My first encounter with this simple home remedy was about 30 years ago. I showed up at my boyfriend’s house with a miserable cold. He had no idea how to help—but his mother, a well-known healer, reminded him to give me onion juice and honey syrup. Blech! I thought it sounded like the most unappetizing idea ever.

Fortunately, she prepared it herself, and to my surprise it tasted much better than expected. In fact, it was soothing and pleasant, and I polished off the whole batch. Soon after, I felt relief.

Fast forward to 2020: my mother, then 94, was struggling with a lingering cough that had lasted over a month. She’d already tried two rounds of antibiotics without success. I suggested the onion-and-honey syrup. She made it daily for over a week, and the cough finally resolved. She had misheard me and also marinated the onions in honey “and vinegar”—then ate the onions too. Luckily, she loves raw onions, and I’m sure that extra dose contributed to her recovery. (For the record, she’s now a robust 100-year-old centurion!)

The onion and honey remedy

Here’s the simple recipe as I know it:

Ingredients

  • 1 medium raw onion, thinly sliced
  • 2–3 tablespoons raw honey (or enough to cover the onion slices)

Instructions

  1. Place the sliced onion on a plate and cover with a clear glass bowl.
  2. Cover completely with honey.
  3. Let sit for several hours (or overnight) until the onions release their juices and creates a syrup. It’s best to place it in the sun if possible.
  4. Strain if desired, or simply spoon out the syrup from the softened onions.

How to use it: Take 1 tablespoon every few hours for coughs or sore throats. The onions themselves can also be eaten.

Why onions and honey helps

From a modern perspective, onions and honey both have antimicrobial and soothing properties:

  • Onions contain sulfur compounds that may help clear mucus and ease congestion.
  • Honey is naturally antimicrobial and coats the throat, easing irritation.
  • From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, onions are pungent and slightly bitter, helping to disperse stagnant Qi and clear heat. The Lung system in TCM is associated with the color white — so white foods like onions, leeks, and garlic are often thought to benefit lung health.

A note of caution

While this is a traditional remedy enjoyed by many, it’s not a replacement for professional medical care. If a cough persists or worsens, consult a healthcare provider. Honey should not be given to children under 1 year old.

Closing thoughts

Sometimes the simplest remedies are the most comforting. Onions and honey may not sound appealing at first, but I’ve seen it work— from my younger self with a cold, to my 94-year-old mother shaking off a stubborn cough. It’s easy, natural, and worth trying the next time your lungs need a little support.