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 Syrups
Evidently, these ingredients combined into a cough syrup, have all the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and vitamin boost needed to calm a cough.
Whenever I’ve been under the weather, I panic because over the counter meds make me feel things in my body I don’t ordinarily feel.
Therefore, I am always in search of home remedies that will help me feel better when I need them, even if I have to grow the ingredients!
Homemade Cough Syrup
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. It must be raw honey.
Not that liquid stuff that pours like syrup. Raw honey is nature’s gift to our body.
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! LOL.
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
- Citrus peels
- Fresh oregano
- Raw honey
- Water
- Vodka
Equipment Needed
- Stock pot
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Vegetable peeler
- Measuring cup
- Strainer
- Airtight Jars
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.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.