DIY Herbal Throat Spray Recipe
Learn to make a quick and easy throat spray using tinctures (or herbal tea) and honey. It’s a delicious way to treat sore throats, coughs, and colds!

今天,我分享我是如何将定制的草药ney throat sprays to treat my family’s scratchy and sore throats.
I use raw honey in these, but you can substitutevegetable glycerinfor a vegan product. Also, remember that honey should not be given to children under a year old.
I base my throat sprays on a recipe found in Rosemary Gladstar’s book:Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner’s Guide. The recipe revolves around using tinctures, but if you prefer to avoid alcohol completely, you can substitute a strong herbal tea instead.
I’ll give more details on that below, along with a list of herbs to consider using when designing your spray.
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DIY Herbal Throat Spray Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons total of herbal tincture(s) or tea – see list below
- 2 tablespoon raw honey (or vegetable glycerine)
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Directions to Make
Mix all of the ingredients together and pour the mixture into a 2 ounce glass spray bottle. I buy glass spray bottles atSpecialty Bottle.
Directions to Use
Spray into your mouth, directed towards your throat, as needed to relieve sore throat pain. When made with tinctures, this throat spray will last for several weeks, stored in your refrigerator. Do not give honey containing products to kids under 1 year old.
Herbal Tea Variation
If you don’t want to use alcohol based tinctures, you can make this recipe with a strong herbal tea instead. Just be sure to keep the resulting spray in your refrigerator and be aware that the shelf life will be reduced to about 2 days.
To make a strong herbal tea:
- Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of dried herbs, or 2 to 4 tbsp fresh herbs, in a heat proof jar.
- Pour one cup of simmering hot water over them.
- Let this steep for at least an hour, or more. The longer it steeps, the stronger the tea will be.
- Strain and use in the recipe above instead of the tinctures and water.
- Extra tea can be frozen in ice cube trays for later use.

Herbs to Use in Your Sore Throat Spray Recipes
Be sure to research each herb before use to ensure that it’s not contraindicated for your personal health situation. A persistent or severe sore throat can be a symptom of serious illness and may need evaluation and/or treatment by a health care professional.
Tinctures can be found at your local health store, online (I buy fromMountain Rose HerbsorWoodland Essence), or you can make your own by following the directionsHERE (my recipe for ginger tincture), only using the herb(s) of your choice.
My favorite combination is about 2 tsp spilanthes tincture, 2 to 3 tsp lemon balm & honeysuckle tincture, then the remaining 1 to 2 tsp is made up of small doses each of a variety of tinctures. This makes a slightly throat numbing spray that fights germs while it soothes!
- Spilanthes(Spilanthes acmella) – My favorite addition! It adds atingly numbnessthat is exceptionally helpful when dealing with a raw feeling throat. It’santi-microbialandantiviralin nature andhelps upset stomach. You can buy a high qualityspilanthes tincture/extract at Mountain Rose Herbsor make your own. (Spilanthes is easy to grow!)
- 188app金宝搏网(Melissa officinalis) – isantiviral,calming,soothes nervous stomachand powerful againstcold sores. I use a large amount in throat spray because it’s all around great for so many things. It’s easy tomake your own lemon balm tinctureif you grow it in your garden (I also add honeysuckle when I make mine), but you can also findlemon balm extract/tincture at Mountain Rose Herbs.
- Usnea(Usnea spp) –fights throat, sinus & lung infections, kills bacteria such as strep; you can learn tomake your own usnea tinctureat our family site, Unruly Gardening, orbuy usnea extract (tincture) from Mountain Rose Herbs
- Honeysuckle(Lonicera japonica) –antiviral against colds, coronaviruses, flu; usefulfor coughs, lung conditions, (used in Stephen Buhner’s COPD protocols too)
- Echinacea(Echinacea purpurea) – is another one to help withthroat pain. It also helpsboost your immune system. You can buyechinacea tincture at Mountain Rose Herbsor check your local health store.
- Violet(Viola odorata, V. sororia) – one of my favorite all around plants.舒缓炎症和治愈, also purported tofight oral cancers. Make your own tincture from violets growing in your yard orbuy violet tincture from a small shop on Etsy
- Rose petals(Rosa spp) – arecooling, anti-inflammatory, and astringent. Make your own tincture easily by covering fresh or dried organic or unsprayed rose petals with vodka for four to six weeks.
- Elderberry(Sambucus nigra) – Theclassic antiviral, very effective against influenza. I use the tincture in very small amounts (just a few drops at a time). You can buytincture/extract at Mountain Rose Herbs, ormake your own using my directions HERE, or check your local health store.
- Schisandra(Schisandra chinensis) – A favorite adaptogen, it helps the bodycope with stresses& illness. (You canfind schisandra tincture at Mountain Rose Herbsor make your own with dried berries, soaked overnight.)
- Astragalus(Astragalus membranaceus) – My other favorite adaptogen! It gives a subtleboost of energyand increases theability to fight off colds. You can buyastragalus tincture from Mountain Rose Herbs.
- Ginger– isantibacterial, helpsupset stomach,nauseaandchills. It’ssuper easy to make a tincture using ginger rootbought from your grocery store, or find ready-made atMountain Rose Herbs.
- Purple Dead Nettle(Lamium purpureum) – sometimes used for allergies or inflammation. (Gather from your yard in spring.)
These are just a few ideas for tinctures I tend to grab more often; there are many more options to mix and match.
Invest in a reference book such asMaking Plant Medicineby Richo Cech. It lists many plants, their uses and contraindications, and will give you direction on other herbs to try out. Hands down, it’s the most loved and used book in my personal library!
More Remedies for Cold & Flu Season
- 14 Ways to Use Ground Ginger
- Honey & Lemon Sore Throat Candy Drops
- Herbal Jello
- Easy Ginger Honey Syrup
- Ginger Lemon Honey Tonic
- Sinus & Headache Balm
- 7 Winter Wellness Essential Oil Recipes
- DIY Herbal Cough Drops
- 7 Remedies & Recipes for Dry Chapped Lips
This article was originally published January, 2014 and updated January, 2022.
DIY Herbal Throat Spray Recipe
Equipment
-
1 two-ounce spray bottle
-
measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2tbspherbal tinctures (or herbal tea)
- 2tbsphoney (or vegetable glycerin)
- 1tbspwarm water
- 1/8tsppeppermint extract, or to taste
Instructions
-
Mix all of the ingredients together.
-
Pour into a small spray bottle.
-
To use, spray into your mouth, directing towards your throat.
-
Store in the refrigerator between uses.
-
Shelf life: If using tinctures, 2 to 3 weeks. If using herbal tea, 2 days.
Notes
Herbal Tea Variation
If you don’t want to use alcohol based tinctures, make with a strong herbal tea instead. If using tea, use spray within 2 days. To make a strong herbal tea: Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of dried herbs, or 2 to 4 tbsp fresh herbs, in a heat proof jar. Pour one cup of simmering hot water over them. Let this steep for at least an hour, or more. The longer it steeps, the stronger the tea will be. Strain and use in the recipe above instead of the tinctures and water. Extra tea can be frozen in ice cube trays for later use.Tinctures to Try in Your Sore Throat Spray
My favorite combination is about 2 tsp spilanthes tincture, 2 to 3 tsp lemon balm & honeysuckle tincture, then the remaining 1 to 2 tsp is made up of small doses each of a variety of tinctures. This makes a slightly throat numbing spray that fights germs while it soothes!- Spilanthes(Spilanthes acmella) – My favorite addition! It adds atingly numbnessthat is exceptionally helpful when dealing with a raw feeling throat. It’santi-microbialandantiviralin nature andhelps upset stomach. You can buy a high qualityspilanthes tincture/extract at Mountain Rose Herbsor make your own. (Spilanthes is easy to grow!)
- 188app金宝搏网(Melissa officinalis) – isantiviral,calming,soothes nervous stomachand powerful againstcold sores. I use a large amount in throat spray because it’s all around great for so many things. It’s easy tomake your own lemon balm tinctureif you grow it in your garden (I also add honeysuckle when I make mine), but you can also findlemon balm extract/tincture at Mountain Rose Herbs.
- Usnea(Usnea spp) –fights throat, sinus & lung infections, kills bacteria such as strep; you can learn tomake your own usnea tinctureat our family site, Unruly Gardening, orbuy usnea extract (tincture) from Mountain Rose Herbs
- Honeysuckle(Lonicera japonica) –antiviral against colds, coronaviruses, flu; usefulfor coughs, lung conditions, (used in Stephen Buhner’s COPD protocols too)
- Echinacea(Echinacea purpurea) – is another one to help withthroat pain. It also helpsboost your immune system. You can buyechinacea tincture at Mountain Rose Herbsor check your local health store.
- Violet(Viola odorata, V. sororia) – one of my favorite all around plants.舒缓炎症和治愈, also purported tofight oral cancers. Make your own tincture from violets growing in your yard orbuy violet tincture from a small shop on Etsy
- Rose petals(Rosa spp) – arecooling, anti-inflammatory, and astringent. Make your own tincture easily by covering fresh or dried organic or unsprayed rose petals with vodka for four to six weeks.
- Elderberry(Sambucus nigra) – Theclassic antiviral, very effective against influenza. I use the tincture in very small amounts (just a few drops at a time). You can buytincture/extract at Mountain Rose Herbs, ormake your own using my directions HERE, or check your local health store.
- Schisandra(Schisandra chinensis) – A favorite adaptogen, it helps the bodycope with stresses& illness. (You canfind schisandra tincture at Mountain Rose Herbsor make your own with dried berries, soaked overnight.)
- Astragalus(Astragalus membranaceus) – My other favorite adaptogen! It gives a subtleboost of energyand increases theability to fight off colds. You can buyastragalus tincture from Mountain Rose Herbs.
- Ginger– isantibacterial, helpsupset stomach,nauseaandchills. It’ssuper easy to make a tincture using ginger rootbought from your grocery store, or find ready-made atMountain Rose Herbs.
- Purple Dead Nettle(Lamium purpureum) – sometimes used for allergies or inflammation. (Gather from your yard in spring.)
HI, Jen,
I’ve been looking for a simple throat spray recipe. I’m going to try this next time anyone in my family gets a sore throat.
Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you share.
How is the Herb course going?
Hi Liz, I’m glad you like the recipe! The herb course is going great – still loving it! :)
thanks for all the wonderful information that you provided in your article. I always feel its better to use a natural when possible for any ailment. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Wildcrafting Wednesdays. Have a wonderful healthy day!
Thanks Marla, I’m glad you liked the article and hope you have a wonderful day as well!
I just started making home made soap and I’m so enjoy it ..but I love your recipes & thx for sharing them…
Hi Stella, I’m so happy that you’re enjoying making soap! I’m also glad to know that you like the recipes too! :)
Thanks for sharing your remedies & recipes. I’m a Licensed Nurse, & have had Physician Assistants, Physicians that have recommended some of these for throat irritations & for soothing stomach discomfort. I do a lot of crafts, soap & candle making, lotions & body scrubs, scrapbooking, floral arrangements. Many blessings to you.
Hi Darlene, Thanks for the kind words! It sounds like you have lots of great hobbies (some of my favorites too!) :)
Hi.
I used to work for Julique and they had a spilanthes tincture that one of the executives told me to use for cold sores, etc. They had told me to apply it over the area where i felt one coming up. When I did, it went away and never came through. Once my daughter and I started using the splinathes tincture, we never had cold sores again. Have you had anyone else have this same experience?
Hi Sharilyn! That’s so interesting! Spilanthes is my go-to tincture for cold & flu season, so I definitely can see where it would be useful for cold sores too!
Do you use only one of these herbal tinctures or can you blend the herbs to make on tincture? The only one I don’t have is schisanders, the rest I have?
Hi MoonChild! I often just use one or two, but you could mix and match at will.:)
I am going to try out the throat recipes! Thanks
Hi Mercia! So glad you’re going to give them a try – I hope you find them helpful!
Hi Jan, can you tell me why this recipe (using a propolis tincture) has a short shelf life? Shouldn’t it be good forever? Thanks!
Hi Melissa! Once you dilute the tincture with water & honey, it has a lower level of preservation (alcohol percentage) than straight tincture does. I’ve used propolis tincture in a lotion and sadly it got moldy within a month or so, so it’s a lot less effective when diluted. However, there’s a good chance these throat sprays (at least the tincture based ones) last longer than a few weeks, but I like to play it on the safe side and try to use them up by that time. :)