Onion Honey syrup is a true old fashioned, time-tested home remedy! I love using simple remedies that are easy to make from ingredients you probably have at home, or are easy to find in stores. Onion honey has traditionally been used as a cough syrup, but is also used for colds and as an immune boost, helping to prevent that cough in the first place. It is especially good for that annoying tickling cough. Both onions and honey have healing qualities. Onions are known to have anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, while honey is soothing and healing. Honey also has medicinal properties, in fact the “survival Dr.” James Hubbard M.D.,M.P.H. recommends honey as a safe and effective cough syrup for children over one year of age. He also cites a study on his blog here , http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com/2012/08/09/new-details-on-safest-cough-medicine/
There are many variations to this recipe , you can add herbs and even garlic. I recommend that you experiment with it and find which one works best for you and your family. One of my favorites is with fresh thyme, rosemary or sage. Your little ones may not love the taste with the added herbs, so for them you might want to stick with the simple onion-honey-syrup. Remember, you can always use it as a delicious glaze for chicken or add a little to some homemade salad dressing with balsamic vinegar and fresh garlic. Yum!
Without further ado lets get to the recipe:
1 organic onion (this is medicinal so organic is important here)Raw honey
Cut onion in half and slice into thin moons. Put the onion in a stainless steel, cast iron or glass pan and cover with the honey.
Optional additions;
Fresh herbs, like thyme, sage, rosemary or oregano.orDried herbs, like mullein, marshmallow, licorice or slippery elm.sliced raw garlic1-2 tsp fresh grated ginger1-2 tsp fresh grated tumeric
Gently warm on a very low heat, until honey softens and liquefies. Remove from heat and keep covered for another 30 minutes. After it has cooled you can strain into a glass jar, cover and label. This can be kept for several weeks and even longer ( If you don’t finish it first) in the refrigerator.
*There is no real dosage, but a general suggestion is 1 tsp for kids and 1 Tbsp for adults. Take up to 4-5 times a day or when needed.
Please remember not to give honey to infants under one year of age.
What’s your favorite onion honey? Do you also eat it by the spoonful like me, just because you love the taste?