Herbal cough lozenges are extremely soothing and contain natural medicines to help when you have 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 pre-packaged 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.  Making them yourself is also a gratifying process.

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.
  
• 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
  

1. 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.
   
2. Remove the teabag or strain the loose herbs from the water when cool. Discard the teabag or the loose herbs.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Place a few tablespoons of powdered sugar in a plastic bag. Toss the cough drops in the powdered sugar to coat them.
   
7. 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
  

1. 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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

Via: readynutrition

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