The cold weather is beginning to bear down on us, even though school has only been in session for a trimester. This is time for that little tickle in our throats to start bothering us. Instead of buying cough drops every time you get sick, you can actually make your own! These two are my favorites:
Lemongrass Ginger Drops
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lemongrass Ginger Tea
- 1 cup Sugar
- ½ cup honey
- Molds for shaping the drops (make sure it is heat-resistant and easy to pop out)
To make Lemongrass Ginger Tea:
1. Combine 1/2 cup of dried lemongrass and 3/4 cup chopped fresh ginger.
2. Cover and boil in a pan with enough water to cover the ingredients.
3. Remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes. This will be insanely strong so I wouldn’t recommend drinking it straight off.
4. Strain off 1 cup of liquid for your drops.
To make the ginger drops:
1. Place molds on a heat proof baking pan.
2. Add one cup of the tea to a pot and put on medium heat.
3. Stir in the sugar and honey until it is dissolved.
4. Use a candy thermometer. When mixture reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit, stir constantly. Stir the bottom well.
5. When it reaches 302 degrees Fahrenheit, pour the mixture into the molds.
6. Let it cool for several hours or overnight.
7. You can toss the drops in confectioner’s sugar to keep them from sticking to each other. Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature.
Peppermint, Chamomile, Cinnamon and Ginger Cough Drops
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp (or teabag) Peppermint tea leaves
- 1 tbsp (or teabag) chamomile tea
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 3/4 cup honey
Directions
1. Steep the teas, cinnamon and ginger in boiling water for 10 minutes.
2. Strain water into a saucepan.
3. Add honey
4. Heat until it begins to boil
5. Use candy thermometer and watch it until it reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit. It is very easy to burn at this temperature.
6. Let mixture cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Add 2 to 3 drops of the essential oil of your choice (lemon, peppermint and OnGuard can work wonders).
8. Drop by the spoonful onto parchment paper (or into molds) and let cool overnight.
9. Dust them in confectioners’ sugar or starch to keep them from sticking together. Store in an airtight container.
These cough drops are strong, but they have natural healing abilities to sooth and clear up sore throats. I have used them quite a bit and like them a lot better than the ones you can buy at the store.
