🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 61 (from laksa137)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa061.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids","crawl_time":1775047830,"first_indexed_time":1718118250,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,goodrx!www,\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids s443","src_root_hash":"16240351626176129661","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Homemade Cough Syrup for Kids: Try These 4 Natural Ingredients - GoodRx","meta_descriptions":["Before you give your kid cough syrup, there are a couple home remedies worth trying. These four natural ingredients can be used to make a homemade cough syrup."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Key takeaways:\nYou don’t always need cough medicine to ease a cough. Natural ingredients can help too. \nExperts don’t recommend cough medicine for children younger than 4 years old. You can use natural ingredients to help instead. \nHoney, lemon, agave nectar, and ginger may all help ease a child’s cough. But don’t give honey to children younger than 12 months old. \nDid you know people spend an\nestimated $4 billion\nworldwide on cough medication each year? \nThat’s a lot of cough medicine. If your child has a cough from a cold, you may wonder if cough medication is the only option. But you might not need it. Most coughs go away on their own, and you can use natural ingredients to get relief. \nNatural remedies are especially good for young children, since experts\nrecommend\nagainst giving children younger than 4 years old cough medications. They also recommend speaking with a pediatrician before giving cough medicine to children between 4 and 7 years old. \nIf your child’s struggling with a cough, here’s how to use natural ingredients to make homemade cough syrup for kids. \nYes, you can make your own cough syrup at home. But there are no standard or expert-advised recipes for making your own homemade cough syrup. \nAn\nideal cough syrup\nwould soothe your throat, ease pain, and moisten your throat and upper airways. This helps reduce the cough reflex. You also want a natural cough syrup to be sweet and slightly thick. These properties prompt your body to make more saliva, which also helps keep your throat moist. \nHere are four ingredients that work well together to make a natural cough suppressant syrup:\nFresh lemon juice\nHoney\nAgave nectar\nGinger\nWe’ll go over each ingredient in detail later, but one way to combine all four is with this\nhomemade cough syrup recipe\n: \nCombine the zest of 2 lemons, ¼ cup peeled ginger (or ½ tsp of ground ginger), and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.\nBring the mixture to boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.\nStrain the mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup.\nRinse the saucepan and add 1 cup of honey or agave nectar. Warm gently, but don’t boil.\nAdd the strained lemon-ginger water and ½ cup lemon juice.\nStir the mixture until it forms into a thick syrup.\nPour it into a clean jar with a lid. Let it cool, then store in the refrigerator.\nYou can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp every 2 to 4 hours as needed for their cough. \nNow that you’ve got the recipe, let’s take a closer look at each ingredient. We’ll see how they work and learn other ways you can use them. \nLemon is a common ingredient for natural cough and cold remedies. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be safely given to babies older than 3 months old and children of all ages. \nCompare prices and information on the most popular Cold Symptoms medications.\nYou don’t need much lemon juice to soothe a cough or sore throat. A teaspoon or two at a time is enough. Most children won’t drink straight lemon juice because of its sour taste.\nThat’s why it works best when mixed with something else, like the homemade syrup above. You can also add lemon juice to warm fluids. Giving your child warm fluids can help thin mucus, relax airways, and keep them hydrated.\nThe vapors\nact as a mini humidifier.\nTry adding 2 tsp of lemon juice to tea, warm water, or even warm apple juice. There’s no strict limit on how often you can give lemon juice (or fluids containing it), but it’s probably best to limit it to four times a day or less. Too much acidic juice may upset your child’s stomach. \nTo make the drink easier for your child to enjoy, you can add sugar. If your child is over 12 months old, you can use honey to sweeten tea or other warm drinks.\nHoney is nature’s cough remedy.\nStrong evidence\nshows that\nhoney can ease coughs\nand works better than over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines,\nespecially for kids\n. Honey also contains antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation in your throat. Its thick texture coats the back of your throat, easing the cough reflex. \nYou can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp of honey as needed to ease their cough. In\nstudies\n, 1 tsp of honey helped children sleep better at night when they had a cough. \nYou can also add honey to warm fluids or tea to give your child the added benefit of extra hydration. \nKeep in mind, honey isn’t safe for babies younger than 1 year old. Giving honey to a baby can lead to\nbotulism\n, a serious and sometimes deadly infection. \nAgave syrup comes from the sap of the\nagave plant\n. It contains minerals, vitamins, and\npolyphenols\n, which are antioxidants. \nAgave nectar is similar to honey in several ways. Both are thick, sweet, and contain antioxidants, so they may ease coughs in similar ways. But there’s less evidence supporting agave nectar compared with honey. That’s why most experts recommend honey for kids when possible.\nUnlike honey, pasteurized agave nectar isn’t\nlinked to botulism illness\n. So, it may be a safe substitute for children between 3 and 12 months old. It’s still a good idea to check with your child’s pediatrician before giving agave to your baby. \nGinger root is a spice with\nmedicinal benefits\nused by many cultures. Ginger has\nanti-inflammatory properties\n, which may ease inflammation from colds. You can add ginger, along with lemon and honey (or agave), to warm fluids to help a cough. You can also use it in the homemade cough syrup described above. \nGinger has a very strong taste, so children usually won’t eat it plain. You can use either fresh ginger or powdered ginger as a cough aid. You only need a small amount of either. For a cup of warm fluids, add ⅛ tsp of powdered ginger or ½ tsp of fresh, peeled, grated ginger. \nThe bottom line\nMost coughs will go away on their own. While some OTC medications can help soothe a cough, you can also try natural cough remedies. Lemon, ginger, honey, and agave can all help soothe a cough. You can use them alone or together to ease your child’s cough. Experts recommend avoiding OTC cough medications in children younger than 4 years old. A homemade cough syrup made with lemon, ginger, honey, and water can be a safe substitute for children over 12 months old.\nDr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.\nPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.\nGoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our\neditorial guidelines\n.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#skip-to-content)\n\nAre you a healthcare professional? [Join GoodRx for HCPs](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/hcp\/join?redirectTo=%2Fconditions%2Fcold-symptoms%2Fhomemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids)\n\n- [Prescription savingsSavings](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/)\n  Prescription savings\n  \n  Stop paying too much for your prescriptions. 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[Home](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/health)\n2. [Health Conditions](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions)\n3. [Cold Symptoms](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms)\n\nCold Symptoms\n\n# 4 Natural Ingredients That You Can Use As a Homemade Cough Syrup for Kids\n\n[![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb\/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65\/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg?w=96&q=85&fm=webp)](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/bio\/tracy-norfleet)[![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3\/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf\/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp?w=96&q=85&fm=webp)](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/bio\/patricia-pinto-garcia)\n\nWritten by [Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/bio\/tracy-norfleet) \\| Reviewed by [Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/bio\/patricia-pinto-garcia)\n\nUpdated on September 17, 2025\n\n![star](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/star-with-circle.svg)![Close-up woman squeezing lemon with honey.](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/5SSLpvTArA0BrMOfCifpym\/35f258e61f6e0629a99db1e48d46eb37\/closeup_squeezing_lemon_with_honey_1148520760.jpg?w=3840&q=99&fm=webp)\n\nfotostorm\/E+ via Getty Images\n\n[Cough syrup recipe](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#cough-syrup-recipe)[Lemon juice](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#lemon-juice)[Honey](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#honey)[Agave nectar](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#agave-nectar)[Ginger](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#ginger)[FAQs](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#faqs)[Bottom line](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#bottom-line)[References](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#references)\n\n## Key takeaways:\n- You don’t always need cough medicine to ease a cough. Natural ingredients can help too.\n- Experts don’t recommend cough medicine for children younger than 4 years old. You can use natural ingredients to help instead.\n- Honey, lemon, agave nectar, and ginger may all help ease a child’s cough. But don’t give honey to children younger than 12 months old.\n\nDid you know people spend an [estimated \\$4 billion](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7875114\/) worldwide on cough medication each year?\n\nThat’s a lot of cough medicine. If your child has a cough from a cold, you may wonder if cough medication is the only option. But you might not need it. Most coughs go away on their own, and you can use natural ingredients to get relief.\n\nNatural remedies are especially good for young children, since experts [recommend](https:\/\/www.nationwidechildrens.org\/family-resources-education\/health-wellness-and-safety-resources\/helping-hands\/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc#:~:text=FDA%20and%20American%20Academy%20of,doctor%20or%20health%20care%20provider.) against giving children younger than 4 years old cough medications. They also recommend speaking with a pediatrician before giving cough medicine to children between 4 and 7 years old.\n\nIf your child’s struggling with a cough, here’s how to use natural ingredients to make homemade cough syrup for kids.\n\n## Can you make a natural cough suppressant at home?\nYes, you can make your own cough syrup at home. But there are no standard or expert-advised recipes for making your own homemade cough syrup.\n\nAn [ideal cough syrup](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7875114\/) would soothe your throat, ease pain, and moisten your throat and upper airways. This helps reduce the cough reflex. You also want a natural cough syrup to be sweet and slightly thick. These properties prompt your body to make more saliva, which also helps keep your throat moist.\n\nHere are four ingredients that work well together to make a natural cough suppressant syrup:\n\n- Fresh lemon juice\n- Honey\n- Agave nectar\n- Ginger\n\nWe’ll go over each ingredient in detail later, but one way to combine all four is with this [homemade cough syrup recipe](https:\/\/honey.com\/recipe\/honey-cough-syrup):\n\n1. Combine the zest of 2 lemons, ¼ cup peeled ginger (or ½ tsp of ground ginger), and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.\n2. Bring the mixture to boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.\n3. Strain the mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup.\n4. Rinse the saucepan and add 1 cup of honey or agave nectar. Warm gently, but don’t boil.\n5. Add the strained lemon-ginger water and ½ cup lemon juice.\n6. Stir the mixture until it forms into a thick syrup.\n7. Pour it into a clean jar with a lid. Let it cool, then store in the refrigerator.\n\n![GoodRx icon](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/goodrx-logo.svg)\n\nEXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT\n\n- **Eating for recovery:** Here are the [best foods](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/what-eat-when-you-have-cold) to give your child when they have a cold (and a few to avoid).\n- **Looking for more cold remedies?** Here are [nine natural remedies](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/how-get-over-cold-fast) that can help your child feel better during a cold.\n- **Flu in kids:** Here are the most [common flu symptoms in kids](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/flu\/signs-of-flu-in-toddlers) and when it’s time to seek care for their symptoms.\n\nYou can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp every 2 to 4 hours as needed for their cough.\n\nNow that you’ve got the recipe, let’s take a closer look at each ingredient. We’ll see how they work and learn other ways you can use them.\n\n## 1\\. Freshly squeezed lemon juice\nLemon is a common ingredient for natural cough and cold remedies. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be safely given to babies older than 3 months old and children of all ages.\n\nPromotion disclosure\n\nCold Symptoms medicationsCompare prices and information on the most popular Cold Symptoms medications.\n\n- Promethazine DM\n  \n  Generic Pherazine DM\n  \n  \\$8.67Lowest price\n  \n  [Save now](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/promethazine-dm)\n- Bromfed DM\n  \n  Brompheniramine\/Dextromethorphan\/Pseudoephedrine\n  \n  \\$11.45Lowest price\n  \n  [Save now](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/bromfed-dm)\n- Hyosyne\n  \n  Hyoscyamine\n  \n  \\$14.94Lowest price\n  \n  [Save now](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/hyosyne)\n\n[Compare all medications](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/drugs)\n\nYou don’t need much lemon juice to soothe a cough or sore throat. A teaspoon or two at a time is enough. Most children won’t drink straight lemon juice because of its sour taste.\n\nThat’s why it works best when mixed with something else, like the homemade syrup above. You can also add lemon juice to warm fluids. Giving your child warm fluids can help thin mucus, relax airways, and keep them hydrated. [The vapors](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/common-cold-self-care) act as a mini humidifier.\n\nTry adding 2 tsp of lemon juice to tea, warm water, or even warm apple juice. There’s no strict limit on how often you can give lemon juice (or fluids containing it), but it’s probably best to limit it to four times a day or less. Too much acidic juice may upset your child’s stomach.\n\nTo make the drink easier for your child to enjoy, you can add sugar. If your child is over 12 months old, you can use honey to sweeten tea or other warm drinks.\n\n## 2\\. Honey\nHoney is nature’s cough remedy. [Strong evidence](https:\/\/ebm.bmj.com\/content\/26\/2\/57) shows that [honey can ease coughs](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cough\/does-honey-help-cough) and works better than over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, [especially for kids](https:\/\/www.cochranelibrary.com\/cdsr\/doi\/10.1002\/14651858.CD007094.pub5\/full). Honey also contains antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation in your throat. Its thick texture coats the back of your throat, easing the cough reflex.\n\nYou can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp of honey as needed to ease their cough. In [studies](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22869830\/), 1 tsp of honey helped children sleep better at night when they had a cough.\n\nYou can also add honey to warm fluids or tea to give your child the added benefit of extra hydration.\n\nKeep in mind, honey isn’t safe for babies younger than 1 year old. Giving honey to a baby can lead to [botulism](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/botulism\/what-is-botulism-and-why-is-it-deadly), a serious and sometimes deadly infection.\n\n## 3\\. Agave nectar\nAgave syrup comes from the sap of the [agave plant](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/well-being\/diet-nutrition\/natural-sweeteners). It contains minerals, vitamins, and [polyphenols](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/well-being\/diet-nutrition\/phytochemicals-types-benefits), which are antioxidants.\n\nAgave nectar is similar to honey in several ways. Both are thick, sweet, and contain antioxidants, so they may ease coughs in similar ways. But there’s less evidence supporting agave nectar compared with honey. That’s why most experts recommend honey for kids when possible.\n\nUnlike honey, pasteurized agave nectar isn’t [linked to botulism illness](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/1913623). So, it may be a safe substitute for children between 3 and 12 months old. It’s still a good idea to check with your child’s pediatrician before giving agave to your baby.\n\n## 4\\. Ginger\nGinger root is a spice with [medicinal benefits](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/well-being\/supplements-herbs\/is-ginger-good-for-health) used by many cultures. Ginger has [anti-inflammatory properties](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3665023\/), which may ease inflammation from colds. You can add ginger, along with lemon and honey (or agave), to warm fluids to help a cough. You can also use it in the homemade cough syrup described above.\n\nGinger has a very strong taste, so children usually won’t eat it plain. You can use either fresh ginger or powdered ginger as a cough aid. You only need a small amount of either. For a cup of warm fluids, add ⅛ tsp of powdered ginger or ½ tsp of fresh, peeled, grated ginger.\n\n## Frequently asked questions\n### Is homemade cough syrup with whiskey safe for kids?\nYou shouldn’t give children cough syrup that contains whiskey or bourbon. No amount of alcohol is safe for kids. Even small amounts can make young children and babies intoxicated and may affect brain development. It’s safer to use natural remedies like lemon water, warm fluids, and pasteurized agave nectar. Honey is also safe for children over 1 year old.\n\n### What is the best OTC cough medicine for kids?\nThere is no “best” OTC cough medicine for kids. Experts recommend not giving cough medicine to kids under 4 years old. For older children, consider treating symptoms with natural remedies like honey, warm fluids, and humidifiers. Pain and fever relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can also help ease other cold symptoms.\n\n### When should I take my child to the doctor for a cough?\nSeek medical care if your child has any trouble breathing, is breathing rapidly, or can’t eat or drink because of their cough. You should also seek care if your child is more sleepy or tired than usual, or has a high fever. If your child has a history of heart or lung problems, including asthma, it’s best to seek care as soon as they get sick.\n\nYou shouldn’t give children cough syrup that contains whiskey or bourbon. No amount of alcohol is safe for kids. Even small amounts can make young children and babies intoxicated and may affect brain development. It’s safer to use natural remedies like lemon water, warm fluids, and pasteurized agave nectar. Honey is also safe for children over 1 year old.\n\nThere is no “best” OTC cough medicine for kids. Experts recommend not giving cough medicine to kids under 4 years old. For older children, consider treating symptoms with natural remedies like honey, warm fluids, and humidifiers. Pain and fever relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can also help ease other cold symptoms.\n\nSeek medical care if your child has any trouble breathing, is breathing rapidly, or can’t eat or drink because of their cough. You should also seek care if your child is more sleepy or tired than usual, or has a high fever. If your child has a history of heart or lung problems, including asthma, it’s best to seek care as soon as they get sick.\n\n## The bottom line\nMost coughs will go away on their own. While some OTC medications can help soothe a cough, you can also try natural cough remedies. Lemon, ginger, honey, and agave can all help soothe a cough. You can use them alone or together to ease your child’s cough. Experts recommend avoiding OTC cough medications in children younger than 4 years old. A homemade cough syrup made with lemon, ginger, honey, and water can be a safe substitute for children over 12 months old.\n\n![why trust our exports reliability shield](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/reliability.svg)\n\n## Why trust our experts?\n\n![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb\/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65\/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg)\n\n![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb\/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65\/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg)\n\nWritten by:\n\n[Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/bio\/tracy-norfleet)\n\nDr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.\n\n![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3\/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf\/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp)\n\n![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3\/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf\/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp)\n\nEdited by:\n\n[Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/bio\/patricia-pinto-garcia)\n\nPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.\n\n![Green trust check mark](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/green-check-mark.svg)[Our editorial standards](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/editorial-guidelines)\n\n![Green trust check mark](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/green-check-mark.svg)[Meet our experts](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/health#meet-our-healthcare-experts)\n\n## References\nAbuelgasim, H., et al. (2021). [Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis](https:\/\/ebm.bmj.com\/content\/26\/2\/57). *BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine*.\n\nCohen, H. A., et al. (2012). [Effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22869830\/). *Pediatrics*.\n\n### View All References (6)\nMashhadi, N. S., et al. (2013). [Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: Review of current evidence](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3665023\/). *International Journal of Preventive Medicine*.\n\nMurgia, V., et al. (2020). [Upper respiratory tract infection-associated acute cough and the urge to cough: New insights for clinical practice](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7875114\/). *Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology*.\n\nNational Honey Board. (n.d.). [Honey cough syrup](https:\/\/honey.com\/recipe\/honey-cough-syrup).\n\nNationwide Children’s Hospital. (2022). [Cough and cold medicines](https:\/\/www.nationwidechildrens.org\/family-resources-education\/health-wellness-and-safety-resources\/helping-hands\/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc).\n\nOduwole, O., et al. (2018). [Honey for acute cough in children](https:\/\/www.cochranelibrary.com\/cdsr\/doi\/10.1002\/14651858.CD007094.pub5\/full). *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*.\n\nPaul, I. M., et al (2014). [Placebo effect in the treatment of acute cough in infants and toddlers: A randomized clinical trial](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/1913623). *JAMA Pediatrics*.\n\nGoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our [editorial guidelines](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/editorial-guidelines).\n\nAbuelgasim, H., et al. (2021). [Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis](https:\/\/ebm.bmj.com\/content\/26\/2\/57). *BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine*.\n\nCohen, H. A., et al. (2012). [Effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22869830\/). *Pediatrics*.\n\nMashhadi, N. S., et al. (2013). [Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: Review of current evidence](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3665023\/). *International Journal of Preventive Medicine*.\n\nMurgia, V., et al. (2020). [Upper respiratory tract infection-associated acute cough and the urge to cough: New insights for clinical practice](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7875114\/). *Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology*.\n\nNational Honey Board. (n.d.). [Honey cough syrup](https:\/\/honey.com\/recipe\/honey-cough-syrup).\n\nNationwide Children’s Hospital. (2022). [Cough and cold medicines](https:\/\/www.nationwidechildrens.org\/family-resources-education\/health-wellness-and-safety-resources\/helping-hands\/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc).\n\nOduwole, O., et al. (2018). [Honey for acute cough in children](https:\/\/www.cochranelibrary.com\/cdsr\/doi\/10.1002\/14651858.CD007094.pub5\/full). *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*.\n\nPaul, I. M., et al (2014). [Placebo effect in the treatment of acute cough in infants and toddlers: A randomized clinical trial](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/1913623). *JAMA Pediatrics*.\n\n![Newsletter Subscription](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/notification-email-female.svg)\n\n#### Subscribe and save\nGet prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. 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Written by Cydnee Ng, PharmDUpdated on Jan 8, 2026 by Cydnee Ng, PharmD • Jan 8, 2026](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/pregnancy\/cold-medicine-safe-for-pregnancy)\n\n[![How to Tell if It's a Cold or the Flu](https:\/\/content.jwplatform.com\/thumbs\/nLnFG2po-720.jpg?width=640&quality=85&auto=webp) ![Video play button](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/play-dark.svg) Cold Symptoms Cold vs. Flu: How Are They Different? 2:03 2:03](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/cold-vs-flu)\n\n[![Easy Tips to Fend Off the Common Cold](https:\/\/content.jwplatform.com\/thumbs\/NpZRL45s-720.jpg?width=640&quality=85&auto=webp) ![Video play button](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/play-dark.svg) Cold Symptoms 9 Ways to Prevent a Cold When You Feel It Coming 1:37 1:37](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/prevent-cold-when-you-feel-coming)\n\n[![Sleeping With a Bad Cold: 5 Home Remedies That Help](https:\/\/content.jwplatform.com\/thumbs\/f4mIpSfC-720.jpg?width=640&quality=85&auto=webp) ![Video play button](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/play-dark.svg) Cold Symptoms How to Sleep With a Cold: 8 Ways to Really Get Some Rest 1:10 1:10](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/how-to-sleep-with-cold)\n\nView more\n\n##### Subscribe and save\nGet prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. 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If you are having difficulty accessing this website, please call or email us at [1-855-268-2822](<tel: +18552682822>) or [ada@goodrx.com](<mailto: ada@goodrx.com>) so that we can provide you with the services you require through alternative means.\n\nCopyright ©2011–2026 GoodRx, Inc.\n\n[![LegitScript Logo, opens in a new window](https:\/\/static.legitscript.com\/seals\/338276.png?width=256&quality=85&auto=webp)](https:\/\/www.legitscript.com\/websites\/?checker_keywords=goodrx.com)[![National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Logo, opens in a new window](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/7BflV93nkrARWlhjT0OpL3\/41f2d7661bc44e0b14eac2269c92bd0b\/6e174cd343d6b3b47288ee3ea13a61ab.png?format=png&auto=webp&width=182?w=384&q=85&fm=webp)](https:\/\/safe.pharmacy\/buy-safely\/)[![Better Business Bureau Logo, opens in a new window](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/xXC4tWf17QuV268j1yOiR\/4d2427d015a8d78f83af07b8c9a9ba3f\/2dea00a13eeceedf6c458d97e3bc9163.png?format=png&auto=webp&width=121?w=256&q=85&fm=webp)](https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/ca\/santa-monica\/profile\/online-pharmacy\/goodrx-1216-351397#bbbseal)\n\n![](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p?c1=2&c2=33256513&cs_ucfr=1)\n\n![](https:\/\/match.prod.bidr.io\/cookie-sync\/goodrx?buyer_user_id=undefined&env=prod)\n\n![](https:\/\/sync.graph.bluecava.com\/p.png?p=ddb38364-ed0e-11ec-8ee0-4201ac10000b&segment=732bbede0eedec11834342010a78800a&uid=undefined&event=page_view&rn=1775047839124)\n\n![](https:\/\/cnv.event.prod.bidr.io\/log\/cnv?tag_id=6&buzz_key=goodrx&value=1&segment_key=&account_id=4&ord=1173810948)","attrs_readable_markdown":"## Key takeaways:\n- You don’t always need cough medicine to ease a cough. Natural ingredients can help too.\n- Experts don’t recommend cough medicine for children younger than 4 years old. You can use natural ingredients to help instead.\n- Honey, lemon, agave nectar, and ginger may all help ease a child’s cough. But don’t give honey to children younger than 12 months old.\n\nDid you know people spend an [estimated \\$4 billion](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7875114\/) worldwide on cough medication each year?\n\nThat’s a lot of cough medicine. If your child has a cough from a cold, you may wonder if cough medication is the only option. But you might not need it. Most coughs go away on their own, and you can use natural ingredients to get relief.\n\nNatural remedies are especially good for young children, since experts [recommend](https:\/\/www.nationwidechildrens.org\/family-resources-education\/health-wellness-and-safety-resources\/helping-hands\/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc#:~:text=FDA%20and%20American%20Academy%20of,doctor%20or%20health%20care%20provider.) against giving children younger than 4 years old cough medications. They also recommend speaking with a pediatrician before giving cough medicine to children between 4 and 7 years old.\n\nIf your child’s struggling with a cough, here’s how to use natural ingredients to make homemade cough syrup for kids.\n\nYes, you can make your own cough syrup at home. But there are no standard or expert-advised recipes for making your own homemade cough syrup.\n\nAn [ideal cough syrup](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7875114\/) would soothe your throat, ease pain, and moisten your throat and upper airways. This helps reduce the cough reflex. You also want a natural cough syrup to be sweet and slightly thick. These properties prompt your body to make more saliva, which also helps keep your throat moist.\n\nHere are four ingredients that work well together to make a natural cough suppressant syrup:\n\n- Fresh lemon juice\n- Honey\n- Agave nectar\n- Ginger\n\nWe’ll go over each ingredient in detail later, but one way to combine all four is with this [homemade cough syrup recipe](https:\/\/honey.com\/recipe\/honey-cough-syrup):\n\n1. Combine the zest of 2 lemons, ¼ cup peeled ginger (or ½ tsp of ground ginger), and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.\n2. Bring the mixture to boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.\n3. Strain the mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup.\n4. Rinse the saucepan and add 1 cup of honey or agave nectar. Warm gently, but don’t boil.\n5. Add the strained lemon-ginger water and ½ cup lemon juice.\n6. Stir the mixture until it forms into a thick syrup.\n7. Pour it into a clean jar with a lid. Let it cool, then store in the refrigerator.\n\nYou can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp every 2 to 4 hours as needed for their cough.\n\nNow that you’ve got the recipe, let’s take a closer look at each ingredient. We’ll see how they work and learn other ways you can use them.\n\nLemon is a common ingredient for natural cough and cold remedies. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be safely given to babies older than 3 months old and children of all ages.\n\nCompare prices and information on the most popular Cold Symptoms medications.\n\nYou don’t need much lemon juice to soothe a cough or sore throat. A teaspoon or two at a time is enough. Most children won’t drink straight lemon juice because of its sour taste.\n\nThat’s why it works best when mixed with something else, like the homemade syrup above. You can also add lemon juice to warm fluids. Giving your child warm fluids can help thin mucus, relax airways, and keep them hydrated. [The vapors](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cold-symptoms\/common-cold-self-care) act as a mini humidifier.\n\nTry adding 2 tsp of lemon juice to tea, warm water, or even warm apple juice. There’s no strict limit on how often you can give lemon juice (or fluids containing it), but it’s probably best to limit it to four times a day or less. Too much acidic juice may upset your child’s stomach.\n\nTo make the drink easier for your child to enjoy, you can add sugar. If your child is over 12 months old, you can use honey to sweeten tea or other warm drinks.\n\nHoney is nature’s cough remedy. [Strong evidence](https:\/\/ebm.bmj.com\/content\/26\/2\/57) shows that [honey can ease coughs](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/cough\/does-honey-help-cough) and works better than over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, [especially for kids](https:\/\/www.cochranelibrary.com\/cdsr\/doi\/10.1002\/14651858.CD007094.pub5\/full). Honey also contains antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation in your throat. Its thick texture coats the back of your throat, easing the cough reflex.\n\nYou can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp of honey as needed to ease their cough. In [studies](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22869830\/), 1 tsp of honey helped children sleep better at night when they had a cough.\n\nYou can also add honey to warm fluids or tea to give your child the added benefit of extra hydration.\n\nKeep in mind, honey isn’t safe for babies younger than 1 year old. Giving honey to a baby can lead to [botulism](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/conditions\/botulism\/what-is-botulism-and-why-is-it-deadly), a serious and sometimes deadly infection.\n\nAgave syrup comes from the sap of the [agave plant](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/well-being\/diet-nutrition\/natural-sweeteners). It contains minerals, vitamins, and [polyphenols](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/well-being\/diet-nutrition\/phytochemicals-types-benefits), which are antioxidants.\n\nAgave nectar is similar to honey in several ways. Both are thick, sweet, and contain antioxidants, so they may ease coughs in similar ways. But there’s less evidence supporting agave nectar compared with honey. That’s why most experts recommend honey for kids when possible.\n\nUnlike honey, pasteurized agave nectar isn’t [linked to botulism illness](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/1913623). So, it may be a safe substitute for children between 3 and 12 months old. It’s still a good idea to check with your child’s pediatrician before giving agave to your baby.\n\nGinger root is a spice with [medicinal benefits](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/well-being\/supplements-herbs\/is-ginger-good-for-health) used by many cultures. Ginger has [anti-inflammatory properties](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3665023\/), which may ease inflammation from colds. You can add ginger, along with lemon and honey (or agave), to warm fluids to help a cough. You can also use it in the homemade cough syrup described above.\n\nGinger has a very strong taste, so children usually won’t eat it plain. You can use either fresh ginger or powdered ginger as a cough aid. You only need a small amount of either. For a cup of warm fluids, add ⅛ tsp of powdered ginger or ½ tsp of fresh, peeled, grated ginger.\n\n## The bottom line\nMost coughs will go away on their own. While some OTC medications can help soothe a cough, you can also try natural cough remedies. Lemon, ginger, honey, and agave can all help soothe a cough. You can use them alone or together to ease your child’s cough. Experts recommend avoiding OTC cough medications in children younger than 4 years old. A homemade cough syrup made with lemon, ginger, honey, and water can be a safe substitute for children over 12 months old.\n\n![why trust our exports reliability shield](https:\/\/www.grxstatic.com\/images\/reliability.svg)\n\n![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb\/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65\/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg)\n\n![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb\/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65\/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg)\n\nDr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.\n\n![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3\/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf\/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp)\n\n![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https:\/\/images.ctfassets.net\/4f3rgqwzdznj\/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3\/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf\/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp)\n\nPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.\n\nGoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our [editorial guidelines](https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/about\/editorial-guidelines).","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Homemade Cough Syrup for Kids: Try These 4 Natural Ingredients - GoodRx
Meta Description	Before you give your kid cough syrup, there are a couple home remedies worth trying. These four natural ingredients can be used to make a homemade cough syrup.
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Boilerpipe Text	Key takeaways: You don’t always need cough medicine to ease a cough. Natural ingredients can help too. Experts don’t recommend cough medicine for children younger than 4 years old. You can use natural ingredients to help instead. Honey, lemon, agave nectar, and ginger may all help ease a child’s cough. But don’t give honey to children younger than 12 months old. Did you know people spend an estimated $4 billion worldwide on cough medication each year? That’s a lot of cough medicine. If your child has a cough from a cold, you may wonder if cough medication is the only option. But you might not need it. Most coughs go away on their own, and you can use natural ingredients to get relief. Natural remedies are especially good for young children, since experts recommend against giving children younger than 4 years old cough medications. They also recommend speaking with a pediatrician before giving cough medicine to children between 4 and 7 years old. If your child’s struggling with a cough, here’s how to use natural ingredients to make homemade cough syrup for kids. Yes, you can make your own cough syrup at home. But there are no standard or expert-advised recipes for making your own homemade cough syrup. An ideal cough syrup would soothe your throat, ease pain, and moisten your throat and upper airways. This helps reduce the cough reflex. You also want a natural cough syrup to be sweet and slightly thick. These properties prompt your body to make more saliva, which also helps keep your throat moist. Here are four ingredients that work well together to make a natural cough suppressant syrup: Fresh lemon juice Honey Agave nectar Ginger We’ll go over each ingredient in detail later, but one way to combine all four is with this homemade cough syrup recipe : Combine the zest of 2 lemons, ¼ cup peeled ginger (or ½ tsp of ground ginger), and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup. Rinse the saucepan and add 1 cup of honey or agave nectar. Warm gently, but don’t boil. Add the strained lemon-ginger water and ½ cup lemon juice. Stir the mixture until it forms into a thick syrup. Pour it into a clean jar with a lid. Let it cool, then store in the refrigerator. You can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp every 2 to 4 hours as needed for their cough. Now that you’ve got the recipe, let’s take a closer look at each ingredient. We’ll see how they work and learn other ways you can use them. Lemon is a common ingredient for natural cough and cold remedies. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be safely given to babies older than 3 months old and children of all ages. Compare prices and information on the most popular Cold Symptoms medications. You don’t need much lemon juice to soothe a cough or sore throat. A teaspoon or two at a time is enough. Most children won’t drink straight lemon juice because of its sour taste. That’s why it works best when mixed with something else, like the homemade syrup above. You can also add lemon juice to warm fluids. Giving your child warm fluids can help thin mucus, relax airways, and keep them hydrated. The vapors act as a mini humidifier. Try adding 2 tsp of lemon juice to tea, warm water, or even warm apple juice. There’s no strict limit on how often you can give lemon juice (or fluids containing it), but it’s probably best to limit it to four times a day or less. Too much acidic juice may upset your child’s stomach. To make the drink easier for your child to enjoy, you can add sugar. If your child is over 12 months old, you can use honey to sweeten tea or other warm drinks. Honey is nature’s cough remedy. Strong evidence shows that honey can ease coughs and works better than over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, especially for kids . Honey also contains antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation in your throat. Its thick texture coats the back of your throat, easing the cough reflex. You can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp of honey as needed to ease their cough. In studies , 1 tsp of honey helped children sleep better at night when they had a cough. You can also add honey to warm fluids or tea to give your child the added benefit of extra hydration. Keep in mind, honey isn’t safe for babies younger than 1 year old. Giving honey to a baby can lead to botulism , a serious and sometimes deadly infection. Agave syrup comes from the sap of the agave plant . It contains minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols , which are antioxidants. Agave nectar is similar to honey in several ways. Both are thick, sweet, and contain antioxidants, so they may ease coughs in similar ways. But there’s less evidence supporting agave nectar compared with honey. That’s why most experts recommend honey for kids when possible. Unlike honey, pasteurized agave nectar isn’t linked to botulism illness . So, it may be a safe substitute for children between 3 and 12 months old. It’s still a good idea to check with your child’s pediatrician before giving agave to your baby. Ginger root is a spice with medicinal benefits used by many cultures. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties , which may ease inflammation from colds. You can add ginger, along with lemon and honey (or agave), to warm fluids to help a cough. You can also use it in the homemade cough syrup described above. Ginger has a very strong taste, so children usually won’t eat it plain. You can use either fresh ginger or powdered ginger as a cough aid. You only need a small amount of either. For a cup of warm fluids, add ⅛ tsp of powdered ginger or ½ tsp of fresh, peeled, grated ginger. The bottom line Most coughs will go away on their own. While some OTC medications can help soothe a cough, you can also try natural cough remedies. Lemon, ginger, honey, and agave can all help soothe a cough. You can use them alone or together to ease your child’s cough. Experts recommend avoiding OTC cough medications in children younger than 4 years old. A homemade cough syrup made with lemon, ginger, honey, and water can be a safe substitute for children over 12 months old. Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal. Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines .
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[Cold Symptoms](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms) Cold Symptoms # 4 Natural Ingredients That You Can Use As a Homemade Cough Syrup for Kids [![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https://www.grxstatic.com/4f3rgqwzdznj/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg?w=96&q=85&fm=webp)](https://www.goodrx.com/about/bio/tracy-norfleet)[![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https://www.grxstatic.com/4f3rgqwzdznj/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp?w=96&q=85&fm=webp)](https://www.goodrx.com/about/bio/patricia-pinto-garcia) Written by [Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https://www.goodrx.com/about/bio/tracy-norfleet) \\| Reviewed by [Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https://www.goodrx.com/about/bio/patricia-pinto-garcia) Updated on September 17, 2025 ![star](https://www.grxstatic.com/images/star-with-circle.svg)![Close-up woman squeezing lemon with honey.](https://www.grxstatic.com/4f3rgqwzdznj/5SSLpvTArA0BrMOfCifpym/35f258e61f6e0629a99db1e48d46eb37/closeup_squeezing_lemon_with_honey_1148520760.jpg?w=3840&q=99&fm=webp) fotostorm/E+ via Getty Images [Cough syrup recipe](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#cough-syrup-recipe)[Lemon juice](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#lemon-juice)[Honey](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#honey)[Agave nectar](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#agave-nectar)[Ginger](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#ginger)[FAQs](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#faqs)[Bottom line](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#bottom-line)[References](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/homemade-cough-suppressant-safe-for-kids#references) ## Key takeaways: - You don’t always need cough medicine to ease a cough. Natural ingredients can help too. - Experts don’t recommend cough medicine for children younger than 4 years old. You can use natural ingredients to help instead. - Honey, lemon, agave nectar, and ginger may all help ease a child’s cough. But don’t give honey to children younger than 12 months old. Did you know people spend an [estimated \$4 billion](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7875114/) worldwide on cough medication each year? That’s a lot of cough medicine. If your child has a cough from a cold, you may wonder if cough medication is the only option. But you might not need it. Most coughs go away on their own, and you can use natural ingredients to get relief. Natural remedies are especially good for young children, since experts [recommend](https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc#:~:text=FDA%20and%20American%20Academy%20of,doctor%20or%20health%20care%20provider.) against giving children younger than 4 years old cough medications. They also recommend speaking with a pediatrician before giving cough medicine to children between 4 and 7 years old. If your child’s struggling with a cough, here’s how to use natural ingredients to make homemade cough syrup for kids. ## Can you make a natural cough suppressant at home? Yes, you can make your own cough syrup at home. But there are no standard or expert-advised recipes for making your own homemade cough syrup. An [ideal cough syrup](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7875114/) would soothe your throat, ease pain, and moisten your throat and upper airways. This helps reduce the cough reflex. You also want a natural cough syrup to be sweet and slightly thick. These properties prompt your body to make more saliva, which also helps keep your throat moist. Here are four ingredients that work well together to make a natural cough suppressant syrup: - Fresh lemon juice - Honey - Agave nectar - Ginger We’ll go over each ingredient in detail later, but one way to combine all four is with this [homemade cough syrup recipe](https://honey.com/recipe/honey-cough-syrup): 1. Combine the zest of 2 lemons, ¼ cup peeled ginger (or ½ tsp of ground ginger), and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. 2. Bring the mixture to boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Strain the mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup. 4. Rinse the saucepan and add 1 cup of honey or agave nectar. Warm gently, but don’t boil. 5. Add the strained lemon-ginger water and ½ cup lemon juice. 6. Stir the mixture until it forms into a thick syrup. 7. Pour it into a clean jar with a lid. Let it cool, then store in the refrigerator. ![GoodRx icon](https://www.grxstatic.com/images/goodrx-logo.svg) EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT - Eating for recovery: Here are the [best foods](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/what-eat-when-you-have-cold) to give your child when they have a cold (and a few to avoid). - Looking for more cold remedies? Here are [nine natural remedies](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/how-get-over-cold-fast) that can help your child feel better during a cold. - Flu in kids: Here are the most [common flu symptoms in kids](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/flu/signs-of-flu-in-toddlers) and when it’s time to seek care for their symptoms. You can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp every 2 to 4 hours as needed for their cough. Now that you’ve got the recipe, let’s take a closer look at each ingredient. We’ll see how they work and learn other ways you can use them. ## 1\. Freshly squeezed lemon juice Lemon is a common ingredient for natural cough and cold remedies. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be safely given to babies older than 3 months old and children of all ages. Promotion disclosure Cold Symptoms medicationsCompare prices and information on the most popular Cold Symptoms medications. - Promethazine DM Generic Pherazine DM \$8.67Lowest price [Save now](https://www.goodrx.com/promethazine-dm) - Bromfed DM Brompheniramine/Dextromethorphan/Pseudoephedrine \$11.45Lowest price [Save now](https://www.goodrx.com/bromfed-dm) - Hyosyne Hyoscyamine \$14.94Lowest price [Save now](https://www.goodrx.com/hyosyne) [Compare all medications](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/drugs) You don’t need much lemon juice to soothe a cough or sore throat. A teaspoon or two at a time is enough. Most children won’t drink straight lemon juice because of its sour taste. That’s why it works best when mixed with something else, like the homemade syrup above. You can also add lemon juice to warm fluids. Giving your child warm fluids can help thin mucus, relax airways, and keep them hydrated. [The vapors](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/common-cold-self-care) act as a mini humidifier. Try adding 2 tsp of lemon juice to tea, warm water, or even warm apple juice. There’s no strict limit on how often you can give lemon juice (or fluids containing it), but it’s probably best to limit it to four times a day or less. Too much acidic juice may upset your child’s stomach. To make the drink easier for your child to enjoy, you can add sugar. If your child is over 12 months old, you can use honey to sweeten tea or other warm drinks. ## 2\. Honey Honey is nature’s cough remedy. [Strong evidence](https://ebm.bmj.com/content/26/2/57) shows that [honey can ease coughs](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cough/does-honey-help-cough) and works better than over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, [especially for kids](https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5/full). Honey also contains antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation in your throat. Its thick texture coats the back of your throat, easing the cough reflex. You can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp of honey as needed to ease their cough. In [studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22869830/), 1 tsp of honey helped children sleep better at night when they had a cough. You can also add honey to warm fluids or tea to give your child the added benefit of extra hydration. Keep in mind, honey isn’t safe for babies younger than 1 year old. Giving honey to a baby can lead to [botulism](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/botulism/what-is-botulism-and-why-is-it-deadly), a serious and sometimes deadly infection. ## 3\. Agave nectar Agave syrup comes from the sap of the [agave plant](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/natural-sweeteners). It contains minerals, vitamins, and [polyphenols](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/phytochemicals-types-benefits), which are antioxidants. Agave nectar is similar to honey in several ways. Both are thick, sweet, and contain antioxidants, so they may ease coughs in similar ways. But there’s less evidence supporting agave nectar compared with honey. That’s why most experts recommend honey for kids when possible. Unlike honey, pasteurized agave nectar isn’t [linked to botulism illness](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/1913623). So, it may be a safe substitute for children between 3 and 12 months old. It’s still a good idea to check with your child’s pediatrician before giving agave to your baby. ## 4\. Ginger Ginger root is a spice with [medicinal benefits](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/supplements-herbs/is-ginger-good-for-health) used by many cultures. Ginger has [anti-inflammatory properties](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3665023/), which may ease inflammation from colds. You can add ginger, along with lemon and honey (or agave), to warm fluids to help a cough. You can also use it in the homemade cough syrup described above. Ginger has a very strong taste, so children usually won’t eat it plain. You can use either fresh ginger or powdered ginger as a cough aid. You only need a small amount of either. For a cup of warm fluids, add ⅛ tsp of powdered ginger or ½ tsp of fresh, peeled, grated ginger. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is homemade cough syrup with whiskey safe for kids? You shouldn’t give children cough syrup that contains whiskey or bourbon. No amount of alcohol is safe for kids. Even small amounts can make young children and babies intoxicated and may affect brain development. It’s safer to use natural remedies like lemon water, warm fluids, and pasteurized agave nectar. Honey is also safe for children over 1 year old. ### What is the best OTC cough medicine for kids? There is no “best” OTC cough medicine for kids. Experts recommend not giving cough medicine to kids under 4 years old. For older children, consider treating symptoms with natural remedies like honey, warm fluids, and humidifiers. Pain and fever relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can also help ease other cold symptoms. ### When should I take my child to the doctor for a cough? Seek medical care if your child has any trouble breathing, is breathing rapidly, or can’t eat or drink because of their cough. You should also seek care if your child is more sleepy or tired than usual, or has a high fever. If your child has a history of heart or lung problems, including asthma, it’s best to seek care as soon as they get sick. You shouldn’t give children cough syrup that contains whiskey or bourbon. No amount of alcohol is safe for kids. Even small amounts can make young children and babies intoxicated and may affect brain development. It’s safer to use natural remedies like lemon water, warm fluids, and pasteurized agave nectar. Honey is also safe for children over 1 year old. There is no “best” OTC cough medicine for kids. Experts recommend not giving cough medicine to kids under 4 years old. For older children, consider treating symptoms with natural remedies like honey, warm fluids, and humidifiers. Pain and fever relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can also help ease other cold symptoms. Seek medical care if your child has any trouble breathing, is breathing rapidly, or can’t eat or drink because of their cough. You should also seek care if your child is more sleepy or tired than usual, or has a high fever. If your child has a history of heart or lung problems, including asthma, it’s best to seek care as soon as they get sick. ## The bottom line Most coughs will go away on their own. While some OTC medications can help soothe a cough, you can also try natural cough remedies. Lemon, ginger, honey, and agave can all help soothe a cough. You can use them alone or together to ease your child’s cough. Experts recommend avoiding OTC cough medications in children younger than 4 years old. A homemade cough syrup made with lemon, ginger, honey, and water can be a safe substitute for children over 12 months old. ![why trust our exports reliability shield](https://www.grxstatic.com/images/reliability.svg) ## Why trust our experts? ![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg) ![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg) Written by: [Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https://www.goodrx.com/about/bio/tracy-norfleet) Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal. ![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp) ![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp) Edited by: [Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https://www.goodrx.com/about/bio/patricia-pinto-garcia) Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine. ![Green trust check mark](https://www.grxstatic.com/images/green-check-mark.svg)[Our editorial standards](https://www.goodrx.com/about/editorial-guidelines) ![Green trust check mark](https://www.grxstatic.com/images/green-check-mark.svg)[Meet our experts](https://www.goodrx.com/about/health#meet-our-healthcare-experts) ## References Abuelgasim, H., et al. (2021). [Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis](https://ebm.bmj.com/content/26/2/57). BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. Cohen, H. A., et al. (2012). [Effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22869830/). Pediatrics. ### View All References (6) Mashhadi, N. S., et al. (2013). [Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: Review of current evidence](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3665023/). International Journal of Preventive Medicine. Murgia, V., et al. (2020). [Upper respiratory tract infection-associated acute cough and the urge to cough: New insights for clinical practice](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7875114/). Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology. National Honey Board. (n.d.). [Honey cough syrup](https://honey.com/recipe/honey-cough-syrup). Nationwide Children’s Hospital. (2022). [Cough and cold medicines](https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc). Oduwole, O., et al. (2018). [Honey for acute cough in children](https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5/full). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Paul, I. M., et al (2014). [Placebo effect in the treatment of acute cough in infants and toddlers: A randomized clinical trial](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/1913623). JAMA Pediatrics. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our [editorial guidelines](https://www.goodrx.com/about/editorial-guidelines). Abuelgasim, H., et al. (2021). [Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis](https://ebm.bmj.com/content/26/2/57). BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. Cohen, H. A., et al. (2012). [Effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22869830/). Pediatrics. Mashhadi, N. S., et al. (2013). [Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: Review of current evidence](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3665023/). International Journal of Preventive Medicine. Murgia, V., et al. (2020). [Upper respiratory tract infection-associated acute cough and the urge to cough: New insights for clinical practice](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7875114/). Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology. National Honey Board. (n.d.). [Honey cough syrup](https://honey.com/recipe/honey-cough-syrup). Nationwide Children’s Hospital. (2022). [Cough and cold medicines](https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc). Oduwole, O., et al. (2018). [Honey for acute cough in children](https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5/full). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Paul, I. M., et al (2014). [Placebo effect in the treatment of acute cough in infants and toddlers: A randomized clinical trial](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/1913623). JAMA Pediatrics. ![Newsletter Subscription](https://www.grxstatic.com/images/notification-email-female.svg) #### Subscribe and save Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. 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Readable Markdown	## Key takeaways: - You don’t always need cough medicine to ease a cough. Natural ingredients can help too. - Experts don’t recommend cough medicine for children younger than 4 years old. You can use natural ingredients to help instead. - Honey, lemon, agave nectar, and ginger may all help ease a child’s cough. But don’t give honey to children younger than 12 months old. Did you know people spend an [estimated \$4 billion](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7875114/) worldwide on cough medication each year? That’s a lot of cough medicine. If your child has a cough from a cold, you may wonder if cough medication is the only option. But you might not need it. Most coughs go away on their own, and you can use natural ingredients to get relief. Natural remedies are especially good for young children, since experts [recommend](https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/cough-and-cold-medicine-over-the-counter-otc#:~:text=FDA%20and%20American%20Academy%20of,doctor%20or%20health%20care%20provider.) against giving children younger than 4 years old cough medications. They also recommend speaking with a pediatrician before giving cough medicine to children between 4 and 7 years old. If your child’s struggling with a cough, here’s how to use natural ingredients to make homemade cough syrup for kids. Yes, you can make your own cough syrup at home. But there are no standard or expert-advised recipes for making your own homemade cough syrup. An [ideal cough syrup](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7875114/) would soothe your throat, ease pain, and moisten your throat and upper airways. This helps reduce the cough reflex. You also want a natural cough syrup to be sweet and slightly thick. These properties prompt your body to make more saliva, which also helps keep your throat moist. Here are four ingredients that work well together to make a natural cough suppressant syrup: - Fresh lemon juice - Honey - Agave nectar - Ginger We’ll go over each ingredient in detail later, but one way to combine all four is with this [homemade cough syrup recipe](https://honey.com/recipe/honey-cough-syrup): 1. Combine the zest of 2 lemons, ¼ cup peeled ginger (or ½ tsp of ground ginger), and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. 2. Bring the mixture to boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Strain the mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup. 4. Rinse the saucepan and add 1 cup of honey or agave nectar. Warm gently, but don’t boil. 5. Add the strained lemon-ginger water and ½ cup lemon juice. 6. Stir the mixture until it forms into a thick syrup. 7. Pour it into a clean jar with a lid. Let it cool, then store in the refrigerator. You can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp every 2 to 4 hours as needed for their cough. Now that you’ve got the recipe, let’s take a closer look at each ingredient. We’ll see how they work and learn other ways you can use them. Lemon is a common ingredient for natural cough and cold remedies. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be safely given to babies older than 3 months old and children of all ages. Compare prices and information on the most popular Cold Symptoms medications. You don’t need much lemon juice to soothe a cough or sore throat. A teaspoon or two at a time is enough. Most children won’t drink straight lemon juice because of its sour taste. That’s why it works best when mixed with something else, like the homemade syrup above. You can also add lemon juice to warm fluids. Giving your child warm fluids can help thin mucus, relax airways, and keep them hydrated. [The vapors](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cold-symptoms/common-cold-self-care) act as a mini humidifier. Try adding 2 tsp of lemon juice to tea, warm water, or even warm apple juice. There’s no strict limit on how often you can give lemon juice (or fluids containing it), but it’s probably best to limit it to four times a day or less. Too much acidic juice may upset your child’s stomach. To make the drink easier for your child to enjoy, you can add sugar. If your child is over 12 months old, you can use honey to sweeten tea or other warm drinks. Honey is nature’s cough remedy. [Strong evidence](https://ebm.bmj.com/content/26/2/57) shows that [honey can ease coughs](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cough/does-honey-help-cough) and works better than over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, [especially for kids](https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5/full). Honey also contains antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation in your throat. Its thick texture coats the back of your throat, easing the cough reflex. You can give your child 1 tsp to 2 tsp of honey as needed to ease their cough. In [studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22869830/), 1 tsp of honey helped children sleep better at night when they had a cough. You can also add honey to warm fluids or tea to give your child the added benefit of extra hydration. Keep in mind, honey isn’t safe for babies younger than 1 year old. Giving honey to a baby can lead to [botulism](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/botulism/what-is-botulism-and-why-is-it-deadly), a serious and sometimes deadly infection. Agave syrup comes from the sap of the [agave plant](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/natural-sweeteners). It contains minerals, vitamins, and [polyphenols](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/phytochemicals-types-benefits), which are antioxidants. Agave nectar is similar to honey in several ways. Both are thick, sweet, and contain antioxidants, so they may ease coughs in similar ways. But there’s less evidence supporting agave nectar compared with honey. That’s why most experts recommend honey for kids when possible. Unlike honey, pasteurized agave nectar isn’t [linked to botulism illness](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/1913623). So, it may be a safe substitute for children between 3 and 12 months old. It’s still a good idea to check with your child’s pediatrician before giving agave to your baby. Ginger root is a spice with [medicinal benefits](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/supplements-herbs/is-ginger-good-for-health) used by many cultures. Ginger has [anti-inflammatory properties](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3665023/), which may ease inflammation from colds. You can add ginger, along with lemon and honey (or agave), to warm fluids to help a cough. You can also use it in the homemade cough syrup described above. Ginger has a very strong taste, so children usually won’t eat it plain. You can use either fresh ginger or powdered ginger as a cough aid. You only need a small amount of either. For a cup of warm fluids, add ⅛ tsp of powdered ginger or ½ tsp of fresh, peeled, grated ginger. ## The bottom line Most coughs will go away on their own. While some OTC medications can help soothe a cough, you can also try natural cough remedies. Lemon, ginger, honey, and agave can all help soothe a cough. You can use them alone or together to ease your child’s cough. Experts recommend avoiding OTC cough medications in children younger than 4 years old. A homemade cough syrup made with lemon, ginger, honey, and water can be a safe substitute for children over 12 months old. ![why trust our exports reliability shield](https://www.grxstatic.com/images/reliability.svg) ![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg) ![Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/5JdOTaZn5NXTWZqg9iqGJb/836a6acf80601340b3c48b55ecfd6d65/tracy_norfleet_goodrx_headshot.jpg) Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal. ![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp) ![Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH](https://images.ctfassets.net/4f3rgqwzdznj/2dDvNXrERRVqdM7HSwMXM3/a275e108f92951b2519abcc3973a31cf/patricia_pinto-garcia_goodrx.webp) Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our [editorial guidelines](https://www.goodrx.com/about/editorial-guidelines).
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