Onion and Honey Cough Syrup: Easy, Fast, Safe, and Effective
NOTE: This article is about how to make an effective and very safe (as well as tasty) cough syrup with red onion and raw honey. It’s super easy, and best of all…it works great for both dry and unproductive coughs. It’s soothing for spastic coughs, as well. Updated December, 2024
My neighbor called me, just frantic: “My son is sick, and he’s coughing really bad! Do you have something for him?”
I was happy to answer that, “YES!” I could absolutely whip up some fast, homemade, natural, and very effective cough syrup and have it over right away. Here’s this two-ingredient recipe for cough syrup that really works.
Just two ingredients? Can it really be that simple?
YES! Find how how to make your own effective natural remedy for coughs with this easy recipe!
Seriously, this powerful two ingredient combo packs a huge punch when it comes to soothing a sore throat and calming a cough. You probably have these two ingredients in your kitchen right now.
All you need is about a half a red onion and a bit of raw honey—-Directions for a fast method and a slower method below.
This is a traditional folk recipe that's been passed down for generations that is safe and surprisingly effective.
NOTE: Since raw honey is involved, please do not give to children under 12 months of age due to possible bacteria Clostridium botulinum being potentially present. Small infants can’t digest these bacteria as older children can.
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Cough getting you down this cold and flu season? Here is a safe, easy, two ingredient cough syrup recipe. This natural home remedy will help you deal with that bad cough. It’s perfect for children over the age of 12 months, too! Get rid of coughs fast with items you probably have in your kitchen right now. #cough #homeremedy #getridof #easyrecipe #natural #remedy #recipe #coughsyrup #syrup #herbalism #healingharvesthomestead
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Scientific Evidence for the Effectiveness of Honey and Onion Cough Syrup
This raw honey and red onion cough syrup has been one of my favorite cough remedies for many years. Store-bought cough syrups contain high levels of sugar and alcohol that do not do anything to help solve the problem of coughing. The chemicals they contain may also cause negative side effects.
For example, the “DM” (dextromethorphan) in most over-the-counter cough syrups is a semi-narcotic. Some people even use it to get a high. The American Pediatrics Association has stated it’s not safe for children under six years. Be sure to check your children’s over-the-counter cough syrup for this ingredient and stay away.
One of the reasons I love this alternative simple cough syrup so much is not only does it soothe a cough, but the combination of the onion and honey actually helps your body get better faster! Onion is highly supportive for the immune system.
It also tastes really good---it's not unpleasant at all. Another wonderful thing about this cough syrup is that because it’s in the food category (Let thy medicine be thy food—-Hippocrates), you can actually cook with it if you have any left over.
The science behind onions and honey stands behind this old-fashioned folk remedy too!
According to a study done by the Pennsylvania State University, Department of Pediactrics in 2007, honey was compared to the common OTC dextromethorphan (DM) ingredient in cough syrup. The result was that the honey was found more effective taken by children before bedtime in easing cough.
And according to esteemed herbalist Matthew Wood in his book, The Earthwise Herbal, Volume 1: Onions may help stimulate the cough reflex, warm the chest, and thin mucus (which helps it come up easier).
Onions are also anti-microbial, and their pungent nature helps clear phlegm.
For hundreds of years, onions have been a folk remedy for the value it has as an expectorant. You’ll find tales of just putting a cut onion in the bedroom, or putting onion slices in socks before bed, and other remedies. However, I prefer this delicious onion honey elixir, myself.
I realize old folk traditions are not necessarily scientific, however, how can you argue with hundreds of years of anecdotal evidence? My own experiences, and others I know, also bear out the effectiveness of this simple remedy.
Here is a question I get often about this remedy: Do you have to use red onion?
Here’s my answer: You can use white onion, however, the red onion contains chemicals that are more powerful in helping soothe and alleviate cough and cold symptoms, specifically antioxidants and flavonoids.
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How to Make Onion-Honey Cough Syrup
You’re going to love this cough syrup, and it even tastes pretty good too! I know that sounds surprising, because we are dealing with onions, here. But trust me: This is some good stuff.
There are two ways you can make this cough syrup: the slow way (which I think is the best), and the fast way (for when you need it NOW).
Ingredients for Onion-Honey Cough Syrup
*** Half a Red Onion, cut into 1/2 inch to 1 inch pieces
*** Organic Raw Honey
Note: Raw honey should not be given to infants under the age of 12 months.
Slow Directions for Onion-Honey Cough Syrup
**Even though this method is slower, I like it better than the fast method. You retain the nutrients from both the onion and honey because they are not affected by heat. If you need this syrup fast, you might want to make some using both methods at the same time---then you'll have ready- made syrup from the slow method set to go.
Step 1. Place about an inch tall section of onion pieces into a wide mouth pint jar. I used a quart-size jar, and that's fine, but it is easier to get to the syrup with a pint-sized jar.
Step 2. Now drizzle a bit of honey over the top. Like a glaze.
Step 3. Now put some more onions on top.
Step 4. Repeat the honey drizzle.
Step 5. Keep repeating until the onions are all in the jar, and the honey is just barely covering. I tend to put WAY too much honey in mine. You just need to barely cover the onions, as they will rise to the top anyway.
Step 6. Cover with a lid and let sit overnight on the counter.
Step 7. After a few hours, you'll find an amazing liquid on top! It's oniony but sweet, and it is A-Mazing for soothing a sore throat and calming an irritating cough.
Onions (especially red onions) are well known for their medicinal benefits and helping to cure flu and cold quickly. When combined with the honey (also a well-known antibacterial and super soothing for irritated tissues), you have a wonderful-tasting, soothing cough syrup!
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Fast Directions for Honey Onion Cough Syrup:
If you need this cough syrup right away, here is a fast stove-top option. For this option, you can add some garlic, too, if you like. The chemicals in the garlic are very powerful for boosting the immune system. It won't taste as good, but it will be very effective.
Using a whole onion (or more, if you need more), slice it into thin slices and place them in a deep pan. Cover the onions with honey, just until the onions are barely covered.
Now heat the mixture on LOW until the onions are soft and mushy. The honey should taste strongly of onions.
NOTE: The bad thing about heating honey is it will kill any of the good organisms in it. However, if you need the syrup quickly, this is a great option!
Place it in the refrigerator to keep for several days.
You can strain off the liquid, but I just leave the whole mixture intact and keep getting the syrup from the top as I need it.
Take a look at the Healing Harvest Homestead School of Botanical Arts & Sciences (SOBAS)! We have an herbalism, aromatherapy, or natural living course for you!
How to Use Your Homemade Honey Onion Cough Syrup
Just take a teaspoon or two as needed. Obviously, honey and onions are both quite safe to use (except do NOT give this to infants under 12 months due to the honey). Frankly, I am a little addicted, so fortunately, I can take as much as I want or need with no repercussions.
If you want to speed up your recovery, then continue using this syrup several times a day, even after symptoms subside.
How to Store Your Homemade Cough Syrup
Both syrups can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. I've actually used this syrup after a couple of weeks in the refrigerator, but be sure to do the sniff test first! If it tastes "off" or smells bad, do not use it. Better to be safe than sorry!
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Final Thoughts On Honey & Onion Cough Syrup
This is one of my favorite home remedies ever. It's so easy to use and make, and it is absolutely better for your body than the chemical alternatives in the stores.
One more thing: It's a good idea to always keep staples on hand for emergencies. Honey and red onions are two of the foods you should have in your pantry at all times. Not only might you have to create a cough syrup quickly, but they are both foods that are great for a multitude of uses.
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Here are other related articles you may enjoy:
How to Make the BEST Natural Decongestant
How to Make Your Own Vapor Rub.
How to Boost Your Child's Immune System.
**And there’s more on my website!!
I hope you enjoy this, and if you give it a try, please let me know how it goes! Do you have a different way to naturally manage coughs? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget! When you’re ready to take your herbalism learning seriously, be sure to take a course from SOBAS (School of Botanical Arts & Sciences) by Healing Harvest Homestead!
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
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After sitting over night! See the liquid on top? That's the syrup!
There it is! Beautiful! Onion-Honey Cough Syrup!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. In no manner, in any article anywhere on HealingHarvestHomestead.com or elsewhere in comments, etc. is there any implication of prevention, cure, diagnosis, or treatment of any medical issue. Please see a medical professional for advice. I simply provide my own opinion based on study and experience, and it is every person's responsibility to do their due diligence.
Sources:
Paul IM1, Beiler J, McMonagle A, Shaffer ML, Duda L, Berlin CM Jr., Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. ipaul@psu.edu Retrieved 12/22/2019: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18056558
Wood, M., The Earthwise Herbal, Volume 1., North Atlantic Books, 2008.
Article, no author mentioned: The Risks of Eating Raw Honey. Retrieved 12/22/2019: https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fst/whatsnew_fst_The_Risks_of_Eating_Raw_Honey.html
Cough getting you down this cold and flu season? Here is a cough syrup recipe that only requires two easy ingredients! This natural remedy will help you deal with that bad cough. It’s perfect for children over the age of 12 months, too! How to get rid of that cough fast! #cough #getridof #natural #remedy #recipe #coughsyrup #syrup #healingharvesthomestead