Antiviral Cough and Cold Syrup with Oregano Oil

Yesterday morning I woke up with a bit of a sore throat and watery eyes. I just chalked it up to allergies. This morning I felt kind of achy, too. Add in a runny nose and a dry cough. After walking the kid to school, I laid down for a short nap...and woke up three hours later. Ugh.

Still in denial, I checked the local pollen and mold count, and the air quality. Pollen and mold levels are low, air quality is good. Time to accept I have come down with a good ole' back to school cold virus. Come to think of it, the kid has had a bit of a runny nose, too.

Time to bring out the big guns.

As you probably know from taking yourself or a sick kid to the doctor with a slight fever and a runny nose, antibiotics don't help. But there is plenty you can do that will. Drink lots of healthy liquids such as herbal teas sweetened with raw honey, water, or coconut water. If you haven't already, cut out or decrease consumption of sugary, unprocessed foods. Get plenty of rest. Diffuse one of the following essential oils; peppermint, tea tree, lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus. Make a batch of a homemade cough and cold syrup with oregano oil, see recipe below.

Antiviral Cough and Cold Syrup with Oregano Oil

4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup raw honey

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

6-8 drops oregano oil (make sure to use a high-quality food grade oil)

pinch of cayenne, optional

Warm honey either in a small pot on a stove burner set to low or by measuring into a glass jar and placing into a bowl of slightly hot water. Stir in coconut oil until thoroughly mixed. Remove from heat and add in lemon juice, cayenne if using, and oregano oil.

Take up to 1 Tablespoon, as needed. Give it a little shake or stir after sitting to redistribute oils.  Do not give to children under the age of one, as it contains honey. 

Store in a tightly sealed glass container. If it is going to be used up fairly quickly, there is no need to refrigerate. For long-term storage, you may refrigerate, but it will need gently warmed before using due to the coconut oil solidifying.