Home made cough syrup

 

🍯 Homemade remedy with Honey, Ginger & Lemon Cough Syrup

A simple home remedy made with honey, fresh ginger and lemon, using ingredients commonly available in Sri Lanka. It may help soothe a dry or irritated throat and provide temporary relief from coughing.

Ingredients

• Zest of 2 lemons – approximately 1½ tablespoons

• ¼ cup fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup honey

• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preparation

1. Add the lemon zest, sliced ginger and 1 cup of water to a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Strain the liquid into a clean, heat-resistant measuring cup.

4. Rinse the saucepan and add the 1 cup of honey.

5. Warm the honey gently over low heat. Do not boil it.

6. Add the strained ginger-lemon water and lemon juice.

7. Stir well until everything is thoroughly combined and forms a smooth syrup.

8. Transfer to a clean, sterilised jar with a tight-fitting lid.

9. Allow it to cool and refrigerate.

Suggested use

Children 1–5 years: ½–1 teaspoon every 2 hours as needed.

Children 5–12 years: 1–2 teaspoons every 2 hours as needed.

Age 12 years and above & adults: 1–2 tablespoons every 4 hours as needed.

⚠️ Important safety information

• Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age because of the risk of infant botulism.

• This is a home remedy, not a treatment for the underlying cause of a cough.

• Children should not be given large or frequent doses simply because the cough continues. For young children, it is preferable to confirm the appropriate dose with a doctor or pharmacist.

• Seek medical attention for difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, persistent high fever, wheezing, severe weakness, dehydration, or a cough that persists or worsens.

• People with diabetes should remember that honey contains significant amounts of sugar.

• If the syrup develops an unusual smell, colour, mould or fermentation, discard it.

• Keep refrigerated and use a clean spoon each time. For a homemade preparation, making small batches is preferable rather than relying on a long storage period.

🇱🇰 A Sri Lankan touch

Fresh Ceylon lemon, locally available ginger and good-quality Sri Lankan honey can be used. The ingredients are simple and familiar, making this an easy traditional-style throat-soothing preparation for the home.

Important: Honey and lemon may soothe throat irritation, but they do not replace antibiotics, inhalers, or other medical treatment when these are medically indicated.