Honey Cough Syrup: Best Home Remedy for Cough

Cough is one of the most common sicknesses among children. It certainly is heart-breaking when your child is having a hard time coughing and you just can’t do anything about it. Of course, you would avoid synthetic medicines if at all possible for your child. But here is a natural and ancient medicine tested by generations and proven by time.

Alternative medicines are gaining in popularity in medical studies nowadays. There are many claims of “all-natural” medicines but still have traces of synthetic ingredients that cause certain side effects. If you really want an effective and worry-free alternative to soothe your child’s cough, why not do it yourself?

Honey has long been known and been used as a natural alternative remedy for sore throats and coughs. It was used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians as an alternative medicine to everything from wounds to insect bites. Studies showed that children who had a dose of honey coughed less and slept better than those who took cough medicines with Dextromethorphan, an ingredient that most over-the-counter cough medicines contain.

It is interesting that a sweet stuff is found to be an aid in sore throat, colds, and cough. However, children below 1 year old should not be given honey as they have an underdeveloped immune system and are prone to botulism spores found in honey. Although it was found out that honey had little side effect on the children who took it, they were found to be a little more hyperactive.

Here is a recipe that has been tested and proven to be effective. All you need is 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of water, and a small saucepan.

1. Pour the honey into a small saucepan. Take note that you should use pure and dark honey and not the refined ones which contain sugar.
2. Add 1/2 cup of water into the saucepan.
3. Heat the honey and water mixture over low heat. Frequently stir the mixture. Let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. You will know that it is already done when the mixture resembles the thickness of a maple syrup. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 1 hour.
4. Pour the mixture into a bottle through a strainer or funnel. Cover the bottle and store the honey cough syrup in your refrigerator. Don’t forget to mark the bottle with the date you made the mixture. This syrup should last for 2 months in the refrigerator.
5. Administer 1 tsp. of cough syrup for children and 1 tbsp. for adults orally, three times a day.

For adults, you can also have hot tea sweetened with honey and can also add lemon, orange, or grapefruit juice for added vitamin C.

The effectiveness of honey is now supported by any scientists and they believe that honey has properties that kill microbes and act as antioxidants. It is also found out that bees add to the nectars enzymes that produce hydrogen peroxide, an antibacterial agent. So the next time you feel you are having a sore throat or your child is having discomforts with cough, try this proven honey cough syrup. Not only does it taste great but it will also cost you less.