With cooler weather in the air, it’s time to start packing the apothecary full of home remedies for cold and flu season. And besides Fire Cider, one of our favorite remedies is our Homemade Mint & Honey Cough Syrup.
We start with making a tea of fresh mint from our backyard garden, then add in some honey, a little bit of alcohol for preservation and just like that we have a homemade medicine that helps with just about any type of cough!
Benefits of Mint
Mint has a slew of potential health benefits including:
- Soothes common cold symptoms
- Reduces symptoms of allergies and asthma
- Remedies IBS, stomachache and other digestive issues
- Enhances alertness
- Increases memory
- Freshens breath
Plus, mint contains antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, calcium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, phosphorus and iron!
In addition to all that, mint is often used in bath and body products, toothpaste, mouthwash and many cooking recipes for fragrance and flavor.
So, if it works so well…and it does…why would you want to take any other kind of cough syrup?
You wouldn’t!
Right?
I know I wouldn’t! And I wouldn’t want to give my family anything else either…
With the single exception of Chestal from Boiron. If you don’t want to make your own cough syrup, then I would highly recommend this homeopathic remedy for coughs. It works wonders and it doesn’t contain a bunch of junky chemicals. Plus, it actually contains honey, whereas, many of the OTC brands of cough syrup are just flavored to taste like honey…despite what the front of the labels says.
With winter right around the corner, I figured it was time to make a batch of this Homemade Mint & Honey Cough Syrup to keep beside the Fire Cider…just in case we need it. And I thought you might like to make some for your family, too!
Dosage Recommendations
For adults and children over 12: take 2 tablespoons every 3 to 4 hours or as needed for cough
For children under 12: take 1/2 tablespoon every 3 to 4 hours as needed for cough
Please note: I am not a doctor and I am not claiming to treat, cure or otherwise heal anything using this cough syrup. I’m simply sharing my recipe, along with the research I have found pertaining to the health benefits of the mint. The use of any herbal remedy could cause allergies and/or interactions with your medications. Please check with a medical professional before trying any herbal remedy.
Homemade Mint & Honey Cough Syrup

Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons 80 proof vodka (for preservation)
Instructions
- Place fresh mint into a tea infuser.
- Pour boiling water over the mint and cover.
- Allow the mint to steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the mint leaves, reserving the liquid.
- Stir in the honey and vodka.
- Store Homemade Mint & Honey Cough Syrup in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Notes
Dosage:
For adults and children over 12: take 2 tablespoons every 3 to 4 hours or as needed for cough
For children under 12: take 1/2 tablespoon every 3 to 4 hours as needed for cough
You might also like:
- How to Make a Ginger Tincture
- Lemon Balm Tincture
- Hot Herbal Tea Mix Recipes that You Can Make at Home!
Have an Awesome Day!
~Vanessa

Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.