Do you wish to know how to make homemade cough drops? When it comes to homemade remedies there is something incredibly soothing about them, be it the warm feeling of a home-made chicken soup or that aromatic smell from a pot of herbal tea.
Every now and then, we need these little things just to soothe ourselves thus reminding us of how life used to be easier back in the days. Natural remedies have always fascinated me, particularly for an issue as common as coughing.
A lot of times, commercial cough drops would contain ingredients that I couldn’t even name; therefore, I decided to make my own.
This is my journey into discovering how to make homemade cough drops-because sometimes, the best medicine is made right at home.
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Let’s get started!
Why Homemade?
Before I get into the recipe, let me explain why I got interested in learning how to make homemade cough drops.
In instances where I had a cough before, I have tried reaching out for commercially available ones only to find out they weren’t effective as anticipated or gave me a funny taste on my tongue.
The number of additives plus artificial flavors was also making me wonder if they were harmful instead of beneficial.
Making my own cough drops became a way to ensure that I was only putting wholesome, natural ingredients into my body.
I also love the idea of tailoring them to my specific taste and needs—whether it’s adding more honey for sweetness or including a dash of cayenne for extra kick.
The Basics: Ingredients and Tools
Honey is believed to have antibacterial qualities which makes it an ideal constituent in these throat lozenges. It also helps soothe sore throats thereby adding sweetness.
One of the reasons why homemade cough drops are so amazing is because they don’t require many things. Most of what you need can be found in your pantry. Here’s a basic list:
- Honey: Honey is believed to have antibacterial qualities which makes it an ideal constituent in these throat lozenges. It also helps soothe sore throats thereby adding sweetness.
- Herbal Tea: Choose any tea that will suit your requirements. For example, ginger tea has anti-inflammatory properties while peppermint tea can help with decongestion.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice contains high amounts of vitamin C enhancing immunity and balancing the sweetness of honey with sour taste.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut Oil: It also gives some flavor to bind everything together.
- Optional Add-ins: Optional Add-ins: Personalize your cough drops by putting substances like cinnamon, turmeric, or even cayenne pepper depending on how you feel about them.
For tools, you’ll need a small pot, a candy thermometer, a silicone mold or parchment paper, and a spoon.
The Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Making homemade cough drops can be a little intimidating but it’s not as hard as you think. Here’s how I did it:
1. Brew Your Tea
Begin by brewing a strong cup of herbal tea of your choice. I usually take ginger tea because it is soothing, although you can use anything else that you like. After that, put the brewed liquid aside for a while to cool slightly.
2. Mix the Ingredients
Combine in a small pot half a cup of honey, two tablespoons of the brewed tea and tablespoonful lemon juice. If any other spices such as cinnamon or turmeric are being used include them at this point. Stir well until the mixture is smooth.
3. Heat to the Right Temperature
This is an important step in the process. Put the pot on medium heat and attach a thermometer on the side so that you know when its right. You have to bring this amount into 300°F (149°C), which is ‘hard crack’ stage while making candies to make sure that your cough drops would become properly hardened.
Just be patient and stir occasionally so as not to burn anything down! It could take me around 20 minutes before attaining the required temperature; however this period may vary from one person to another depending on different factors; therefore keep track with thermometer closely!
4. Pour and Mold
Once the mixture has reached 300°F, remove it from the heat immediately. If you wait too long, it will solidify in the pot. Pour your silicone molds with the mixture, or alternatively spoonfuls drops onto parchment paper if you do not have moulds. For a cough drop, I used small circular moulds which made the perfect size of.
5. Let Them Cool
Let it be noted that while waiting for them to cool down before taking out of molds takes about thirty minutes. When they become hard like rock on parchments papers remove them.
6. Dust with Powdered Sugar (Optional)
To avoid sticking together of cough drops sprinkle little powdered sugar or cornstarch between them so as to keep them separate from each other. Just for a bit of sweetness I decided to go with powdered sugar.
7. Store in a Cool, Dry Place
Put your home-made cough drops in an airtight container and place it in a cool dry place where they can last for weeks; but mine never last that long since I finish up fast!
The Results: How They Worked for Me
The first time I tried the cough drops I’d made, I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to tasting better than their store-bought counterparts, they were also more effective at soothing my throat.
The honey and lemon combination was especially comforting and there was this nice ginger touch that felt good on a scratchy throat.
One of the biggest benefits I noticed is that you can take them as many times as you want without worrying about overdosing on artificial stuffs. My family loved them too; my children liked their sweetness while my husband found them very natural.
Customizing Your Drops: Making Them Your Own
When it comes to preparing your own cough drops one of the best things is that you have the ability to change them. After making my first batch, I began trying out different flavors and additives. Below are some ideas:
- Cinnamon and Clove: These spices add warmth, spiciness as well as having antiseptic properties naturally.
- Cayenne Pepper: For those who like to feel a bit of heat, cayenne can help with congestion and improve circulation.
- Lavender: If you are looking for something soothingly calming just drop lavender’s essential oil.
- Turmeric: Cough drops made from turmeric have a vibrant color but will give you mild earthy taste since it is known anti-inflammatory agent.
Tips and Tricks: What I Learned Along the Way
Making homemade cough drops isn’t difficult, but there are a few things I learned that might help you avoid some common pitfalls:
- Be Precise with Temperature: The candy thermometer is your best friend in this process. If you don’t reach the hard crack stage, your cough drops might end up sticky rather than hard. If you overshoot, they could burn.
- Work Quickly: Once the mixture reaches the right temperature, you need to work fast. It starts hardening almost immediately, so have your molds or parchment paper ready.
- Experiment with Flavors: Once the mixture reaches the right temperature, you need to work fast. It starts hardening almost immediately, so have your molds or parchment paper ready.
- Use Quality Ingredients: Don’t be afraid to try different teas, spices, and oils. It’s all about finding what works best for you.
Final Thoughts: The Joy of Homemade Remedies
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own remedies, especially when they’re as effective and delicious as these homemade cough drops.
Not only do they offer relief from a scratchy throat, but they also come with the peace of mind that you’re using natural, wholesome ingredients.
The process itself is a form of self-care, a way to slow down and take control of your health in a simple, meaningful way. And in a world where we’re often bombarded with quick fixes and artificial solutions, there’s a lot to be said for that.
So, the next time you feel a cough coming on, why not try making your own cough drops? It’s a small effort with big rewards, and who knows—you might find, as I did, that the best medicine really is homemade.
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FAQs
1. Can I make these cough drops without a candy thermometer?
Yes, they can, but it will be a little more complicated. In case you do not have the thermometer, take a spoonful of the mixture and drop it into cold water.
It is ready if it hardens immediately after being removed from the water and cracks when bitten – this means that these are at the “hard crack” stage. However, to make sure your cough drops come out well one should use candy thermometers.
2. How long do homemade cough drops last?
When stored in an air-tight container in cool dry place, homemade cough drops may last up to two weeks. To avoid sticking together while storing them it is recommended to dusting with powdered sugar or cornstarch before putting away.
Bear in mind that they lack preservatives hence will not last as long as bought ones.
3. Can I use these cough drops for children?
Certainly, children can eat these self-made pills for treating coughs but be cautious about their age. Never give honey to children under one since it poses a risk of botulism poisoning in infants below twelve months of age old .
These drops are great for older children as they help calm down coughs naturally; however, ensure that such kids do not choke on this hard candy by closely watching them all time.