Homemade cough syrup in a jiffy

By Sari Huhtala

Feel a cold coming on? Nagging cough keeping you up at night? Try this simple thyme honey cough syrup.

Thyme, or thymus, as a tea, tincture or liquid extract, is classified and recognized under the European Drugs monograph as an “expectorant in coughs associated with colds.” It has been studied extensively for relief of symptoms of bronchitis, with up to 93 per cent efficacy in some studies. It’s an antibacterial, and can prevent bacteria that leads to illness, an anti-inflammatory and expectorant, all in one herb. It’s worth having a jar of dried thyme leaves in your medicine cabinet year-round.

Combine it with the powerhouse antibacterial raw honey, with a dose of vitamin C from lemon juice and you have a potent cough and cold remedy.

Pure honey (not cheap grocery store-shelf brands) bolsters the immune system, increasing natural killer cells, antibodies and white blood cells that are the body’s first line of defence against pathogens, bacteria and viruses, according to a 2017 scientific review in the Pharmacognosy Research journal.

Easy thyme cough and cold remedy

Boil 1 cup of water. Add 2 tsp dry thyme leaves, or a handful of fresh thyme leaves to a mason jar. Pour boiled water over thyme. Steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion into a clean jar. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon. Add 1/8 cup of raw honey. Cap and shake well. Take 2 tbsp every couple of hours at the onset of a cold or to reduce cough and cold symptoms. Keeps in refrigerator for three to four days.

(This information is not intended to replace medical advice and treatment from a health care practitioner).

Sari Huhtala is the creator, publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine, which was created in 2007.  She has over 25 years of experience in journalism and over 15 years of experience as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, and is a holistic chef, offering holistic cooking and edible wilds workshops. She is an organic farmer, wild-crafter and grandmother, who has spent over 20 years navigating a holistic, healthy path for her family. Reach her at friends@thelaughingforest.ca