**This post has been entered in Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist!**
It’s cold and flu season, unfortunately. We’ve each taken a turn with at least one minor cold already this year (we haven’t been on top of taking our fermented cod liver oil…even though I know better!). It’s not fun to be sick. But it’s also not safe to take over-the-counter cold and cough medicines.
For starters, the OTC meds aren’t approved or recommended for children under 6. For another, they’re obviously suppressive in nature. Third, they have unpleasant side effects, like drowsiness. Who needs it?
Instead, try out this homemade, herbal cough and cold syrup. It’s thick, sweet, and soothing, with lots of awesome properties!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 c. dried elderberries
- 2 tbsp. rosehips
- 2 tbsp. slippery elm bark
- 1 tbsp. fenugreek powder
- 3 c. water
- 1 c. raw honey*
Directions:
Put all the ingredients except honey into a saucepan.
Turn it on and simmer on low until thick and syrupy, 20 – 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool for about an hour. Then, strain the mixture.
Add the raw honey to the cooled mixture and stir together. Now you have a homemade, safe syrup!
*Please remember that raw honey is not approved for babies under age 1. You may choose to use sucanat instead, in which case you need to dissolve it in the still-hot herbal mixture, if you are planning to give this to a baby. I would personally not give it to a baby under 8 months anyway.
The reason that this works so well is because elderberry is known to have cold fighting properties, slippery elm soothes sore throats and coats mucous membranes (and aids digestive issues), fenugreek increases perspiration and helps the body clear mucus more effectively (and also aids digestive issues), and rosehips are very high in natural vitamin C. Combine it all and you’ve got major cold-fighting power!
(Please remember I’m not a doctor or an herbalist, and this post isn’t intended to diagnose, cure, or treat anything. This is a formula I use to help my own family so I’m passing it along to you. Always do your own research about any medicinal option and consult a health practitioner if needed.)
What’s your favorite cough/cold remedy?
My favorite cold remedies are a neti pot and we drink Monavie every day. If we feel we're coming down with something we chug that.
I'm going to pin your syrup on my pinterest, though. It looks great!
Where do you purchase all your herbs and other home remedy items? I have check on Amazon but I'm just not sure what a good price is. Thanks! Also, I have been trying to fill my kids up on vit. C and D, probiotics, and enchiea (if I feel they are a little under the weather). So far no colds!
This looks like a great syrup. We make elderberry syrup all the time but this sounds like a good one when you need something a bit stronger. Thanks!
This looks so much tastier than what I make!
I slice up garlic, onion, ginger and black radish, pack a small jar half full with it and fill it up with raw honey. The honey draws the juices out of the plants and slides down around them until you have plant bits in a jar of liquid honey that gives you bad breath but knocks coughs out for the count.
I actually (sneaky!) mixed a spoonful of it with mayo and a little mustard as a "ceasar" dressing on tonight's salad, trying to get ahead of the sniffles I've been hearing.
Is this safe for pregnant and nursing moms?
Jill,
Definitely for nursing moms. In pregnancy, if you have any concerns about miscarriage or preterm labor, leave out the fenugreek. The dose is so small it probably wouldn't cause a problem, but it's better to be safe. Luckily once baby's born fenugreek increases milk supply so there's no issue.
What's the shelf life of this syrup? I have made glycerites before, and you can store them quite a while, but I was just wondering if you have to use this one right away or can you store it in the fridge to have on hand during cold season?
Looks like a great recipe! How long does it stay good and should it be stored in the fridge?
Thanks!
How long does this keep? Do you need to store in the refrigerator?
Thanks for this! How much should you take, how often, and how long does it last?
Wonderful to have this recipe, I'm making a list for the health food store right now. My question is about dosage. How much do you give, and how often?
Yes- I'd to know where you get your herbs from as well. The place I normally order from doesn't have the elderberries.
This needs to be refrigerated, and will keep about 2 months. If you open it and it hisses like it's fermented, it's not good anymore.
Doses — 1 tsp. for kids, 1tbsp. for adults.
Herbs — I often but from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com or http://www.bulkherbstore.com.
I just made this syrup and I am in the process of straining it. You didn’t mention that it is practically impossible to strain! I am pouring mine through my strainer and the syrup is so thick that I have to use a spatula to push it through. I am not even half way through and I have been working for 30 minutes! Is it supposed to be this thick?
Hi Kelly,
You could add a little extra water if you think it is too thick. It does take awhile though, while you mash the berries and herbs against the strainer, but 30 minutes sounds like a long time.
I made this for my son, and have been giving him 1 tsp. Is this dosage every four hours or more often?