Simple Cough Syrup

Every year, I make a very simple cough syrup for my family.  It contains no drugs so there isn't a need to measure or worry about how much the children might be taking.

Mostly, I believe, the honey is the thing.  It coats a tickly throat and allows you to sleep.

This will help ease an annoying cough.  It should not be relied upon in place of medical treatment if you have a nasty hacking cough or an infection of some sort.

I use rosehips for their immune boosting properties.  Be sure to use rosehips from the dog rose as other varieties of rose don't always have the same vitamin C content or may have been sprayed.

I use thyme for it's antibacterial properties.  If your throat is slightly inflamed, there is an opportunity for bacteria to take hold and cause an infection.  Thyme also thins and breaks down mucous.

If you can get Manuka honey, it also adds a wonderful boost to this syrup.

I don't use specific quantities because I don't think they really make a difference.  My Herbs tutor always did units of measure as "some" or "a quantity".  As long as you have some of each in your syrup, the only real difference will be the taste.  Although, 100ml of decoction to 4 tbsp honey is a good consistency for a syrup.

Cough Syrup

A handful of chopped rosehips - fresh or dried.
A handful of thyme - fresh or dried.
Water
Honey

Simmer rosehips and thyme in water for ten minutes.
Strain, squeezing out as much liquid as you can.

Add honey to liquid and heat gently to dissolve honey.
Bottle, label and store in the refrigerator.

NOTE:  Do not boil the liquid as this can destroy any benefit you may get from the herbs.
Anything with sugar (honey) has the potential to ferment.

This recipe can also be made with Oatstraw to promote sweating (which is part of your bodies own defensive system), support the nervous system and lift the spirits.