Onion Honey Cough Syrup – A Remedy That Sounds Weird But Actually Works
I know what you’re thinking, onion + honey for a cough? There is no way that could work or be palatable.
Well, friend, it is. It actually tastes pretty good, and my kids (who don’t like onions) don’t mind taking it.
When I tried it during a particularly rough cold, I was genuinely surprised by how well it soothed my throat and cough.
It’s super simple to make. We’re talking two ingredients: onion and honey. That’s it.
No fancy equipment, no hard-to-find herbs, no complicated steps. Just slice an onion, layer it with honey, wait a few hours, and you’ve got yourself a surprisingly effective cough syrup.
It is recommended to let it sit for 4+ hours so that the honey can pull out all the juices and beneficial compounds from the onions, but if you’re in a rush, you could probably start using it in just an hour.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and reflects traditional folk herbalism practices. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbal remedies, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or taking medications. This is not a substitute for medical treatment—if you have a serious cough, difficulty breathing, or symptoms that worsen, see a doctor.
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What’s Actually Happening Here?
When you layer raw onion with honey and let it sit, the onion releases its juices into the honey. The result is a thin, golden syrup that tastes way less “oniony” than you’d expect— it’s more sweet with a mild savory note.
Onions contain quercetin and sulfur compounds that have been studied for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Traditional medicine systems around the world have used onions for respiratory support for centuries.
Raw honey is naturally soothing to the throat and has been shown in research to be effective for cough relief, particularly in children over one year old. It coats the throat, provides a protective layer, and has natural antimicrobial properties.
Together, they make a syrup that’s actually pleasant to take (wild, I know) and genuinely helpful for soothing coughs and scratchy throats.
Make sure you get RAW honey. Raw honey from a local beekeeper is the gold standard, but if that isn’t available to you, raw organic honey from the store is the next best option.
I will say though, that once you try honey from a local beekeeper that is raw, unfiltered, and unprocessed, you’re never going to be able to go back to store bought honey. IT IS SO GOOD. And so good for you.
Ask in your local facebook groups for recommendations!
The Science
Let’s be clear: this isn’t going to cure pneumonia or bronchitis. If you have a serious respiratory infection, you need actual medical care – you guys know my stance; natural remedies first, medical care when needed.
But for general coughs from colds or throat irritation, you better believe I am making this. You would NEVER catch my buying an over-the-counter cough medicine.
Over-the-counter cough medicines contain ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, food dyes (red 40 and yellow 6), artificial flavors, synthetic ingredients, preservatives, and more.
I will never understand why ingredients like that are recommended 1. at all, and 2. when someone is sick.
Honey Benefits
Research on honey has shown it can be more effective than some over-the-counter cough medicines for reducing nighttime coughing and improving sleep quality in children. One study found that honey was more effective than dextromethorphan (a common cough suppressant) for reducing cough frequency and severity.
Onion Benefits
Onions contain compounds that may help loosen mucus and support the body’s natural inflammatory response. They’ve been used in folk medicine across cultures for respiratory complaints, and while we don’t have tons of modern clinical trials specifically on onion honey, the traditional use is widespread enough that it’s worth trying.
How I Use It
At the first sign of a scratchy throat or cough:
- Take 1-2 teaspoons of the syrup every few hours
- Let it coat your throat before swallowing
- For kids over 1 year: ½ to 1 teaspoon every few hours
For nighttime coughs:
- Take a dose about 30 minutes before bed
- Sometimes I’ll take another dose if I wake up coughing in the middle of the night
Drizzle on food:
Whenever I have this left over, I don’t want to waste it. I love to drizzle this on my food!
- Make a salad dressing with lemon, olive oil, onion honey
- Drizzle on a caramelized onion and pear tart – SO GOOD
How long it lasts: Store it in the fridge. Everywhere I’ve read, they say it’s good for a week or so in the fridge. However, I’ve forgotten about mine for a few months, and it still smelled wonderful, and looked exactly like the first day I made it. Honey is a natural preservative, so maybe that’s why it lasted that long? I don’t know. I’m learning and experimenting all the time, too.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Why I Make My Own
You can find onion-based syrups in some health food stores, but they’re expensive and often have a bunch of extra stuff added.
Making it yourself:
- Costs maybe $3 (one onion + honey you probably already have)
- Takes 5 minutes of active time
- Gives you complete control over ingredients
- Works just as well as anything store-bought
- WAY better ingredients (as previously mentioned)
Also, there’s something kind of satisfying about making medicine in your kitchen. It feels resourceful and capable, which is nice when you’re feeling like garbage.
A Word of Caution
Never give honey to babies under 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism. Always wait until after age one before serving anything with honey.
If you have a cough that lasts more than a week, gets worse, or is accompanied by high fever, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, see a healthcare provider. This is supportive home care, not a replacement for medical treatment.
Some people are sensitive to raw onion and may experience digestive upset. If that’s you, you might want to skip this one or try it in very small amounts first.
If you’re on blood thinners, talk to your doctor before consuming large amounts of onion, as it can have mild blood-thinning effects.
And, I know I’ve said it before, but this is not medical advice, I’m just sharing what I do and why I choose to do it.
My Favorite Variations
The basic version (just onion and honey) is perfect. But sometimes I’ll add:
For extra soothing:
- Fresh ginger slices layered with the onion
- A squeeze of lemon juice before serving
- Fresh thyme sprigs (great for respiratory support)
For kids who are skeptical:
My philosophy: If you aren’t willing to try it/taste it, don’t expect your kids to try it/take it
- Add a cinnamon stick while it sits (makes it smell cozier)
- Stir in a tiny bit of vanilla extract before serving
- Mix with warm water to dilute if the flavor is too strong
For adults who want more kick:
- Add a pinch of cayenne (helps break up mucus)
- Layer in some fresh garlic cloves (yes, really—it’s intense but effective)
Onion Honey Cough Syrup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Onion: Peel and slice the onion into thin rings or small chunks. The more surface area, the better, as this helps release the onion's natural juices (but don’t mince because it may be harder to strain out, unless you plan to eat the onion pieces).
- Add to A Jar: In a small jar place onion slices at the bottom. Pour enough honey to cover the onion.
- Let it Sit: Cover the jar with a lid and let it sit at room temperature for 4+ hours or overnight. The honey will draw out the onion’s natural juices, creating a syrup.
- Strain: After the mixture has steeped, you can strain out the onion pieces or leave them in if you prefer. The resulting syrup will have a sweet, mild onion flavor and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week (though mine has lasted months).
Notes
Adults: 1-2 teaspoons every 2-4 hours as needed for cough
Children over 1 year: ½-1 teaspoon every 2-4 hours as needed
Not medical advice, just what I do. Always consult a trusted healthcare professional before starting something new. Important Notes:
DO NOT give honey to children under one year of age due to the risk of botulism. See a doctor if:
– Cough lasts more than a week
– You have difficulty breathing
– You develop a high fever
– Symptoms get worse instead of better Tips:
– Use raw local honey for maximum benefits—pasteurized honey doesn’t have the same properties
– The syrup will be very thin and liquidy—that’s normal! The onion releases a lot of juice
– You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before taking it for extra vitamin C and flavor
– Some people like to warm it slightly before taking (just don’t boil it or you’ll destroy the beneficial properties of the honey)
– Red onions tend to make a prettier (slightly pink) syrup and are higher in quercetin, but any onion works
– We use this to drizzle on food as well as for coughs. It is delicious on a caramelized onion and pear tart. Not medical advice, always consult with a healthcare provider
