Honeysuckle Cough Syrup

Here's a recipe from my old blog from years back on the homestead.  (I saw honeysuckle on my walk today and remembered I had a recipe I could share here.) 

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We have an abundance of honeysuckle flowers on the farm and since I had an allergy issue going on I figured I'd try my hand at making some cough syrup with them.  There are so many varieties a person could make but for now I wanted to keep it simple from the gifts that God has given us on the farm. 

Honeysuckle flowers have been used for many years and is very valuable as an expectorant, releasing poisons and as a diruetic.

Gather your honeysuckle flowers...
(there are more than one variety so use whatever kind is available to you.) ​

...and be sure to toss in some leaves.

I went into our field to pick mullein to give it an additional expectorant kick.

Mullein is used to soothe the respiratory tract, ease coughs, relieve bronchitis and asthma and an unproductive or dry cough.  

There are no exact measurements needed while gathering herbs; simply gather however much you want, put in a pan and fill with water until just covered.
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Cover and heat on low for a few hours to make a strong decoction.  Strain through cloth lined mesh strainer and measure liquid.  Put equal amounts of the liquid and sweetener (honey or raw sugar) into the pan.  (Example, if you have 2 cups liquid, use 2 cups sweetener.)

Heat sweetened liquid to a simmer and hold there for half hour or until it boils down until you see it start to thicken.  Be sure to stir often so as not to scorch the bottom.

Once finished, pour into sterilized canning jars, cover with brand new boiled lid and waterbath for 10 minutes. You can add a flavored brandy if you choose.  (Do your own reaseach on the benefits of brandy. Recommended is 4 tablespoons per pint.)  

Use one tablespoon several times per day when the need arises.

I've used both honey and raw sugar (Dermera) and both work great.  It did help expel my congestion I had from the excess pollen we have here.  In fact I wish I would have taken a picture of the pollen flying out from our woods onto the field because it looked like smoke it was so thick! 

This cough syrup is a wonderful item to have on hand for the winter time so don't delay in making it now as the flowers will only be out for a short time.  I would suggest making more than you think you will need so that you have extra to share with others.

I hope you enjoy making your own healing products that are not only chemical free but also aid your body in healing itself as God designed it to do.  Praise Him from the highest mountain, thank you Lord for your gifts to us.

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