DIY Cough syrup recipe

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you how long I’ve been searching for a natural cold medicine. And I’m happy to report that I’ve finally found it! This DIY Cough Syrup recipe checks all the boxes ⏤ all of the ingredients are natural and safe for all ages, it tastes great AND it’s easy to make. Don’t let the dark berries scare you; elderberries have been used for ages to boost immunity. I’ve come such a long way from my DayQuil days ⏤ read on to learn this easy DIY Cough Syrup recipe.

What you need

Dried elderberries

• Boosts the immune system
• Alleviates respiratory conditions from cold and cough
• High in antioxidants
• Prevents infections

Cinnamon powder

• Treats cold, sore throat and cough
• Has antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties
• Boosts the immune system
• Preserves food from bacterial growth

Ground ginger

• Strengthens immune system
• Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
• Supports easier breathing by opening constricted airways

Vegan honey

• The bees are dying, and this bee-free honey helps to not place demand on the honey industry. Learn more about why this matters here
• Contains apples, lemon juice and sugar and no actual honey
• This ingredient is safe for all ages, but if you are substituting with real honey keep in mind real honey is not safe for infants

Air-tight container

• I repurposed a maple syrup bottle for this batch, but a similar option is linked above
• Reusing containers is an easy way to be eco-friendly and lower your plastic usage
• Store-bought cough syrup typically comes in plastic that will eventually require recycling

Fine-mesh strainer

• Once the dried elderberries have steeped in the water, we will need a strainer to separate our elixir from the berry bits
• Using a strainer ensures the cough syrup doesn’t have any berry bits or pieces
• You could also use cheese cloth or a nut milk bag instead

How to make

1. Add 3 cups of water, 3/4 cup of dried elderberries, 1 tsp each of cinnamon powder and ground ginger to a lidded pot and bring to a boil
2. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and let simmer for 30 minutes
3. After 30 minutes, remove from heat
4. Use strainer to remove the berry bits from the syrup
5. Add 1 cup of vegan honey
6. Shake to combine
7. All done!

Ways to use

• Take 1 tablespoon daily for immune support
• Or take 1 tsp every 4 hours once sick
• Keeps well if stored in the fridge

Did you make this recipe?

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