My grandmother's homemade syrup cures the worst cough. Only 3 ingredients for cough, flu and cold syrup. Ingredients: 12 tablespoons of sugar. 12 bay leaves. 1 cup of water 1/2 Lemon 2nd recipe: Lemon and apple. a piece of ginger root. Cinnamon stick. 3 - 4 cloves 3 cups of water. 1 tablespoon honey optional