwens Nest says:
    February 18, 2013 at 1:40 AM

    […] Cough Syrup I’ve already posted the recipe for garlic honey lemon cough and cold remedy.  It’s one of our favorite ways to take garlic for sore […]

    Reply
  3. Homemade Cough Syrup | Good Things By Jenn says:
    March 13, 2013 at 5:56 PM

    […] it, and my symptoms were the same as hers).  There it was…a few search results down…Honey Lemon Cough and Cold Remedy.  I had the three required ingredients on hand…raw honey, lemon, and garlic cloves.  I […]

    Reply
  4. Homemade Cough Syrup | Adventures of a Frugal Mom says:
    March 17, 2013 at 1:14 PM

    […] with it, and my symptoms were the same as hers).  There it was…a few search results down…Honey Lemon Cough and Cold Remedy.  I had the three required ingredients on hand…raw honey, lemon, and garlic cloves.  I whipped […]

    Reply
  5. Homemade Cough Syrup | A Momma's Random Ramblings says:
    July 14, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    […] with it, and my symptoms were the same as hers).  There it was…a few search results down…Honey Lemon Cough and Cold Remedy.  I had the three required ingredients on hand…raw honey, lemon, and garlic cloves.  I whipped […]

    Reply
  6. Homemade Cough Syrup | - A Momma's Random Ramblings says:
    August 23, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    […] with it, and my symptoms were the same as hers).  There it was…a few search results down…Honey Lemon Cough and Cold Remedy.  I had the three required ingredients on hand…raw honey, lemon, and garlic cloves.  I whipped […]

    Reply
  7. The “ember” months are my FAVORITE, so let’s be prepared | To Edify and Minister Grace says:
    October 8, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    […] are my honey and lemon cough/cold syrup and garlic presses.  The honey and lemon recipe found here is so helpful and laid out so well that I decided to use it rather than write it all out in this […]

    Reply

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