28/04/2023
HONEY AND ONION COUGH or garlic SYRUP
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This easy recipe for Honey and Onion Cough Syrup is a very old kitchen recipe, and remedy for cough and colds. (That’s what people had before covid).
The known benefits of onion and honey to create syrup are simple, affordable.
Homemade cough syrup for a sore throat and clear excess mucus.
This simple, timeless recipe for Honey and Onion Cough Syrup, is a medicine recipe that has been passed down throughout the ages.
While many traditional recipes call for steeping raw onions in with the honey for several days, Rosemary’s is different in that she warms the honey, allowing the onions to soften and release their beneficial sulfur compounds.
Add a little garlic to although an optional ingredient; it amounts and shows it’s easy to make in the kitchen.
REASONS TO LOVE THIS RECIPE:
It simple, household ingredients with great healing properties.
Easy enough for a beginner to make.
Tastes extremely good, making it easier to give to sick kids.
A powerful folk remedy that has been used for generations.
An overhead shot of a jar of honey and onion cough syrup.
Both honey and onions have been used before millennia. In order to cure common ailments such as cough, cold, and respiratory issues. The use of these two household ingredients in old folks remedies is almost as old as time itself, and the combination is still used to this day.
Since honey and onion cough syrup contains both honey and onion, it combines the benefits of each of these into one (surprisingly) delicious syrup that is easy to make.
HERE ARE JUST A FEW BENEFITS:
The benefit of 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,.
Onions are 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 can help with clearing mucus, which is common with a cough, or cold.
This easy recipe for 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.
A jar with a spoon inside, taking a portion of honey syrup.
This simple, timeless recipe for Honey and Onion Cough Syrup was first introduced to me in the book Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar.
It’s a folk medicine recipe that has been passed down throughout the generations, and a quick look online shows you that something similar has been made for countless generations in cultures all over the globe.
While many traditional recipes call for steeping the raw onions in with the honey for several days, Rosemary’s is different in that she warms the honey ever so slightly, allowing the onions to soften and release their beneficial sulfur compounds.
I add a little garlic to my version (although it’s optional), as well as give you more structured ingredient amounts and recipe times so it’s easy to create in your own kitchen.
REASONS TO LOVE THIS RECIPE:
It’s made with simple, household ingredients that have great healing properties.
Easy enough for a beginner to make.
Tastes surprisingly good, making it a bit easier to give to sick kids.
A powerful folk remedy that has been used for generations and generations.
An overhead shot of a jar of honey and onion cough syrup.
HONEY AND ONION COUGH SYRUP BENEFITS
Both honey and onions have been used for millennia to cure common ailments such as cough, cold, and respiratory issues. The use of these two household ingredients in folk remedies is almost as old as time itself, and the combination is still used to this day.
Since honey and onion cough syrup contains both honey and onion, it combines the benefits of each of these into one (surprisingly) delicious syrup that is easy to make.
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,.
Onions 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 people to keep hydrated during an illness.
The ingredients needed to make a homemade cough syrup: honey, onions, and garlic (optional).
Here’s the recipe from
Onions: You will need 2-3 onions. If you don’t grow your own, I recommend seeking out an organic option. Since a medicinal recipe is a good idea to invest into.
Honey: Seek out raw/unpasteurized honey. In addition, individuals all the beneficial enzymes, as well as the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of honey.
Garlic: This is an optional ingredient, but garlic is well established in herbal medicine. Use organic or local garlic if available.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO ADD: Honey is not safe for babies under the age of 1 year to consume.
Another recipe:
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.
Add honey, by drizzling in enough to completely cover the onions. The Onions 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.
Simmering onions until the honey and onions are soft.
It will take around 1-2 hours for the onions to soften. Then increase the heat ever-so slightly so the onions begin losing their shape within the first 30 minutes or so.
Once the onions are soft and slightly mushy, taste the syrup to check the flavor. It should taste pleasantly of honey with just a touch of onion – it’s surprisingly tasty!
Take off the heat, and allow it to cool down to room temperature, before transferring it to a jar for storage – this also prevents condensation and moisture to gather in the jar.
Storing: it can be stored for upto two weeks.
If you wanting to store anything from 3 - 6 month, please eliminate/take onions out to store longer than two weeks.
DOSING RECOMMENDATIONS
At the onset of symptoms: Take 1/2-1 teaspoon (2.5 – 5 milliliters) every 1-2 hours.
Treating an active cough: 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) 3-4 times per day until you have recovered.
STORING AND SHELF LIFE
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.
A jar of onion-infused honey.
VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
With lemon: When making honey syrups I like to avoid adding liquid when possible, as this can shorten the shelf life. If you want to add lemon to your honey onion syrup, I’d recommend setting aside 2-3 days worth and adding fresh lemon juice to taste to the small amount. This will help prolong the storage of your main batch.
With ginger: Add 2-3 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger in with the garlic and onions. Ginger has been shown to reduce nausea, and is also anti-inflammatory.
How long can you keep honey and onion cough syrup?
Honey and onion cough syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week if the onions are left in the syrup. If you strain the onions, you can expect a storage time of anywhere from 2-6 months. Be sure to discard if there are any signs of spoilage such as an off smell or color, or any growth or mold.
Can onion clear mucus?
Onion is an expectorant, meaning it helps to clear mucus. Expectorants lubricate your airways and help make a cough productive. A productive cough brings up excess mucus, allowing it to be cleared from the body. This helps you to recover more quickly from a cold, and prevent it from becoming worse.
MORE NOURISHING WINTER RECIPES
Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
Rosehip Syrup
Homemade Chicken Broth
How to Make Sauerkraut in a Crock
Fermented Red Cabbage (Red Sauerkraut)
A jar with onions and honey, with a spoon taking a portion.
HONEY AND ONION COUGH SYRUP
yield: 2-3 CUPS prep time: 5 MINUTES cook time: 1 HOUR total time: 1 HOUR 5 MINUTES
This easy recipe for Honey and Onion Cough Syrup is a old folk remedy for cough and colds. Helps to soothe a sore throat and clear mucus.
INGREDIENTS
2-3 medium onions, peeled and sliced into half-moons
2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (optional)
2-3 cups raw honey
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the sliced onions to a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan or dutch oven, along with the chopped garlic (if using).
Add enough honey to cover the onions. They do not need to be entirely submerged, but the honey level should be as high as the onions.
Turn the burner on low and allow the onions and garlic to soften, stirring occasionally.
Cook on low heat until the onions are soft and slightly mushy, about 1-2 hours. Stir occasionally to encourage even heating.
If your onions are still not very soft, you can increase the heat slightly to encourage them to release their juices. The goal is to keep the heat low to preserve the enzymes and benefits of honey.
Once the honey has been infused, turn off the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Place the honey onion cough syrup in a glass jar, and top it with a lid once the honey is no longer warm.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week with the onions and ginger, or strain off the onions and ginger if you would like to store for 2-6 months. Discard if there are any signs of spoilage such as mold or an off smell.
Take ½ - 1 teaspoon every 1-2 hours at the first signs of a cold. If you’re treating a cold that has already started, take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times per day.
NOTES
IMPORTANT: Honey is not safe for babies under 1 year of age.
Adapted from: Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide by Rosemary Gladstar
With ginger: Add 2-3 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger to the onions and garlic before topping with honey.
With lemon: When making honey syrups I like to avoid adding liquid when possible, as this can shorten the shelf life. If you want to add lemon to your honey onion syrup, I’d recommend setting aside 2-3 days worth and adding fresh lemon juice to taste to the small amount. This will help prolong the storage of your main batch.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice, it is for interest purposes only.
