We recently harvested a giant crop of organic sage and homegrown honey, so what better way to battle the upcoming cold and flu season that with an antibacterial, antiviral sage honey cough syrup?
Just so happens that my husband woke up with a congested cough this morning so I went straight for the trusty sage honey cough syrup infused with garlic (the poor man's antibiotic!) and fresh squeezed lemon juice. And of course it worked like a charm! No over-the-counter cough medicine with artificial dyes, flavors or high fructose corn syrup required 🙂
The Immune Boosting, Cough Soothing Properties of Sage, Honey, Garlic and Lemon
SAGE has been used as cold and flu medicine for thousands of years. It kills the viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory illness, soothes sore throats, and tames coughs with its astringent properties. NOTE: Be sure not to go overboard with sage when breastfeeding as it can slow lactation.
HONEY adds a ton of antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial healing power to help fight cold and flu too, while taking the edge off coughs and sore throats. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists honey as a demulcent, which means it is a substance that soothes dry, irritated membranes. It's best to buy organic honey from a trusted source, or better yet, raw honey from a neighbor.
GARLIC is a powerful antibacterial and antiviral. It also offers great expectorant properties and has even been used for children with whooping cough. Garlic stimulates the immune system, helps thin mucous, and acts as an expectorant. It also boasts anti-inflammatory compounds that help relieve the discomforts of cold and flu. It's like the superhero of medicinal foods! Check out these 39 benefits of garlic and you'll see what I mean.
LEMON juice is reported to decrease the strength of the cold and flu virus in the body and reduce phlegm.
Sage Honey Cough Syrup Recipe
I love being able to treat cold and flu symptoms with simple ingredients from the garden! What a magnificent design in the world around us.
Use this syrup as needed for sore or tickly throats and phlegmy coughs. But do keep in mind though that this natural remedy is meant to give relief, not to be a miraculous cure. We're not doctors, so be sure to get help if you have a persistent cough that doesn't want to give up and go away.
Supplies
- Raw, local honey (or organic honey)
- Fresh or dried organic sage leaf
- Fresh garlic
- Lemon juice
- Glass jar with airtight lid
(Weck jars are my favorite for this)
- Medium saucepan (this is the glass Corning Visionware you see in our photo)
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Strainer
Ingredients
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
3 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh garlic, chopped
Directions and Dosage
- Chop sage and garlic, then add all the ingredients except honey to a medium saucepan and warm over medium heat until simmering.
- Remove from heat, add the honey, cover and let steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain and add the syrup to a clean glass jar with a lid.
- Take by the spoonful or stir into a mug of hot tea.
It's that simple! And it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Even More Natural Cough and Cold Remedies
- How to Make Homemade Elderberry Syrup for Colds and Flu
- 3 Herbal Teas to Soothe Cold and Stomach Flu Symptoms in Kids
- Natural Cough Remedy: Honey and Cinnamon Poached Pears
- Prevent Illness Naturally with a DIY “Flu Shot”
- Bust that Sore Throat and Hacking Cough with 5 Simple Ingredients from Your Kitchen
