If you’ve ever tried making homemade cough drops with just honey, you know it’s nearly impossible not to end up with a scorched mess. I’ve tried every winter for the past three years, but have never actually succeeded. These soothing sore throat meltaways are as far as I’ve gotten to a true cough drop . . . until this year, that is.
You see, one upside of packing up a home in 12F degree weather is that while you’re defrosting the freezer, your bone broth and soups stay perfectly frosty outside, and your kids can help by transporting boxes in their sleigh. The other upside is that creativity often comes when you’ve run out of your normal options.
After a couple of long days working in the cold, dry air, my throat was feeling irritated and scratchy. Taking stock of what was left in my kitchen led to this throat-soothing, herbal homemade cough drop that I’m so excited to share with you. No dehydrator or food processor needed – just a bowl, a cookie sheet, and your oven!
The therapeutic herb in this cough drop recipe is slippery elm powder, which – when taken as a lozenge – transforms into a mucilaginous (gel-like) consistency that coats and soothes irritated throat mucosa.
It can also be used to make sore throat tea or homemade throat spray if you have the other ingredients on hand.
One quick note before we get to the recipe: Slippery elm bark is considered an at-risk species, so it’s important to support shops that are using sustainable harvesting practices to ensure it will be available for generations to come – here’s one option. Only a small amount is needed per batch, so a bag that size lasts a long time.
This cough syrup is made with organic honey that has been infused with echinacea, elderberry and acerola cherry extract. It’s delicious, soothing, and great to have on hand.
