Homemade Cough Drops (Herbal Cough Drops)

Soothe sore throats naturally with these homemade herbal cough drops made with lavender, marshmallow root, honey, and sugar. Easy to make, all-natural, and perfect for cold and flu season.

When cold and flu season hits, a sore throat and nagging cough can make even the coziest day feel uncomfortable. While store-bought cough drops are easy to grab, they often contain artificial colors, preservatives, and corn syrup. If you prefer a natural option, you’ll love these DIY herbal cough drops made with soothing lavender and marshmallow root.

Not only are they simple to make at home, but they’re also effective. Lavender helps relax irritation, while marshmallow root is well-known in herbal medicine for its ability to coat and soothe the throat. Combined with raw honey and sugar, these little drops become a sweet, soothing remedy you can keep on hand whenever your throat needs a little TLC.

How To Make Homemade Cough Drops

For this recipe you will need lavender, marshmallow root, sugar and honey.

Make the herbal infusion: Place lavender and marshmallow root in a heat-safe glass jar. Pour 1 cup of hot water over the herbs, cover, and let steep for about 15 minutes. Strain and measure out ½ cup of the infusion to use in the recipe.

Cook the mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, honey, and ½ cup of the herbal infusion. Heat over medium heat, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves.

Boil to hard-crack stage: Once the sugar has dissolved, bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Allow it to cook until it reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer. This stage is called the hard-crack stage—it’s what ensures your cough drops harden properly.

Mold the drops: Remove from heat immediately and carefully pour the hot mixture into your silicone mold. (Be cautious—the syrup is extremely hot and can cause burns.)

Cool and set: Let the cough drops cool completely in the mold until they are hard. Pop them out and store in an airtight container.

Why Lavender and Marshmallow Root?

Both herbs bring unique benefits to this recipe:

• Lavender – Known for its calming aroma and gentle floral flavor, lavender also has mild antimicrobial properties. It adds a relaxing element to each drop, making it a pleasant choice during cold season.
• Marshmallow Root – A classic herb for respiratory health, marshmallow root contains mucilage, a thick, gel-like substance that coats and soothes irritated throats. It’s been used for centuries in teas, lozenges, and syrups to calm coughs.

Paired with honey (which naturally soothes and coats the throat) and sugar (which helps the drops harden), these ingredients come together in a remedy that is as comforting as it is effective.

How to Use Herbal Cough Drops

Simply suck on one cough drop every couple of hours as needed to calm irritation and dryness in your throat. The honey and herbs help coat your throat, while the slow dissolving candy allows the soothing infusion to linger.

Keep in mind that these are homemade, so they don’t contain stabilizers or preservatives like store-bought cough drops. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and use them within 2–3 weeks for best freshness.

If you live in a humid environment, dusting the cough drops lightly with powdered sugar or cornstarch before storing can help prevent them from sticking together.

Substitutions and Variations

One of the best parts of making your own cough drops is customizing the recipe to fit your needs and preferences. Here are a few ideas:

• Herbs – Try swapping lavender or marshmallow root for other soothing herbs. Some great options include chamomile, thyme, sage, or slippery elm bark.
• Sweetener – While honey and sugar are important for texture and flavor, you can experiment with raw cane sugar or brown sugar for a deeper flavor. Avoid liquid sweeteners like maple syrup, as they won’t harden properly.
• Shapes – Use any small silicone mold you like! Fun shapes like hearts, flowers, or stars make these especially appealing for kids (just remember, they’re not for children under 3 due to the hard candy texture).
• Extra flavor – Add a drop of lemon or orange extract at the end of cooking for a citrus twist.

FAQs 

1. Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, but dried herbs are preferred because they provide a stronger flavor and medicinal quality. If using fresh herbs, double the amount.

2. Do I need a candy thermometer?
Yes, for best results. Reaching the hard-crack stage is crucial—without a thermometer, it’s easy to undercook (resulting in sticky drops) or overcook (leading to burnt sugar).

3. Are these safe for kids?
These cough drops are safe for older children, but not for kids under 3 years old due to the hard candy texture and risk of choking.

4. Can I make these sugar-free?
Unfortunately, no. Sugar and honey are essential to the structure of the cough drops. Sugar-free alternatives won’t harden properly.

5. How many drops does this recipe make?
Depending on the size of your mold, you’ll get around 20 cough drops.

Related Recipes:

• Onion Honey Cough Syrup
• Honey and Lemon Cough Syrup with Coconut Oil
• Herbal Honey for Sleep
• How To Make Oregano Oil

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