Fermented honey is ancient medicine and magic that you can make today. In your own kitchen. With just a few ingredients.

This Onion Fermented Honey is one of my go-to cough and sore throat home remedies. (Check out my Dragon’s Breath Fermented Chili Honey, which I use for my sinus and cold/flu buster.)

I find it to be super effective to help soothe me when I’m feeling froggy and under the weather — plus, it’s ridiculously delicious.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make onion fermented honey — and also learn about the energetics of this age-old remedy.

What is onion fermented honey?

Onion fermented honey is Grandmother Medicine. It’s borne from country kitchens, backyard orchards, and the family tables in Gypsy vardos.

All you need to make it is a clean jar, a fresh onion, and some raw, organic honey.

(I mean, what could be easier? You can literally find the ingredients at your local, late-night grocery store.)

What makes onion fermented honey medicinal?

1. Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties

Honey naturally contains enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial compounds like hydrogen peroxide, inhibin, and methylglyoxal, effectively combating bacteria and microbes.

Onions are rich in sulfur-containing compounds (allicin and quercetin), providing powerful antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal effects.

2. Immune Support

Onions are high in vitamin C, flavonoids (especially quercetin), and antioxidants that enhance immune function, fight inflammation, and protect against cellular damage.

Honey’s enzymes and antioxidants support the immune system, soothe inflammation, and accelerate healing.

3. Respiratory and Cold Remedy

Used traditionally to soothe coughs, reduce mucus, clear congestion, and calm sore throats.

Onions contain expectorant properties, helping to thin mucus and making coughs more productive.

Honey coats and soothes irritated throat tissue, providing relief from coughing and soreness.

4. Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Onion compounds (especially quercetin) effectively combat inflammation and histamine release, helping to reduce allergic reactions and respiratory inflammation.

Honey’s antioxidants reduce inflammation in tissues throughout the body, promoting faster recovery.

5. Digestive Health

Fermented onion honey gently supports digestion, offering prebiotic benefits and promoting beneficial gut bacteria.

Honey soothes and heals irritated digestive linings and supports digestion.

6. Nutrient-Dense Fermentation

Fermentation increases bioavailability of onion nutrients, allowing the body to absorb vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants more effectively.

It provides additional enzymes, beneficial probiotics, and enhanced nutritional potency.

How Fermentation Enhances Medicinal Effects:

>Increased bioavailability of active medicinal compounds.

>Improved probiotic content and digestive support.

>Gentle extraction and preservation of medicinal properties.

Common Medicinal Uses:

>Coughs, colds, and flu

>Respiratory infections, bronchitis, asthma relief

>Allergy support and seasonal congestion

>Immune strengthening and daily preventative tonic  

To make this simple home remedy, grab a sterile Mason jar.

Peel and roughly chop one or two large onions, enough to fill the jar about 3/4 full.

Fill the jar with good, raw organic honey (local is best, if you can get it!).

I don’t use regular honey.

Regular honey has been heated, which means that all the healing juju has basically been cooked out of it. Which makes it basically sugar syrup.

I look for labels that say: Local, raw, organic. “RAW” is the important one, because it means it hasn’t been heated.

You want all the great enzymes and healing properties of raw honey, plus the energetics of bee magick.

Give the honey and onion mixture a good stir with a clean stainless or wooden spoon, and cover it with a fermentation lid or a piece of cheesecloth.

Basically, you want to keep anything from falling into the honey (including fruit flies, etc.) and also let any gas escape as your brew starts to ferment.

And that’s it!

Set it aside in a cool, dark place (not in the fridge). Stir it a few times a day, and wait for the magic to happen.

As the honey and onions start to meld, the onions will give up their liquid, which thins out the honey and will eventually make the onions shrink and sink to the bottom of the jar.

You’ll also start to notice bubbles forming (they’ll make a sort of raft on the surface).

I find that this potion is best when fermented and aged.

But I also start taking it the day after I make it IF I am feeling under the weather. I do spoonfuls as needed, straight up.

Use your intuition and discernment.

After just one day, you can see how the onions are shriveling.

The energetics of onion fermented honey

So, that’s how I make the physical fermented honey.

Let’s talk about the energetics.

Honey is amazing stuff. It’s bon

Working with Bee Spirit Magick

You’re also calling in the magick of the Bee Spirit, which is all about fertility, growth, and healing.

It’s the perfect companion for any kind of medicine that’s meant to accomplish physical healing.

Read all about working with the Bee Totem here.

Have you ever made fermented honey?

Leave a comment below, let me know what you did and how it worked for you!