Homemade cough syrups can relieve dry or productive coughs depending on the ingredients used. Carrot and honey cough syrup and oregano cough syrup may help to relieve dry coughs specifically, as these lubricate the through and have natural soothing properties to reduce the cough reflex.
For productive coughs, homemade syrups, like eggplant cough syrup, usually contain expectorant and bronchodilator properties. These help to dilute secretions and relieve phlegmy coughs.
Although they can be very beneficial, homemade cough syrups should not substitute your prescribed medical treatment. They should be used as a complement to medical treatment as directed by your doctor.
Homemade syrups for dry cough
A dry cough can be triggered by allergies, asthma, cigarette smoke or pollution. Some natural options to relieve dry coughs include: .
1. Carrot cough syrup
A great homemade syrup for a dry cough is carrot cough syrup. It helps to relieve the cough by lubricating the throat and reducing irritation.
Ingredients
- 1 medium carrot
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- Juice of half a lemon
How to prepare:
Wash the carrot well and chop it thinly. Then place it in a glass jar and add the lemon juice, honey and sugar. Mix well with a spoon. Screw the lid on tightly and allow to infuse for a day at room temperature. You can take 1 teaspoon of this syrup twice a day.
This syrup is not recommended for children under 2 or for those with a honey allergy. Carrot syrup should also not be used by patients with a fructose intolerance or with intestinal bowel syndrome. Be sure to use it in moderation if you are diabetic.
2. Oregano cough syrup
Oregano cough syrup contains antitussive properties that help to relieve a dry cough.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of oregano
How to prepare:
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar and place in the microwave for 10 seconds. Wait for it to cool, and take 2 to 3 times per day.
This syrup is not recommended for those with an oregano allergy, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is also not recommended for children under 2, for people with a fructose intolerance or IBS. Be sure to use it in moderation if you are diabetic.
3. Ginger and lemon cough syrup
Ginger and lemon syrup strengthens the immune system and has an anti-inflammatory action that reduces throat irritation to relieve coughs. Check out the other health benefits that ginger has to offer.
Ingredients:
- 250 mL (about 1 cup) of water
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
How to prepare:
Place the water and sugar in a pot, place over heat and boil. Keep stirring to ensure the sugar fully dissolves. Then remove from heat and add the ginger. Cover the pot and wait for it to cool. Transfer this mixture to a glass jar, add the lemon juice and mix well. You can take 1 teaspoon of this syrup up to 3 times per day.
Ginger syrup should not be used by children under 6, or with patients with a history of gallbladder stones, anticoagulant medication, high blood pressure or diabetes. It should also be avoided by pregnant women.
4. Echinacea cough syrup
Echinacea is a plant that is rich in anti-allergenic, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and immuno-stimulating compounds. It can be used to relieve symptoms associated with the flu, allergies, and colds (like a stuffy nose and dry cough).
Ingredients:
- 300 mL (just over a cup) of water
- 2 teaspoons of echinacea roots
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
How to prepare:
Pour the sugar into a pot and place over heat until it starts to melt around the edges. Then add the echinacea roots and the water, and allow to boil for 10 minutes. Wait for it to cool then strain. You can take 1 tablespoon up to 3 times per day.
This syrup is not recommended for children, pregnant women or breastfeeding women. It is also not advised for those with tuberculosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis. It should be used cautiously be diabetics.
5. Thyme, licorice and green anise syrup
Cough syrup made with thyme, licorice root and green anise seeds helps to relax the respiratory tract. The honey helps to reduce throat irritation, which can soothe a dry cough.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon of dried licorice root
- 1 tablespoon of green anise seeds
- 500 mL of water
- 250 mL of honey
How to prepare
Add the green anise seeds, licorice root and water to a pot, cover and let it boil for 15 minutes. Then remove from heat and add the thyme, cover and allow it to cool. Afterwards, strain and add the honey.
Store this syrup in a clean and dry glass container in the refrigerator, for a maximum of 3 months.
This syrup should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people with a history of high blood pressure, heart problems, kidney problems, and estrogen-dependent diseases (like breast or ovarian cancer or endometriosis).
Homemade syrups for productive coughs
A cough with phlegm can occur for many reasons, like bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or tuberculosis. Check out what can cause a productive cough. Some homemade cough syrups for productive coughs include:
1. Guaco and pennyroyal cough syrup
Guaco and pennyroyal are medicinal plants with expectorant, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilating properties. It can be very useful for the treatment of productive coughs.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of pennyroyal leaves
- 4 clean and dry guaco leaves
- 500 mL (about 2 cups) of water
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
How to prepare:
Add the sugar to a a large pot and place over medium heat until the sugar caramelizes. Then pour the water, guaco leaves and pennyroyal leaves to the pot and stir until all the sugar dissolves. Then boil for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and strain. Transfer this mixture to a glass jar and seal tightly with a lid. You can take 1 to 2 teaspoons of this cough syrup per day.
This cough syrup should not be taken by children under 2 or by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Patients with a history of renal disease, chronic respiratory disease, tuberculosis, diabetes or cancer should also not take this cough syrup.
People who are using the medicinal plant tabebuiaavellanedae (pink trumpet tree) or anticoagulant medications should also not use this cough syrup.
2. Eggplant cough syrup
Eggplant cough syrup is a great way to soothe a phlegmy cough, as it contains anti-inflammatories and antioxidant properties.
Ingredients:
- 1 eggplant
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
How to prepare:
Wash and cut the eggplant in thin slices. Place them in a clean and dry glass jar. Pour the brown sugar into the jar, and mix with a spoon. Screw the lid on tightly and allow to infuse for 24 hours.
Take 2 tablespoons of this syrup up to 3 times per day. Small children should take only 1 tablespoon 3 times per day.
This syrup should be cautiously used by diabetics, as it can increase blood sugar levels.
3. Garlic, onion and honey syrup
Garlic, onion and honey syrup contains exepectorant, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory action that helps to dilute phlegm and relieve coughing.
Ingredients:
- 1 grated onion
- 1 garlic clove, smashed
- Juice from half a lemon
- 3 tablespoons of honey
How to prepare:
Place the onion and garlic in a glass jar, and cover with the honey and lemon juice. Mix well with a spoon. Then screw the lid on tightly and store in the fridge for a day.
Children can take half a teaspoon of this syrup up to 3 times per day. Adults can take 1 teaspoon up to 3 times per day. This syrup can be safely stored in the fridge for 1 week.
Garlic, onion and honey cough syrup should not be given to children under 2. It is not recommended for people with a fructose intolerance or IBS. Diabetics should use it in moderation.