After making it all the way through the winter season without a sniffle or sneeze, the common cold hit my husband Erich like a ton of bricks over Memorial Day weekend. I had been saving this recipe to try, so I mixed up a batch and had Erich test it out. Both Erich and I were utterly amazing at how well this Homemade Cough Syrup worked and have been using it as a staple cough syrup for our entire family since.

You may check your food’s ingredients, but have you ever taken a gander at what’s in most over-the-counter cold and cough medications?  They may be intended to help heal, but just like so many FDA-approved foods, many pharmaceutical drugs are actually laden with sketchy ingredients. Take a look and you’ll find everything from binders, fillers and preservatives to highly processed sugar and artificial dyes.

Rather than reaching for a bottle of who knows what, use this homemade remedy with natural ingredients that are all clinically proven respiratory soothers!

• Ginger: Fresh ginger helps fight against congestion and sinus symptoms (like clearing a cough and sniffles).
• Marshmallow root: Another superstar for treating coughs and colds, marshmallow root has an extremely high mucilaginous content, which loosens mucous and inhibits bacteria, making it an ideal ingredient in this cough syrup. If you can’t find marshmallow root, you can skip it, although it’ll slightly reduce the effectiveness of the syrup.
• Honey: Honey can kill bacteria and fight off viral infections due to its natural antibacterial properties.
• Lemon: We’ve found lemon juice to be especially soothing for illnesses involving respiratory issues or a sore throat. Its natural antibacterial properties help fight bacteria and provide a necessary dose of vitamin C.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon has been a traditional remedy for healing cold, flu and sore throat symptoms. It’s loaded with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory effects that help soothe a sore throat.
• Cayenne pepper: It may sound spicy and strange to add cayenne pepper to your cough syrup, but the capsaicin (a chemical compound in it) helps thin out mucus and clear your sinuses. It’s also been shown to bring your body’s temperature down.

Yes! If you’ve perused the FfL website, then you know how much we’re a fan of batch cooking and freezer-friendly recipes. This DIY cough syrup is no different. You can freeze it in small mason jars OR in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes from the tray into a freezer bag for future use.

Cold and flu season? No problem! We want you to be prepared with the arsenal of all-natural remedies that you and your family may need. To help, we’ve done a few posts on natural cold remedies:

• Cold and Flu Tea (Powerful Natural Remedy)
• How to Use a Neti Pot for Sinus Congestion and Allergies
• A delicious Homemade Chicken Rice Soup recipe that’s perfect for the road to recovery
• Homemade Elderberry Syrup (Immune Boosting)