Herbal
cough lozenges are extremely soothing and contain natural medicines
to help relieve symptoms of a dry cough, sore throat, or need a
little something extra to help your body fight off an illness.
Natural remedies for common illnesses have long been forgotten since
the introduction of prepackaged medicines. However, these handy
herbs and concoctions have been waiting around for us to take notice
of them again.
Herbal
cough lozenges are fairly easy to make and can be stored ahead of
time for up to 8 weeks. Find the right herbs to assist in alleviating
the symptoms. You want to look for herbs that have soothing qualities
to the lungs, assist in thinning mucous, dull throat pain, and have
antibacterial qualities, etc. Medicinal herbs such as the ones listed
below have healing qualities and sooth the body when it’s immune
system is down.
Peppermint:
peppermint contains the volatile oil menthol which helps soothe the
bronchial and help eases sore throats.
Spearmint:
just like peppermint but some think it works even better!
Ginger:
soothing and great tasting.
Horehound:
horehound had been used for decades for coughs and bronchial
upsets. It is a great herb for breaking up congestion. It contains
murubin which stimulates bronchial secretions.
Thyme:
thyme is another great herb that has antiseptic and antibacterial
properties. It is very useful for treating coughs and colds.
Mullein:
mullein is an herb that will help soothe the bronchial and lungs. It
is extremely gentle and effective. IT will help ease coughs.
Marshmallow:
marshmallow is very soothing and will help shrink inflamed
bronchial making it easier to breathe.
Slippery
Elm: like marshmallow this herb is used to help relieve
inflammation of the bronchial.
Sage:
sage leaves assist in soothing bronchial inflammation and also
possess healing properties.
Fennel:
fennel is soothing to irritated throats and helps relieve
coughing fits.
Source
– www.associatedcontent.com
Homemade
Cough Lozenges #1
Things
You’ll Need:
Sugar
Light
corn syrup
Water
Herbal
tea bag or assorted fresh herbs
Food
coloring (optional)
Powdered
sugar
Add
the teabag or the loose herbs to boiling water. Choose herbs like
peppermint leaves, horehound, thyme, slippery elm, fennel,
marshmallow, ginger, mullein and spearmint. Set a small plate over
the cup and let the herbs steep for at least an hour.
Remove
the teabag or strain the loose herbs from the water when cool.
Discard the teabag or the loose herbs.
Mix
the herbal infused water, sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan.
Heat over a low flame until the sugar is completely dissolved. Bring
the mixture to a boil.
Reduce
the heat. Use a damp cloth and carefully wipe away any sugar crystals
that have formed up the interior sides of the pan. Heat the mixture
for another 2 or 3 minutes then remove from the stove. Add the food
coloring.
Use
cooking spray to coat a cookie sheets or candy molds. Use a teaspoon
to drop small amounts of the mixture onto the cookie sheet or fill
small hard candy molds with the syrup mixture. Allow the cough drops
to set, harden and cool completely before touching them.
Place
a few tablespoons of powdered sugar in a plastic bag. Toss the cough
drops in the powdered sugar to coat them.
Store
the cough drops in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Put a
handful of them in plastic wrap or a small resealable bag to share.
Source
– www.ehow.com
Homemade
Lozenges #2
Things
You’ll Need:
1
cup dried herbs (mix and match according to your preference and what
you have on hand)
3
cups boiling water
3
1/2 cups brown sugar
2
teaspoons peppermint extract if desired
candy
thermometer
Add
the tea bags to boiling water and steep the dried herbs in the tea.
For stronger tea, steep for about 30 minutes or so. Strain well using
a tea press or cheesecloth.
Add
brown sugar over medium heat and bring to a boil slowly. Stir
constantly to avoid sugar from scorching. When the brown sugar, herbs
mixture reaches 290 to 300 degrees and pulls apart in threads it is
done. At this point remove from heat and add the peppermint extract
if desired.
Pull
the mixture like taffy and make little balls. Or the easiest and
fastest thing to do is spread over a cookie sheet. When the herbal
mixture it hardend you can then break into pieces. Use wax paper to
store them. They will keep for up to 8 weeks.
Source
– www.associatedcontent.com