Soothing DIY Cough Drops: A Quick Recipe for Cold and Flu Season

Amid cold and flu season, finding relief for a sore throat can often mean turning to store-bought cough drops laden with fillers and chemicals. But what if you could create a cleaner, more natural alternative right in your own kitchen? Say hello to our DIY Cough Drops—crafted with care, devoid of fillers, and absent of any artificial additives. This recipe not only offers a soothing remedy for your throat but also provides the comfort of knowing exactly what goes into each drop. Join us on a journey to create a purer, more wholesome approach to easing cold and flu symptoms, one homemade cough drop at a time.

Ingredients:

• Raw Honey

• Distilled or filtered water

• 1 peeled grapefruit

• 1/2 peeled lemon (leave some rind)

• 1 inch of ginger

• Dash of cayenne pepper

• Tea of choice (mint, herbal throat blend - we used hyssop, mullein, and fennel)

• Essential Oils (optional): Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Manuka

• Slippery Elm Powder

Instructions:

1. Place a pot on the stove with water.

2. Brew your favorite tea or herbal throat blend. Steep for 10-15 minutes on low to extract maximum flavor.

3. Add the brewed tea to a blender along with the peeled grapefruit, half-peeled lemon (with some rind), ginger, a dash of cayenne pepper, and optional essential oils. Blend until smooth.

4. Return the mixture to the pot and add raw honey and Slippery Elm powder.

5. Use a candy thermometer to heat the mixture to 290-300 degrees Fahrenheit. At 290, the consistency will be pliable and easy to mold; at 300, you'll get hard candy.

6. Prepare silicone molds dusted with cornstarch or a baking tray similarly dusted. Optionally, insert popsicle sticks for a fun shape.

7. Stir the mixture continuously over low heat for about 30 minutes. Patience is key – avoid burning and keep the heat low.

8. Be cautious to prevent burns; use protective measures as needed.

9. Pour the mixture into molds or onto the tray.

10. Once set, cut into desired shapes using a pizza cutter dusted with cornstarch.

Why These Ingredients Work: The combination of raw honey, with its natural soothing properties, and Slippery Elm powder, known for its mucilage content that coats and calms the throat, forms the foundation of these cough drops. The addition of citrusy grapefruit, zesty lemon, and warming ginger provides a burst of flavor and immune-boosting benefits. Cayenne pepper adds a hint of spice, while the optional essential oils—eucalyptus, grapefruit, and manuka—offer additional respiratory support, making these DIY cough drops a holistic and effective remedy for cold and flu symptoms.