Throat Soothing Cough Lozenge


A lozenge is a slow-dissolving and mucilaginous method of preparing herbs.  They are beneficial for sore throats, mouth, and upper respiratory tract because they soothe and coat mucus membranes. Herbs that are ideal to use in lozenges are expectorant, sedative, pain relieving, and antimicrobial. Honey is soothing and coating to mucus membranes, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and nutritive (containing vitamins, minerals, and enzymes).  Honey best extracts water-soluble constituents (tannins, vitamins and minerals, mucilages, alkaloid salts, vitamins, polysaccharides), plus small amounts of waxes and resins. When taken internally, honey calms inflamed GI tract so it’s very fitting to be added to a lozenge!

Lozenges are prepared by mixing dried, powdered herbs with honey, water, and a binder sense as mucilaginous herbs such as marshmallow and cinnamon. Then the herbal mixture is rolled, cut, and dehydrated to make bite-sized lozenges.  This way the herbs can begin working in the mouth, mucus membranes and throat.

 

Equipment: herbs, water, honey, grinder, strainer, bowl, spoon, knife, dehydrator

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
  • 2 tsp Echinacea root (Echinacea purpurea)
  • 1 tsp osha root (Ligusticum porteri)
  • 1 tsp elecampane root (Inula helenium)
  • 1 tsp hyssop aerial parts (Hyssopus officinalis)
  • 1 tsp wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina)
  • ½ tsp thyme leaf (Thymus vulgaris)
  • ½ tsp calendula flower (Calendula officinalis)
  • 3 tsp honey
  • 3 tsp filtered water
  • 8 tsp marshmallow root (Althea officinalis)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia)

 

Directions:

Measure out all the herbs and grind them in the grinder until they are in a fine powder. Sift the powdered herb through a strainer, using a spoon to coax the herb through the mesh. Compost any large plant parts that did not fit through the strainer. Add honey and water to the mixture until it is the consistency of toothpaste. Then add in the powdered marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) and cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia) to act as demulcent binding agents. Roll into a log and slice into lozenges. Dehydrate for 4 hrs at 95 degrees.

 

Why do these herbs work against coughs and congestion?

Licorice root contains Glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza glabra) which has antiviral and anti-inflammatory support. Echinacea root (Echinacea purpurea) contains cichoric acid and caftaric acid which have antioxidant activity. There are also alkamides, which have immunomodulatory effects. The marshmallow root is mucilaginous and very cooling and soothing for the throat and mucus membranes. These properties of the herbs make this recipe perfect for coughs, congestion, and colds.

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