I decided to try and make a homemade honey cough syrup after seeing an insert with the recipe in the “Swag Bag” from the Biggest Baby Shower. Both my boys have been having on and off runny noses and Raef has had this cough that wakes him up when he sleeps, so I figured I’d give it a shot…you know when you get to the point where anything is worth a try!!! The good news is it’s pretty easy to make and he didn’t mind taking it! I’m still figuring out if it is really helping or not, but I thought I’d share the recipe with you. It can also be found at honey.com
Ingredients:
- 1½ tablespoons – Zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup – peeled, sliced ginger , or ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1 cup – water
- 1 cup – honey
- ½ cup – lemon juice
Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine lemon zest, sliced ginger and 1 cup of water. Bring mixture to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, then strain through into a heat-proof measuring cup. Rinse the saucepan out and pour in 1 cup of honey. On low heat, warm the honey, but do not allow it to boil. Add the strained lemon ginger water and the lemon juice. Stir the mixture until it combines to form a thick syrup. Pour into a clean jar with a lid. Note: This can be refrigerated for up to 2 months.
For children ages 1 to 5, use ½ to 1 teaspoon every 2 hours. For children ages 5 to 12, use 1 to 2 teaspoon every 2 hours. For children 12 and older and adults, use 1 to 2 tablespoons every 4 hours.
* Remember, honey is recommended for children after the age of one.
For Nurse Barb’s Honey Lemon Coughsicles Recipe, click here. Recipe courtesy of Nurse Practitioner Barbara Dehn, RN, MS, NP.
And — if you want more on honey, here’s a guide to the 16 health benefits of honey according to science, and it includes 2 delicious honey recipes.