Natural cough syrup, lozenges and throat teas for cold season

When the first scratchy throat of the season shows up, it helps to know what's on the shelf before you need it. Here's our cold-season corner: Nin Jiom's famous loquat syrup, elderberry syrups from Canadian makers, honey and zinc lozenges for your coat pocket, and throat teas for a warm cup at the end of the day. It's written for families stocking the cupboard for winter, and for anyone who'd rather reach for honey, herbs and a warm drink.

What's on the natural cough syrup shelf

A natural cough syrup is usually built on honey, fruit and herbs instead of synthetic ingredients. Around it sit lozenges, sprays and teas that do a different job: something to dissolve slowly on a dry, scratchy throat, or a warm cup to sip. Here's how the shelf breaks down.

Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa: the famous loquat syrup

If you've ever been handed a spoonful of dark, sweet syrup from a red-and-gold box, it was probably Nin Jiom. Pei Pa Koa simply means "loquat syrup", and Nin Jiom means "in memory of my mother". The formula dates back about a hundred years, to a son who asked a famous physician for a syrup for his mother's lingering cough. The family liked it so much they began making it for everyone else.

Nin Jiom is made with loquat, licorice, coltsfoot and fritillaria in a honey base, with no artificial sweeteners or colouring. We often hear from customers who grew up with a bottle of Nin Jiom in the cupboard, and it's easy to see why: thanks to the honey base, it's thick, sweet and surprisingly pleasant. Many people find a spoonful soothes a scratchy throat. Take it by the spoon as the label directs. For your pocket, Nin Jiom Herbal Candy uses loquat leaf, platycodon root and licorice root with a little menthol for a cool finish, and a tin slips into a pocket for any time of day.

Elderberry syrup for the whole family

Elderberry has a long history in traditional herbal medicine, and elderberry syrup is the bottle a lot of households keep in the cupboard from November to March. The dark berries are cooked down with honey into a sweet, rich syrup that most kids love. We love that two of our favourites come from Canadian makers.

Harmonic Arts is the simplest of the bunch: organic elderberries, spring water, wildflower honey and a little organic cane alcohol. Take it from the spoon, or stir it into warm water or tea. The St. Francis adult formula also has a little alcohol in its base, while SURO's syrup for kids is alcohol-free.

Lozenges and sprays for a scratchy throat

Lozenges slip easily into a coat pocket, desk drawer or school bag. Honey lozenges and drops are sweet and simple. Zinc lozenges add a mineral that plays a part in normal immune function, and TheraZinc pairs it with elderberry. Let them dissolve slowly rather than chewing them, so they coat your throat for longer.

TheraZinc also comes in a pocket-size roll of 14, with 7 mg of zinc and 36 mg of elderberry extract in each raspberry-flavoured lozenge. If you'd rather not have a lozenge in your mouth during a meeting, the TheraZinc oral spray has peppermint oil, menthol and cherry bark, sweetened with stevia.

Slippery elm: tea and powder

Slippery elm lozenges are a classic for a dry, scratchy throat, and it's easy to see why. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree is rich in mucilage, which turns into a smooth, soothing gel when you add water. Slippery elm has played an important role in Native American herbal medicine for hundreds of years.

On our shelf you'll find slippery elm in Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat, a sweet, silky tea with a distinct licorice taste, and as a fine powder from Organic Traditions that you can stir into warm water. A spoonful of powder with honey in a cup of warm water is an easy way to try it.

Warm drinks and a spoon of honey

Honey has long been used to calm a cough, and a warm drink is one of the most comforting things on a cold day. Throat teas lean on licorice, marshmallow root, ginger and lemon for a smooth, warming cup that takes honey well. Licorice root tea is a classic for a sore throat, and its natural sweetness means you need less honey. Our herbal tea guide has more caffeine-free cups for the evening.

Local honey works beautifully too. Our guide to Nova Scotia honey and maple syrup introduces the beekeepers whose jars sit on our shelves.

An easy honey and lemon drink

1. Boil the water. Bring a cup of water to the boil, then let it cool for a minute or two so it's hot but not scalding.
2. Add honey and lemon. Stir in a spoon of honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon. A few slices of fresh ginger are a great addition; if you like the heat, try a ginger shot.
3. Sip it slowly. Keep the mug close and top it up through the day. A Throat Coat tea bag in the same mug works well too.

Stock the cupboard before the first sniffle: a syrup, a bag of lozenges, a box of throat tea and a jar of honey.

Questions we get a lot

What is the best natural syrup for coughs?

It depends on who it's for and what flavour they'll take. Nin Jiom is the classic loquat syrup, SURO and St. Francis make elderberry syrups with amounts for adults and kids, and Harmonic Arts keeps it simple with elderberries and honey. We're happy to help you compare labels in store.

What is the most famous Chinese cough syrup?

Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa. The name means "in memory of my mother", and the loquat and honey syrup has been made for about a hundred years.

What is Nin Jiom good for?

Nin Jiom is a herbal syrup made to soothe the throat. Many people find a spoonful helps a scratchy, tickly throat, and it tastes good enough that it's easy to take.

Is slippery elm good for your throat?

Slippery elm bark is rich in mucilage, which forms a smooth gel with water, and it has a long history of use for a scratchy throat. Throat Coat tea is the easiest way to try it.

Can you take elderberry syrup daily?

Follow the directions on the label. Each syrup gives its own amounts and how often to take them, and some list different amounts for adults and children.

Who should not take elderberry syrup?

Many elderberry syrups are made with honey and propolis, so they aren't for babies under 1 year old or for anyone allergic to bee products. Check the age range on the label for children.

What is the best homemade cough remedy?

A warm mug of water with honey and lemon is the one most families reach for. Honey has long been used to calm a cough, and the warmth feels good on a sore throat.

Cough syrups, lozenges and throat teas are in the wellness section at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. For a family-friendly selection, see our baby and children's shelf. For vitamin C, zinc and elderberry in chewables, gummies, powders and capsules, see our winter immune shelf guide. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.

Sources: St. Francis Herb Farm, About us; product labels.