Here comes the season of the flu, again. Many people prepare themselves early on with a flu vaccine in hopes that their bodies can create the correct antibodies to fight off any new viral infection that appears to threaten their well being.
Unfortunately, the vaccines don’t fight off bacteria so the common cold runs amuck terrorizing our bodies making us feel just as bad as if we did have the flu. Now, there is not laid out cure for a cold but we can utilize what Mother Nature has provided for us to at least help our symptoms until the bacteria finally dies.
There have been numerous posts on the internet lately on how to make cough syrup and sore throat tea and only a few that have created cough drops. Through these, and much more outside research, I have created a great tasting cold drop. What is a cold drop you ask? It is a small cough drop shaped candy drop that is packed with ingredients that will help a sore throat, cough, inflammation and fever along with providing many other necessary health benefits when ailed.
Ingredients
- 2 Large Cloves Garlic (grated or minced) – immune stimulant, pain reliever, natural antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-parasitic
- 1 Heaping T. Fresh Ginger (grated or minced) – pain relieving, antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral
- 2 Capsules Echinacea Goldenseal Complex – Echinacea- antibacterial, blood cleanser—Goldenseal-pain relieving, antiseptic, and immune stimulant
- 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (If you cannot take chili heat, only put ¼ to ½ tsp.) – brings blood to the surfaces it touches, boosts circulation, high source of vitamin A and C, has complete B complexes, rich in calcium and potassium
- 1 T. Lemon Juice – strong antibacterial, antiviral, immune stimulant, high in citric acid, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, bioflavonoid, pectin, and limonene
- ¼ C. Honey – Coats throat, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
- ¾ C. Water + small bowl of ice cold water set aside if you don’t have a candy thermometer
- 1 ½ C. White Sugar- To harden into a solid
- Confectioners’ Sugar (optional)
Direction
- Bring water to a slow rolling boil in a medium sauce pan.
- While water is heating, grate or mince garlic and ginger.
- In small bowl mix garlic, ginger, Echinacea goldenseal complex caplet fillings, cayenne pepper lemon juice and honey.
- Once water is boiling empty contents of bowl into the pan along with the sugar.
- Mix gently to dissolve all sugar and then stop mixing.
- If you have a candy thermometer, place it in the pan. Your candy mixture will be ready when the temperature reaches 300°F (150°C).
- If you don’t have a candy thermometer, after about ten minutes take a small amount of mixture and drop it into the ice water. If it turns into a solid your candy mixture is ready, if not it will remain a sticky syrup. Keep repeating until you form a solid.
- Once your mixture is ready pour into slightly greased candy molds and let stand.
- Once hardened, pop out of candy molds and either put them into a tightly sealed container or individually wrap them in cellophane or dip them in confectioners’ sugar for an added treat. Who doesn’t like a treat when they are sick?
These little cold buster drops pack one powerful punch and actually taste amazing, although they are a bit spicy. I hope that they work as well for you as they have for me.