Honey and Onion Cough Syrup is a old folk remedy for cough and colds. It combines the well known benefits of onion and honey to create a simple, affordable homemade cough syrup to help sooth a sore throat and clear excess mucus.

The British Medical Journal lists honey as:

"better than usual care for easing respiratory symptoms, especially cough”.  

While onion is a member of the Allium family known to have medicinal properties and to be an effective expectorant, that is to say  that it can help elevate symptoms associated with mucus blocked airways.

REASONS TO LOVE THIS RECIPE:

1. It’s made with simple, household ingredients that have great healing properties.
2. Easy enough for a beginner to make.
3. Tastes surprisingly good, making it a bit easier to give to sick kids.
4. A powerful folk remedy that has been used for generations and generations.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW BENEFITS:

• Honey is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and a powerful antioxidant.
• Honey soothes a sore and tired throat.
• Onion contains the antioxidant quercetin, which fights inflammation in the body,.
• Onion is high in sulfur compounds (as is garlic), which has been shown to help with a variety of health issues.
• Since onion is an expectorant it helps clear mucus, which is common with a cough.
• Onions have electrolytes, which is essential for keeping hydrated during an illness.

HOW TO MAKE COUGH SYRUP WITH ONION AND HONEY

To get started, simply peel and cut your onions in half. Then slice them into thin half-moon shapes. Add them to a medium sized pot, then add in some chopped garlic (2-3 cloves) if desired.

• Onions: You will need 2-3 onions. If you don’t grow your own, I recommend seeking out an organic option. Since it’s a medicinal recipe it’s a good idea to invest in the best quality.
• Honey: Seek out raw/unpasteurized honey. You’ll get all of the beneficial enzymes, as well as the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of honey.
• Garlic (optional): This is an optional ingredient, but garlic is well established in herbal medicine. Use organic or local garlic if available.

Add in the honey, drizzling in enough to completely cover the onions. They do not need to be submerged under an inch or more of honey, just enough that all of the onions are coated and covered.

Place your pot on the stove, and heat over low heat until the onions are very soft and slightly mushy. Stir occasionally to encourage even heating – the mixture should never feel hot to the touch, just warm.

It will take around 1-2 hours for your onions to soften, and you may need to increase the heat ever so slightly if the onions are not losing their shape within the first 30 minutes or so.

Once the onions are soft and slightly mushy, taste your syrup to check the flavor. It should taste pleasantly of honey with just a touch of onion – it’s surprisingly tasty!

Allow it to cool to room temperature completely before transferring to a jar for storage – this prevents condensation and moisture in the jar.

Once your honey onion cough syrup has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to a clean jar with a lid. This can be a swing-top jar or a wide mouth mason jar with a plastic lid. Just make sure it’s nice and clean to ensure the longest storage possible of your homemade cough syrup.

If you leave the onions in the syrup you can expect for this to store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

If you want it to store for 2-6 months, just carefully remove the onions using a clean utensil. Then transfer to the fridge and watch carefully for signs of spoilage such as an off smell, color, or mold growth. Discard if there are any signs of spoilage.

Thanks to LITTLEHOMEINTHEMAKING.COM