DIY: Herbal Cough Drops

Reader Contribution by Ariel Tilson
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<p>Last time I got sick, the constant itch in my throat as I was healing tormented me more than the hacking cough that started it all. For a while after I’d recovered I couldn’t get rid of the menthol taste or the bright red color of my mouth no matter how many times I brushed my teeth. I began to wonder if the cough drops I had been unwisely and obsessively sucking on were only exacerbating my symptoms.</p>
<p>That’s when I wished that I had something a little less medicated and sugary, and a little more natural. Thankfully I ran across this recipe for homemade cough drops from <a href=”http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Cough-Drops” target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>WikiHow</font>
</a>, which seems almost fool-proof, although I’m going to replace the sugar and corn syrup with honey.</p>
<p align=”center”>
<br />
Photo by ladybugbkt/Courtesy Flickr<br />
<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/branditressler/”>http://www.flickr.com/photos/branditressler/</a>
</p>
<p>And with the priceless archive of herbal medicine at <i>The Herb Companion</i>, I discovered some of the best herbs to make this recipe even more effective. For instance, herbs with expectorant qualities that help loosen phlegm include aniseed (<i>Pimpinella anisum</i>), elderberberry (<em>Sambucus nigra</em>), ginger root (<em>Zingiber officinale),</em> mullein (<em>Verbascum thapsus</em>), osha (<em>Ligusticum porteri</em>) and thyme (<em>Thymus vulgaris</em>). All you’ll need is a pot, waxed paper and a greased cooking sheet.</p>
<p>
<p>
<b>Homemade Herbal Cough Drops</b>
</p>
<p>• Powdered herbs<br />
• 1 cup sugar, or honey<br />
• <sup>
<sub>1/3</sub>
</sup> cup light corn syrup, or honey<br />
• 1 <sub>
<sup>1/2</sup>
</sub> cups water<br />
• Powdered sugar, for easy handling</p>
<p type=”disc”>1. Steep your preferred soothing herbs in 1 <sub>
<sup>1/2</sup>
</sub> cups of water to make a tea.</p>
<p type=”disc”>2. Mix sugar and corn syrup with tea. Cook over low heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and mixture boils.</p>
<p type=”disc”>3. Continue boiling without stirring until the mixture begins to crystallize; reduce heat. Wash away crystals from the side of your pan with a damp cloth.</p>
<p type=”disc”>4. Remove from the heat after a few minutes. Drop some of the mixture from the tip of a spoon onto a greased surface. Allow to harden and cool completely before removing. Roll the candies in powdered sugar and wrap in waxed paper for storage<b>
<span lang=”EN”>.</span>
</b>
</p>
<p>For more information on the best herbs for a sore throat, check out these past articles: </p>
<p>• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/arresting-allergies.aspx”>
<font color=”#800080″>Seasonal Allergy Help</font>
</a> by Kris Wetherbee<br />
• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/cold-busters.aspx”>
<font color=”#800080″>Best Herbs for the Common Cold</font>
</a> by Linda B. White, M.D.<br />
• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/medicines-in-your-spice-rack.aspx”>
<font color=”#800080″>Culinary Herbs and Medicinal Spices</font>
</a> by Amy Mayfield<br />
• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/mother-earth-living/herbs-for-the-common-cold.aspx”>
<font color=”#800080″>Herbs to Treat the Common Cold</font>
</a> by <em>The Herb Companion</em> staff<br />
• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/throat-soothers-for-kids.aspx”>
<font color=”#800080″>Kids Sore Throat Remedies</font>
</a> by Linda B. White, M.D. and Sunny Mavor, A.H.G. </p>
<p>And try Kathy Azmeh-Scanlan’s recipe for herbal throat drops in <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health/breathe-easy-this-spring.aspx?page=5″>Herbal Relief for Seasonal Allergies.</a>
</p>
<p>
<hr />
<p>Have you tried making your own cough drops before? What’s your favorite sore throat remedy? Leave a me a comment and let me know.</p>

  • Published on Dec 17, 2009
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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