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Amish Cough Syrup Recipe - Cover

Amish Cough Syrup Recipe

Amish Cough Syrup, also known as Snake Juice, is an old-fashioned homemade cough syrup recipe that is used to help calm coughs, soothe sore throats, and curtail congestion. While the origin and original recipe of this kitchen pantry remedy is a mystery, many of its ingredients have been used for decades, even centuries, to cut the common cold short. Amish Cough Syrup is an easy and inexpensive 5-ingredient syrup that will help you and your family conquer colds all year long.

Medicinal Benefits of Ingredients

Lemons

Lemons are rich in antioxidants vitamin C and flavonoids. The combination of these two powerful nutrients helps support the body’s natural defenses and promote health and well-being. Containing natural antiviral and antibacterial properties, lemons are reported to weaken cold and flu viruses, reduce phlegm and shorten the length of illness.

Onions

Considered to be one of the most powerful natural antibiotics, onions are an immune-boosting superfood packed with vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and sulfur compounds that ease cold and flu symptoms mucus, and throat irritation. Vitamin C, as mentioned above, helps fight off foreign invaders that pose the risk of viral and bacterial infections. Zinc prevents viral cells from multiplying and lodging in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Selenium helps lower oxidative stress in the body, reduces inflammation, and enhances immunity. And lastly, sulfur compounds help fight the production of mucus in the airways.

Honey

Honey is a centuries-old remedy used to soothe common cold symptoms due to its many anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It is a mixture of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, like iron and zinc. Studies have shown honey, specifically, manuka honey (1), may suppress cough and sore throat symptoms even better than diphenhydramine, a common active ingredient found in over-the-counter cold medications.

Blackberry Brandy

Amish Cough Syrup Recipe - Ingredients

Blackberry brandy has been a longtime trusted cold fighter for several decades due to its antibacterial components coming from its high alcohol content. What makes blackberry brandy a famous old-timey tonic is its antioxidant activity produced by the copper that is used during the distillation process. As the fruit wine goes through column distillation to become the beloved spirit, copper produces a by-product of vitamin C – our favorite infamous immune-boosting vitamin.

Peppermint Schnapps

The key cold-fighting ingredient in peppermint schnapps is surprisingly not alcohol, but menthol – an ingredient found in several plants and herbs, including peppermint, basil, and sage. What started as a popular herbal medicine, menthol quickly gained the attention of medical doctors who began conducting experiments on it as early as 1885. Today, menthol is recognized as a type of drug therapy for treating symptoms of the common cold. Menthol is an effective decongestant and expectorant. Not only does menthol help shrink swollen membranes in the nose to make it easier to breathe, but it also loosens mucus in the lungs and respiratory system to alleviate coughs.

Amish Cough Syrup Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 onions
  • 2-4 lemons
  • 1 pint of honey
  • 1 pint peppermint schnapps
  • 1-pint blackberry brandy
Instructions
  1. Slice the onions and lemons.
  2. In an air-tight glass container, create alternating layers of onions and lemons.Amish Cough Syrup Recipe - Step 1
  3. Pour the honey over the layers of onions and lemons.Amish Cough Syrup Recipe - Step 3
  4. Pour both liquors over the onion, lemon, and honey mixture.Amish Cough Syrup Recipe - Step 5
  5. Close the container and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 3 days. After 3 days, the cough syrup will be ready to use.

How to Make Amish Sweet Bread

Ingredient Considerations:

  1. Peppermint Candy: If you want to veer on the safe side and cut the alcohol measure in half, swapping out the peppermint schnapps with peppermint candy is a safe alternative that still gives you all the benefits of menthol. Add about one cup of crushed peppermint to the blend.
  2. White Horehound: If you’re not a fan of mint, you can swap out the peppermint schnapps or peppermint candy for horehound candy. Horehound is an herb that has a slightly bitter taste, often described as something between root beer and black licorice. Like menthol, it helps to regulate breathing and aids in digestion.
  3. Pineapple: Several studies have discovered the benefits of the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain. It helps to thin mucus in the sinuses and chest and actively soothes sore throats for up to 6 to 9 hours. Pineapple contains ample amounts of bromelain. Add a pint of pineapple juice or opt for cut-up pieces of fresh fruit to add to your lemon and onion layers.

Storage and Shelf-Life

The best way to store your Amish Cough Syrup is by keeping it the smallest possible air-tight, sealed container you can find. You want to keep as much air out of the container as possible. After allowing the mixture to ferment at room temperature initially, you can either keep it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight between uses or store it in the fridge if you prefer to drink it cold. Your homemade Amish Cough Syrup will last for 6 to 12 months when stored properly.

Recommended Dosage:

Some sources recommend adults (18+ years old) take 1 tablespoon of Amish Cough Syrup every 4 to 6 hours. However, at this time there is not sufficient information and/or research to determine an appropriate range of dosage of Amish Cough Syrup. Be sure to consult your pharmacist, physician, and/or another healthcare professional before using Amish Cough Syrup for medicinal purposes.

Warnings:

  • The above recipe for Amish Cough Syrup is high alcohol content, so if you have any alcohol sensitivities, this may not be the homemade cough syrup recipe for you.
  • Ingesting too much peppermint may lead to mild gastrointestinal symptoms and discomfort. Some minimally toxic symptoms experienced included gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and/or diarrhea.
  • There is a lack of studies and evidence on potential food-drug interactions with this recipe of Amish Cough Syrup. If you are taking any medications, seek your healthcare professional before use.

In addition, if you fall into any of the following categories, you will want to avoid ingesting this recipe of Amish Cough Syrup or seek your healthcare professional before use:

  • If you have a food allergy to citrus.
  • If you have an allergy to foods from the allium family – onions.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • If you have any known health problems. Recipe adapted from themilkmanswife.blogspot.co.uk

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Sounds like a winner

Where is my book I ordered on Facebook last October or so?

Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you for your interest in our work.
Please check your personal email now for a message regarding your order.

Many blessings and good health!

Did you ever get your book?

Thank you for the Print button!! My Dad always kept a bottle of peppermint schnapps next to his side of the bed, when he started coughing at night, he would take a drink and go back to sleep!

The recipe just says put everything in an airtight container. You can always 1/2 the recipe, so it will fit in a smaller jar. Otherwise, you would use a 64 oz. jar.

My question is:
Do you STRAIN everything out after the 3 days and put it in a smaller airtight container?

Hi Paris,

Thank you for your comment.
You will need, indeed a bigger jar (64oz) if you want everything to fit in only one jar.

Regarding the lemons and onions, when they discolored, I strained them out and kept the syrup on a jar of its own.

Many blessings and good health!

It has been fixed. Thanks.

Do you strain the liquid after the 3 days?

Good question, J.
Yes, when ready, you can strain the liquid.

Many blessings and good health!

can I used crushed blackberries instead of the blackberry brandy??

Hi Helen,

Brandy is a very important ingredient in this recipe. One of the health benefits of blackberry brandy is its antioxidant activity. Brandy in general has antibacterial components and its high proportion of alcohol helps to get rid of the cold, throat pain and coughing in no time. The perfect pairing of its warming nature and relaxing quality made it a trusted source to boost the immune system for hundreds of years.

Blackberries contain polyphenols that are associated with fighting colds and flu, including Vitamin E. Blackberries are also high in magnesium and Vitamin C. You can try eating blackberries every day to give your immune system a boost, but the effect will not be as powerful as the Amish Cough Syrup.

If you want a nonalcoholic recipe instead, you can also try The Fire Cider:
https://thelostherbs.com/how-to-make-fire-cider/

I hope this helps!

Many blessings and good health!

Having grown up with Amish relatives, I had to take this more than once when I was growing up.
My youngest sister, when she was about 10/12 yrs old, got drunk from drinking a whole bottle when we were younger.

How much and how often do you drink it

Curious as to the difference between using Onion and to Garlic? I have always heard that Garlic is the powerhouse Antibacterial. What would be the difference to use Onion?

The picture shows Blackberry “flavored” brandy. Does this have the same medicinal qualities or is it artificially flavored?

Any type of onion? Could I use Meyer lemons?

Great recipe. Do I mix the ingredients at the time of making it or after 3 days… or does it matter? It just sounds like it’s purposely layered at first.
Thank you.

Following

I cant use the alcohol, I’m allergic to it, so is there an alternative?

Hi Lisa,

Brandy is a very important ingredient in this recipe. One of the health benefits of blackberry brandy is its antioxidant activity. Brandy in general has antibacterial components and its high proportion of alcohol helps to get rid of the cold, throat pain and coughing in no time. The perfect pairing of its warming nature and relaxing quality made it a trusted source to boost the immune system for hundreds of years.

Blackberries contain polyphenols that are associated with fighting colds and flu, including Vitamin E. Blackberries are also high in magnesium and Vitamin C. You can try eating blackberries every day to give your immune system a boost, but the effect will not be as powerful as the Amish Cough Syrup.

If you want a nonalcoholic recipe instead, you can also try The Fire Cider:
https://thelostherbs.com/how-to-make-fire-cider/

I hope this helps!

Many blessings and good health!

We cannot get Blackberry Brandy, can i add Blackberries to the mix?

Hi Marissa,

Brandy is a very important ingredient in this recipe. One of the health benefits of blackberry brandy is its antioxidant activity. Brandy in general has antibacterial components and its high proportion of alcohol helps to get rid of the cold, throat pain and coughing in no time. The perfect pairing of its warming nature and relaxing quality made it a trusted source to boost the immune system for hundreds of years.

Blackberries contain polyphenols that are associated with fighting colds and flu, including Vitamin E. Blackberries are also high in magnesium and Vitamin C. You can try eating blackberries every day to give your immune system a boost, but the effect will not be as powerful as the Amish Cough Syrup.

If you want a nonalcoholic recipe instead, you can also try The Fire Cider:
https://thelostherbs.com/how-to-make-fire-cider/

I hope this helps!

Many blessings and good health!

I’ve been experiencing a bit of nausea after taking this is this normal?

I made this for the first time last Saturday. Haven’t strained it yet. It’s not bad

how long will this keep after being strained?

I am interested in the answer to this as well

Regarding White Horehound : can I add dried ground horehound instead of candy. How many ounces or preferably grams would be necessary

Can I substitute cherry brandy (what I already have in haus ) in place of blackberry. Can I add crushed /whole blackberries, about a pound to layers

Hi can I use shop bought spices for these recipes?

Hi, I’m unable to get peppermint schnapps and blackberry brandy in Australia, can normal brandy be used and put some blackberries in it? What can be used as a substitute for the peppermint schnapps please?

How do I order the medicinal garden kit for delivery to Australia

Hello Richard,

Thank you for your interest in our Medicinal Garden Kit!
Unfortunately, we ship it within the USA only due to customs rules and regulations.

Many blessings and good health!

Can I use blackberry liqueur instead of blackberry brandy ?

Hi Sandra,

Yes, you can replace the brandy with blackberry liqueur.

Many blessings and good health!

Is there a time limit on storage of the completed cough syrup?
Thank you.

Can I use a red onion instead of a white onion in this recipe?

Hi. I was wondering if anyone could elaborate or direct me to information about how the blackberry brandy contains Vitamine C byproducts because of the interaction of the fruit wine with the copper coil during the distillation process. I keep thinking of how the “old timers” cold remedy in my area is traditionally the moonshine hot toddy, which would have been distilled locally using a copper coil.
I’d always wondered if this remedy was just bogus or if it may have been based on fact such as this copper coil interaction that was discussed in the Amish Cough Syrup.

Is there an alternative to blackberry brandy that I can use in the Amish cough syrup recipe. It’s not available in Australia

Do you strain this and discard the solids? I’m thinking I’ll need to make this pretty soon. My husband always wants NyQuil 🤢 but I’d rather have something containing ingredients I can pronounce ☺️

Thank you so much for this wealth of information. I have joined the Lost Herbal Remedies Academy and made this recipe today based on information in the course. I think it might be helpful to know what size jar you use – I thought I had a big enough jar but in the end, didn’t have much room left for the brandy. In the video, you mention straining it after the 3 days and then you add more brandy and keep it going. I am thinking I may have to pour half in a 2nd bottle just make room for more brandy. Is there any issue by not having much alcohol in the mixture?

The recipe above doesn’t mention straining it, so wondering if when taking it, do you just make sure you only take liquid portion? I know I ask a lot of questions – I just want to do it right. I really enjoy learning these techniques. Thank you again

I made this! I substituted peppermint candies for the schnapps and added a pint of pineapple juice to compensate for the liquid. It tastes way better than I thought it would! You can definitely taste the onions but it’s very tolerable and it helps immensely!

Also, as to dosage. There’s only a pint of blackberry Brandy in mine and it’s 30% alcohol/60 proof so I literally drink maybe half a cup yesterday and today and I see a remarkable difference.

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