Thrifty Tuesday: Make Your Own Cough Syrup

Why spend tons of Cough Syrup, when you can make your own and much better for you and  your family.. I found this great recipe from Frugally Sustainable. Hope you enjoy it!


How To Make Herbal Syrups

1. Combine approximately 2 ounces of herbs and 1 quart of water. Begin simmering the mixture over low heat and reduce liquid down to 1 pint.
2. Strain herbs from the liquid by running through a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth or coffee filter. Pour concentrated liquid back into the simmer pot. Note: Be sure to compost the discarded herbs.
3. Add 1 cup of honey (or maple syrup, vegetable glycerin, or other sweetener you have on hand) per pint of liquid.
4. Warm honey and liquid, on very low heat, just enough to blend together. Note: Cooking honey any longer, or on a high heat, will destroy the healing properties of the honey.
5. Bottle, label, and refrigerate syrup.

Herbal Cold and Cough Syrup
Gather the Ingredients:

-1/4 cup dried echinacea root
-1/4 cup dried licorice root
-1/8-1/4 cup freshly grated ginger root (to taste)

Directions:

Grate Ginger.

Add dried herbs, ginger, and 1 quart of water to pot. Simmer on low heat until liquid is reduced to 1 pint.

Strain herbs.

Add 1 cup of honey to liquid. Over low heat, warm just enough to mix well.

Bottle, label, and refrigerate.

Dosage:

The syrup can be used as often as needed, up to every hour, until symptoms are relieved.

For Children: 1 teaspoon

For persons 10 years and older: 1 tablespoon
Expiration:
Syrup will keep in refrigerator for approximately 3 months.
Tips

-I like to add an ounce of brandy to the syrup in order to help preserve the syrup. Adding the brandy also allows the syrup to act as a cough suppressant. Preserving with brandy will increase expiration to approximately 6 months.

-Feel free to experiment with the herbs. For example, consider adding Valerian for restlessness.

-Don’t have licorice root on hand? Make the syrup simply with echinacea and ginger. However, increase amount of dried echinacea root to 1/2 cup.

-Add 1/2 cup chopped onion to the herbs and ginger for a increase in medicinal properties

Locally Check Out Earth Fare or Natural Food Market

 

 

DISCLAIMER: The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.