This Lemon, Honey, and Ginger Throat Soother is an old-fashioned homemade natural remedy for colds, coughs, and sore throats. It can help boost your immune system and soothe sore, scratchy throats. Use it alone or in a cup of warm tea.
If you’re like me, when allergy, cold, or flu season rolls around you’ll do almost anything to avoid getting a cough or sore throat. But when that does inevitably happen, one of my favorite natural remedies is this delicious lemon, honey, and ginger throat soother.
This syrup is an easy to make, natural treatment that may even give you a little immune boost.
I’ve used this little sore throat soother and cough remedy for years. I think my Mama even gave us something similar when we were children.
You can keep a jar of this in your pantry or refrigerator and use it any time you start to feel that little tickle in your throat. You know that little tickle? The one that says “Get ready. I’m a nasty cold and here I come?” Yuck.
I know people who swear that taking a spoonful of this honey-lemon-ginger mixture every day will keep colds away and prevent seasonal allergies. I don’t know about that, but some of them are pretty adamant about it.
You can keep this mix indefinitely. Honey and lemon are both natural preservatives after all. If you want to know exactly how long you can keep this, well, they’ve found intact jars of honey in the pyramids after thousands of years.
Guess what else? If you completely forget that this is in your pantry, after a while it turns into the most delicious marmalade! Ask me how I know 😉.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: None
Total Time: 5 Minutes
Servings: 12
Primary Ingredient(s): Honey, lemons, fresh ginger
Skill Level: Easy
❗ Disclaimer ❗
Now, I am NOT giving anyone medical advice here. I’m just sharing a little something that might make you feel better if you’re under the weather. And, by the way…don’t give this to children under 12 months of age. Honey is not safe for them.
What Immune-Boosting Benefits do Lemon, Honey, and Ginger Have?
I am glad you asked! Each of the ingredients in this syrup has its own unique set of benefits for your immune system. According to reliable online sources, …
- Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system. It also contains other nutrients like potassium and B vitamins. Lemon juice has also been shown to have antibacterial properties against certain strains of bacteria.
- Honey has been used as a natural remedy for centuries and is also an antioxidant. Many people believe that local honey can help with seasonal allergies. Even though that belief has been disproven, honey does have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling in your throat so you can breathe easier while also soothing pain caused by a cough or congestion. The spicy flavor helps clear up mucus and phlegm as well.
- When combined together, these ingredients make a natural remedy that can give relief for colds and sore throats.
What You’ll Like About This “Recipe”
- It tastes great! Kids and adults both love it. (Remember – don’t give honey to children under 12 months of age!)
- It’s cost-effective and easy to make at home with just three ingredients.
- You can use as much as you want, whenever you want, without any worries.
- It helps stop that persistent tickle in your throat.
Ingredients and Equipment You’ll Need
One of the best things about this homemade throat soother recipe is that it doesn’t require many ingredients nor do you have to dirty any pots and pans!
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- Pint Size Glass Jar with a Lid
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Fresh Lemons
- Fresh Ginger Root
- Honey
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Homemade Throat Soother
- Start by washing and slicing the lemons. I take out the seeds, but it doesn’t matter. Pack about half the lemon slices into a clean pint jar.
- When you’re halfway through filling the jar with lemons, grate in about a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root. Finish filling with the lemon slices.
- Now, slowly pour in the honey, giving it time to settle between all the lemon slices. Put the cap on and let it sit for about 24 hours before you start using it.
Most people stir a spoonful of the mixture into a cup of boiling water, let it steep for a few minutes, then strain it and sip it. I actually prefer it as a hot lemon ginger tea.
And, if you’re really feeling under the weather, adding a little spoonful of whiskey won’t hurt a thing.
Storage Information
Store this homemade cough syrup mixture in a cool dark place like a pantry or kitchen cabinet. It doesn’t require refrigeration unless you just want to! Whether stored in the fridge or at room temperature, it keeps indefinitely.
More “Feel Better” Recipes
Feeling under the weather? Then, you’ll also want to take a look at these comforting recipes:
Questions About Honey and Lemon for Sore Throat
Yes, I suppose you could use lime or even orange or grapefruit in place of lemon. I prefer lemon because its taste pairs best with the honey and ginger.
I don’t recommend dried or ground ginger for this recipe. While it would still taste delicious, it will cloud the mixture and you won’t get all the benefits that come from using fresh ginger root.
I recommend using raw, organic honey. Honey that has not been heat treated or processed in any way will contain the most benefits.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have you here.
Recipe
Lemon, Honey, and Ginger Soother for Colds and Sore Throats
Ingredients
- 3 lemons
- 1 one-inch piece fresh ginger root
- 1 cup honey (more or less as needed)
Instructions
- Wash the lemon and cut into slices. Pack the slices in a clean, dry jar.
- Grate the ginger root into the jar with the lemon wedges.
- Fill the jar with honey.
- Close the jar and let stand for at least 24 hours before using.
- Store in refrigerator or dark, cool pantry.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on January 31, 2013. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
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I read somewhere that you are not suppose to mix honey with hot water or any liquid for that matter as the heat destroys all the goodness in the honey. Can anyone here confirm that to be a fact?
Never heard that, Tereze.
You can pour a hot liquid onto honey and that will be fine.
What you are not supposed to do is heat honey up along with a liquid b/c apparently that does destroy the beneficial properties of honey.
I have always made a “tea” with these ingredients, one cup at a time. Now, to think I’ll have it on hand all the time?? Fantastic, thank you!
Just received the whole article, so now I know how to use it. Thanks so much.
Did I miss something? How do you use it, by the tablespoon? Add whiskey? Help! My husband need this.
Thanks
Yes MPW – as I said in the post, you can stir it into hot water, hot tea, add some whisky…or just eat it out of the spoon. Whatever suits you!
I saw this when you originally posted it. Today I need it. Thanks for the great idea and the re-post!
Happy New Year,
Rocquie
I’m sorry that you need this today, Rocquie! Hope it makes you feel a bit better :-)
OMG. . . this sounds wonderful. I am going to make some for myself and it will definitely be in my Christmas goody baskets next year.
I keep a jar on hand all the time, Paula. It just gets better and better with time.
Made some today and it tastes wonderful – also made some for gifts – can’t wait to give it too – Merry Christmas
Lana,
We originally saw this recipe on Facebook. I googled and it led me to you. On the Facebook posting it said to refrigerate it. You talk of keeping it in the pantry. Does it keep well on a shelf unsealed? What would you say the “shelf life” is?
Thanks, Tim
Tim,
You can keep it either way. Most people choose to refrigerate it. Even though honey is one of the world’s best preservatives (they’ve found it still edible in tombs in the pyramids), there could be some kind of contaminants on the lemon skin and refrigeration slows down bacterial growth. For that reason, most people would refrigerate it.
Shelf life? I can’t say exactly but it’s a very long time.
We just made 12 jars today to give as Christmas presents to friends.
What a good idea, Tim. I’ve never thought of giving it as gifts, but it would be so nice to receive a jar!
How long will each jar keep for
I have never ever used ginger so with that said do i peel it or just use it as is?
Tiffiney, the ginger is, of course, optional, but if you choose to include it you’d peel it and grate it into the mixture.
I am just wondering if you need to refrigerate this wonderful concoction?
Jenn – refrigeration is not strictly necessary as honey and lemon are both natural preservatives. That said, however….I do keep mine in the fridge.
Thanks!
I’m touring with a children’s musical that requires me to wake up early every Monday-Friday for the next few months. Usually waking up at 6:00 am makes my voice stage a protest, and I kept finding myself with a sore voice when the weekend rolled around. I’ve been sipping this stuff with hot water on a pretty much daily basis, and I haven’t had a problem since. I’m pretty sure this will be a permanent addition to my fridge. Thanks!
Oh excellent, thank you :)
This actually sounds GOOD! :)
It is good, Brenda! Sometimes I eat a spoonful of it for no good reason at all :-)
If I feel really really really yucky, I use rum instead of whiskey. There is less taste, but you get the same sleep factor.
Thanks.
Miss P
Good idea! I’m going to try that.