When you live away from town you sometimes have to “make do and make mend.” Whether it’s dealing with sickness in he middle of the night or facing an unexpected repair without the option of going to the hardware store, you may have to make do with what you have on hand.

When sickness creeps in

I started the new year with a head cold. I had a stuffy nose, headache and a bit of a scratchy throat with a light cough. This time of year, it’s common for us to catch a cold due to the weather changes. In our area, the temperature can change from cold one day to hot the next, and then back again. It’s no wonder our bodies don’t know how to respond and our immune system weakens. Over the years I’ve learned how to make do with the ingredients and supplies I have at home to address common ailments. In some cases, I’ve found these remedies to be more helpful than store-bought options. One example of this is raw unfiltered honey, which makes an excellent cough syrup. It coats and soothes the throat like nothing else I’ve tried and has been used since ancient times for just that purpose.

Homemade cough syrup on the ready

I can’t remember where I first learned about onion-honey syrup, but for many years now, I have been making it during cold and flu season, and have found it to be very soothing. Onion is a great addition to honey alone because it has been found to support the respiratory and immune systems. I whip up this quick and easy syrup and keep it on the back of my stove, adding to it as neccessary. Whenever we start feeling a cough or sore throat coming on, we take it by the spoonful as often as needed.

Onion-Honey Cough Syrup

A simple homemade cough syrup to soothe your aching throat. Made from two common household ingredients.

Prep Time 10

Equipment

mason jar with lid
knife
sauce pan with lid (optional)
towel (optional)
stove (optional)

Ingredients

white onion
raw honey

Instructions

Thinly slice an onion.
Pack the sliced onion into a mason jar.
Cover the onion completely with honey.
Screw on the lid and allow to sit overnight.

Quick Method

Place filled and sealed jar in a saucepan that is half filled with water.
Bring water to a simmer over low heat.
Once at a low simmer, turn off heat, cover the pan with a lid and towel to hold in heat and allow the syrup to cool in place.

Usage

Take the syrup by the spoonful as needed

Notes

Be sure not to overheat if you are using the quick method.

This syrup can be stored on the countertop as long as water or bacteria are not introduced to the jar. There is no need to remove the onion as it will continue to infuse the honey with it’s therapeutic benefits. You can add more onion and honey to the jar as needed.

It is not recommended to give honey to children under 12 months of age.

Safety and understanding

Home remedies are not meant to replace modern medicine or professional medical advice. Home remedies can be useful for some conditions, but they may not always be safe or effective for everyone. They are not meant to treat, cure or heal sickness and disease but help to support, maintain and promote good health and wellbeing. A single study or clinical trial may not cover diverse communities or bodies, and what research notes as beneficial may not always work for you. The remedies shared on the site are based on therapeutic usages and although these remedies are generally safe and usually have no side effects, I advise that these be practised / taken at the user’s sole discretion. Please consult with your physician before incorporating any remedies into your healthcare regimen.

Interested in learning more? Travel over to my Home Remedies page and while you’re there, grab a copy of my free ebook, From Pantry to Medicine Cabinet!