Homemade Honey Herbal Cough Drops & Cough Pops (for toddlers)

I saw a recipe for homemade cough drops on Facebook a couple of days ago. The problem was that it was half sugar and consuming sugar when you are sick is counterproductive. So after researching several homemade cough drop recipes, I experimented and made my own filled with many healing and comfort producing ingredients. I made them yesterday and my kids actually really liked them! So I think I'm going to keep them on stock the rest of the season and we'll eat them everyday as a preventative measure! (My oldest does have a little cold now and said that they felt great on her throat!) So here is my recipe: (I have both an essential oil version and a non-essential oil version.)

Homemade Honey Herbal Cough Drops

Essential Oil Version

1/2 C Pure Honey
1/4 tsp Ginger
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
2 drops OnGuard (DoTerra)
3 drops Lemon
1 drop Cloves
10 drops Peppermint

Bring honey, ginger and cinnamon to a boil. Turn down and simmer until it reaches the hard crack stage (300°), stirring continually. Let cool just a couple of minutes. Stir in the essential oils. Spoon drop (nickel size) onto parchment. After they cool completely sprinkle both sides with homemade powdered sugar*. (This keeps them from sticking together or I would have left this out). Store in a parchment lined, airtight container. If not using right away you can freeze them.

.

* Homemade Powdered Sugar - Put 1/3 C Organic Sugar (xylitol, succanat, turbinado, etc.) and 1 tsp cornstarch in a blender. Blend until powdered.

Non-Essential Oil Version

1/2 C Pure Honey
1/4 tsp Ginger
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Cloves
1Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice

Mix all of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer until it reaches the hard crack stage (300°), stirring continually. Spoon drop (nickel size) onto parchment. After they cool completely sprinkle both sides with homemade powdered sugar*. (This keeps them from sticking together or I would have left this out). Store in a parchment lined, airtight container. If not using right away you can freeze them.

Toddler Cough Pops

Follow either of the above recipes. Place lollipop sticks on parchment paper and spoon quarter-sized drops onto the lollipop sticks. After they have cooled completely sprinkle with homemade powdered sugar*. Store in a parchment lined, airtight container. If not using right away you can freeze them.

About the Ingredients

Honey has been found to reduce a cough better then cough syrup! If you don't want to make the cough drops you can just take a tsp of pure honey (babies under 1 should not consume honey though). It is also know to bolster the immune system. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, and can help heal and soothe a sore or scratchy throat

Ginger is known to be pain relieving, an antiseptic and an antioxidant.

Cinnamon has been used both anciently and modern to treat cold and flu symptoms. It helps to clear congestion and soothe a scratchy irritated throat.

Lemon is full of vitamin C which is known to support the body's immune system. It can reduce the strength of cold or flu symptoms and help to reduce phlegm. It is also soothing on a sore throat.

Cloves is full of antioxidants which helps to improve the function of the body's immune system.

Peppermint is an expectorant, decongestant and mild pain reliever. It is a natural menthol which is used in most over the counter cough drops.

Doterra OnGuard On Guard is dōTERRA®’s unique, proprietary blend formulated to support healthy immune function. Wild orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary offer a fragrant, natural and effective alternative to synthetic options for immune support. On Guard, with its unique aroma, is one of our most versatile blends. It is also safe to use on counter tops, as a non-toxic way to cleanse surfaces, or to purify the atmosphere by diffusing. On Guard is superb for eliminating and controlling pathogens due to the potency of its constituents. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use. http://shop.doterra.com/

Christmas Day

It was fun having Grandma & Grandpa at our house Christmas Morning!

Here the girls come running in to see what Santa left them.

First item of business for Brooke was to go through her stocking.

Soon Aubrey followed suit.

Aubrey had made and wrapped homemade presents for everyone during the week. She was excited to hand them out to everyone.

Then we took the girls to see their big surprise from us - bunk beds! Jeff set them up on Christmas Eve night while Aubrey had a slumber party in Brooke's room.

The girls were super excited!

Checking out their new beds.

Yipee!

Then it was time to open presents. 

Then the best part of all, playing with all the new stuff!

Even cousin Tori played games with the girls.

I had made the girls matching nightgowns for them and their baby dolls. I was pleasantly surprised when the girls absolutely loved them!

I love these cute girls modeling their nightgowns and stompies.

Before bed the girls had fun teaching Beckham how to play the keyboard.

Bedtime stories with Grandma.

Then off to the bunk bed with their new nightgowns, dream lights, stompies & blankets. This was the most excited the girls have ever been to go to bed!

Aww, after a fun day the girls are sleeping peacefully!

Christmas Fun, Family Visitors & Christmas Eve

 When Grandma & Grandpa came to town we went and saw the drive through lights display.

Then Elliot, Katie & Tori got here. Here's Aubrey giving her lots of loves. 

Tori Clause. 

Brookie giving Tori loves. 

Now it's time to decorate cookies.

The best way to do it is to smoother the cookie with frosting and sprinkles.

Yummy!

Then the Carlile clan got here. The girls had fun playing with Beckham.

The kid table at dinner. Don't let the picture fool you, I think the toddlers only remained in their spot for the minute that I took the picture!

Aubrey loves to take care of little ones. Beckham liked her feeding him! 

Getting goody bags ready to play elves at a local Nursing Home. 

My elves are all ready to spread some Christmas Cheer.

They had a blast singing songs and handing out goody bags. 

.

Several days before Christmas Eve, Aubrey wrote out a Nativity play script (including songs) and got together costumes. Look who decided to play baby Jesus.

The cute little angel telling Mary and Joseph they were going to have a baby. 

Sophie loved the manger!

The shepherds. 

The shepherds going to see baby Jesus.

Hugs for Sophie!

Grandma makes a good star. 

The wise man bringing gifts.

After the play my girls got to open one gift. 

Aubrey was super excited to get a Dream Light!

Brookie loved the princess play doh from Aubrey.

Getting a treat for Santa and his Reindeer.

Santa's a lucky one!

Putting baby Jesus in the manger that we were filling with hay all month. (Every time anyone did something kind they could put a piece of hay/yarn in the manger. We wanted to make it soft for baby Jesus to lay in on Christmas Eve.)