Chinese Herbal Syrups: How to Use Them

Chinese Herbal Syrups: Simple Recipes for Coughs & Sore Throats

 

Quick Answer To How To Make An Herbal Syrup

A Chinese herbal syrup is a sweet, concentrated remedy made by simmering herbs into a strong tea and blending it with honey or rock sugar. Use them when you want gentle support for coughs, sore throats, or dryness. Popular herbs include licorice root (Gan Cao), loquat leaf (Pi Pa Ye), fritillaria bulb (Chuan Bei Mu), honeysuckle flower (Jin Yin Hua), and ophiopogon root (Mai Men Dong).

What Is a Chinese Herbal Syrup?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), syrups are a time-tested way to deliver herbs in a form that’s tasty and soothing.

  • Texture: Thick, sweet, and spoonable.

  • Purpose: Moistens the throat, calms coughs, and delivers herbs in an easy-to-take form.

  • History: First used in classical formulas where honey or rock sugar was added to preserve herbs and mask bitterness.

Fun Fact: The famous Chinese cough syrup Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa has been used for over 70 years and is based on the same principles you’ll learn here.

When Should You Use Herbal Syrups?

  • For Coughs – especially dry, tickly, or irritating coughs.

  • For Sore Throats – when the throat feels raw, hoarse, or inflamed.

  • During Seasonal Changes – dryness in autumn or colds in winter.

  • For Children & Sensitive Adults – syrups mask bitterness better than teas.

Pro Tip: Use syrups short-term (1–2 weeks) during active symptoms. For ongoing wellness, rotate with teas, tinctures, or decoctions.

Herbal Syrup vs Tea vs Tincture: Which Should You Use?

Form Best For Taste Shelf Life Quick Notes
Syrup Coughs, sore throats, kids Sweet 2–4 weeks refrigerated Soothing & palatable
Tea/Decoction Daily wellness, multiple herbs Bitter to mild 1–2 days Stronger extraction, but less shelf-stable
Tincture Long-term support, portability Strong 1–3 years Alcohol preserves potency

Syrups = comfort + kid-friendly. Teas = daily strength. Tinctures = long-term backup.

How to Make a Chinese Herbal Syrup (Step by Step)

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried Chinese herbs (single herb or formula blend)

  • 4 cups water

  • 1 cup honey or rock sugar

Method

  1. Simmer Herbs – Place herbs in water, simmer until reduced by half.

  2. Strain – Remove herbs, keeping only the liquid.

  3. Sweeten – Add honey (off heat) or rock sugar while warm. Stir until dissolved.

  4. Store – Pour into sterilized glass jars. Refrigerate up to 4 weeks.

Pro Tip: Add honey only after the liquid cools below 120°F (49°C) to preserve enzymes.

Best Chinese Herbs for Syrups

Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

  • Why: Moistens throat, harmonizes formulas.

  • Use: Almost every syrup includes it.

Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf)

  • Why: Clears heat, calms cough, moistens throat.

  • Use: Famous in loquat-based cough syrups.

Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb)

  • Why: Softens phlegm, relieves dry cough.

  • Use: Often paired with loquat leaf.

Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower)

  • Why: Clears heat, eases sore throats.

  • Use: Great for hot, inflamed conditions.

Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root)

  • Why: Moistens dryness, supports Yin.

  • Use: Ideal for hoarseness or throat dryness.

Two Simple Chinese Herbal Syrup Recipes

Loquat & Fritillaria Syrup (Cough Relief)

  • ½ cup loquat leaf (Pi Pa Ye)

  • ½ cup fritillaria bulb (Chuan Bei Mu)

  • 4 cups water → reduce to 2 cups

  • Strain, add 1 cup honey

Use: 1–2 teaspoons as needed for cough relief.

Licorice & Honeysuckle Syrup (Sore Throat Soother)

  • ½ cup licorice root (Gan Cao)

  • ½ cup honeysuckle flower (Jin Yin Hua)

  • 4 cups water → reduce to 2 cups

  • Strain, add 1 cup rock sugar

Use: 1 teaspoon every few hours to ease throat irritation.

Pro Tips for Perfect Syrups

  • Add Vitamin C-rich herbs (like goji berries) to boost shelf life.

  • Always label your jar with date and ingredients.

  • Use dark bottles to protect from light damage.

  • For children under 1 year: use rock sugar instead of honey.

FAQs

Q: What is the best syrup for coughs?
A: A loquat and fritillaria syrup is the most traditional choice.

Q: What is the best syrup for sore throats?
A: Licorice and honeysuckle syrup is widely used for throat comfort.

Q: How long does homemade syrup last?
A: About 2–4 weeks refrigerated.

Q: Can I take herbal syrups daily?
A: Use short-term during discomfort; for daily support, use teas or tinctures.

Shop These Herbs

Buy Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye)
Buy Fritillaria Bulb (Chuan Bei Mu)
Buy Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
Buy Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua)
Buy Ophiopogon Root (Mai Men Dong)

Why This Still Matters Today

In a world full of cough syrups with artificial colors and chemicals, Chinese herbal syrups remain a trusted, natural solution. They connect you to tradition while giving your body what it needs: gentle, effective relief.

When you buy from us, you’re not just getting herbs — you’re joining a community that values authentic tradition, quality sourcing, and your family’s wellness.

 

 

References

Key Supporting Studies & What They Show

Topic Study / Citation What It Supports / Caveats
Herbal medicine improves cough outcomes Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Chronic Cough: a systematic review PubMed In many RCTs, herbal medicine (as used in Chinese medicine) was associated with improved cough-related quality of life, total effective rates, and lower recurrence. But methodological quality is variable.
Herbal medicine vs placebo in adult cough Herbal Medicine for Adult Patients with Cough Variant Asthma PubMed Moderate-quality evidence from some trials: herbal medicine was associated with reduced cough symptom scores vs placebo or montelukast.
Herbs for postinfectious cough Chinese Herbal Medicine for Postinfectious Cough PMC Shows that Chinese herbal medicine may improve core symptoms and provide earlier antitussive (anti-cough) effects compared to conventional or placebo treatments.
Fritillaria bulb pharmacology (Beimu / Chuan Bei Mu) Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Beimu) review PubMed Details traditional uses and modern pharmacological evidence that the Fritillaria bulb is used to “cure cough, inflammation, bronchitis,” supporting your use of it in a syrup.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) anti-inflammatory / antiviral / cough use The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice PMC
The anti-inflammatory activity of licorice, a widely used herb PMC		 Licorice is widely studied; shows antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities, and traditional uses for cough / expectorant effects.
Chinese herbal syrup / syrup-like preparation in children with respiratory illness Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine children’s Zibei Xuanfei syrup PubMed Clinical RCT: in children with acute tracheobronchitis, this herbal syrup showed high effectiveness and acceptable safety compared to control. Good anchor for “Chinese herbal syrups are used clinically.”
Herbs for sore throat / upper respiratory symptoms Chinese medicinal herbs for sore throat PMC Reviews the existing trials of Chinese herbs for sore throat; authors find that evidence is limited, so this is a cautious support (not definitive).
Heat-clearing Chinese herbs (including Jin Yin Hua) Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects of Heat-Clearing Chinese Herbs PMC Shows several “heat-clearing” herbs (e.g., Jin Yin Hua, Huang Qin) have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Supports your use of those herbs in syrups for sore/inflamed throat.
General mechanisms of herbal drugs for cough Proposed mechanisms of action of herbal drugs and their constituents on cough PMC This review covers how plant compounds can act on various pathways relevant to cough (mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, etc.), giving mechanistic plausibility.
Use in acute bronchitis Chinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis: systematic review PMC A review summarizing evidence for Chinese herbs in treating bronchitis, which is relevant to respiratory / cough / throat conditions.
Honey for cough / upper respiratory symptoms Honey for treatment of cough in children PMC
Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory infections PubMed		 While not Chinese herbs, these support the inclusion of honey (or sweeteners) in a syrup as an evidence-backed component for symptomatic relief.

 

 

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