By Beth and Rustina, Contributing Writers
It’s fall! The weather is fluctuating and events full of people are in full swing enjoying the cooler weather and spreading colds. When it comes to sore throats, cough drops are usually the first thing people reach for – however, they shouldn’t be. Most are filled with artificial ingredients, sugar, dyes, and so many other things. When the body is healing, you don’t want to be harming it in the process! The best, cost efficient solution? Make your own!
While these are called lollipops you can make a cough drop by simply skipping the stick or buying molds. However, it feels like more fun with the stick!
How to Make DIY: Honey Lollipops
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of raw, local honey (If you don’t have local, try this one)
- 1 cup of Elderberry Syrup
- Optional additions: syrup from ginger, mullein, wild cherry bark, or cinnamon. The possibilities for this are endless really!
Directions:
- Add ingredients to a small pot and turn on high, being sure you stir it consistently.
- When mixture reaches 300 degrees (use a candy thermometer — it won’t take long) you can turn the heat to low and carefully spoon it onto a non-stick surface placing sticks in the center, do drops, or into a mold. When mixture has been all used, turn off heat.
Notes:
Keep in mind that heating honey to this temperature does take away some of its benefits. However, it still does the job for soothing and certainly doesn’t harm. To get the most out of the honey, choose a local, raw honey. Sometimes what is on the store shelves does not contain much honey!
Usually give the first round a chance to set a minute and then spoon a little more over the top in order to get more of a lollipop shape. As you can see some shape well – and others less so. Let them sit until they are firm, which usually takes a few hours. Alternatively, using a mold will help ensure a more structured and consistent appearance.
And there you have it! A good tasting, fun way to soothe a sore throat this winter. This is something that kids and adults can use. You can whip it up in no time, keep handy, and the best part – you know exactly what is in them!
If your child is under the age of one, be sure to consider this information: Why Babies CAN eat Honey (Sometimes)
I love that these literally have only 2 ingredients (unless you choose to add more of course) and I can use my oils in them. Will definitely be making these soon!!
Awesome and so simple!!
thank you for sharing!
Hi Beth, thanks for posting this recipe. I had been looking for something similar but wondering about the health benefits of the raw honey once it was heated enough to turn to candy. Could you please share where you get your lolly pop sticks? They look to be made of bamboo or some other wood. If I can’t find that kind, is it ok to use the regular paper sticks? I always worry that there are unwanted things in those paper sticks.
I think I might have to make these today! Thanks Beth!