This may not be a popular stance, but I curse the day that a bunch of dodos couldn’t figure out how to properly medicate their children, leading to a ban of all those fabulous multi-symptom cold medicines and over-the-counter cough syrups for kids. I keep swearing I’m going to bring home a ton of pharmaceutical contraband from my next trip overseas. 

In the meanwhile, this winter has been brutal on my family’s healthy, so I’ve been on the hunt for natural (and legal) remedies to ease the symptoms of endless coughs, colds, and the otherwise unattractive expulsion of bodily fluids. And wouldn’t you know it, I’ve found one natural cough syrup that’s become a staple in our home.

I’m not sure how I first ended up with a bottle of Zarbees natural children’s cough syrup–some press event goody bag perhaps?–but in desperation, I recently cracked open the top and poured a teaspoonful for my hacking daughter. Wouldn’t you know it? She slept.

She slept!

I’d imagine it’s the buckwheat honey that coated her throat and calmed her cough. And I’m sure all the immune-boosting ingredients and vitamins in there didn’t hurt either. Smart thinking on the part of Dr. Zak Zarbock, a pediatrician, dad, and inventor of Zarbees. Besides, it’s nice not to be worried when your child has taken it four nights running.

I’ve tried it myself and I will say it saved my own throat when I was stuck on a business trip with a horrible cough. Lordy, the cherry flavor is sweet (your kids will love it) but if you think you’ll take it too, I’d recommend the honey flavor.

Whether you’re a parent who’s generally mistrustful of medications for kids (and I wouldn’t blame you), or the type who’s rationing that last bit of expired Robitussin Jr in the medicine cabinet, I’d say grab a bottle Zarbees. I truly can’t imagine surviving another cold season without it. -Liz

You can find Zarbees cough syrup in stores like CVS, Walgreens, Wegmans and Whole Foods, and online from our affiliate Amazon.