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This Centuries-Old Herbal Cough Syrup Soothes and Boosts the Immune System

Throughout the centuries, herbalists have employed thyme and thyme-based remedies to relieve chest and respiratory disorders, coughs, colds, and bronchitis.

Throughout the centuries, herbalists have employed thyme and thyme-based herbal remedies to relieve chest and respiratory disorders, coughs, colds, and bronchitis.

Benefits of Ingredients

Thyme

Thyme, while small in stature has a great many medicinal purposes. Thymol is derived from thyme and is a powerful antimicrobial that helps with bronchial and respiratory infections.More notably, thyme has been uses as for its anti-septic, anti-viral, antibacterial, astringent, expectorant, spasmolytic, anti-fungal, and anti-helminthic properties. If that wasn’t enough, thyme has an added benefit of being packed with vitamin C and is also a good source of vitamin A, so if you feel a cold coming on, thyme can help boost your immune system.

Due to the antibacterial, antifungal and spasmolytic properties of this herb, it fights agents that cause bronchitis and helps to quell a spasmodic cough. It is also a first-rate expectorant, aiding the body to eliminate accumulated mucus.

Honey

Honey is highly effective as a cough-suppressant and as a demulcent  or something that coats the throat and the linings of the trachea and mouth to soothe the surfaces). Some of the best types of honey to use in medicinal remedies are buckwheat honey and Manuka honey.

Buckwheat honey surpasses dextromethorphan (the primary cough suppressant found in Robitussin, for example) in terms of cough suppressant action

Manuka honey can fight against more than 200 types of bacteria and some of the species it defeats are resistant strains such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

You can read more about the healing properties of honey here.

Lemon

This citrus fruit is high in vitamin C and reduced inflammation and swelling, and reduce mucus production. As well, lemons have antioxidant properties which are vital to a strong immune system. Lemons also neutralize the activity of free radicals in the body. In the past, we have also used orange slices in the recipe and it has turned out just as good.

Brandy

Brandy-based elixirs and syrups has been a trusted source to boost the immune system for hundreds of years. While many would believe that the use of brandy in this recipe would be for its relaxing quality, it actually has another use. It has antibacterial components that helps get rid of the cold, throat pain and coughing in no time and is used as a natural preservative to help the syrup last up to 4 months after it is made. Alternatively, you can omit the brandy. If you choose to do so, the cough syrup is good for 4 weeks when refrigerated.

I like the make this syrup right before cold and flu season and store it in the refrigerator to add to our favorite immune-boosting tea or all on its own.

Honey and Thyme Herbal Cough Remedy

Use this syrup when the symptoms first begin to help give the body what it needs to fight off an illness.

  • 4 cups water
  • 4 ounces thyme leaf and flower
  • 1 cup raw, organic honey
  • few lemon or orange slices
  • 1/4 cup brandy, optional (works as a preservative)
  1. Bring 4 cups of water to boil in a small saucepan.
  2. Add the thyme (I left the leaves on the bark, but they can removed, if desired), cover and turn heat down to low. Allow mixture to steep for 25 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and allow tea to cool.
  4. Strain the mixture and whisk in the honey, citrus juice, and bandy until dissolved. Store in a glass jar.
  5. The cough syrup with keep refrigerated for 4 months.

To use, take 1-2 teaspoons, as needed.

 

Have you tried some of our other immune-boosting remedies?

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Horehound Peppermint Cough Syrup

Old Fashioned Horehound Cough Drops

Honey, Lemon, Ginger Syrup – an Instant Immune Booster

Check out more of our natural remedies here

 

This article was originally published at Ready Nutrition™ on January 29th, 2020