Do you have a cough that is dry and scratchy? Try this Gooey Herbal Syrup Recipe.
Gooey Herbal Syrup Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce of dried licorice root
- 1/2 ounce of dried slippery elm bark
- 1/2 ounce of flaxseed
- 1/4 cup of manuka honey
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 2 1/2 pints of (cold) water
- Fresh squeezed lemon and extra honey as needed
Gooey Herbal Syrup Instructions
- First, place the licorice and one pint of water in a pot and simmer it down until there is about 1/3 of a pint of liquid. Strain the herbs out and let cool. Compost or throw out the licorice throw remains; I gave mine to the house plants.
- In a large glass jar, add one and a half pints of cool water and the slippery elm and flaxseed. Also add in the cooled liquid from the licorice decoction. Shake the jar. Let it infuse for about a half hour.
- Strain all the plant matter out of the thick liquid using a strainer with a fine mesh and pestle. The pestle will help push the thick goo thru the strainer.
- Add the honey to the remaining thick liquid. I chose to use 1/4 manuka honey and 1/4 regular honey because the manuka honey was very expensive ($30 for 8 ounces), but I wanted the antimicrobial benefits of the manuka honey.
- Store the jar in the refrigerator for up to three months.
- Take one tablespoon a day up to four times a day.
- Recommend chasing down with a cup of hot tea or room temp water with fresh squeezed lemon and honey: Wait about a half hour to allow the cough syrup to sooth the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. See Spicy Tea Infusion Recipe.
Gooey Syrup Research
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) and Adhatoda vasica had an antitussive activity in mice comparable to that of codeine sulphate. From: Jahan, Y., & Siddiqui, H. H. (2012). Study of antitussive potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Adhatoda vasica using a cough model induced by sulphur dioxide gas in mice. International journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and research, 3(6), 1668.
- Glycyrrhiza glabra induced cough efforts in guinea pigs more effectively than codeine. From: Saha, S., Nosál’ová, G., Ghosh, D., Flešková, D., Capek, P., & Ray, B. (2011). Structural features and in vivo antitussive activity of the water extracted polymer from Glycyrrhiza glabra. International journal of biological macromolecules, 48(4), 634-638.
- Throat coat, a tea including licorice, slippery elm, and marshmallow, reduced throat pain in patients. From: Brinckmann, J., Sigwart, H., & van Houten Taylor, L. (2003). Safety and efficacy of a traditional herbal medicine (Throat Coat®) in symptomatic temporary relief of pain in patients with acute pharyngitis: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 9(2), 285-298.
- Neck and cancer patients who received radiation had delayed onset of mucositis and reduced pain and oral symptoms from gargling a blend with manuka and kanuka. From: Maddocks-Jennings, W., Wilkinson, J. M., Cavanagh, H. M., & Shillington, D. (2009). Evaluating the effects of the essential oils Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) and Kunzea ericoides (kanuka) on radiotherapy induced mucositis: a randomized, placebo controlled feasibility study. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 13(2), 87-93.
By: Kathy Sadowski
10/14/18
This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.