This wonderful syrup helps to boost the immune system during cold and flu season. It also helps to suppress a cough.
What you’ll need
Herbs:
• 1/2 cup echinacea root
• 1/2 cup licorice root
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 Tablespoon grated ginger
Other ingredients:
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup honey
Supplies:
• A small saucepan
• Fine mesh strainer
• Wide mouth jar and lid
How to make syrup:
1. Place the Echinacea, licorice, cinnamon and ginger into the small saucepan, with 3 cups of water.
2. Cover and bring the water to a boil.
3. Turn down the heat, leave covered, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by 1/2. This usually takes 20-30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the stronger the herbal tea.
4. Strain liquid into a bowl and add 1 cup of honey, stir till well blended.
Take 1 -2 Tablespoons at the first sign of cold, flu or cough, and continue taking as needed.
How to store your syrup:
Store the syrup in a closed jar in the refrigerator. Syrups have a relatively short shelf life. I generally make this in small batches and store it in the refrigerator for a month.
Please do not give your honey cough syrup to a child under the age of one. Honey can contain spores that could lead to botulism in the very young until they have built up enough beneficial bacteria in their digestive tract to deal with the spores.
Items mentioned in this article:
References
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/licorice.php
Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth by Dr. Sharol Marie Tilgner
