‘Tis the season… for holidays and parties and the flu and other nasty respiratory illnesses. And since I’m susceptible to coughs yet dislike store-bought cough medications, this recipe for Honey Onion Cough Syrup is my new go-to health hack. I start taking this cough syrup at the first sign of the sniffles (since any kind of congestion always ends up in a cough). I’ll be honest, I don’t love the flavor but I put it on toast and that makes it more palatable. It’s worth the less-than-great flavor since it always makes me feel better.
For those of you new to this series, Sarah Munro, the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, the second book in the Deadly Force series, is an 18th century historian who inherited a collection of colonial-era herbal and homeopathic remedies. And in this blog space, I’ve been sharing her recipes with you all. I’m adding this recipe to her collection because the ingredients in this cough syrup have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and immune strengthening qualities. This syrup can also help reduce mucus and help you feel better overall.
Ingredients:
- 1 Vidalia onion
- 1 jar Raw honey (at least 8 ounces)
Directions for Honey Onion Cough Syrup
- On a clean cutting board, cut the onion into quarters and then cut those quarters in half. Place the onion chunks into a glass jar and cover the onions with raw honey, making sure to cover all of the onions. Some of the onion pieces can stick out of the top, but make sure they are all coated in honey.
- Put the lid on the jar and place it in a dark cabinet for at least 24 hours. The honey will become cloudy and smell like onions (obviously).
- To use, eat up to 5 Tablespoons daily. You can just take them by the spoonful or put it on toast or put it in hot water. Or any other way you can think of to make this more palatable.
- Use at the first sign of having a cough and also any kind of congestion or stuffed sinuses.
- This jar of honey will last about 3 months… but I go through it faster than that.
Important Disclaimer: Herbal Remedies, Wild Plants, and Foraging
The information shared in my Romance Herbalist posts is intended for educational, historical, and entertainment purposes only. I am not a physician, licensed herbalist, or other medical professional. Nothing on this website should be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Herbs, flowers, spices, and other plants have been used for centuries in cooking, traditional remedies, and folk medicine. However, natural does not always mean safe. Some plants can be toxic, cause allergic reactions, interact with medications, or be unsuitable for certain medical conditions.
Before preparing, consuming, or using any herbal product, please keep the following precautions in mind:
- Medications and medical conditions: Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally, particularly if you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, have an existing medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing something for children.
- Allergies: Research potential allergic reactions and cross-reactivity, especially if you have known allergies to plants, herbs, or spices.
- Plant identification: Never harvest or consume a wild plant unless you can positively identify it and confirm that it is safe for its intended use. Some poisonous plants closely resemble edible or medicinal varieties.
- Harvesting and foraging: Avoid collecting plants from roadsides, chemically treated areas, contaminated soil, or locations where pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants may be present. Always follow local foraging laws and respect private property.
- Preparation and consumption: Research appropriate preparation methods, potential side effects, and safe quantities before using any plant. Certain plants may be safe in food but dangerous when concentrated or prepared incorrectly.
- Food safety: Use clean equipment, properly stored ingredients, and appropriate food-handling practices when preparing herbal teas, infusions, syrups, or other homemade products.
A note about traditional remedies: References to historical or folkloric uses of plants do not establish that those uses are medically effective or safe. Any discussion of potential health benefits is provided for general information and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
By choosing to forage, prepare, or consume any plant or herbal product discussed on this website, you accept responsibility for your own research, decisions, and safety. The author makes no guarantees regarding the safety, effectiveness, or suitability of any plant, recipe, or preparation described.
When in doubt, consult a qualified professional before using any herb or wild plant.
