Onion and Honey Cough Syrup: A Folk Remedy Examined
Onion and honey syrup is a folk remedy passed down in many families. Sliced onions are layered with honey and left to sit until they release their juices, creating a sweet, pungent syrup taken by the spoonful for coughs. The honey part has some research behind it for coughs in children over one. The onion part has not been well studied. This article explains how people make onion and honey syrup, what evidence exists, important safety rules, and when a cough needs medical attention. For the research on honey itself, see honey for cough.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Where onion and honey syrup comes from
Onion syrup appears in folk medicine across Europe, Latin America and beyond. Grandmothers in many cultures layered onions with sugar or honey to draw out a syrup for winter coughs. The remedy is cheap, uses kitchen staples and has a strong sense of tradition.
How people make onion and honey syrup
Slice one medium onion thinly. Place the slices in a clean jar, covering each layer with honey. Close the lid and leave at room temperature for several hours or overnight. The onion releases liquid that mixes with the honey into a thinner syrup. Strain and store in the fridge.
Some recipes add garlic, ginger, lemon or thyme.
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- Honey to cover
- Clean jar with lid
- Rest several hours or overnight
- Strain and refrigerate
What evidence says about honey
The American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org notes that honey may help thin secretions and loosen coughs in children over one year old. Studies suggest honey may ease nighttime coughs.
Mayo Clinic's cold remedies guide also lists honey as an option for coughs in adults and children older than 1.
What about onion?
Onions contain quercetin and sulfur compounds that have been studied in labs for various effects. There are no good human trials showing that onion syrup eases coughs. Any benefit from onion and honey syrup likely comes from the honey and the soothing ritual.
Our article on quercetin in honey explains quercetin.
Safety rules
Never give honey or onion and honey syrup to babies under 12 months because of infant botulism risk, as the CDC warns.
Onion releases water into honey, which raises the moisture level. That can allow fermentation or microbial growth over time. Keep the syrup in the fridge and discard after a few days, or sooner if it smells off or bubbles.
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| No honey for babies under 12 months | Botulism risk |
| Refrigerate after straining | Added water from onion |
| Use within a few days | Freshness and safety |
| Discard if bubbly or sour | Signs of fermentation |
How people take it
Traditional doses are a teaspoon for children over one and a teaspoon or tablespoon for adults, a few times a day. Pediatric guidance for plain honey suggests half a teaspoon to one teaspoon for children aged 1 to 5 as needed.
When a cough needs a doctor
See a doctor for a cough with trouble breathing, high fever, wheezing, coughing up blood, a cough lasting more than three weeks, or any cough in a baby under three months. A barking cough in a child or signs of dehydration also need medical advice.
Onion and honey vs plain honey
Plain honey has the research support and keeps safely at room temperature. Onion and honey syrup adds tradition and flavor, but also shortens shelf life and adds a strong taste some children dislike. Many families find a spoonful of plain honey easier.
Other home comfort measures
Rest, fluids, a humidifier and saline nose drops can help cold symptoms. Warm drinks with honey and lemon soothe a sore throat. Our article on honey for colds covers more.
Choosing a honey
Studies on coughs have used various honeys, including darker ones like buckwheat. Any pure honey works for the syrup. Darker honeys can stand up to onion's strong flavor.
Onion and honey in the kitchen
Outside of remedies, onion and honey are a great cooking pair. Caramelized onions with a spoon of honey make a sweet, savory topping for burgers, flatbreads and cheese boards. A honey and balsamic onion jam keeps for a week in the fridge.
Garlic and honey
Garlic fermented in honey is another popular folk preparation. Fermenting garlic in honey at room temperature carries a small risk of botulism if not done carefully. Follow tested methods and keep it away from infants.
The takeaway
Onion and honey syrup is a comforting tradition. The honey may help a cough in anyone over one year old. Keep the syrup refrigerated, use it quickly, and see a doctor when a cough is serious.
A jar for cold season
Al Safa's raw honeys are never heated above hive temperature and are pure honey with nothing added. Keep one in the pantry for cold season.
Browse our honeys in the shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies? · HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt · Mayo Clinic
Frequently asked questions
- Does onion and honey syrup work for coughs?
- Honey may ease coughs in children over one. There is no good evidence that onion adds benefit.
- How do I make onion and honey syrup?
- Layer thinly sliced onion with honey in a jar, rest several hours, strain and refrigerate.
- How long does onion honey syrup last?
- A few days in the fridge. Discard if it bubbles or smells sour.
- Can babies have onion and honey syrup?
- No. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
- How much onion honey syrup should I take?
- A teaspoon for children over one; a teaspoon to a tablespoon for adults, a few times a day.
- Is plain honey just as good?
- Plain honey is what has research support, and it keeps safely at room temperature.
- When should I see a doctor for a cough?
- For breathing trouble, high fever, wheezing, blood, or a cough over three weeks.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.