Honey and Onion Cough Syrup

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.

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:

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.

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,.
• 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.

Ingredients

• 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Honey is not safe for babies under the age of 1 year to consume. You could try a preparation made with maple syrup or glycerine instead, but be sure to consult with your health care provider first.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Without honey: If you have babies under 1 year at home (but older than 6 months), you may be wondering if there is a way you can make honey and onion cough syrup without honey. I haven’t tried it myself, but popular substitutes for honey in herbal remedies include maple syrup, glycerin, and brown sugar. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before giving it to children.

Note that if you use maple syrup or glycerine, your storage time is reduced as well. I would recommend 2-3 days with the onions in the syrup, and up to 2 weeks without the onions as a starting place. Discard if there are any signs of spoilage such as an off color, presence of mold or growth, or an off smell.

Frequently Asked Questions

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)

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