Sarena-Rae Santos is a contributing writer.
Whether you’re taking your elderberry daily or as needed, chances are you will get a cold when the weather changes. What better way to protect yourself and your family than avoiding over-the-counter cough syrups? Instead, prepare yourself with Earthley’s Cough-B-Gone, DIY: Mullein Cherry Bark Cough Syrup, or this simple Cough-Away Tincture.
Tinctures generally take six weeks to make, so start sooner rather than later because you never know when illness will strike!
Cough-Away Tincture
Cough-Away Tincture is super quick to put together, and it’s filled with herbs to help with respiratory ailments such as:
- Mullein has been used for centuries to help coughs, bronchitis, asthma, and just about every respiratory issue under the sun. The flowers and leaves contain saponins that help rid the body of phlegm and mucilage, which soothes irritated membranes.
- Echinacea is one of the best herbs for the “cold and flu” seasons! While promoted as a cold and flu herb for cold symptom relief, it’s also the best immune system booster.
- Elderberry supports the immune system. It also fights cold and flu symptoms and has been shown to reduce the severity and length of influenza.
- Marshmallow root is best known for its ability to soothe inflammation and break up mucous, particularly in the throat.
You could include many other herbs, like wild cherry bark, slippery elm root, colt’s foot, Oregon grape root, astragalus, and more. But the ones included in this DIY are the most basic herbs and the ones that work best for most people.
I promise this is easy… and little kids can take it too!
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. mullein leaf
- 1/2 tbsp. echinacea
- 1/2 tbsp. elderberry
- 1 tbsp. marshmallow root
- 1/4 c. vegetable glycerin
- 1/4 c. filtered water
Directions:
Step 1: Combine all the herbs in a 4-oz. glass jar.
Step 2: Add the glycerin and water.
Step 3: Put a lid on the jar and shake to combine.
Step 4: Place the jar in a cool, dark place for six weeks. Shake occasionally.
Step 5: Strain through a piece of cloth, discarding the herbs and retaining the liquid. Store in a dark brown glass bottle with a dropper.
To make the “Cough-Away” work, give 5-10 drops for kids under 6 or 10-20 drops for older kids and adults as needed. I like to mix tinctures with a bit of juice to make them easier to take.
I also recommend cod liver oil and probiotics preventatively and extra if sick. This combination, plus extra rest and detox baths, work fast.
Cough-Away Tincture
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. mullein leaf
- 1/2 tbsp. echinacea
- 1/2 tbsp. elderberry
- 1 tbsp. marshmallow root
- 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin
- 1/4 cup filtered water
Instructions
- Combine all the herbs in a 4-oz. glass jar.
- Add the glycerin and water.
- Put a lid on the jar and shake to combine.
- Place the jar in a cool, dark place for six weeks. Shake occasionally.
- Strain through a piece of cloth, discarding the herbs and retaining the liquid. Store in a dark brown glass bottle with a dropper.
Notes
Additional Resources:
There are many ways to prepare for the cold season and recover from a cold, so I’ve compiled a list of my favorite resources to help you find the best information in the fastest time.
Hi! Can you add how long each of these tinctures keeps for? Thanks!
Any way to uses these herbs without the 6 week wait? My daughter has a cough now.
Hi. Thank you for posting this. Can you be more specific about what form of each ingredient to use? Elderberries or elderberry powder? Echinacea root or herb? Ect.
Thank you!