Welcome to fall and the cough and cold season. In my quest to fill our medicine cabinet with old fashioned remedies, today I'm sharing this sore throat remedy: ginger honey simple syrup with lemon and turmeric.
Over the past few years, I have been turning to more holistic methods of boosting my immune system and treating common ailments. This simple syrup recipe made with isn't just tasty; it's a powerhouse of health benefits, perfect for the cold and flu season.
Why Make Your Own Ginger Honey Syrup
First, why bother making your own syrup when you can simply buy a bottle at the store? Well, aside from the joy of creating something with your own hands, you also can control the quality of the ingredients.
No preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or any of that nonsense. Plus, the combination of honey, ginger, lemon, and turmeric is like a dream team of health benefits you can customize. And let's remember, making ginger honey syrup at home is usually less expensive.
I take a dose of this syrup followed by a hot shower with my eucalyptus shower steamers to help soothe congestion when I'm coming down with a cold.
Caution: Keep all medicinal plants, natural and herbal remedies and medicines safely out of the reach of children. Talk to your trusted healthcare provider l before using dandelion tincture or dandelion extract. It may interact with other medicines or prompt allergic reactions.
Ingredients You Need
Here's what you'll need to make this syrup.
Raw Honey: Acts as a natural sweetener and cough suppressant. Mayo Clinic studies show it's just as effective as over-the-counter cough medicines.
Fresh Ginger: Good for soothing sore throats and upset stomachs. Many ginger research studies show it is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powerhouse.
One Large Lemon: Packed with vitamin C, lemons help reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms and reduce phlegm.
Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties, turmeric is great for reducing symptoms of colds and flu. I love it in my lentil vegetable soup recipe.
How to Make This Honey Ginger Syrup Recipe
⬇️Want the printable recipe card? It's at the bottom of this post.⬇️
First, pour your honey into a clean 16 oz. Mason jar and stir in your turmeric until it's well blended.
Next, slice up your lemon and ginger into thin pieces. Alternate layers of lemon and ginger in the honey, pressing down to ensure they're all covered.
Let the ginger honey syrup sit for a few hours to combine all the flavors. Keep the jar in the fridge; it should last 3-4 weeks.
A Few Tips
Your honey should be at room temperature, or it will be too thick to mix properly. If your ginger lemon syrup has too much honey, it won't drip off the back of a spoon. If needed, heat your honey by placing a small glass jar of it in a medium saucepan of warm water.
When to Use It
Feeling the sniffles coming on? Or maybe someone in the house is already sick? Take a tablespoon of this honey-ginger syrup every few hours to alleviate symptoms. You can also stir it into hot tea for a comforting and healing drink. For a general immune boost, consider taking 1 tablespoon 1-2 times a day.
Historical Uses of the Ingredients
Our four main ingredients—honey, ginger, lemon, and turmeric—have ancient roots when it comes to health and healing.
Wildflower Honey
One of the oldest known medicines, wildflower honey, was used by the Egyptians for treating wounds and even in embalming procedures. In traditional Chinese medicine, it's long been utilized to help with digestion and skin issues.
But it's also a time-honored remedy for sore throats and coughs, tracing back to the days of Aristotle, who praised its healing abilities. Plus, along with maple syrup, it is a great sweetener when trying to avoid white sugar.
Ginger
Originating from Southeast Asia, ginger has been used for more than 2,500 years for culinary and medicinal purposes. In ancient Ayurvedic practices, it was regarded as a healing gift from the gods and was commonly used to treat various conditions, including colds and flu.
Ginger beer, homemade ginger ale and strong ginger tea are popular beverages made with ginger. Growing up, fresh gingerroot was a staple in our kitchen.
My East Indian grandfather kept fresh ginger juice with a hint of cayenne pepper. He drank this daily, sometimes adding hot water to it.
Lemons
With origins likely in India, traders brought lemons to Europe during the Roman Empire. Historical records show lemons and fresh lemon juice helped treat various ailments, from scurvy to digestive issues.
The lemon's high vitamin C content has always been prized for boosting immunity and fighting off colds. My mother used to save seeds from the lemons she bought at the market and grow them in pots indoors. And fresh lemon is the perfect addition to this recipe.
Turmeric
Last but not least, turmeric is another gem from Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian healing system.
Turmeric was used as a paste for skin conditions. Still, it was also taken by mouth in the belief it would help treat several different respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and I add it to our big batch chili since my husband and one of our daughters live with arthritis.
Mixing these ingredients into your own modern-day elixir is like drawing on thousands of years of human wisdom.
So there you have it.
You can craft your own delicious and effective Ginger Honey Simple Syrup with Lemon and Turmeric, tapping into a lineage of tried-and-true ingredients that have been comforting our ancestors for millennia. Whether you're staving off a cold, soothing a sore throat, or just needing a tasty health boost, this syrup has got you covered.
Ginger Honey Syrup FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions.
Can I use powdered ginger instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use powdered ginger, but fresh ginger root has a stronger ginger flavor. It brings a certain zest and added health benefits that you won't get with the powdered form.
How long does this homemade sore throat syrup last?
The syrup can last in a glass jar in the refrigerator for about 3-4 weeks. However, given its health benefits and tasty flavor, you might run out much sooner.
Is this sore throat home remedy safe for kids?
Yes, however, make sure to consult with your healthcare provider for appropriate dosing. And don't give honey to infants under one year old due to the risk of botulism.
So there you have it, your guide to making a versatile and health-boosting Ginger Honey Simple Syrup with Lemon and Turmeric. It's simple, it's delicious, and it's an ally in keeping you healthy through cold and flu season.
Ginger Honey Syrup with Lemon and Turmeric
This homemade ginger honey syrup with lemon and turmeric is a simple home remedy that is perfect for cold and flu season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw wildflower honey
- 3”-4” chunk of fresh ginger root
- 1 large lemon
- 1 Tbsp. turmeric
Instructions
- Pour honey into your clean 16 oz. jar.
- Stir in dried turmeric until completely blended in. If you have fresh you can use a couple of inches of it instead of powder, and cut it into thin slices.
- Slice lemon to ¼” thick.
- Peel and slice ginger into very thin pieces, about ⅛” slivers.
- Alternate all lemon and ginger slices in the honey, and press down to be sure that they are all completely covered.
- Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of hours first so all the ingredients combine.
- Your cough and cold mixture is good in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Nutrition Information
Yield 18 Serving Size 1 tablespoonAmount Per Serving Calories 118Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 32gFiber 0gSugar 31gProtein 0g
Lanie
I tried comparing the powdered ginger and the fresh ginger root, and I can totally tell the difference. I absolutely prefer the stronger kick from the fresh one.
Sarita Harbour
Hi Renee - thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, honey is a key ingredient in this recipe. Another option which I found works really well for sore throats and coughs is gargling with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt in warm water. 🙂
Renee
What would you use if you couldn’t use honey? My brother is allergic.