There is nothing more frustrating than a cough – it disrupts your sleep, gives you a sore throat, and interrupts your day. It’s often the symptom that lingers the longest, which means a natural cough remedy is a must. As tempting as it is to race to a pharmacy, homemade cough medicine with honey is an effective course of action.
Whether you prefer a homemade cough remedy or a store-bought natural cough medicine, a Manuka Honey Cough Syrup is an excellent choice.
Why Manuka Honey is Great for Natural Cough Syrup
Your next steps depend on whether you are looking for a honey mixture for a cough that is chesty or dry. If it’s a tickly cough that doesn’t produce mucus, honey is a great soother. When combined with other ingredients, honey can help break up the congestion of a chesty cough.
All natural honey products contain antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral qualities. However, Manuka honey is the superhero of honey because it also contains methylglyoxal which is a powerful antimicrobial compound.
You can gain the benefits of Manuka honey by eating it directly from the spoon or by stirring it into a hot drink. Many people enjoy adding two teaspoons of Manuka to a cup of warm water and lemon. In addition to its antibacterial benefits, a hot drink with honey is an effective soother because it triggers the production of saliva and helps clear mucus from your airways.
A homemade cough mixture with honey isn’t just great for beating a cough, it’s a healthy boost for your immune system as well. When you set out to make your own cough tincture, be sure to invest in high-quality, authentic Manuka honey. Manuka honey pairs well with lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar.
We know that when you are feeling really lousy you may not have the enthusiasm for whipping up your own batch of cold and flu fighting recipes, so we have some ready-made Manuka supplements. Try our Manuka Honey in Apple Cider Vinegar tonic or our Manuka Honey with Cinnamon.
Stay Healthy with Honey
Honey cough syrup is an effective treatment for sore throats, coughs, and even common seasonal allergies with its potential to reduce the development of mucous and the inflammatory response in the airways. Manuka honey is a great product to use daily, whether you have a cough or not. Don’t know which Manuka is right for you? Have a look at this Manuka Strength Guide.
While Manuka in a homemade honey cough syrup is a great complementary therapy when you’re unwell, it’s important to see your doctor who can advise on the best course of treatment.
Try this fantastic Manuka Honey Cough Syrup recipe we found in the Beekeeper’s Bible and see the benefits for yourself! As always, we recommend checking with your doctor.
Manuka honey, Thyme and Licorice Cough Syrup
Ingredients
2 tbsp Licorice root peeled and shredded
2 tbsp dried thyme
Method
- Put the liquorice root in a medium saucepan, add 2 cups water and stir over a medium heat. Bring slowly to a boil. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the head, add the thyme, and stir. Replace the lid and let infuse for 20 minutes.
- Strain the mixture into a clean pan and return to the heat. Once warm, add the Manuka. Stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve the honey, then simmer gently for a few minutes, stirring all the time, until the mixture is a syrupy consistency. Let the mixture bubble for a moment, do not overheat then turn off the heat and let cool.
- Pour the syrup into a sterilised bottle (put the bottle through a dishwasher cycle to sterilise). Label with the name, date and dose. Keep in a cool dark place and use within 6 months.
Adults – 2-3 teaspoons 3-6 times a day. Children over 18 months 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
