Homemade cough syrups (dry and phlegm)

Some syrups, such as carrot syrup with honey and oregano, help relieve dry coughs, as they hydrate the throat and have calming properties, reducing the cough reflex naturally.

Guaco and pennyroyal syrup, and beetroot syrup, for example, have expectorant and bronchodilating properties, helping to dilute secretions and relieving coughs with phlegm.

Although they offer benefits, homemade syrups should not replace the use of medicine. Therefore, these natural remedies should only be used to complement the treatment prescribed by the doctor.

Dry cough syrups

A dry cough can be caused by a respiratory allergy, asthma, smoking or pollution, for example. See the possible causes of dry cough and how to treat it.

Some syrup options that help relieve dry coughs are:

1. Carrot syrup

A good homemade syrup for dry coughs is carrot syrup, which helps relieve coughs because it lubricates, reducing throat irritation.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium carrot;
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar;
• 1 tablespoon of honey;
• Juice of 1/2 lemon.

Preparation mode:

Wash well and cut the carrot into very thin slices. Place the carrot in a glass jar with a lid. Add the lemon juice, honey and sugar, mixing well with a spoon. Cover the pot and let the mixture rest overnight at room temperature. Take 1 spoon of this syrup twice a day.

This syrup is not recommended for children under 2 years of age and people with allergies to honey. In the same way that carrot syrup is not recommended for people with fructose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, this syrup should be used in moderation by those with diabetes.

Oregano syrup has antitussive properties that help relieve dry coughs.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of honey;
• 1 teaspoon of oregano.

Preparation mode:

Mix the ingredients in a glass container and heat for 10 seconds in the microwave. Wait for it to cool down and take it 2 to 3 times a day. Check out other benefits of oregano.

This syrup is not recommended for people with allergies to oregano or honey, nor is it recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Furthermore, this syrup is not recommended for children under 2 years of age, people with fructose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome. This syrup should be used in moderation by people with diabetes.

3. Ginger and lemon syrup

Ginger and lemon syrup strengthens the immune system and has anti-inflammatory action, helping to reduce throat irritation and thus relieving dry coughs.

Ingredients:

• 250 mL of water;
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice;
• 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger;
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar.

Preparation mode:

Place the water and sugar in a pan and bring to a boil, stirring well until the sugar dissolves. After turning off the heat, add the ginger, cover the pan and let it cool. Transfer the mixture to a glass jar with a lid and add the lemon juice, mixing well. Take 1 teaspoon of this syrup, up to 3 times a day.

Ginger syrup should not be used by children under 6 years of age, people with gallstones, bleeding diseases or those using anticoagulant medications.

Pregnant women and people taking medication to control high blood pressure or diabetes should only consume this syrup under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Echinacea syrup

Echinacea is a plant rich in anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant compounds, helping to alleviate symptoms of flu, allergies and colds, such as stuffy nose and dry cough.

Ingredients:

• 300 mL of water;
• 2 teaspoons of echinacea roots;
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.

Preparation mode:

Place the sugar in a pan and heat over low heat until it melts around the edges. Add the echinacea roots and water, letting it boil for 10 minutes. Let the drink cool and strain. Take 1 tablespoon, up to 3 times a day.

This syrup is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is also not recommended for people with tuberculosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, or autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and psoriasis. Furthermore, this syrup should be used with caution by those with diabetes.

5. Thyme, licorice and green anise syrup

Thyme syrup, licorice root and green anise seeds help relax the respiratory tract, in addition to having honey in its composition that reduces throat irritation, which helps to relieve dry coughs.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of dried thyme;
• 1 tablespoon of dried licorice root;
• 1 tablespoon of green anise seeds;
• 500 mL of water;
• 250 mL de mail.

Preparation mode:

Add the green anise seeds, licorice root and water to a container, cover and let it boil for 15 minutes. Then remove from the heat and add the thyme, cover and let it rest until it cools. Afterwards, strain and add honey.

Store this syrup in a clean, dry glass, in the refrigerator, for a maximum of 3 months.

This syrup should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have high blood pressure, heart or kidney problems, or a history of estrogen-dependent diseases, such as breast or ovarian cancer or endometriosis, for example.

Coughing with phlegm can arise due to situations such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and tuberculosis, for example. Learn about other causes of coughing with phlegm.

Some homemade recipes for cough syrups with phlegm are:

1. Guaco and pennyroyal syrup

Guaco and pennyroyal are medicinal plants with expectorant, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilating action, helping to treat coughs with phlegm.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons of pennyroyal leaves;
• 4 washed and dried guaco leaves;
• 500 mL of water;
• 3 tablespoons of brown sugar.

Preparation mode:

In a large pan, add the sugar and heat over medium heat until it caramelizes well. Add the water, guaco and pennyroyal leaves to the pan, stirring well, until all the sugar dissolves. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Wait for it to cool and strain. Transfer the mixture to a glass jar with a lid. Take 1 to 2 spoons of this syrup per day.

This syrup should not be used by children under 2 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women. People with kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease, tuberculosis or cancer should not consume this syrup.

This syrup should also not be used by people who are using the medicinal plant Ipê Roxo (Tabebuia avellanedae) or anticoagulant medications. Furthermore, this syrup should be used with caution by people with diabetes because it contains sugar.

2. Beetroot syrup

Beetroot syrup is a great home remedy for calming a cough with phlegm due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it has.

Ingredients:

• 1 beet;
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.

Preparation mode:

Wash and cut the beetroot into slices, placing in a clean, dry glass jar with a lid. Add the sugar and mix well with a spoon. Then, cover the pot and let it rest for 24 hours.

Take 2 tablespoons of this syrup 3 times a day. For young children, it is recommended to take just 1 tablespoon up to 3 times a day. See other beetroot syrup recipes.

This syrup should be used with caution by people with diabetes because it can increase blood glucose levels.

3. Garlic, onion and honey syrup

The garlic, onion and honey syrup has an expectorant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action, helping to dilute phlegm and relieve coughs.

Ingredients:

• 1 grated onion;
• 1 clove of crushed garlic;
• Juice of 1/2 lemon;
• 3 tablespoons of honey.

Preparation mode:

In a glass jar with a lid, place the onion and garlic, covering them with the honey and lemon juice. Stir this mixture well with a spoon or spatula. Cover the pot and leave it in the fridge overnight.

For children, you can give 1/2 teaspoon of this syrup, up to 3 times a day. Adults can take 1 teaspoon of this syrup, up to 3 times a day. This syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Garlic, onion and honey syrup should not be used by children under 2 years of age and people with allergies to honey. Likewise, this syrup is not recommended for people with fructose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, this syrup should also be used in moderation.