Amish Cough Syrup Recipe With Honey, Lemon and Onion

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This homemade Amish cough syrup recipe made with raw honey, onions, and lemon, is a natural remedy that can help reduce sore throat symptoms. The natural ingredients in this cough syrup not only soothe, but also reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. This simple and effective home remedy is perfect to have on hand during cold season!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Simple

With only three ingredients, it’s such an easy recipe to make. Simply slice a fresh onion and lemon, then layer them in a jar with raw honey. Let this mixture sit at room temperature for one or two days, then strain it and store it in the fridge!

Natural 

There is nothing artificial or processed in this recipe. While the cough syrup you normally find at the grocery store often contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes, as well as chemical ingredients like Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, and Phenylephrine/Pseudoephedrine, this homemade remedy is completely natural. The whole food ingredients in this recipe work together beautifully to reduce throat irritation. 

Effective

This old-fashioned homemade cough syrup recipe can provide instant relief for a scratchy throat with the properties that raw honey, onion, and lemon have to offer! 

Non-Alcoholic

Many homemade recipes for Amish style cough syrup on the internet contain alcohol. While alcohol may be helpful in some ways and also act as a preservative for longer term storage, I prefer to avoid it when possible. Instead of preserving onions, lemons, and honey with alcohol, this recipe uses raw honey which acts as a natural short term preservative for the onions and lemons!

What Kind of Honey to Use?

Make sure to buy honey that is organic, raw, and more of a liquid honey rather than thick and crystallized. The onions and lemon need to be fully submerged and this will be more difficult with an extra thick honey. I love the organic wildflower raw honey on Azure Standard! If you can find an organic and raw honey locally, this can have the added benefit of helping with seasonal allergies. 

What Kind of Onion and Lemon to Use?

Make sure to use fresh, organic onion and lemon, as pesticides can have a negative effect on some of the beneficial properties in raw honey.

Health Benefits of Raw Honey

Raw honey has a smooth texture that can coat the throat and help soothe irritation. The anti-inflammatory effects of raw honey can reduce symptoms of an inflamed throat. Not to mention, it has immune boosting, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties! Raw honey can also help improve sleep when taken before bed, which can be helpful when feeling under the weather. (Source, Source, Source)

Health Benefits of Onion

The onion in this recipe is a powerful anti-inflammatory, helping provide relief from a sore throat. Onion also has antimicrobial, immune boosting, and antioxidant properties. (Source, Source)

Health Benefits of Lemon

The natural citric acid in lemon can help to break down mucus and ease discomfort, while the ascorbic acid in lemon (also known as vitamin C) is helpful for the immune system. (Source)

Optional Add-Ins

Peppermint 

Peppermint can be very helpful for a sore throat by relaxing the muscles around the airways and acting as a mild decongestant. (Source). You can add 2 drops of food grade peppermint essential oil to the cough syrup before placing it in the refrigerator if you like. When using essential oils, be sure to give the bottle a good shake before each use!

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus works wonders for congestion by acting as an expectorant. It can help clear the airways and make it easier to breathe, and it also has antiviral as well as antibacterial properties. (Source). You can add 2 drops of food grade eucalyptus essential oil to the cough syrup before placing it in the refrigerator if you like. When using essential oils, be sure to give the bottle a good shake before each use!

Ginger

Ginger can provide anti-inflammatory effects and induce bronchodilation, or opening of the airways. (Source). Ginger has been used in the treatment for many ailments throughout History! You can add about 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger juice after straining the syrup. Make sure to shake the bottle well before taking!

How to Take Amish Cough Syrup

• Adults: Take 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to soothe the throat. 

• Small children: take 1 teaspoon as needed to soothe the throat.

• Infants: do not give to infants under 1 year old to prevent risk of botulism from honey. 

How to Store Amish Cough Syrup

Once the cough syrup is strained and sealed in an airtight container such as a glass bottle or jar, store syrup in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. 

You can also keep this cough syrup in the freezer for longer term storage of up to about 9 months. When freezing in glass, be sure to leave extra space at the top of the bottle for the liquid to expand, and do not seal the lid until it is fully frozen. Remove from the freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature when you feel like a cold or sore throat is coming on. 

​How to Make Amish Cough Syrup

Thoroughly clean lemon and cut off the ends. 

Cut off ends and remove peel of onion. 

Finely slice onion and lemon into about 1/8 inch thick pieces. 

Add 1/4 cup of honey to the bottom of the jar. 

​Layer a third of the sliced lemons over the honey, followed by a third of the onions. 

Add 1/4 cup of honey over the lemon and onion layer. 

Add another third portion of the lemon sliced, followed by another third of the onions. Gently push down to flatten layers. 

Add 1/4 cup of honey over lemon and onion layer. 

Add the rest of the lemon and onion slices, then push down.

Top the layers with the last 1/4 cup of honey. 

Place the lemon ends on top and gently push down to remove air from the layers. 

Using the lemon ends as weight to keep the sliced lemons and onions submerged in the raw honey, push down on the lemon ends and place a small square of parchment paper over the top, followed by the jar lid. 

Store the jar at room temperature for 24-48 hours to allow the raw honey to extract the beneficial properties from the lemon and onion.

After allowing the raw honey to extract beneficial properties from the onion and lemon, remove the lemon ends from the top.

Place a fine mesh strainer over a pitcher and pour the jar of honey, onions, and lemons into it. Allow the honey syrup to strain for about 30 minutes. 

If using any optional add-ins listed above, stir them in now. 

After straining, pour syrup into an airtight glass bottle or jar. To protect from rust, you can place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper under the lid. 

Store cough syrup in the refrigerator for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 9 months. Make sure to monitor for signs of spoilage such as mold or bad smells.

Shake bottle or jar before use and take 1 tablespoon as needed for adults, or 1 teaspoon at a time as needed for small children. Do not give to infants under 1 year old. 

Looking for More Natural Remedies?

Check out this Apple Cider Vinegar, Honey, Garlic & Ginger Tonic to help fight of a cold!

Disclaimers

• This recipe is intended solely for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any home remedies, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Relying on this information without seeking professional guidance is at your own risk. 

• Do not give honey to infants under 1 year of age due to the risk of infant botulism. Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which may produce toxins in a baby’s immature digestive system, leading to this rare but serious illness.

• The acidity of the lemon juice in this recipe can be harmful to the enamel of the teeth. To protect the teeth, it is best to rinse any residual syrup on the teeth with water after administering.