T’is the season…. for colds and coughs. And one of my favorite herbal remedies is homemade Honey Lemon Ginger Cough Drops. They are easy to make and soothe every kind of sore throat. Best of all, they only use three ingredients!
Sarah Munro, the heroine of ONE DARK WISH (book 2 in the Deadly Force Series), and I, adapted this recipe from a few we found on apothecary sites on the internet. All three ingredients were available during the 17th and 18th centuries and Sarah had a similar recipe in her collection of colonial-era herbal remedies. Honey is a natural anti-bacterial, fresh lemons are loaded with Vitamin C and are a natural antiseptic, and fresh ginger is an anti-inflammatory agent. So together, all three make a great, homemade cough drop that has no other added flavorings or colors or sugars.
This is essentially a candy recipe so you need to watch the mixture to make sure it doesn’t boil and a candy thermometer makes it easier to check the temperature. And if the mixture foams while it is boiling, lower the heat and/or remove the pan from the stove for a minute. Then bring back to a boil under a lower temp. I prefer to use a candy mold, but you can also make these on a parchment-lined or silicone-lined baking sheet. If you are going to store them for later use, dust them with a bit of powdered sugar or cornstarch so they don’t stick together.
Sarah Munro’s Honey Lemon Ginger Cough Drops
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup honey
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely-grated fresh ginger
Powdered (confectioner’s) sugar or cornstarch for coating
DIRECTIONS:
Peel the ginger root and finely grate using a microplane or the small holes on a hand grater. In a heavy saucepan, use a wooden spoon to stir together the honey, lemon juice, and freshly-grated ginger.
Slowly, heat the mixture over a medium-low heat until it gently boils. Stir constantly to prevent scorching or burning.
There are two ways to test if the sugar has reached the candy hard crack stage. The easiest is by testing the mixture with a candy thermometer–heat the ingredients until they hit 300-310 degrees F (148-154 degrees C). If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test the mixture by dropping a tiny amount into a a bowl of VERY cold water. If it hardens, it’s done. If the mixture begins to form a foam around the edges, lower the heat. You may even have to remove the pan for a minute until the foam subsides. Then put back on the burner and cook until it reaches the hard crack stage. Keep the heat lowered, though, to prevent the honey from burning.
Once the mixture hits the hard crack stage, remove the pan from the heat. Cool for a few minutes and the mixture with thicken slightly. Then pour the mixture into small candy molds or drop by teaspoons onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet. Cool the cough drops until they are hard and firm and cool to touch. After the cough drops are fully cooled, dust with powdered sugar or cornstarch (or cinnamon for more flavor). This prevents the drops from sticking together.
Store the cough drops in a glass container with a tight fitted lid and store in a cool, dry cabinet.
Important Disclaimer: Herbal Remedies, Wild Plants, and Foraging
The information shared in my Romance Herbalist posts is intended for educational, historical, and entertainment purposes only. I am not a physician, licensed herbalist, or other medical professional. Nothing on this website should be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Herbs, flowers, spices, and other plants have been used for centuries in cooking, traditional remedies, and folk medicine. However, natural does not always mean safe. Some plants can be toxic, cause allergic reactions, interact with medications, or be unsuitable for certain medical conditions.
Before preparing, consuming, or using any herbal product, please keep the following precautions in mind:
- Medications and medical conditions: Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally, particularly if you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, have an existing medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing something for children.
- Allergies: Research potential allergic reactions and cross-reactivity, especially if you have known allergies to plants, herbs, or spices.
- Plant identification: Never harvest or consume a wild plant unless you can positively identify it and confirm that it is safe for its intended use. Some poisonous plants closely resemble edible or medicinal varieties.
- Harvesting and foraging: Avoid collecting plants from roadsides, chemically treated areas, contaminated soil, or locations where pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants may be present. Always follow local foraging laws and respect private property.
- Preparation and consumption: Research appropriate preparation methods, potential side effects, and safe quantities before using any plant. Certain plants may be safe in food but dangerous when concentrated or prepared incorrectly.
- Food safety: Use clean equipment, properly stored ingredients, and appropriate food-handling practices when preparing herbal teas, infusions, syrups, or other homemade products.
A note about traditional remedies: References to historical or folkloric uses of plants do not establish that those uses are medically effective or safe. Any discussion of potential health benefits is provided for general information and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
By choosing to forage, prepare, or consume any plant or herbal product discussed on this website, you accept responsibility for your own research, decisions, and safety. The author makes no guarantees regarding the safety, effectiveness, or suitability of any plant, recipe, or preparation described.
When in doubt, consult a qualified professional before using any herb or wild plant.
