katherinecroftonMany people think the only way to cure a pesky cough is with cough syrup. However, that isn’t true at all. Coughs can easily be soothed with a homemade cough syrup. With some small adjustments, this recipe can even be used as a child cough remedy. The ingredients used for this cough syrup are easy to find and use. Thus, it is easy to stop any persistent cough with a simple homemade recipe.
Essential Oils For Homemade Cough Syrup
This homemade cough syrup is powerful because of the raw honey and essential oils it contains. Raw honey is an antioxidant powerhouse. Many people use it alone as a natural cough suppressant. The honey will boost the immune system while coating the throat. This provides temporary relief along with the boost needed to get rid of the cough for good.
Lemon essential oil is a natural and safe disinfectant. It also helps to get the lymphatic system moving. This essential oil will kill any bacteria it touches and help the body move the infection out. Lemon oil also tastes delicious!
Frankincense essential oil is full of antibiotics and is a natural cold remedy. It removes phlegm and mucus from the airways which makes it easier to breath. Lastly, frankincense removes bacteria from the mouth and throat. This fights bad breath that is often associated with being sick.
Peppermint oil is a natural decongestant and pain reliever. It is an excellent choice to add to any homemade cough syrup. However, peppermint oil can be a bit strong for some people. Diffusing it is another way to stop a cough or any sinus problems.
Lavender essential oil has powerful antibacterial properties and fights inflammation. It is also one of the gentler essential oils. Lavender’s natural relaxing properties make it perfect for stopping a persistent cough.
Homemade Cough Syrup Recipe
The following recipe is perfect for adults. However, if you are making this recipe for children, it is important to understand what essential oils children should and should not ingest. Frankincense, lemon, and lavender essential oils are all safe to use around children. However, peppermint should not be used with children under the age of 6 because it can cause severe irritation. You should also use caution when using any essential oils with children under the age of 2.
What You Will Need:
- 1 cup honey
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 4 drops frankincense essential oil
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- a glass jar
Directions:
- Spoon a cup of honey into a glass jar and warm slightly.
- Add the lemon, frankincense, peppermint and lavender essential oils. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Take a spoonful 3 to 5 times a day. Be sure to use a clean spoon so as to not contaminate the cough syrup.
Precautions To Consider
Like with all essential oils, it is always best to perform a small skin test before using or ingesting an essential oil. Dilution is key to ingesting oils, so start will a lower number of drops if needed. Also, contact a health care professional if you are taking prescription medications or have a chronic health condition.