Simple Honey Lemon Cough Syrup ~ Citrus Series

"It is probable that the lemon is the most valuable of all fruit for preserving health."

~ Mrs. M. Grieve, A Modern Herbal

With its punch of vitamin C for strengthening the immune system, lemons also boast powerful antibacterial properties. This can help fight infections in the throat associated with the cold or flu. Here is a recipe for a simple cough syrup that you can add to your medicine cabinet while utilizing this amazing fruit during its peak. 

The list of simple supplies are:

• one lemon
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 2 tbsp. glycerin
• optional: recycled vanilla extract bottle

I originally (per the recipe in Back to Basics) boiled a clean lemon in water for ten minutes, squeezed out the juice once it was cool and strained it into a glass measuring cup. However, now I think that I would forego this step in order to get the benefits of "raw" lemon juice. The choice is yours...

Add 2 tbsp. of raw honey to your lemon juice… (which is an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, strengthens the immune system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties, etc…)

Add 2 tbsp. of glycerin and stir until combined… That's it!

Using a funnel, pour liquid into a clean bottle or jar. We used a recycled vanilla extract bottle to store our syrup. I figured that if anything, it would enhance the flavor to make it into a "honey lemon vanilla" cough syrup. It also has a nice apothecary look to it. You may reuse an old cough syrup bottle if you have one. Make sure to label it (you may use ours below)! We don't want another situation to happen like poor Anne Shirley! Remember?

"Anne fled to the pantry and returned with a small bottle partially filled with a brown liquid and labeled yellowly, "Best Vanilla." 

Marilla took it, uncorked it, smelled it."Mercy on us, Anne, you've flavored that cake with ANODYNE LINIMENT. I broke the liniment bottle last week and poured what was left into an old empty vanilla bottle. I suppose it's partly my fault—I should have warned you—but for pity's sake why couldn't you have smelled it?" 

Anne dissolved into tears under this double disgrace."

~ Excerpt from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Important Notes:

• Honey should not be given to children under two years of age.
• This is a very basic syrup. As with any illness, please use prayer, wisdom and discernment* when treating your family.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. 
• Take one teaspoon at intervals when needed. 

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

~ Proverbs 17:22

Lemon clip art is courtesy of Reading, Roses and Prose. This recipe was gleaned from Back to Basics by Reader's Digest. NOTE: *I am not a professional, nor a doctor. Using natural remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is intended to treat or prevent disease.