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Thyme tea for a cough

Thyme tea with a spoonful of honey, for a chesty cough.

Traditional use

Time
15 minutes
Makes
1 cup
Thyme

Thyme is one of the best-known European herbs for coughs. The European Medicines Agency recognises thyme as a traditional remedy for a productive (chesty) cough associated with a cold.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp dried thyme (1–2 g)
  • 150 ml boiling water
  • 1 tsp honey

Step by step

  1. Pour the boiling water over the thyme.
  2. Cover, steep for 10 minutes and strain.
  3. Stir in the honey once the tea has cooled a little. Drink 3–4 cups a day.

Tips

  • Fresh thyme from the garden works too: use a few sprigs.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 98

    Thyme

    Thymus vulgaris

    Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.