Herbal Cold and Cough Care Syrup and Tea
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Herbal cough and cold care ranges from off the shelf products to a mix of homemade recipes tailored to your specific symptoms. The sore throat syrup has a mild licorice taste that is quite palatable. I think even kids would take it without a fuss. The cold and flu herbal tea recipe below has more of a kick.
Cold and Cough Care Sore Throat Syrup Recipe
Adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s “Cough-be-Gone and Sore Throat Syrup”
In Rosemary’s book, she lists the ingredients as follows:
- 4 parts fennel seed
- 2 parts licorice root
- 1 part cinnamon bark
- 2 parts slippery elm bark
- 2 parts valerian
- 2 parts wild cherry bark
- ½ part ginger root
- 1/8 part orange peel
To make 1 quart of herbal infusion, Rosemary recommend 2 ounces of herb mixture to one quart of water. To get roughly the right weight, I used 2 tablespoons fennel seed, 1 tbsp licorice root, 1 tbsp, slippery elm bark, 1 tbsp valerian, 1 tbsp wild cherry bark, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon bark, 3/4 teaspoon ginger root and 1/4 teaspoon orange peel. All measurements were a little generous so I had enough to get 2 ounces.
Over low heat in a heavy bottom pot, simmer the herbs and water until it is reduced by half, so that you have one pint of liquid.
Strain the herbs out of the liquid, rinse chunks out of the pot, return the liquid to the pot.
For each pint of liquid, add one cup of honey. You may go up to a one to one ratio for a sweeter syrup (1 pint honey to 1 pint liquid).
Heat gently and mix until the syrup is well blended.
Add a small amount of brandy, if desired, to help preserve the syrup and act as a relaxant.
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Remove from heat, bottle and label. This syrup should last for several weeks, even months, if refrigerated. (Most herbs have preservative qualities.)
Rosemary suggests taking 1 to 2 teaspoons every hour or two throughout the day, or as needed for cough.
Cold and Flu Tea Recipe
Adapted from Healing Naturally by Bee
For one mug of tea use:
- 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger (spicy, warming, immune balancing)
- 1/4 teaspoon stevia leaves (or to taste )
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped sage (spicy, antihistamine)
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme (spicy, antibiotic, antiviral)
- Juice of half a lemon (sour, vitamin c)
- A dash of cayenne pepper (hot, immune enhancing) [optional]
Place herbs in mug and cover with boiling water (leave enough room for your lemon juice). Cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain herbs, mix in lemon juice and sip slowly. The warmth and natural antihistamine action of the herbs is great for congestion and runny noses. You can adjust the amount of the herbs a bit to taste. I was a little generous with the cayenne in the photo above – too hot for me! *Note: I had originally listed larger portions of the herbs, but with the dried herbs, I think these amounts will probably be better for most people. You can use more to taste.
Longer steeping will give a stronger brew, but if you leave it too long it may become more bitter, so no more than 15 minutes is recommended. Covering the tea while it’s brewing will help to trap “the good stuff”. 🙂
You may also find our other Cold and Flu Remedies useful, including:
- Make Homemade Elderberry Cough Syrup with Juice or Dried Berries
- Easy Homemade Cough Drops for Treatment of Sore Throats and Coughs
- Immune Boosting Herbs in Finger Gelatin
Originally published in 2012, updated in 2017.
What a wonderful recipe. I love Rosemary Gladstar. I’ve been reading her books for a long time. Thanks for these recipes and the chance to win!
Paula
I’d like to learn more about natural remedies for all the basics like colds, sore throat, coughs, cuts/scrapes, bug bites, etc.
I would love to learn more about herbal remedies for “that time of the month” and herbal remedies for improved concentration and remedies for relaxation.
Thanks!
We do have a post on herbal remedies for the ladies – https://commonsensehome.com/herbal-remedies-for-pms/
the remedies especially suited for kiddos. Those are the ones I’m always looking for!
I would love to make either of these for use this winter, but especially the herbal syrup. I would also be interested in herbal preparations for arthritis. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to try these home remedies! Thanks for the giveaway op! 🙂
I would like to learn more about natural sleep aids.
I love herbal remedies. They work great!
I would like to learn more about making my own liquid vitamins.
Would love to learn more about cold remedies…I see that you have been listing some links in reply to other comments so I will be checking those out!
I’d love to learn more about remedies from plants relative to my geographical location!
Have you checked out the Weekly Weeder series?
https://commonsensehome.com/wildcraftingweekly-weeder/
I have made a few of my own herbal tinctures and syrups. I love the idea of having a good general immune boosting remedy that my kids will willingly take!
All of them. I’ve been a gardener for years, but have only dipped my toes into the pool of wisdom that is herbs. I dream of a home apothecary. Getting recipes to try – one or two at a time- makes me feel less overwhelmed by the vastness of it all.
Oh gracious, what herbal remedies would I NOT like to know about? 😀 I think sore muscles and arthritis helps for my hubby would be great, and like others have said, seasonal health and wellness. Anything for the flu?
Skip the BRAT diet for the flu – https://commonsensehome.com/coping-with-stomach-flu-symptoms-why-the-brat-diet-may-not-be-your-best-choice/
Make up some extra bone broth now, so you have it one hand when needed. 🙂
I’m new to herbal remedies, so anything would be great! Would love to learn more about this!
All herbal remedies are really interesting and are ones I want to be aware of – but coming into winter, I’m especially wanting to know about seasonal health issues and remedies.
There is a post up on the best herbs and spices for cold and flus – https://commonsensehome.com/preparing-for-cold-and-flu-season-herbs-spices-and-the-kitchen-sink/
I LOVE mountain rose herbs!! I will be making more elderberry syrup soon!
Just getting started……….
I have been wanting to make my own remedies for a while, Would love to givive this a try!
both these recipes sound like something I can do! I like the idea that I can make such remedies at home, and know what’s in them.