DIY: Cough-Away Tincture

Recipe by Kate Tietje

Whether you’re taking your elderberry daily or as needed, you will likely 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, Homemade Mullein Cherry Bark Cough Syrup, or this simple Cough-Away Tincture.

Tinctures generally take six weeks of steeping, 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 cup vegetable glycerin
• 1/4 cup filtered water

Directions:

Step 1: Combine all the herbs in a 4-ounce 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.

Usage: Take as needed. Ages 6 and under take 5-10 and 10-20 drops for everyone else. 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, works fast. 

Additional Resources:

There are many ways to prepare for the cold season and recover from a cold, so I’ve covered a list of my favorite resources to help you find the best information in the fastest time.

• How to Prepare For Cold Season

• 12 Tips For Stopping A Cold In Its Tracks

• 10 Natural Remedies for a Summer Cold

• Using Proper Hydration to Combat Cold and Flu

What’s your go-to remedy for coughs and colds?