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Moderate evidenceImmunity

Herbal Cough Syrups

Syrups built on ivy leaf, thyme and honey. The evidence is better than for most herbal categories, though the effects are small and the trials are largely manufacturer-funded.

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What the science says

  • Thyme and ivy for acute bronchitis Moderate evidence

    A prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 361 adults with acute bronchitis and productive cough found a thyme-ivy fluid extract reduced coughing fits faster than placebo, with about a two-day advantage in reaching a 50% reduction.

  • Ivy leaf across respiratory infections Limited evidence

    An updated systematic review of ivy leaf for acute upper respiratory tract infections found consistently positive but methodologically weak evidence, dominated by open-label and manufacturer-sponsored studies, and concluded that firm efficacy claims are not yet justified.

  • Honey for acute cough in children Moderate evidence

    A Cochrane review found honey probably reduces cough frequency and severity in children more than no treatment or placebo, and performs about as well as dextromethorphan. The certainty of evidence was rated moderate to low.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe thyme-ivy trial used 5.4 mL of fluid extract three times daily for 11 days. Ivy-only syrups typically supply 35 mg of dry extract two to three times daily for adults. Honey trials used roughly 2.5-10 mL as a single evening dose in children.
SafetyDo not give honey to infants under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. Ivy leaf can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, and allergic reactions occur. Many syrups contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar; check the label if you have diabetes or are giving it to a child. Cough lasting more than three weeks, or with fever, breathlessness or blood, needs medical assessment rather than a syrup.

How to take it

TimingTwo to three times daily for ivy or thyme preparations; honey works best as a single dose in the evening.
With food?Either way, but avoid drinking immediately afterwards so the syrup stays in contact with the throat.
Worth knowingNo honey under 12 months — infant botulism is the reason, and it applies to every honey-containing syrup.

Frequently asked questions

Do herbal cough syrups with ivy and thyme work?

Herbal cough syrups have moderate evidence: in a placebo-controlled trial in 361 adults with acute bronchitis, a thyme-ivy extract reached a 50% reduction in coughing fits about two days sooner. Broader ivy leaf evidence is weaker and largely manufacturer-sponsored, and the effects are small.

Does honey help a child's cough?

A Cochrane review found honey probably reduces cough frequency and severity in children more than no treatment or placebo, and performs about as well as dextromethorphan (moderate to low certainty). Honey trials used roughly 2.5–10 mL as a single evening dose, and honey must never be given under 12 months because of infant botulism.

How much ivy leaf cough syrup should I take?

Ivy-only herbal cough syrups typically supply 35 mg of dry extract two to three times daily for adults; the thyme-ivy trial used 5.4 mL of fluid extract three times daily for 11 days. Avoid drinking immediately afterwards so the syrup stays in contact with the throat.

When should a cough be checked instead of treated with syrup?

A cough lasting more than three weeks, or with fever, breathlessness or blood, needs medical assessment rather than a herbal cough syrup. Also check labels for alcohol and sugar if you have diabetes or are treating a child.

Scientific references

Related in Immunity

Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)