Name: Ginger Honey Syrup with Lemon and Turmeric
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups raw wildflower honey; 3”-4” chunk of fresh ginger root; 1 large lemon; 1 Tbsp. turmeric

Welcome to fall and the cough and cold season. In my quest to fill our medicine cabinet with old-fashioned remedies, I'm sharing this sore throat remedy today: ginger-honey simple syrup with lemon and turmeric.

A jar with lemons and ginger on a cutting board. — Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

Over the past few years, I've been turning to more holistic methods of boosting my immune system and treating common ailments. This simple syrup recipe made with honey, ginger, lemon, and turmeric is tasty; it's true. But it's also a powerhouse of health benefits, perfect for the cold and flu season.

I started making small-batch home remedies like this when we lived off the grid in Canada's far north. When you're a long drive from town, you learn to keep simple things on hand before cold season hits. This ginger honey syrup became one of those easy kitchen remedies I could make with pantry staples, a clean jar, and a few minutes at the counter.

What is Ginger Honey Syrup?

Ginger honey syrup is a simple homemade mixture of raw honey, fresh ginger, lemon, and turmeric. Many people stir it into warm tea or take a spoonful when they want to soothe a scratchy throat. It's not medicine, and it doesn't replace medical care, but it's an easy cold-season recipe to keep in the fridge.

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 can also 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 remedies, and medicines safely out of the reach of children. Talk to your trusted healthcare provider before using homemade remedies, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, giving them to children, or taking medication.

Ingredients You Need

A jar of turmeric, lemons and ginger on a counter. — Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

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. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, honey may help ease a cough in adults and children over age one. Never give honey to babies under 12 months old.

Fresh Ginger: Good for soothing sore throats and upset stomachs. Many ginger research studies show it is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powerhouse. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says ginger is generally safe in foods, though ginger supplements may not suit everyone. Remember to check with your healthcare provider if you take medication, you're pregnant, or you have a health condition.

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

Sliced lemons on a cutting board next to a knife. — Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

⬇️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.

A jar of lemon juice with a slice of lemon next to it. — Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

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

A jar of tumeric and lemons on a cutting board. — Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

Feeling the sniffles coming on? Or maybe someone in the house is already sick? I take a tablespoon of this honey-ginger syrup when I want something soothing.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. I like to keep this alongside my garlic mullein oil, which is good for earaches, once the cold weather rolls around.

Historical Uses of the Ingredients

Ginger slices on a cutting board with a pink knife. — Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

Our four main ingredients-honey, ginger, lemon, and turmeric-have ancient roots when it comes to health and healing. Here's a quick look at how each one has been used over time.

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

A jar with lemon slices and ginger in it. — Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

Here are some commonly asked questions. Start here if you're making this syrup for the first time.

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.