Coughing is an annoying symptom that most people experience at some point. It can disrupt sleep, interfere with work and daily activities, and generally diminish quality of life. While coughing is the body’s way of clearing irritants or mucus from the airways, prolonged or severe coughs may require treatment for relief. When an irritating cough strikes, many people reach for over-the-counter cough medicines. However, these medications come with side effects and may not be suitable for everyone. A natural homemade cough remedy can provide safe, effective symptom relief in many cases. Homemade cough drinks typically contain ingredients known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory, and cough-relieving properties. When prepared properly, these drinks can be just as powerful as commercial cough medicines – without the unwanted side effects. This article explores some of the best homemade drink options for cough relief and provides recipes to try at home.
What causes coughing?
Coughing is a reflex triggered when sensory nerves in the throat, airways and lungs detect irritation or obstruction. Coughs can be caused by:
- Infections such as cold, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Smoking
- Environmental irritants like dust, chemicals, air pollution
- Chronic lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Medications like ACE-inhibitors used for high blood pressure
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Lung cancer
In most cases, coughs are the body’s protective response to clear mucus, irritants, fluids or infection from the airways. However, excessive coughing can cause pain, disrupt sleep, and diminish quality of life. While many causes of cough require medical treatment, mild coughs from colds, allergies or irritation can often be alleviated with homemade cough remedies.
Benefits of homemade cough drinks
Homemade cough drinks offer several advantages over traditional over-the-counter cough medicines:
- Avoid side effects – Many commercial cough syrups contain chemicals, alcohols, antihistamines and decongestants that can cause unwanted reactions like drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and constipation.
- Control ingredients – With homemade recipes, you control exactly what goes into the cough remedy so you can avoid additives, preservatives, artificial flavors/colors that you may want to avoid.
- Tasty flavors – Homemade cough syrups can be infused with natural honey, berries, cinnamon and other flavors that taste great.
- Natural benefits – Herbal ingredients like licorice root, marshmallow root, ginger and lemon provide therapeutic healing properties for coughs.
- Budget friendly – Preparing your own cough drink at home can cost a fraction of what you would pay at the pharmacy for commercial brands.
- Safe for kids – Natural cough drinks are safer to give to children compared to adult cough medicines which often contain alcohol and harsh chemicals.
With the right recipe and ingredients, a homemade cough drink can provide quick, natural relief without worrying about medication side effects.
Best herbs and ingredients for cough drinks
Certain herbs, spices and ingredients have properties that make them particularly well-suited for soothing coughs:
| Ingredient | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Honey | Has antimicrobial and cough-suppressing properties. Honey coats and soothes irritated throat tissue. |
| Licorice root | Contains glycyrrhizin which has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and mucus-thinning effects. Soothes sore throat. |
| Marshmallow root | Contains mucilage which coats and lubricates irritated membranes in throat and chest. Anti-inflammatory. |
| Ginger | Has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antispasmodic effects. Soothes nausea associated with coughs. |
| Peppermint | Menthol has soothing, cooling effects. Helps thin mucus and suppress urge to cough. |
| Lemon | Contains vitamin C and anti-inflammatory limonene. Soothes irritated throat and boosts immune system. |
| Cinnamon | Has antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. May boost effectiveness of other herbs. |
Other beneficial ingredients include raw honey, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, turmeric, cloves and cayenne pepper. Combining several cough-soothing ingredients can provide natural, multifaceted relief.
How to make a homemade cough drink
Here are some basic steps for preparing a homemade cough syrup drink:
- Select 2-4 cough-soothing herbs, spices or ingredients from the list above. Some good combinations are honey with licorice root, honey with ginger and lemon, or honey with cinnamon and cloves.
- Add the herbs, spices or ingredients to a small saucepan. How much of each item to use depends on your preferences. For dried herbs, a good starting point is 1-2 teaspoons per cup of water.
- Pour enough water over the ingredients to cover them by 1-2 inches. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Remove pan from heat and strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve into a cup or bowl. Press down on the herbs to squeeze out all the fluid.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of honey while the liquid is still warm and stir until dissolved. Adding honey to hot liquid allows it to incorporate smoothly.
- Allow the cough syrup to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep for 1-2 weeks in the fridge.
- Drink 1-2 tablespoons of the cough syrup as needed to soothe cough and throat irritation. Can be warmed before drinking or consumed at room temperature.
Flavor the cough syrup with citrus slices, berries, vanilla extract or cinnamon sticks. Sweeten with more honey if desired. Dilute with a little warm water just before drinking if the syrup is very concentrated.
5 best homemade cough drink recipes
Honey lemon cough syrup
* 2 lemons, juiced
* 1/2 cup honey
* 1 cup water
* 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Simmer lemon juice, honey, water and ginger for 10-15 minutes. Strain and take 1-2 tablespoons as needed for coughs. The vitamin C in lemon juice can help boost immunity while honey coats the throat for relief.
Spicy honey cough syrup
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1 cup water
* 1 inch knob fresh ginger, grated
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon cloves
Simmer all ingredients for 15 minutes. Strain out solids. Take 1-2 teaspoons at a time to suppress coughs. The combination of honey with anti-inflammatory spices like ginger, cayenne, cinnamon and cloves provides soothing relief.
Herbal cough syrup
* 2 ounces dried licorice root
* 1 ounce dried marshmallow root
* 1 quart water
* 1 cup honey
Boil herbs in water for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain and stir in honey until dissolved. Store refrigerated. The mucilage in marshmallow root coats irritated throat tissues while licorice root eases inflammation.
Thyme and honey cough syrup
* 2 cups water
* 1/4 cup fresh or dried thyme leaves
* 1/4 cup honey
Boil water and add thyme leaves. Remove from heat, cover and steep for 30 minutes. Strain out thyme leaves and mix in honey while liquid is warm. Thyme contains antioxidants and thymol, which has antitussive (cough suppressing) effects.
Peppermint cough syrup
* 1 cup water
* 1 tablespoon dried peppermint leaves
* 4 tablespoons honey
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Boil the water and remove from heat. Steep the peppermint leaves covered for 10 minutes, then strain. Add honey and lemon juice while liquid is warm. Menthol in peppermint gives a cooling sensation to relieve coughs.
Tips for the best homemade cough syrup
To get the most relief from homemade cough syrup, keep these tips in mind:
- Use raw, unpasteurized honey for the most throat-soothing benefits.
- Select good-quality herbs from reputable sources. Don’t use herbs that smell musty.
- Simmer herbs for 10-20 minutes to extract their beneficial compounds. Don’t let the mixture boil vigorously.
- Store the cough syrup in the fridge for longer shelf life and to prevent mold growth.
- Shake or stir the mixture before pouring out each dose to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Drink the remedy slowly, allowing it to coat the throat for maximum benefit.
- Consume within 1-2 weeks and make a fresh batch if cough persists longer.
- Talk to your doctor before using herbal cough remedies if you take prescription medications or have certain medical conditions.
With high-quality ingredients and careful preparation, these homemade syrups can be very effective at taming coughs. Adjust herb quantities and combinations until you find the recipe that works best for you.
When to see a doctor for coughs
While home remedies can alleviate coughing in many cases, it’s important to see a doctor if any of the following occur:
- Cough lasts longer than 3 weeks
- Coughing up blood or yellow/green mucus
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Persistent fever above 101 F
- Cough interferes with sleep and daily function
- Symptoms get worse instead of better
- Cough accompanies a chronic condition like COPD or lung cancer
Seeking medical treatment is crucial for identifying and properly treating the underlying cause in chronic or severe coughs.
Conclusion
An irritating cough can quickly take the enjoyment out of life. With the right combination of natural medicinal ingredients, homemade cough syrup provides fast throat relief without the medication side effects of commercial brands. Honey, licorice root, marshmallow root, and essential oils like peppermint, cinnamon and ginger have proven cough-soothing properties. Simmering these herbs and straining them into a syrup makes a great-tasting remedy that coats and protects the throat. While homemade cough syrup can’t cure chronic coughs from medical conditions, they can provide quick relief when you need it. With the recipes and guidance above, you can whip up an herbal cough drink tailored to your preferences and symptoms. Just be sure to consult your doctor if a cough lasts more than 3 weeks or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. With the power of natural medicinal herbs, you can find sweet relief from coughing when you need it most.