Common Cold Kicker Syrup Recipe

This Common Cold Kicker Syrup Recipe is packed with strong herbs to help fight off an infection.  Read some research about each herb listed below.

Common Cold Kicker Ingredients

• 3 cups of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of honey
• Juice of 1 lemon, squeezed
• 4 cloves of crushed garlic
• 1 Tbsp of horse radish sauce
• 1 Tbsp of ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp of cayenne
• 1/4 tsp of cinnamon

Common Cold Kicker Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Store in fridge up to two weeks.  When a cold is coming on, adults take 1 Tbsp every hour up to six times a day for up to three days.

Some of these herbs taken in greater than food quantity amounts can interfere with certain medications or be contraindicated for certain medical conditions.  Consult with a Doctor or expert with questions.

Some Common Cold Kicker Research

• Apple cider vinegar may help fight the cold virus.  Read more about apple cider vinegar in this article:  Connealy, L. (2017). Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits.
• A spoonful of honey has long been used to help aid in the common cold.  Here is some research:
  • In a study of 105 children with a nighttime cough, parents rated honey favorably in reducing the cough associated with respiratory infections.  From:  Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents.  
  • In a double blind study of 300 children ages 1-5 years, the three different types of honey tested reduced nocturnal coughing.  From:  Effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.  
  • The antimicrobial activity of honey is reviewed.  From:  Honey as an antimicrobial agent.
  • For more information, click here for a WebMD review:  Medical Uses of Honey.
• Lemon is not only antimicrobial and antiviral, it is also packed with vitamin C, which can help reduce a cold.  In a large double blind study, vitamin C reduced the duration and symptoms of the common cold.  From: Vitamin C and the common cold: a double-blind trial.  
• Garlic has long been used to cut down a cold.  Here are a few studies.
  • Results of the double blind study suggested aged garlic extract in a diet may enhance immune cell function and reduced the severity of colds and flu.  From:  Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention.
  • One hundred forty-six volunteers were randomized and those taking the allicin-containing garlic supplement, one capsule daily, over a 12-week period between November and February were less likely to catch the common cold.  From:  Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey.
  • A garlic supplement reduced acute respiratory infections in children.  From: Effect of long-acting garlic tablets” allicor” on the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections in children.
• Horse Radish has long been used as a home remedy for the common cold.  Here is one scientific review on the home remedies of horse radish.  Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data of Armoracia rusticana P. Gaertner, B. Meyer et Scherb. in Hungary and Romania: a case study.
• Turmeric is not just anti-inflammatory, it also has strong antimicrobial potential.  In this scientific article, many antimicrobial studies of Curcuma longa were reviewed.  A review on antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity of curcumin.  
• Cayenne powder may also help with a cold.  In this article, evidence is reviewed for using garlic, onion, cayenne, and chocolate to treat the cold and flu.  From:  Natural Remedies for the Relief of Cold and Flu Symptoms: The Evidence for Garlic, Onion, Chilli and Chocolate.  
• Cinnamon is an herb with very strong antimicrobial that may also help clear up lung congestion.  The medicinal properties of cinnamon are reviewed in this article:  From:  Medicinal properties of ‘true’cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review.  

For more information about Kicking the Common Cold click here.

By:  Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA (ARC) NAHA and AIA Professional Member, LMT

4/11/18

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.