Make Your Own Cough Syrup with Echinacea and Licorice

Is your generic cold and cough remedy not working as it should? How many times have you suffered battling sniffles, colds, and flu, especially during the winter season? Most people's general course of action includes using over-the-counter medicines (which contain synthetic chemicals) and trying all sorts of other medicine, most of which serves only to burn holes in your pockets.

Fortunately you can make your very own cough syrup using all natural echinacea and licorice. The ingredients in this natural recipe assist the body in its fight against the common cold, and especially coughs. The Echinacea root helps to strengthen the immune system, while the licorice root has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. How awesome is that? Below are steps to get you started on your first batch.

Things you need:

• 1/2 cup echinacea root
• 1/2 cup licorice root
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons grated ginger
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup honey

Materials:

• A small saucepan
• Fine mesh strainer (any fine strainer will do)
• Wide mouth jar and lid

Instructions

Combine the echinacea, licorice, ginger and cinnamon in the small saucepan and add the water. Cover and bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat down and leave covered for a short while, then simmer it until the liquid is reduced by roughly half. This can take about 20-30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the stronger the herbal tea will be. After simmering, strain liquid into a bowl then add 1 cup of honey, and stir thoroughly until well blended.

How to use:Take 1 -2 tablespoons when you experience the first sign of cold, flu or cough, and continue taking as necessary.

1. 1
   For this recipe, mix 2 ounces of herbs and a quart of water, then begin simmering the mixture on low heat, and reduce the liquid down to a pint.

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2. 2
   Strain herbs from the liquid, making sure that none is left

   .

   Run it through a fine mesh sieve, coffee filter or cheesecloth. (You can even use a clean white cloth.) Now pour the concentrated liquid into the simmer pot.

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3. 3
   Add a cup of fresh honey or maple syrup (or vegetable glycerin, or any other sweetener you prefer) per pint of the liquid.

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4. 4
   Heat the honey and liquid on a very low heat setting - just enough to fuse it together

   .

   (Cooking honey at a very high temperature destroys its potency.)

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5. 5
   Put into a clean bottle, cap tightly and refrigerate syrup.

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6. 6
   Use it to treat common colds and help with your cough.

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How to use:Take 1-2 tablespoons when you experience the first sign of cold, flu or cough, and continue taking as necessary.

Storing the Syrup

Your syrup will have a very short shelf life (natural treatments are like that), so store the syrup in a closed jar and put it in the refrigerator (not freezer). To avoid any waste, you can make this syrup in small batches as it is fairly easy to make, and raw materials lasts longer anyways. You can store it in the refrigerator for about a month before expiring.

Echinacea Root

This flowering plant has nine different species in its family. It's most popular names, however, are the black-eyed Susan and purple cone flower. It is considered one of the most popular herbal products today, and has been used since time immemorial to boost a person's immune system and even heal wounds.

Licorice

Licorice is a very potent anti-inflammatory and anti-viral agent, making it effective in fighting colds and flu. Licorice roots are even effective in reducing swelling of cold sores and ulcers. Licorice is also the ingredient that makes the syrup sweet, along with the honey. (It's sweeter than sugar.)

Honey

Did you know that honey has actually been proven in medical experiments to be a more potent cough suppressant than most over-the-counter drugs? Honey is supplemented in this recipe as a cough suppressant, as it can effectively soothe and moisturize the throat; it also aids in fighting off bacteria. Honey is packed with antioxidants, more so if it's raw, unheated and organic. Slow heating the honey transforms it into a pure sucrose source. The darker the honey, the more potent is, as it has more of those healing properties.

• If you want to know more how echinacea and licorice can benefit your body, why not read about how to Boost Your Immune System Using Echinacea and Licorice here's a link: Boost Your Immune System Using Echinacea and Licorice
• Refrain from giving your cough syrup to children under the age of 1. Honey in the syrup may contain spores that may lead to botulism in the very young until they have built up the right kind and amount of beneficial bacteria in their digestive tract to counter the spores.
• Remember to compost the discarded herbs.

Where can I buy echinacea root and licorice root?

I have never heard of these two ingredients and I am not sure where to purchase them.. I have tried: I have tried shopping for these two herbs at the grocery store and natural health food store in my area.. I think it was caused by: I am not sure which stores carry these ingredients.

It depends upon your area. Some vitamin shops and Walmart stores sell those. They can be sold in bottles as liquid. In other areas, pharmacies sell those. You can easily find licorice and echinacea online by opening a search engine like https://DuckDuckGo.com or https://Google.com and typing "echinacea root buy " or "licorice root buy " and add your city name.

Here are two search results, for example, echinacea root and licorice root if you wish to order them online. They will be shipped to your address if you live in the area.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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