The Onion and Brown Sugar Syrup herbal preparation utilizes pungent and sweet flavors to help with reducing phlegm, getting rid of dampness, dispersing cold and circulating qi and blood.
This preparation is more geared towards wind-cold nature as both ingredients are warming and dispersing along with coughs that have a lot of white phlegm.
Respiratory infections in Chinese Medicine relate to various pathologies and diagnoses depending on the nature of how it appears in the body with wind-cold being one diagnosis.
Wind-cold symptoms usually include chills, stiffness (especially in the neck), headache, sneezing and possibly cold feet. When I’m doubt, consult an East Asian Medicine Practitioner (many of us also offer herbal telehealth sessions now so that way we can support you in this way without spreading illness) 😉
I personally love making this preparation especially with children and teens because you get to see how when these two ingredients interact, within 20-30 minutes, the syrup forms. It is science in action.
Onions contain sulfur which is helpful in metabolizing the food that we eat, improving cardiovascular health, lowering cholesterol and supporting the health of your skin, ligaments and tendons. Onions also contain quercitin which also helps improve cardiovascular health.
In Chinese Medicine Theory, onions enter the liver, large intestine, lung and stomach. They are warm and pungent and help to reduce phlegm, clear dampness, circulate qi and blood and dispel cold.
Brown sugar enters the spleen, liver and stomach. It replenishes qi, slows the neutralization of food, strengthens the spleen and warms the stomach, promotes blood circulation and dispels cold.
Ingredients:
White Onion - 1 medium size or large size depending on the jar size you’re using.
Brown Sugar - not necessarily a measured size as you’ll be creating layers with the onion.
Directions:
Wash, cut and dice onion.
In the jar that you’ll be using, you’ll be making layers with the onion and brown sugar.
Add-in one layer of onion to the jar so it covers the surface.
Once that layer is covered, add in a layer of brown sugar.
Add another layer of onion and continue layering with brown sugar and then the onion until you reach to the top of the jar.
Close the jar with the lid and let sit for 20-30 minutes.
After this time, you should have a syrupy liquid forming. Sometimes it may take longer depending on the size of the jar.
Store in the fridge.
You can use this both preventatively as well as during the time of having a wind-cold or with coughs with white phlegm.
This preparation is also safe for children (above 3 years), teens and adults to take.
Recommended Dosage:
Children (1 teaspoon daily or 2 teaspoons twice daily if having a cough with phlegm).
Adults ( 1 tablespoon daily or 2 tablespoons twice daily if having a cough with phlegm).
Note that these are recommended generalizations and each person may require different doses depending on what's presented. For further support seek out the guidance of an East Asian Medicine Practitioner.
Other ways to use: You can also use this preparation in cooking to season meat, to add into soups or other daily food preparations to add-in. It does not have to be just taking the preparation alone. It can also be adding it into your daily food preparations as well as you see fit.
Note that while this herbal preparation could be very supportive as a preventative and during having a cough with phlegm, there also are times where it may not be enough further herbal support may be needed. If this applies to you, we do offer acute care herbal consultations via telehealth that you can book here.
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