How to Make Homemade Cough Syrup with Wild Cherry Bark

Feb 09, 2022
Make Homemade cough syrup with wild cherry bark

Women have long been the caregivers of their families, and have been treating the ailments of their loved ones for centuries. While plenty of people currently see the use of herbs for remedies as being a "new age" practice, it has a long and rich history that can be traced back thousands of years.

Herbal remedies can help ease a host of symptoms and illnesses, from headaches to insomnia, colds, allergies, and even body aches and digestive trouble.

Its time to explore what it means to make your own cough syrup because there is nothing worse than dealing with a sore, scratchy throat, or hearing your little one coughing through the night and feeling like over-the-counter medications are doing nothing. 

Soon enough, you'll find yourself reaching for this homemade cough syrup recipe whenever you feel a tickle, ache, or cough. Keep reading for the full recipe to make your own all-natural cough syrup.

 

 

Why Make Your Own Homemade Cough Syrup?

When we talk about cough syrups, what's the first thing that comes to mind? I think of artificial, cherry-flavored concoctions that taste like they're more sugar than anything else. The problem is, these cough syrups often simply aim to mask the symptoms, not treat the cause. 

When you experiment with making homemade cough syrup, and even remedies in general, you're not only gaining a better understanding of this age-old craft but ridding yourself of pesky additives and preservatives that do nothing for the body.

 

Before we start:

This herbal information is just that, information. This blog post and I DO NOT INTEND to treat, cure, prevent any disease, or diagnose any disease or illness. This is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Please consult a physician before using herbs medicinally. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. St. Fiacre’s Farm and Grow Create Sip assumes no liability for inaccuracies. 

 

This post also contains affiliate links. Translation: We get a little kickback for sharing certain products at no additional cost to you should you choose to purchase said items. And - thank you for supporting our farm and family! Read the full disclaimer here.

 

 

The Benefits of Wild Cherry Bark

Wild cherry bark is useful for several reasons. We have used it for centuries to treat colds, whooping cough, bronchitis, and other lung issues, and it can even help with other ailments like digestive issues, gout, and diarrhea. 

Because of its sedative (sleepiness), expectorant (clearing mucus), drying, and cough-suppressing properties, it's also great as the chief ingredient for a cough syrup.

 

 

Where Does the Bark Come From?

Wild cherry bark is collected from, you guessed it, wild cherry trees! They're native to Europe and Asia, but now grow widely throughout North America and have been used in herbal medicine for centuries. 

We often harvest the bark from young trees when the largest amounts of active components are said to be present. We can prepare the bark in a variety of ways, with some people making teas, while others making syrupy suspensions. That's what we're going to be doing today. 

Before we go on to the recipe, I want to talk a bit about why wild cherry bark is so incredible as a holistic remedy.

What Can It Do For Me?

Wild cherry bark can help open the lower respiratory tracts, allowing trapped mucus to move up while simultaneously drying it out. It also has a soothing effect that can help relieve coughing spasms, which only further irritate the throat. 

Wild cherry bark can help relieve aching, red, and irritated tissue in the sinuses and throat, and can soothe those coughs that are keeping you up at night. 

Wild cherry can also help provide some relief for symptoms of asthma and improve overall digestion. We all know how upset the stomach can get when we're sick.

 

 

 

Making Your Own Wild Cherry Bark Cough Syrup

If your intention is to collect your own bark for this, make sure you're collecting it in the fall and drying right away to avoid fermentation. Otherwise, we source our wild cherry bark from Starwest Botanicals, you can find the exact kind that we use right here.

 

 

 

 

Now, not only do you have your own homemade cough syrup without the junk, but it's time. to make a tasty drink with it! Thanks to Kayla Joy Creative for providing us with this fabulous recipe!

 

 

 

 

Get Other Healthy Remedies to Grow, Create, and Sip

Knowing how to properly prepare herbs ensures you're getting the most benefit from them. There is so much potential to be had when using natural, herbal remedies. In the modern world, we have so many options available to us, not only for making your own homemade cough syrup but also for experimenting with herbal teas and syrups in general.

If you are looking for a super simple way to make your own herbal recipes at home without having to gather all of the ingredients make sure to check out Farmhouse Teas Dump and Go mixes here. Including Wild Cherry Bark Syrup Mix, Elderberry Syrup Mix and Fire Cider Dry Mix.

 

I'd love to know though, what is your favorite home remedy for coughs? Let me know down below in the comments!

 

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