DIY Soothing Cough Drops with Essential Oils
It’s cold and flu season, and we’re all looking for some relief from sore, scratchy throats. If you prefer reaching for a natural remedy rather than over-the-counter antihistamines, this recipe is for you!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup of organic sugar, or monk fruit,* (I prefer monk fruit)
- ¼ cup cold water,
- 1 Tbsp raw honey, (locally-sourced options are packed with health benefits!)
- Organic powdered sugar, (to line cookie sheet)
- 10-20 drops of doTerra OnGuard essential oil,**
- 10-20 drops of doTerra Lemon essential oil,**
Prefer a different flavor? Feel free to experiment! Substitute either essential oil (or both) with spearmint, peppermint, tangerine or other mint or citrus oil.
*Monk fruit is slightly sweeter than regular sugar, but can be used 1:1. Monk fruit “sugar” is a 0 on the glycemic index, so it does not negatively affect blood sugar levels. It is also 0-calorie! Though we know that ingesting sugar, (0-calorie or not), will temporarily spike blood sugar, fruit sugar is always a healthier option than refined sugar. You can find Monk fruit at Whole Foods or Amazon.
Directions:
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Bring sugar, honey, and water to a slow boil over medium heat.
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When it reaches 280 degrees, add essential oils. Once 300 degrees, (when you can put a drop of cold water and it gets hard right away), take off heat and let it sit until all bubbles are gone.
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On a cookie sheet, make a layer of powdered sugar. (Alternatively, ground organic sugar or Monk fruit sugar finely.)
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Take a small, round measuring spoon and make indents in the powdered sugar.
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Slowly spoon the hot mixture into the powdered sugar “mold.”
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Let sit until cool, and sift the powdered sugar off.