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I tend to be prone to coughing, even when I don’t have a cold, but I hate over-the-counter cough drops. The flavor is always nasty, and they are often filled with some dodgy ingredients like sucrose or high fructose corn syrup.
These homemade ginger cough drops are made with simple ingredients that you can find in most kitchens. They’re easy to make, though they can be messy. They taste great, and most importantly, they work well.
Why Make Your Own Cough Drops?
For us, it was a simple step, as we started diving deeper into home remedies and started making our own fire cider and cough syrup it was a natural step to include homemade cough drops.
If you’ve ever taken a stroll down the cough and cold aisle you’ve probably seen the unaturaly large selection of unnatural cough drops and throat lozenges. Most of them made with refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. The ingredient list tends to include a long list of odd, unpronounceable and potentially problematic additives, and I’m not sure anyone actual enjoys the flavor of menthol.
Homemade Ginger Cough Drop Ingredients
Homemade cough drops contain just six ingredients, all of them natural, and you probably already have them in the pantry.
Raw honey
Honey is know to be a natural cough suppressant. In 2010 a study was done to test the effects of honey against over the counter cough medicine (dextromethorphan) and antihistamine (diphenhydramine) on nightly coughing due to upper respiratory infection. The study found that honey had a greater relief for coughing than both medicines. For best results opt for local raw honey whenever possible. Cooking your raw honey will of course mean that it is no longer “raw” and it will lose some of the added benefits, but even at a diminished capacity, honey is still better for you, and easier for your body to process than sugar.
* It’s important to note that it has been advised not to give honey to children under 12 months of age.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains antimicrobial properties that can help to erradicate the pathogens that cause infections leading to cough. It can also soothe inflammation. Very helpful if your cough has come with a sore throat.
Ground cinnamon
Cinnamon is a powerhouse when it comes to healing spices. Packed with antioxidants, cinnamon has mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It also work to liquefy mucus, serves as an expectorant, and helps to expel mucus from the body.
Ground ginger
Ginger has a history of medicinal use that spans centuries. This warming herb works to improve immune function, as well as reduce inflammation. It may even help to relieve congestion if your cough has come with a stuffy nose.
Ground clove
Cloves are packed with anti-inflammatory compounds and they work to relieve cough by relaxing throat muscles. They also have a mild analgesic effect that works to sooth a sore throat.
Cayenne
Cayenne is another one of those standard kitchen spices that has hidden medicinal qualities. This hot spice is known to contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. Adding it to cough remedies can help to relieve throat pain and inflammation from coughs. Note that if you are preparing these cough drops for children, you may want to omit the cayenne.
How to Make Homemade Ginger Cough Drops
Ingredients:
½ cup of raw honey
¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground clove
⅛ teaspoon cayenne
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a small deep sauce pan and stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. This combination becomes thick surprisingly quickly. You will need to stir almost continuously to avoid burning.
Stirring continuously, boil your honey mixture until it reaches the hard crack stage, or around 300 degrees fahrenheit.
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly before pouring in a silicone mold, or dropping onto parchment paper in small dots.
Allow to cool completely, then toss in powdered sugar, corn starch, or arrowroot powder to keep them from sticking. Store in an airtight container in a cool dark place.
A Quick Disclaimer
Remember that just because something is “natural” does not always mean that it is safe for every person. When it comes to herbal medicine, there are many plants that should be avoided when pregnant or nursing, and some that can cause extreme interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Before using herbal preparations, always do your research, speak to a professional regarding any significant concerns, and never fail to seek medical advice when needed. A severe cough that persists for more than a week can be an indication of a serious illness and should not be ignored.
Stay Healthy My Friends!
As we work our way through the cold and flu season, we invite you to view all of our Winter Wellness posts, and hope that you stay happy and healthy all season long. But, should you get landed with a cold, you can use these homemade cough drops as you would any cough drop. Do remember, if a child is too young for hard candy, they are too young for these due to choking hazard.
If you make these cough drops, tell us all about it in the comments bellow, stay healthy my friends, and until next time,
