By November, a cough seems to move into the house for the winter. It starts with one child at the breakfast table, works its way round the rest of the family, and lingers long after the sniffles have gone.
Most grandparents had a winter remedy of their own, from a hot honey drink to a syrup made on the stove. Today, many parents ask us which herbal remedies might help, and just as importantly, which ones are safe for children.
So which herbs can help your family through winter coughs? This guide covers the everyday habits that matter most, the gentle options on our own shelves, and the safety rules every parent should know.
What helps most when a cough moves into the house?
Most colds clear up on their own, and the NHS says you should usually start to feel better within one to two weeks1. Rest, plenty of fluids and warm drinks are the foundations for the whole family.
A warm honey and lemon drink is a familiar comfort, but never give honey to babies under 12 months1. Some cough and cold medicines are not suitable for children either, so always check the label1.
Why does sleep matter so much?
One everyday habit matters long before anyone opens a bottle. In a 2015 study of 164 adults given cold virus nasal drops, those who slept less than six hours a night were 4.2 times more likely to catch a cold than those who slept more than seven2.
That study was in adults, but regular bedtimes and a dark, cool bedroom are good habits for everyone. We share more everyday ideas in our post on school bugs and our winter coughs, colds and flu guide.
What can you give children from the Napiers shelf?
When a little one is coughing, most parents want something gentle, free from alcohol and pleasant enough to actually swallow. Two of our syrups were made with the whole family in mind.
Our Wild Elderberry Elixir is a concentrated, alcohol free elderberry syrup with no added sugar, blended with warming herbs such as ginger and cinnamon. Each 5ml serving provides vitamin C, which contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Our Wild Cherry Bark Syrup is a pleasant tasting syrup traditionally used to support the respiratory system, made to be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Always follow the age guidance and serving size on the label. If you are unsure whether something suits your child, our herbalists are very happy to help you choose.
Elecampane, the cottage garden herb for the chest
Elecampane (Inula helenium) has stood in British herb gardens for centuries, tall and sunny with ragged yellow flowers. Its Latin name carries a legend, as helenium is said to refer to Helen of Troy, whose fallen tears were supposed to have become those flowers3.
A sweet that doubled as a remedy
Elecampane was probably brought to Britain as a medicinal herb in the tenth century3. The root was boiled and candied in sugar syrup, and it was eaten both as a treat and as a traditional remedy for the chest3.
Medieval herbals described it as clearing the chest of phlegm, and the Greek physician Dioscorides recommended the root for coughs4. A candied cake made with elecampane was still being sold on the streets of London in the late eighteenth century4.
The root where inulin was first found
The root also held a secret the old herbalists could not have known. In 1804, the Berlin chemist Valentine Rose found a new kind of starch in elecampane, which we now call inulin5.
You can read more about this fibre in our post on how gut health affects immunity.
What does the science say about elecampane?
Clinical trials of elecampane are still lacking6. So we see it as a traditional chest herb with a long history, rather than a proven remedy.
Our Elecampane Root Tincture is made from the root, and our dried Elecampane Root suits adults who like to make their own. You might enjoy our guide on how to make your own cough syrup.
Do not give alcohol based tinctures, including our Elecampane Root Tincture, to children unless a qualified herbalist has advised it. Elecampane belongs to the daisy family and may cause reactions in people allergic to plants in that family6. Its safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, so it is best avoided at those times6.
What about echinacea and elderflower?
Many families know echinacea and elderflower as traditional winter companions. Our Echinacea and Elderflower Compound brings the two together, and our Echinacea Root Glycerite is made with glycerine instead of alcohol.
Echinacea is not suitable for children under 12. In 2012, the UK medicines regulator, the MHRA, advised against oral echinacea products for under 12s because of a small risk of allergic reactions such as rashes7. Echinacea also belongs to the daisy family, so anyone with that allergy should avoid it.
When should you seek help for a child's cough or cold?
The NHS advises seeing a GP if a high temperature lasts more than three days, symptoms have not improved after 10 days, or you are worried about your child1.
If you are unsure which herbs suit your family, you can book a free 15 minute consultation with one of our herbalists. Please also speak to your GP or pharmacist, especially for children or anyone taking other medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Which herbs are safe for children's coughs?
No herb suits every child, and evidence in children is limited. Family syrups such as our Wild Elderberry Elixir and Wild Cherry Bark Syrup are made with children in mind, while echinacea is not suitable under 127, so always follow the label and ask a herbalist if unsure.
Can children take echinacea?
Not under the age of 12. The MHRA advised against oral echinacea for this age group because of a small risk of allergic reactions7.
Is Wild Cherry Bark Syrup suitable for children?
Our Wild Cherry Bark Syrup is made to be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Always follow the age guidance and serving size on the label, and ask our herbalists if you are unsure.
What is elecampane traditionally used for?
Elecampane has traditionally been used for coughs and the chest, and its root was once candied as a sweet3. Clinical trials are still lacking6.
Who should avoid elecampane?
Anyone allergic to the daisy family, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should avoid it6. Do not give it to children unless a qualified herbalist has advised it.
Are there alcohol free herbal options?
Yes. Our Wild Elderberry Elixir is alcohol free, and glycerites such as our Echinacea Root Glycerite are made with glycerine instead of alcohol, although echinacea is still not suitable for children under 12.
Does sleep help you fight off colds?
In one study, adults sleeping less than six hours a night were 4.2 times more likely to catch a cold than those sleeping more than seven2.
References
- NHS. Common cold. NHS. nhs.uk.
- Prather, A.A. et al. (2015). Behaviorally assessed sleep and susceptibility to the common cold. Sleep. doi.org.
- Wakefield Museums and Castles (2026). Medieval herb garden blog 81: Elecampane. Wakefield Council. wakefield.gov.uk.
- Larkin, D. (2010). Elecampane. The Medieval Garden Enclosed, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. metmuseum.org.
- Remington, J.P., Wood, H.C. et al. (1918). Inula. The Dispensatory of the United States of America. henriettes-herb.com.
- Drugs.com (2026). Elecampane. Drugs.com Natural Products. drugs.com.
- Starling, S. (2012). UK warns under 12s off echinacea over allergy concerns. NutraIngredients. nutraingredients.com.
