How to Make All-Natural Homemade Cough Drops

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Homemade cough drops are a great way to soothe a sore throat and calm scratchy throats during flu season using simple, natural ingredients you can find at most grocery stores. When a dry cough or pesky cough shows up, having an easy, from-scratch option on hand can support your immune system without relying on store-bought cough drops filled with artificial ingredients and artificial sweeteners.

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Why Make Homemade Cough Drops?

Making diy cough drops at home gives you control over the active ingredients. Many cough drop alternatives rely on sugar and artificial ingredients. When you make your own, you can skip those and focus on wonderful herbs, spices, and honey known for antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory properties.

These herbal cough drops are:

• Made with simple ingredients
• Free from artificial sweeteners
• Easy for any home cook
• Customizable with your own variations and flavor combinations
• A great way to avoid commercial cough drops

Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Cough Drops

You only need a few pantry staples for good results:

• 1/2 cup raw honey (manuka honey works well too)
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A pinch of black pepper
• Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
• Powdered sugar

Optional add-ins for future batches:

• Marshmallow root (infused into herbal tea first)
• Coconut oil for greasing molds lightly

Equipment Needed for Homemade Cough Drops

Having the right tools makes the cooking process smoother:

• Small saucepan
• Candy thermometer
• Silicone spatula
• Silicone molds or candy molds
• Parchment paper or wax paper
• Airtight container or mason jar

A close eye is important during the heating stage to prevent burning.

How to Make Homemade Cough Drops

Heat the Mixture

Add the raw honey, fresh ginger, lemon juice, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper to a small saucepan. Place the pan over medium-high heat.

Stir constantly with a silicone spatula, scraping the side of the pan to prevent sticking. As it heats, the mixture will thin out, then begin to bubble and darken slightly.

Bring the Honey Mixture to Hard Crack Stage

Attach a candy thermometer and continue heating until the mixture reaches 300°F. This temperature is known as the hard crack stage and is what turns the sugar syrup into hard candy. Do not walk away during this step. The temperature rises quickly.

If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can still tell when the mixture has reached hard crack stage using cold water. Carefully drip a small amount of the hot mixture into a bowl of very cold water. If it immediately hardens into brittle threads or snaps cleanly when you break it, it’s ready.

If it stays soft, bends, or feels sticky, keep cooking and test again after another 30 seconds. Always keep a close eye on the mixture, as it can go from ready to burnt very quickly.

Shape the Cough Drops

Once the mixture reaches temperature, remove it from heat immediately.

• Pour carefully into silicone molds or silicone molds with cavities sized for throat lozenges.
• Or spoon small drops onto parchment paper or wax paper dusted with arrowroot powder or powdered sugar.

Work quickly, as the mixture thickens and hardens fast.

Cool and Dust

Let the cough drops cool at room temperature until fully hardened. Once set, dust them with a 1:1 mixture of arrowroot powder and powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

Store Properly

Transfer the finished cough drops to an airtight container or mason jar. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place.

Custom Flavor Ideas

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, try your own variations:

• Infuse marshmallow root into herbal tea and strain before using
• Add different flavor combinations like orange or clove
• Experiment with manuka honey for stronger antibacterial properties

How to Use and Store

These herbal cough drops are meant to soothe pesky coughs and scratchy throats. Let one dissolve slowly in your mouth. Always supervise young children, and avoid use if there are any concerns about safe use or choking.

Stored properly in an airtight container, they last several weeks.

Final Thoughts

Making homemade cough drops is a great way to support your immune system with natural ingredients you trust. With just a small saucepan and a candy thermometer, you can skip store-bought cough drops and create soothing, effective throat lozenges at home.

Next time flu season rolls around, you’ll be ready with a simple, homemade solution that delivers good results using ingredients you already love.

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