Honey and Onion Cough Syrup Recipe

Looking for an old time cough syrup recipe?  This honey and onion cough syrup recipe is one your grandma probably made for her family.  It's easy to make, and it's effective for reducing coughing when nothing else will work for relief.

Honey Onion Cough Syrup Recipe

When you can't stop coughing, you'll do just about anything for relief.  This onion and honey remedy sounded not so fun to me, but then I tried it.

You guys.  It works.

I've always been a fan of taking honey to reduce a cough, but I wasn't sure about the onion part.  

There are several honey and onion syrup benefits, and we'll discuss those below.

For more home remedies, try these:

• How to Make Oil of Oregano
• Old Fashioned Cough Syrup Recipe
• How to Make Oregano Tincture
• Homemade Vapor Rub
• Menthol and Eucalyptus Shower Steamers
• Epsom Salt Bath for Cold and Flu

Keep track of this recipe and more in my printable binder kit for a natural home.  This has reference information and recipe pages to keep your favorite recipes for food, natural remedies, and more.

Honey and Onion Syrup Benefits

Here are some of the benefits of this onion and honey remedy:

• There are no known interactions with any other medications, so you can honey onion cough syrup alone or with other medications.
• Honey has been proven to be more effective at reducing coughing in children than the leading cough medicine (dextromethorphan). 
• Further research shows that honey is effective at reducing cough in children over 1 year when taken before bedtime.  Since cough medicine isn't recommended for children, this is a great alternative.
• Honey is naturally anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation from being sick.
• Onions are a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial food.  
• This old fashioned cough syrup recipe is easy to make with ingredients that you probably already have at home.
• Recipes like this are inexpensive old time cough remedies.  Even if you have to buy honey or an onions, you'll use less than the cost of a bottle of cough medicine.  

In addition to the honey and onion syrup benefits, I do want to talk about some precautions.  First, talk to your doctor when you need health care advice.

Honey has a lot of sugar, so keep that in mind when taking it.  It can affect diabetics.

Do not give honey to babies under 12 months.

Best Honey to Use for Honey Onion Cough Syrup

I always recommend using local raw honey for any recipes or home remedies.  Raw honey is unfiltered and not heated, so it preserves the enzymes and antioxidants.  

Local honey is preferred because it has pollen from local plants.  This can help you build immunity to allergens in your area.  

In addition, buying local helps support local small businesses.  These growers and harvesters need your support and dollars.

If you can't find raw honey locally, then I recommend buying a high quality honey.  Honey is expensive, and some manufacturers cut it with a simple syrup or make it completely with high fructose corn syrup, water, and flavoring.  This will have no benefits other can causing your blood sugar to spike!

I like using Nature Nate's or YS Eco Bee Farms raw honey.

You can also use a medical grade honey like Manuka.  This honey has better antibacterial activity, but it is more expensive.

Customizing Your Onion and Honey Cough Syrup 

You can make this old fashioned cough syrup recipe with just honey and onions, or you can customize it  by adding more herbs or spices.  

Here are some ways to customize your recipe:

• Garlic: Garlic has been shown to reduce inflammation and boost your immune system naturally.  Add 2-3 cloves per batch.
• Ginger: Ginger has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.  It may also reduce nausea.  Add a finely chopped piece of fresh ginger about 2 inches long.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is a wonderful anti-inflammatory.  I take it daily for my joint pain.  Add one tablespoon of ground ginger and a teaspoon of finely ground black pepper to this recipe.
• Licorice root: Licorice root can act like a natural expectorant.  Add 1 teaspoon of powdered licorice root.
• Marshmallow root: Marshmallow root coats the throat and is wonderful for a dry cough to reduce coughing.  Add one teaspoon of powdered marshmallow root or two tablespoons of chopped root.
• Thyme:  Thyme is an expectorant and antispasmodic.  It can help reduce coughing and clear mucus.  It's also naturally antimicrobial.  Add two tablespoons of chopped fresh or dried thyme.
• Oregano:  Oregano can also help reduce coughing and is a natural antimicrobial herb.  Add two tablespoons of fresh or dried oregano.

I buy my herbs and spice from either Mountain Rose Herbs, Grassroot Herb Supply, or Starwest Botanicals.

How to Use Honey and Onion Cough Syrup Recipe

For adults, take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon every two hours at the onset of symptoms.  If you have a cough or other symptoms, take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day until you feel better.

Children over one year can take half the amount of adults.  Do not give this onion and honey remedy to children under 12 months.

For best results, take the honey onion cough syrup from a spoon.  Let it coat your throat and try to move it to where your nasal passage drains into your throat.  

Onion and Honey Cough Syrup Recipe Storage

Once the mixture cools to room temperature, transfer it to a mason jar and cover with a lid. If you leave the onions in the honey, it will last about 1 week.  

For longer storage, remove the onions and store in the fridge for 2 to 6 months.  Watch for any signs of spoilage.  If you notice that it smells off or the color changes or any mold grows, discard it immediately.

More Natural Cough Remedies

Don't want to make this honey and onion cough syrup recipe?  Here are some of my favorite store bought natural remedies:

• Yogi Tea Breathe Deep is hands down my favorite tea when I have a cough or congestion.  It works well to relieve symptoms for several hours.  It has a pleasant and sweet taste.
• Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy is great for calming a cough.  I'm not a fan of eucalyptus, but if it doesn't bother you then this is a great one.
• Nature's Way Umcka Cold + Flu is my go to for a supplement when I feel the ick coming on.
• Earthley Cough-B-Gone has organic mullein leaf and organic fenugreek seed to relieve your cough and organic dandelion root to detox.
• Manuka Honey Drops are great for on the go when you can't brew a cup of tea.

If you want to make your own cough syrup but struggle with sourcing the ingredients or finding the right recipe, I also have two cough syrup kits available.  

My Herbal Cough Syrup Kit is formulated to relieve the symptoms of a wet cough.

My Cherry Bark Cough Syrup Kit is formulated to relieve the symptoms of a dry cough.

Honey and Onion Remedy Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make a honey onion cough syrup:

• 1 medium or large onion
• 2-3 cups raw local honey

Optional ingredients (add 1 or 2 of these if desired)

• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 2 inch piece of ginger finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon turmeric plus 1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon powdered licorice root or 1 tablespoon licorice root
• 1 teaspoon powdered marshmallow root or 1 tablespoon marshmallow root
• 2 tablespoon thyme
• 2 tablespoons oregano

How to Make Honey Onion Cough Syrup

Step #1

Slice the onion and add it to a heavy sauce pan or Dutch oven.  Add optional ingredients like garlic or other herbs or spices.  

Step #2

Add enough raw honey to cover the onions.  The onions do not need to be fully submerged.

Step #3

Turn the heat on low and and heat until the onions soften.  Avoid turning up the heat too high because this can reduce the beneficial enzymes in the honey.  Cook on low for 1 to 2 hours or until the onions are soft.  Stir occasionally.

Step #4

When the onions are soft, turn off the heat and allow the onion and honey remedy to cool to room temperature.

Step #5

Place the cough syrup in a mason jar and add a lid.  Store in the fridge for up to a week with the onions and any additives in the honey.  Otherwise, remove the onions and any herbs and spices and store in the fridge for 2 to 6 months.

Step #6

Take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon every two hours at the start of cold or cough symptoms.  You can take up to 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.

Now you know the honey and onion syrup benefits. I hope you find relief with old time cough remedies like this one.

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