Citrus Oregano Cough Syrup, a homemade remedy made of citrus peels, fresh oregano, honey and a splash of vodka for an ancient wellness remedy.
Home Remedy Flu and Cough Syrup
This combination of citrus peels, fresh oregano, and raw honey has long been valued in traditional medicine for its natural antibacterial and soothing properties. Citrus peels contain essential oils and compounds like limonene that have been associated with mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Fresh oregano is rich in phenolic compounds, including carvacrol and thymol, which have been studied for their antibacterial and antiviral activity, helping support the body’s defenses against respiratory irritants. Raw honey is naturally antibacterial due to its enzymes and high sugar content, which can inhibit microbial growth while also coating and soothing the throat.
Homemade Cough Syrup
Simmered together into a syrup, these ingredients create a potent, ancient remedy that combines antimicrobial support with a gentle, soothing effect for coughs and throat irritation, an elegant example of traditional herbal wisdom in a jar.
Nothing soothes a cough better than lemon and honey, but this cough syrup is on steroids!
This pot of ‘seemingly trash’, with end cuttings from a heap of citrus, a cluster of fresh oregano (which is also great for tummy troubles), and raw honey is exactly what any cough doesn’t want in its way! Why?
Oil Of Oregano For A Cough
Ever heard of oil of oregano? It’s medicinal benefits, even though most brands are mixed with other oils, are a natural anti-inflammatory, so just boil fresh oregano for all its medicinal properties.
Trust me, I grew up around a first generation Greek community, and the Greeks are wizards with ancient medicine, oregano being top on the list.
Think about your lungs in need of something to reduce any inflammation from a cough instigated by anything from an allergy to this miserable Covid virus.
Boil the fresh leaves in this mixture of citrus end pieces and drink to your health!
Citrus Oil For Colds and Virus
Lemon and Orange peels? Yes, they are rich in citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and other substances that promote immunity and fight infection.
Lemons have natural healing power. And to think I may have cut the ends off and thrown them away!
Now I store them in the freezer to add to my Wellness Soups in the winter months for the cough and sickness season.
When I am in need of citrus juice in other recipes, I often peel the skin and store a small container of the peels for other needs, such as this one.
Raw Honey For A Cough
Raw honey is preferred in this cough syrup because it is left as close to its natural state as possible. Unlike processed honey, which is often heated and filtered, raw honey retains its natural enzymes, subtle floral notes, and thicker, more complex texture.
From a sensory standpoint, raw honey brings depth and warmth to the syrup. Its richness softens the sharpness of citrus peels and the bold character of fresh oregano, creating a remedy that feels soothing rather than overly sweet.
Traditionally, raw honey has been used to coat and calm an irritated throat. Its naturally viscous texture allows it to linger, making each spoonful feel comforting and intentional. Because it hasn’t been overly refined, raw honey also reflects the place and season it comes from, adding a quiet, grounding quality to the remedy.
In short, raw honey doesn’t just sweeten the syrup; it completes it, turning simple ingredients into something that feels nourishing, thoughtful, and made with care and is was… by nature’s bees!
It is loaded with properties that are antibacterial and antifungal. Its plant chemicals act as antioxidants. Raw honey alone will soothe the throat and aid in coughing.
These are all things we will need to comfort us when we become ladened with this virus or any unwell time.
Homemade Medicinal Gummies For A Cough
It was said to me, by my daughter-in-law, that ‘the boys (I thought she meant just my grandsons), wouldn’t take vitamins or medicine unless it was in the form of a gummy’.
How was I to know that she included ‘hubby’, my son, in that rat pack of boys she was referring to! So, I set out to do what any good mommy/grandma does; find a solution.
With the help of a pinch of gelatin or agar agar (a plant gelatin powder), I was able to make a huge batch of Elderberry Gummies at the onset of school season, ie cold and flu season.
Other Homemade Wellness Citrus Aids
Anytime you have taken the time to boil some of these health ingredients, flavor them so they are palettable, I’ve got another treat for you to feel better when sickness hits.
Freeze some of the liquid you have prepared from various health ingredients, into popsicles.
My Comfort Cold Wellness Popsicle is definitely citrusy, but also loaded with ginger, chili peppers, honey, herbs a little booze and frozen to sooth a sore throat.
Citrus Oregano Gummies
Then, I realized I could also make medicinal gummies for them to suck on, by using the recipe here for a homemade cough syrup.
Wouldn’t you know it, while I simply used a sheet pan to set the gummies and then cut them into cubes; my grandsons (or maybe it was my son, wink), gave me cute little molds to shape more gummies in the future.
I suppose us kids never really grow up, especially when we feel sick and in need of comfort! LOL.
Citrus Grocery Shopping In Times Of A Virus
When the Covid-monster virus first hit, grocery stores were fast to empty their shelves and freezer sections, but oddly, many items in produce still remained.
Why? Because people know they will spoil fast and they were thinking long term. And yet, the produce section was the first place I stocked up on. Why?
Simply because I knew how to transform fresh produce into foods that will last me several weeks, if not months.
Ingredients Needed
This homemade cough syrup is built from simple, time-honored ingredients that have been used for generations to soothe, warm, and comfort during the colder months. Each element plays a quiet but important role in both flavor and function.
- Citrus peels bring brightness and depth, infusing the syrup with fragrant oils that feel uplifting and clearing. Often overlooked, the peel is where much of a citrus fruit’s aroma lives, lending a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of honey while adding a comforting, almost nostalgic note.
- Fresh oregano is the heart of this remedy. More than just a culinary herb, oregano has a long history in traditional home medicine because of its antibacterial properties. Its bold, earthy character gives the syrup a sense of strength and warmth, grounding the citrus and honey while contributing to that unmistakable “this will help” feeling.
- Raw honey acts as both sweetener and soother. Thick, golden, and unrefined, it coats the throat gently and brings the ingredients together into a smooth, comforting syrup. Its natural depth of flavor makes this remedy feel indulgent rather than medicinal.
- Water is the quiet carrier, allowing the herbs and peels to slowly release their essence and they simmer and extract the medicinal properties. It softens the intensity of the ingredients and turns them into something sip-worthy and gentle.
- Vodka, used in a small amount, helps preserve the syrup and extract deeper flavors from the citrus and oregano. It extends the life of the remedy while remaining neutral enough to let the other ingredients shine.
Equipment Needed
The beauty of this homemade cough syrup is that it requires nothing more than simple, everyday kitchen tools. Each piece of equipment supports a slow, mindful process, one that feels less like a task and more like a small act of care.
- A stock pot provides ample space for the citrus peels and fresh oregano to gently simmer and release their aromas. Its depth allows the mixture to reduce slowly without rushing, encouraging a full, well-rounded infusion.
- A cutting board and chopping knife are used to prepare the fresh ingredients with intention. Taking the time to slice citrus peels and chop oregano by hand connects you to the process and ensures everything is fresh and vibrant.
- A vegetable peeler helps remove the citrus peels cleanly, avoiding too much of the bitter white pith while capturing the fragrant outer layer where the essential oils live.
- A measuring cup keeps the balance just right, especially important when working with water, honey, and vodka. Measuring helps maintain consistency, ensuring each batch turns out smooth and comforting.
- A strainer allows you to separate the liquid from the solids once the infusion is complete, leaving behind a clear, concentrated syrup with a silky texture.
- Finally, airtight jars are essential for storing the finished syrup. They protect the flavors, extend freshness, and make it easy to keep this remedy on hand, ready to reach for whenever a soothing moment is needed.
Homemade Citrus Oregano Cough Syrup
Equipment
- 16 oz Jar with lid
- Saucepan
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 cups Citrus peels, lemons, limes, oranges and/or grapefruit
- 6 Fresh oregano stalks
- 1 cup Raw Honey
- 2 1/2 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Vodka (optional)
Instructions
- Slice peels, ends, pulp, even a little flesh from a variety of citrus fruits. Place them in a large pot with a lid.
- Add oregano stalks and water. Bring to a boil. Lower and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add honey and vodka if using. Allow to cool completely and steep for 30-minutes.
- Strain and store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or frozen in small batches.
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