DIY: Cough & Cold Lozenges

Syrups are great for coughs and colds, but they do have downfalls. They can require refrigeration. Only lasts a short while, meaning that if you don’t use it all up, you waste it…and you certainly have to make a few batches through the winter if you want to have it on hand.

I wanted something that could be taken on the go, something that was shelf-stable. Something that would make taking “medicine” easier. I came up with this idea. And it works, and it tastes good (faintly of elderberries and mostly like sugar). Shelf-stable, too, so they will last all winter, and you could send someone to work with a little baggie of them. How neat is that?

Cough & Cold Lozenges

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. elderberry
• 1 tbsp. echinacea
• 1 tbsp. slippery elm
• 1 tbsp. fenugreek
• 1 tbsp. wild cherry bark
• 2 tbsp. rosehips
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups cane sugar

Directions:

Step 1: Prepare to make a strong tea by adding all the herbs into a glass jar.

Step 2: Pour boiling water over the herbs (about 1 cup) and let it steep for several hours (or overnight).

Step 3: After it’s steeped for at least several hours, strain the tea into a pot. Mash the berries down to get all the juices in them. You can pour a small amount of filtered water through the strainer. You want to end up with 1 cup of syrup. If you mess up and pour too much water while straining, you can simmer it until it’s back down to the final amount needed — 1 cup.

Step 4: Add cane sugar to the tea and stir it in. Do not use regular white sugar, which is beet sugar; choose organic cane sugar for best results.

Step 5: Bring the herbal tea to a boil. It will double in volume, so make sure your pot is big enough to contain it. Allow it to boil, without stirring, for around 10 minutes, possibly a bit longer. Using a candy thermometer, you want to reach at least 250ºF.

Step 6: Pour into a mold (I used this one) and give them a few minutes to harden. Alternatively, you could just pour the syrup onto parchment paper and break it up later with a knife.

Step 7: Once they’re hardened and cooled, transfer them to an airtight container.

Usage:

• Take 1 drop as needed if you have a sore throat, cough, or feel a cold coming on.
• Pair with lots of electrolytes and herbal throat spray, it can help get rid of discomfort faster. You can also drink chicken broth and take cod liver oil for additional healing benefits.