Spicy Honey Cider Syrup

Spicy Honey Cider Syrup is a recipe many of you will  need this time of year.  I’ve been hearing quite a few complaints lately from folks with scratchy throats, nagging coughs and stuffy noses.  This is not good news!  I always suggest they mix up a batch of  Spicy Honey Cider Syrup  and give it a try.  This homemade elixir is exactly that – a base of healing apple cider vinegar with spicy pepper and a bit of sweet honey. You’ll taste tartness, heat and sweet all at once – I find it rather appealing.  The best news about this mixture is you can consume as much as you like throughout the day and night as it’s drug free.

Long used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat the common cold, ginger is a preferred home remedy for stuffy noses and sore throats. Containing anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce the discomfort of a sore throat and swollen nasal passages.  Adding a bit of cayenne, rich in capsaicin, so a natural expectorant, can go a long way towards easing unpleasant and uncomfortable nasal congestion.  When ingested this healing compound immediately starts breaking up congestion in the throat and nasal passages helping to  flush out potential infection-causing irritants.  Apple cider vinegar loosens mucus and helps turn the body alkaline when it is acidic, beneficial to expedite healing.  Now, lets talk about the honey.  Honey with all its components including royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen is high in nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes which knock out bacteria and viruses.

If you’re experiencing this stuffy nose, scratchy throat stuff let me suggest you get plenty of rest, drink fluids, wash your hands frequently and swallow a few tablespoons of this syrup daily.  It seems to ease the scratch in the back of my throat, does lighten that congested feeling and all in all it just seems better than traditional OTC cough/congestion remedies.  Please do not use this in place of seeing your doctor if you are running fever or have green or yellow mucus which could be a sign of infection that has already taken hold.  If you are suffering from these ailments, “feel better soon”

Later this week be on the lookout for a post about my recent trip to Napa, California where I enjoyed a foodie tour with “Foodies on Foot” throughout lovely downtown Napa!

You may have guessed by now that this post isn’t brand new – yet I always feel the need to repost this time of year.  This stuff is great – a little odd tasting perhaps but no worse than any OTC cough medicine and you can’t overdose on this!  If you are a fan of essential oils I suggest adding 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil to this mixture.  Ginger essential oil can also be used in place of the ginger powder.  Either way try it and feel better soon!  If you’d like to read about that Napa food tour just click on the “foodie tour” words and enjoy!

Spicy Honey Cider Syrup

¼ teaspoon Cayenne
¼ teaspoon Ginger (or 1 drop ginger essential oil)
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoon Hot Water
1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)
2-3 drops lemon essential oil – if you have it on hand

Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and hot water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough.
Shake well before using.
I like to use hot water as it helps the honey dissolve into the mixture.  Allow to cool before dosing.
Remember: Honey should not be given to children under the age of one year.