Homemade Herbal Cough Drops

Homemade Herbal Cough Drops


It seems that the flu has hit many people pretty hard this year! So far, we’ve gotten by with only minor sniffles, but I’ve got some natural remedies on hand just in case! One recipe I’ve finally perfected and am happy with is this one for homemade herbal cough drops! Most cough drops contain sugar and preservatives, and some even contain artificial colors, flavors or chemicals!


Ingredients
•1 cup of water infused with herbs. I used slippery elm, coltsfoot, cinnamon, elderberry and chamomile
•1.5 cups of honey (I use raw, organic honey from here)
•A candy thermometer (not necessary but very helpful!)
•a medium size sauce pan
•Silicon candy molds (not needed but helpful)

Instructions

• Boil 2 cups of water and infuse with desired herbs. I used about ¼ cup of each herb for a really potent cough drop, but as little as 1 tablespoon of each herb is effective. To infuse: Pour boiling water over herbs. I put herbs in a muslin bag to make straining easier. Let steep for 20 minutes and strain out herbs (or remove bag).
• Pour 1 cup of the herb infused water and 1.5 cups of honey into a medium saucepan and turn on medium high heat. (save the extra liquid and mix with equal parts raw honey for a simple cough syrup)
• Stir the honey/herb mixture over medium high heat until it reaches 300 degrees. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, this usually takes about 30 minutes and can be tested by dropping a drop of the mixture in to ice water to see if it immediately hardens. It should harden to the point that it breaks if dropped on the counter. You can also tell because the mixture will start to foam and separate. At this point, it is vital to remove it from the heat quickly so it does not burn.
• Pour into candy molds, or pour into a large baking sheet that has been greased with coconut oil or that has a silicon baking mat on it.
• Let cool until it can be touched and molded and immediately and quickly form into lozenges with your hands (you may need help to do this quickly enough).
• Put finished cough drops/lozenges on a silicon mat or piece of parchment paper to cool.
• When completely cool, I toss in a mixture of powdered slippery elm and stevia to keep from getting sticky in humidity.
• Use as needed for coughing, congestion or sore throat.


Notes

Any herbs can be used. I picked the combination above to help sooth coughing, congestion and sore throat while boosting the immune system. I would also suggest using either cheese cloth or a tea infuser to strain the herbs. I get all herbs from The Rosemary House in Mechanicsburg, Pa 17055.


Do you make any of your own remedies? Has the flu hit your house this year? Let me know below…