Homemade Honey Cough Drops
You can make your own homemade honey cough drops to find some a nagging cough. Using honey in natural remedies is nothing new, and has seen a resurgence in popularity. Coughs, sore throats and colds are no fun and leave many of us seeking ways to feel better while we wait for them to leave.
Even our modern medical establishments have recognized the value of honey. Honey recipes go far beyond the kitchen to benefit the whole body.
DIY Cough Drops
Sure you can purchase cough drops and some of them work very well. However, what is really in them? Can you read (and pronounce) all the ingredients on the label? Do you know what it means?
By making your own homemade honey cough drops, you know what is in them. There is no guess work or hard to pronounce ingredients.
In recent times, honey is documented to aid in relief for coughs or sore throats. While not a cure, any relief is welcomed when you are feeling bad. You may be surprised to learn how easy it is to make your own.
Honey bees make honey using the nectar gathered from blooming flowers. The use this for Winter food – ripe honey doesn’t spoil and stores in the hive for a long time.
Honey also keeps well for us. If you store honey correctly, it does not go bad and never requires refrigeration. This is great because of the many different ways to use honey.
Ingredients
- honey
- lemon juice
- ground cinnamon
- ginger
Honey
What is the best honey for making throat lozenges ? I honestly don’t think it matters which variety you use for home remedies.
In general, good honey is just that. Nutritionally, there is very little difference among the different varieties. Sourwood honey, Clover, Wildflower are all basically the same.
However, it is believed that darker colored honey has slightly more minerals. I chose to use my regular dark honey when making cough drops.
When shopping for honey for your homemade cough drops, buy from a local small scale beekeeper if you have the chance. It is a great way to support small business. Being a beekeeper is hard work!
Try to buy 100% raw honey instead of pasteurized (if you have no underlying health issues). It retains more pollen and nutritious goodies-including anti-bacterial properties . These are often filtered out in commercial packaging.
Lemon
In a pinch, bottled lemon juice will work just fine for making homemade cough drops. However, if you have the option – choose to squeeze some fresh lemon juice of your own. It is rich in vitamin C.
Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon is available in an local market. Regular works fine and have anti-inflammatory properties – I think that ceylon cinnamon is a little more potent.
Ginger Root
Find a nice plump ginger root at your local market or grocery. You only need a small amount and it is not very costly.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.
Equipment Needed
Beyond the kitchen basics there are a few items that you may find helpful – candy thermometer, silicone molds and/or silicone baking mats.
Round Candy Molds Silicone
Candy ThermometersSmall Silicone Baking Mats
Silicone Molds for Making Cough Drops
Now seriously, you don’t need a mold to make your own cough drops – but it can help maintain a consistent shape. There are many types of silicone candy molds that work well.
Keep in mind that these throat drops will go in your mouth. Don’t make them too big so that they become a choking risk. If you choose to not use a mold – dropping the hot mixture on a silicone mat will work.
Instructions
1. Mix together ingredients in a large sauce pan. The mixture will boil up so give your self plenty of room or you will be cleaning the stove top.
2. Heat and stir constantly until the mixture reaches the hard-crack candy stage on a candy thermometer.
3. Remove from heat and let the mixture begin to cool. When you see that it is beginning to thicken, it is time to form the cough drops.
You can use a mold but dropping them by the small spoonful on a silicone mat works very well too.
4. Optional, once the honey cough drops are completely cool – a light sprinkling of powder sugar is a good idea. It helps to reduce the problem of them becoming sticky.
Safety Tips
Take every precaution to prevent burns. The recipe mixture will be hot and will burn your skin. Avoid splatters when stirring and take care when pouring into the molds. Let them cool before touching them.
Using a candy thermometer is best to ensure the proper temperature – but if you don’t have one – use the hard ball candy stage test.
Storage
These natural homemade honey cough drops tend to be a bit stickier than commercial brands. Use a little powdered sugar at the end, you will be glad you did.
Store them in an air-tight container on the counter. They will last for months. If stickiness is an issue for you (it is for me), consider loosely wrapping the individual drops in wax paper and then storing them inside a container with a lid.
Expert Tips
- process is similar to making candy – works better when it is not humid
- be sure to cook the recipe to the required temperature to ensure setting
- the mixture will foam up while heating – choose a larger pot
- to ensure no sticking – wrap each one individually with wax paper
Variations for Honey Cough Drops
While there is no cure for the common cold, honey has been recognized as an aid for relief. When used, it reduced the amount of nighttime coughing and that helps improve the quality of sleep.
Starting with this basic recipe, it’s your turn to experiment. Try adjusting the flavor by adding a few drops of a food safe essential oil or flavoring oil.
Or if you want them stronger – add a bit more ginger or even less – whatever fits your needs and taste buds. Have fun creating a perfect recipe for honey cough drops for your family to enjoy.
More Ideas
Here are more ways to seek relief from minor discomforts during the cold and flu season. If you prefer liquid – try this recipe for honey and cinnamon for cough relief.
Or, perhaps you like to sip hot tea – use plain honey in tea to add sweetness and flavor into your favorite brand of tea.
Want more? Try this infused honey, lemon ginger tea to get an extra boost of healthy nutrients. Those of you really into home remedies may experiment with making honey fire cider. It’s not my thing but many people swear by it.
If you are a coffee lover (this I can get behind), perhaps a hot honey bee latte will give some relief.
To aid with that stuffy feeling of congestion, a common herbal remedy is to use a DIY Vapor Rub on your chest at night. The soothing vapors of essential oils offer some relief.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there is no cure for a cold but making some home remedies with honey can help you make it through the journey. Enjoy making homemade cough drops with honey, ginger and lemon and be ready for the season of sniffles.
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Homemade Cough Drops Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read my disclosure.Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon crushed ginger
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar/cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Mix together the honey, ground cinnamon, lemon juice and ginger in a deep saucepan. Heat this mixture to a slow boil – stirring frequently. Use a wide flat spoon to stir well and prevent burning on the bottom.
- As with making hard candy, we want the mix to reach the hard-crack stage. A candy thermometer is helpful to determine when the 300F/150C temperature is reached. If you do not have a thermometer, drop a bit of the heated mixture into a bowl of cool water. When it hardens instantly — you are ready.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture begin to cool. Once it begins to thicken, you are ready to pour.Pour or spoon your honey cough drop mix into a mold of your choice. I often chose the hexagon shapes because I'm a beekeeper. If you don't have a mold, use a spoon to drop small amounts onto a piece of foil paper or a silicone mat. Keep your drops small – mine were a bit larger than I liked. But they worked out fine.
- Leave the honey cough drops to cool while you clean your utensils.
- Once completely cool to the touch, sprinkle them drops with a mixture of powdered sugar and cinnamon. Use your fingers to coat the surface of the cough drops and shake off any excess. This helps prevent them sticking together.
- Store in an air tight container and use when needed.