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Grandmothers Swear By This Onion-Honey Syrup For A Sore Throat

Author:

Zuza Zak

October 24, 2024

Food Writer

By Zuza Zak

Food Writer

Zusa Zak is the author of four cookbooks. She holds a food-focused PhD from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at University College London.

Image by iStock

October 24, 2024

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This is the syrup of my childhood nightmares. I find the taste too sickly sweet to bear. However, it is a medicine and, as such, it's not there to be enjoyed. I could not leave this syrup out of a book on Slavic remedies because it was the main medicine that I was given as a child at the first sign of a sore throat—we were all given it!

Many Poles still swear by the syrup's effectiveness, and plenty of people don't even find it horrible anymore, as they are so used to it. The lemon juice works to improve the taste and preserve it too.

Note: This syrup is now recommended for children over 3.

Makes: 1 x 250-ml/9-fl-oz bottle

The much dreaded yet extremely effective onion syrup for a sore throat

Ingredients

1 large white onion, roughly chopped
5–6 tablespoons good-quality runny honey
3 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
250 ml/9 fl oz sterilized glass jar
250 ml/9 fl oz sterilized glass bottle

Directions

Place the chopped onion in the jar. Spoon in the honey, making sure the onion is completely covered. Seal the jar with the lid and shake it.
Leave in a warm place for 48 hours, shaking the jar whenever you remember (three times a day would be ideal).
After 48 hours, you will have plenty of syrup. Strain out the onion and pour the syrup into the sterilized bottle. If you would like to add lemon juice, then add it now.
Drink 1 tablespoon three times a day when you feel a sore throat coming on. This syrup is said to lose its potency after 2 weeks. Store in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place.