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Homemade Cough Syrup (Great For Sore Throat Too)

An effective homemade syrup for cough, that can also be used for soothing a sore throat. This homemade cough syrup recipe is simple and easy to make at home and safer than conventional cough syrups.

This powerful diy cough remedy combines natural ingredients like honey, onion, garlic and black radish – can work wonders in relieving the cold symptoms and get rid of cough naturally.

Making homemade cough syrup not only is easy and cheap but also free from any artificial colors or flavors that are often found in store-bought cough syrups. Plus, it’s great for all ages! Small children above 12 months can have it.

Homemade Syrup For Cough And Sore Throat Made With Honey, Black Radish, Onion and Garlic.
Homemade Syrup For Cough And Sore Throat Made With Honey, Black Radish, Onion and Garlic.

Related: 23 Natural Cold Remedies For Toddlers And Older Kids

This homemade cough syrup will deliver immune boosting antioxidants, provide relief from a persistent cough, as well as help soothe and treat sore throats during flu season.

Combining the healing properties of honey, black radish, onion and garlic make an efficient natural cough remedy with antiviral properties that can fight inflammation of the upper respiratory tract during cold season.

Below you’ll find the ingredients of this homemade cough remedy and some referring studies that prove their health benefits and therapeutic effects.

Related: Immune Boosting Tonic (Ginger Lemon Garlic Honey)

Homemade Cough Syrup Ingredients

Garlic

Raw garlic was reported to alleviate a number of viral infections in many studies, including common cold, fever, coughs, asthma and wounds.

Once chopped, minced, crushed or chewed the sulfur compound present in fresh garlic can quickly convert into allicin – which is responsible for antiviral and antibacterial activity, immune-modulatory , anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These effects can help reduce mucus secretions responsible for respiratory infections and help the immune system have a proper barrier.

Related: Make Ginger Water The Right Way: Benefits And Drinking Tips

raw garlic

Onion

In experimental animal models the effect of onion compounds showed antioxidant, immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as antiviral activity.

The effect of onion on the lung infected with P. aeruginosaS. aureus, and S. pneumonia was also demonstrated.

Constituents of onion showed tracheal smooth muscle relaxant effects, indicating bronchodilator activities or relieving effects on obstructive respiratory diseases. Which makes the onion a great natural cough suppressant.

raw onion

The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommended using onion extract for the treatment of diseases including common colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, and allergic disease.

Black Radish

Black radish extract contains high concentration of vitamin C, tocopherol and polyphenols. Experimental studies demonstrated that, these constituents possess antioxidant properties and ability to reduce the liver toxicity.

black radish

Although there are only a few reports available to confirm the anti-inflammatory capacity and it’s mechanisms of action, black radish has been used in folk medicine since antiquity to relieve cough and phlegm, treat asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders.

According to in vitro studies the squeezed juice from black radish root exhibited significant antioxidant properties and immuno-modulatory effects.

Black radish is also recognized for it’s anti-inflammatory properties and for pulmonary fibrosis treatment.

Honey

Raw honey besides having  antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, has the ability to increase synergism and enhance therapeutic efficacy. 

The addition of honey increases the oral bioavailability, as well as the concentration of active compounds found in garlic, onion and black radish.

raw honey

Moreover, honey was found to be superior to usual care for the improvement of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Use of honey can improve symptoms such as cough frequency, cough severity and relieve irritation, making it an excelent cough remedy.

How To Make This Natural Homemade Cough Syrup

Now that you know the potential of this homemade DIY cough syrup, it’s time to prepare it in your kitchen. The procedure is simple and here are the steps:

  • Take 2-3 heads of garlic, peel the cloves, you’ll get aproximately 20 cloves.
  • Peel and mince one small onion.
  • Take 1 small-sized black radish, peel off its skin and grate it finely. You’ll need aproximatelly 1/2 cup of grated black radish.
Process shots showing how to make a homemade syrup for cough and sore throat with onion, honey, garlic, black radish.
homemade cough remedy with garlic honey onion and black radish
  • Take a glass container (bowl or a jar), add the onion, garlic and black radish and pour over the honey until it covers it.
  • Let it soak and release juices for at least 12 hours.
  • Store it in the refrigerator for about 7-10 days if not using.
Process shots showing how to make a homemade cough syrup, how to mix all ingredients: onion, honey, garlic, black radish.
The liquid will tend to gather on the bottom of the container.
  • Now you can use the entire mixture and chew it in your mouth (if you dare) or strain it and add the liquid to a glass jar. Squeeze the liquid with your hand to get as much as possible out. The cough syrup in this form is excelent for children.
Shot showing how to strain the homemade cough syrup into a jar.
Strain the cough syrup into a jar.

How To Administer

Take 1 tablespoon of this homemade cough syrup, 3-4 times a day before meals. For acute symptoms take more often – every 3 hours or so.

Make sure to not drink or eat anything 30 minutes to an hour afterwards to allow it to reduce inflammation and soreness and relieve coughing.

Natural homemade syrup for cough and sore throat in a jar mixed with a spoon.

Take this homemade syrup for cough or sore throat every day, for about one to two weeks, until the symptoms slowly subside.

  • For small children (12-24 months) – offer 1/2 teaspoon every 3-4 hours.
  • Kids (2-6 years) – one teaspoon every 3-4 hours.
  • Kis 6 years and older – adult serving.

Related: 10 Natural Home Remedies For Baby Cold And Flu

Now you know how easy it is to make homemade cough syrup using honey, onion, garlic and black radish and you can make it exactly as written or add some extra ingredients.

Potential Add-Ins

  • Lemon juice – fresh squeezed lemon juice from 1 to 2 lemons. The lemon will increase the saliva production and promote a faster throat clearing.
  • Cinnamon – ground cinnamon (about 1/2 teaspoon). Cinnamon helps loosen up the mucus and make the secretions in your airway thinner, plus it has a slight analgesic effect.

Additionally you can use a chest rub and add some extra essential oils with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect such as eucalyptus, pepermint, lavender, frankincence or sage. Massage your throat and your chest. Or use an essential oil diffuser for the oils.

If your cough lasts more than 3 weeks it is no longer considered acute and it becomes chronic. So make sure to act fast, don’t let it linger.

More Natural Remedies To Try

When the body is weak it’s also important to have anti-inflammatory foods, it will help speed up the healing process!

Now that you know about this homemade cough syrup, why not give it a try and let me know how it worked for you?

Related:

homemade cough syrup
Print Recipe

Homemade Syrup For Cough And Sore Throat

A powerful diy cough remedy that combines natural ingredients like honey, onion, garlic and black radish. This homemade cough syrup will deliver immune boosting antioxidants, provide relief from a persistent cough, as well as help soothe and treat sore throats during flu season.
The recipe for this homemade cough syrup is simple and easy to make at home and safer than conventional cough syrups. Small children above 12 months can have it.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Supplement
Cuisine: Clean Eating
Servings: 16 tablespoons
Calories: 69kcal
Author: HealthyTasteOfLife
Pin Recipe Save

Ingredients
 

  • 20 cloves garlic - raw (about 2-3 heads)
  • 1 small onion - or 1/2 if larger
  • 1/2 cup grated black radish - you can increase up to 1 cup
  • 1-2 cups raw honey - as much as to cover all ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Take 2-3 heads of garlic, peel the cloves, you’ll get aproximately 20 cloves. Thinly slice or chop them.
  • Peel and mince one small onion.
  • Take 1 small-sized black radish, peel off its skin and grate it finely. You’ll need aproximatelly 1/2 cup of grated black radish. But you can increase the amount to up to 1 cup.
  • Take a glass container (bowl or a jar), add the onion, garlic and black radish and pour over the honey until it covers it.
  • Mix and let it soak and release juices for at least 12 hours.
    Store it in the refrigerator for about 7-10 days if not using right away.

How To Use It

  • You can consume the entire mixture and chew it in your mouth (if you can) or strain it and add the liquid to a glass jar so you end up with a syrup like consistency.
    Squeeze the liquid with your hand to get as much as possible out. You'll get aproximately 1 cup.
    The cough syrup in this form is excelent for children.
  • Take 1 tablespoon of this homemade cough syrup, 3-4 times a day before meals. For acute symptoms take more often – every 3 hours or so.

What You Need

Notes

Make sure to not drink or eat anything 30 minutes to an hour afterwards to allow it to reduce inflammation and soreness and relieve coughing.
Take this homemade syrup for cough or sore throat every day, for about one to two weeks, until the symptoms slowly subside.
  • For small children (12-24 months) – offer 1/2 teaspoon every 3-4 hours.
  • Kids (2-6 years) – one teaspoon every 3-4 hours.
  • Kis 6 years and older – adult serving.

Potential Add-Ins

  • Lemon juice – fresh squeezed lemon juice from 1 to 2 lemons. 
  • Cinnamon – ground cinnamon (about 1/2 teaspoon). 
  • Turmeric powder – ground turmeric (about 1/2 teaspoon). 
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyTasteOfLife or tag #healthytasteoflife!

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 69kcal

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.


Coughs are often caused by viruses and can go away on their own, but severe cases need more medical attention. If you experience severe symptoms make sure to consult with your doctor about your options.

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Pin it For Later

An effective homemade cough syrup, great for a sore throat too. Making this homemade cough syrup recipe is simple and easy. This natural diy cough syrup combines honey, onion, garlic and black radish – it relieves the cold symptoms and cough naturally. This natural syrup for cough is great for all ages! Small children above 12 months can have it.

Recipe Rating




Ann

Sunday 8th of October 2023

Wonderful recipe.I plan on making this asap, but was wondering if the slow juicing the radish,garlic and onion would make it just as beneficial as grating them and wait. I would love to hear your opinion, and thank you for this recipe.

Brian Sparks

Monday 20th of March 2023

Im just teying this for the first time.

When it is soaking for 12 hours should it be sealed or keep the lid off? Also where should it be stored for the 12 hour soak time?

Thank you!

HealthyTasteOfLife

Tuesday 21st of March 2023

You could cover with lid just to prevent any dust accumulation, and keep it at room temperature (no higher than 72 degrees F). Then you can store in the fridge.

Jona

Wednesday 8th of March 2023

How long does it last?? Where can I find black radish??

HealthyTasteOfLife

Tuesday 14th of March 2023

It can last for at least 1 week in the fridge, probably longer, never held it for more than a week. I bought black radish from Whole Foods store.

Georgia

Tuesday 28th of February 2023

This was very helpful, my kids liked the taste too! Thank you.

HealthyTasteOfLife

Tuesday 28th of February 2023

Thank YOU! I'm glad it helped.