Homemade Cough Syrup

Little by little, I'm flying the coop, I know :)! We've had the "sickos" around here and, although I'm not sure if we are fighting allergies or colds, we have been fighting nagging coughs, and more recently, runny noses and congestion.

I'd heard that there were lots of homemade tonics that did a good job if not a better job of some conventional alternatives. So...I googled...and found this from Natural Family Online:

Thyme-Honey Syrup

Thyme is an excellent expectorant as well as an anti-microbial herb, and honey not only soothes but acts as a preservative as well. I keep this wonderful-tasting syrup in my refrigerator all winter long. It can be used for colds, coughs, laryngitis and sore throats.
• Steep 1 ounce of dried thyme leaf (Thymus vulgaris) in 1 cup boiled water, covered, until cool.
• Strain; mix the liquid with 1 cup of honey.
• Store refrigerated in a glass jar. It keeps well for several months.
• Give undiluted doses of 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon several times a day as needed.

We tried it and it was great. Sumo's cough had been labored and unproductive. After taking a few teaspoons throughout the day and sleeping with a vaporizer, things were loosened up and moving along much better. By the next day, there was no coughing at all. Also, we did use local, raw, unfiltered honey. I've read that this is the best kind to get.

In general we have a few supplements/habits that we use to keep our immune systems in tip-top shape. We'll continue with those while I go off now to find something to try for some of our other nagging symptoms.