Onion Honey: A Sweet & Savory Natural Remedy for Cold Symptom Relief

Onion Honey: A Sweet and Savory Cold Remedy

Coughs, congestion, and sore throats are common symptoms that can make anyone miserable during cold season. Luckily, nature provides us with powerful ingredients to help soothe these annoying ailments. One surprising combination that packs a punch against colds is onion honey.

What is Onion Honey?

Onion honey is a blend of raw onion juice and pure honey that can be consumed to help relieve cold symptoms. The onion acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and contains compounds that help thin mucus and relieve congestion. The honey coats and soothes the throat while providing antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Benefits of Onion Honey for Colds

There are many science-backed benefits to using onion honey to ease cold misery:

• Soothes sore throat pain and irritation
• Thins and loosens thick mucus due to congestion
• Reduces inflammation in nasal passages and lungs
• Provides antioxidants to support immune function
• Fights viruses and bacteria with antimicrobial effects
• Calms cough by coating nerve endings in the throat

How to Make DIY Onion Honey at Home

Luckily, onion honey couldn't be easier to whip up. Here is a simple DIY recipe:

1. Peel and chop 1 large onion
2. Blend onion in a food processor until liquefied into juice
3. Add onion juice and 1 cup honey to a jar
4. Stir ingredients together until fully mixed
5. Allow to infuse for at least 2 hours before consuming

Be sure to use raw and unfiltered honey for maximum health benefits. Local honey may provide additional immune-boosting properties tailored to your region.

How to Take Onion Honey for Cold Relief

When making DIY remedies like onion honey, it’s always best to start slow and find the right dosage for you. Here are some tips:

• Take 1 tsp straight or mixed with warm lemon water when symptoms first appear
• Gradually increase to 1 tbsp every 2-3 hours as needed for symptom relief
• Can consume up to 1/4 cup per day during acute illness
• Sweeten the flavor by adding to herbal tea or dilution with other juices
• Best taken on an empty stomach about 30 minutes before meals

Onion Honey Drink Recipe

While onion honey can be taken straight from the spoon, the pungent flavor makes it better suited for recipes. Try this tasty honey onion drink for an extra immune boost:

• Juice from 1 lemon
• 1 inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 tbsp raw onion honey
• 1 cup warm water

1. Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender
2. Blend ingredients for 30 seconds until fully mixed
3. Drink entire mixture immediately for best results

The sharp flavors of ginger and lemon balance out the sweet and savory onion honey in this soothing drink. Sip it slowly to allow the vapors to penetrate through your respiratory tract for relief.

Onion Honey Soup Recipe

To get the benefits of onion honey all in one hearty dish, whip up this cold-fighting soup:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1-2 tbsp onion honey
• 1⁄4 lemon, juiced
• Dash cayenne pepper
• 2-3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1. Saute onion, carrots and celery 5 min in broth over medium heat
2. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes until vegetables are tender
3. Remove from heat and carefully puree with an immersion blender
4. Add in onion honey, lemon juice and cayenne pepper, stir well
5. Return to low heat for 2-3 minutes, do not boil
6. Top servings with fresh parsley and enjoy!

This vitamin-packed soup takes advantage of onions’ natural cold-fighting powers. The onion honey adds antiviral and antibacterial properties while taming the bite of potent onion flavor. Savor this soup at the first sign of illness or make a batch ahead to have on standby.

Other Remedies to Pair with Onion Honey

While onion honey can work wonders on its own against colds, combining it with other natural remedies can provide relief on multiple fronts. Here are some of our favorite pairings:

Ginger Lemon Tea

Ginger packs anti-inflammatory heat to open up nasal passages and soothe aches while lemon provides immune-boosting vitamin C. Stir in a spoonful of onion honey to coat and calm your throat.

Apple Cider Vinegar

The antimicrobial powers of raw ACV make it a cold-fighting staple. Add a tablespoon to the onion honey mixture or take them as separate shots for a one-two punch.

Zinc Lozenges

Zinc has been shown in studies to reduce length and severity of cold symptoms. Let a lozenge dissolve slowly in your mouth while allowing onion honey vapors to work its magic.

Neti Pot Rinses

Use a sterile saline solution and neti pot to manually flush out excess mucus. Follow with onion honey taken orally or mixed into tea to soothe irritation from rinsing.

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry is arguably the most popular herbal remedy aimed directly at viruses. Taken together, onion honey and elderberry attack illness on multiple fronts for fast relief.

Onion Honey Precautions

When consumed responsibly, onion honey generally causes very few side effects outside of possible digestive upset or detox symptoms in some. However, here are some important safety notes:

• Avoid in pregnancy due to theoretical risk of uterine stimulation from compounds in onion
• Discontinue use if signs of allergic reaction occur like rash, swelling or anaphylaxis
• Caution with dosage for young children due to potential choking hazard from viscosity
• Not intended for children under 2 years old
• Talk to your doctor before using if you have glucose control issues as honey spikes blood sugar

Overall, onion honey makes for a safe, accessible and highly-effective cold remedy hidden right in your kitchen. Harness the power of this unusual duo and get back to feeling your best quickly and naturally.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.