If you or your family are suffering from colds or sore throats this winter, you don’t need to head straight to the drug store. If you’ve got a few simple ingredients, you can whip up an effective and all-natural homemade cough syrup from your pantry.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Honey: local honey has anti-bacterial properties and helps provide relief for your symptoms.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: use the unfiltered and unpasteurized type. It’s got a plethora of health benefits, has germ busting properties and helps to clear up those sinuses.
• Ground Ginger: you can ground up some ginger yourself or just use the pre-ground stuff. This works as an anti-inflammatory and relieves congestion.
• Cayenne Pepper: the heat from this spice helps to improve circulation. It also contains natural pain relievers.

To make a single dose of this powerful stuff, you’ll want to use 1 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper and 1/4 tsp of ground ginger. This recipe is completely safe though, so if you add more or less of any of these ingredients, it’s ok!

Check out the full post over at The Creek Line House’s DIY Homemade All-Natural Cough Syrup.