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Easing Coughs Naturally |
by:
Cathy O |
Whether it bedead of winter orhigh life of summer, colds and allergies seem to pop up out of nowhere and “catch” us completely off guard. Hand-in-hand with these seasonal terrors comedreaded cough and there are two ways you can fight cold's comrade-in-arms----- with either overcounter cough drops ----- or ones that you can make yourself.
Make yourself, you ask? Why not! it's easy and many ofingredients within these little soldiers can be found right in your own kitchen. Sugar, corn syrup and water gently brought torobust boil till they reach what is known as“hard crack” stage will give you"medium." The only secret tosuccessful drop is to usetasty and simple combination of herbs "steeped" inwater before adding it tosugar-syrup. This wonderful cough relieving tea along with your "dry" ingredients" are all you need to make your own natural cough confection-ators.
Some herbs that are found in many ofother natural cough drops you find onmarket that you may want to try alone or in combination are; Coltsfoot, Korean Licorice Mint (easy to grow; seeds are available from Seeds of Change), thyme, slippery elm, horehound, comfrey leaf, hyssop, marsh mallow and common mullein, to namefew. Many of these herbs are perennial so you will have them for your own personal “medicine cabinet” year after year. Useleaves only of these herbs either singly or in combination. It helps to try them out astea first, that way you know which herbs will taste best in your cough drops. About two-three tsp. of herb to one one/two cups boiling water ought give youconcentration that you need; let steep till cool.
Here’stried-and-true hard candy recipe, straight frompages of Cooking for American Homemakers. I have used this gem for many years for lollypop making and it is first rate for making“medium:”
one cup sugar
one/three cup light corn syrup
two/three cup water (herbal tea)
vegetable coloring (optional)
Mix sugar, herbal tea and corn syrup and cook over low heat stirring until sugar is dissolved and mixture boils. Continue boiling without stirring untilsmall amount is very brittle when dropped into cold water. Wash away crystals from side of pan withdamp cloth. Cook slowly at end so thatsyrup will not discolor. Remove fromheat and add color. Either drop quickly fromtip ofspoon ontogreased surface or into prepared hard candy molds. Allow to harden and cool completely before removing. You can roll them in powdered sugar and wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper for storage.
For gift giving, why not addpersonal touch by pressing some offresh herbs between waxed paper and use to decorate or wrap your gift box. Addnice tag listingherbs that you used forprofessional look.
Aboutauthor:
Cathy O issuccessful author who provides recipes for and information on candy and lollipops. "In addition to beingfreelance writer, I also dabble in Aromatherapy, Herbalism and painting when I am so inspired. Living inLake region of Western Maine has been of tremendous inspiration to me and I am proud and happy to call it home."
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