During the changing seasons, when the weather gets dry and cold, we are more susceptible to coughs, especially children. Cough syrup bought from pharmacies should be used according to the instructions because besides natural ingredients, it also contains synthetic components. Therefore, making homemade cough syrup from natural ingredients is considered a convenient option to soothe the throat. This recipe is based on folk experience and consented by experts. The main ingredients include mint leaves and kumquat fruit.
According to the folk wisdom, mint leaves have good effects in treating coughs, boosting lung function, reducing phlegm and relieving congestion. Mint leaves help cleanse bacteria in the throat, nose, and intestines. Kumquat fruit is one of the fruits that is very effective in treating coughs, especially young and green kumquats.
The combination of kumquat and mint leaves is very beneficial for the body. In the past, people often steamed young kumquats and mint leaves with honey or sugar, then sucked on them to reduce coughing and have good anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
However, honey should not be used for children under 1 year old, so you can use rock sugar for a safer option. Rock sugar is cooler and more effective, and does not cause heatiness like brown sugar.
This homemade mint-kumquat syrup can be made and stored for gradual use, so you don’t have to make it every day.
Preparing the ingredients:
Ingredients for making cough syrup:
– Mint leaves: 30 leaves
– Green kumquat fruit: 1 lạng (according to folk experience, young green kumquats are more effective than ripe fruit)
– Rock sugar: 30g
– Fresh ginger (a few slices)
Steps to make the cough syrup:
Step 1: Rinse the mint leaves, kumquat, and ginger with diluted saltwater.
Step 2: Take the ingredients out of the saltwater, then let them dry. Cut the kumquat in half and remove the seeds. Cut the ginger and mint leaves into small pieces.
Step 3: Put the mixture of mint leaves, kumquat, ginger, and 300ml of water into a blender and blend until smooth.
Step 4: Pour the blended mixture with rock sugar into a small saucepan, cook over high heat until boiling, then reduce the heat and stir occasionally to remove the foam. Cook for about 40 minutes until the mixture thickens. The 300ml of mixture will yield approximately 100ml of syrup. Note: keep the kitchen well-ventilated during the cooking process.
Do not add too much sugar as it will make the syrup too sweet. If you are giving it to children, it is better to add a little sweetness so they can drink it easily. But for adults, it is better to make it less sweet as the main effects come from kumquat and mint leaves.
How to use the syrup:
– Take 1 tablespoon of syrup and mix it with warm water in a cup, then gargle and swallow slowly.
– The syrup can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 months.
You can refer to this recipe to make homemade syrup for your family. This type of syrup helps cleanse the throat and freshen the mouth, but it cannot replace medicine. If someone in your family has a persistent cough, they should see a doctor for examination.
