Oh, gosh. I remember Cherecol. My dad had it years ago and, as you said, it’s the only thing that seemed to work.
When my children were an older baby and toddlers they used to get colds and ear infections and would wake up crying at night. I would fill a baby bottle with water, 500 mg. of crushed Vitamin C tablet, a tablespoon of honey (don’t give this to young babies), and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Shake well. The would wake up and suck on the bottle and go back to sleep. I would gargle and drink this and it would really help the dry throat and choking cough it caused.