Cough Syrup From Ribwort Leaves

Without this syrup, we would need kilos of cough sweets every year during the cold season. This is how to make an inexpensive and effective treatment for cough.

Plantago lanceolata

ribwort plantain, narrowleaf plantain, English plantain,ribleaf, lamb's tongue, buckhorn

German: Spitzwegerich, auch Spießkraut, Lungenblattl [Lungs leaf]

Français: Plantain lancéolé, Plantain étroit

Español: Llantén menor

Italiano: piantaggine lanciuola

Cough syrup at the pharmacy: 5-15€

What? I can do that cheaper! When the throat really itches.... hmm, now a spoonful of cough syrup!

• Sugar (1.19€/kg in 2022) or brown sugar (3.78€/kg in 2022)
• ribwort plantain (~200 leafs = 120g)
• water
• (honey)
• Screw-top glasses, used of course and cleaned

+ pot, scales, blender, wooden spoon

The ribwort plantain was originally only native to Europe. But even my conversation encyclopaedia from 1896 says that it is now widespread worldwide. It is often found in greasy meadows, in park lawns, along paths and in fields. In the Alps, it can occur at altitudes of up to 1700m.

"Ribwort contains iridoid glycosides such as aucubin, catalpol, asperuloside, mucilages, tannins, silicic acid and saponins. It soothes irritation and is a mild cough suppressant. It is used against catarrh of the bronchial passages and inflammatory changes in the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat." *

After insect bites, ribwort, crushed and applied to the bite, has a cooling or pain-relieving effect.

The ribwort syrup is made from freshly collected, washed leaves.

Prepare a pot, scales, blender, wooden spoon, sugar (possibly honey) and small jars.

• Dissolve 750g sugar in a little water and then heat it up.

• In the meantime, puree the ribwort as fine as possible. Add the ribwort smoothie to the sugar. Simmer until it becomes a syrup (about 10 minutes). Stir frequently.

• While it is simmering, prepare the jars: Pour boiling water into the clean jars up to the rim. Sterilise the tops in a jar of boiling water. Leave to stand for a few minutes.

• When the syrup is ready, carefully pour the mixture (syrup and leaf particles) into the sterilised jars using a funnel. Leave as little air as possible in the jars. Put the lid on, close tightly and leave to cool.

Helps with coughs and bronchitis, and is also good for the stomach and intestines: Take two to three teaspoons a day, eating very slowly.

Always use a fresh teaspoon!

Now you have a treatment, a small gift, a little present, something homemade for kids, neighbours and friends.



I make the syrup in the summer for every winter season. Recently I found a three year old jar .... well, it was still good! At least you can still sweeten your tea with it. You want to be economical ...

Disclaimer:

This is not an approved medicine, manufacture and use at your own risk!

Costs (2022):

with white sugar : 0.89 €

with brown sugar: 2.84 €

with white sugar/honey 1:1:   0.45 + 3.22 = 3.67 €

And at least as effective as the stuff from the pharmacy. Really! We have been using it for many years.