There are many opinions on what “cold/flu season” is and if there really is in fact, a cold/flu season.
I always assumed there were many colds and flu’s around this time of year because of the weather change and you know…..the old saying, “It’s cold outside, grab a jacket or you’ll catch a cold!” Right??? How often have we heard this or said it?
For me — as of lately, I feel that the season is more about the change in our own lives. We don’t spend as much time in the sun because of the time change and we tend to eat a few more calories that aren’t probably the best because of the holidays and to keep warm. There may not be quite as much activity due to weather so we often snuggle up on the couch with a movie and again, probably an unhealthy food choice. This isn’t to say that this happens to all or that this is the reason we tend to get colds/flu’s around this time of year but it is my opinion on part of the cause.
I work with children and trust me, there are many times I am wiping noses or possibly my arms, from the snotty noses, coughs and sneezes that happen this time of year. But I am happy to say, other than a slightly drippy nose and/or sore throat, I have been cold and flu free for years! I think that I have built my immune system up by working with these kids, not getting the flu shot and keeping up with my juicing and bone broths! (knock on wood!)
Soooooo……all that being said, what do you reach for when you do feel under the weather? I made up these little throat lozenges for my daughter when she was singing a lot in the musical she was in. They were kinda “belty” songs and her throat was feeling a little tired, if you will. These drops helped her and they are soooo easy to make. I had a tickle of a cough a few days after making these so I decided to give one a try and much to my surprise, it helped curb the tickle and I was good to go! It helps not knowing you’re sucking on a bunch of ingredients you don’t want leaking into your system.
Whether you want to help with a cough tickle, sore throat or just to comfort a strained vocal cord, give these all natural – good for you, throat drops a try!
- 1/3 cup coconut oil/softened - not melted
- 1/3 cup Manuka* honey/softened - not melted
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp fresh ginger
- 1/4 tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper**
- In a small measuring bowl w/spout, combine softened coconut oil & softened honey. Using an immersion blender (or your favorite tool to whip up small batches - a whisk will do as well...just make sure to incorporate fully) whip the 2 ingredients - the blending will soften & "liquify". You don't want to heat the oil or honey.
- Add in apple cider vinegar, whip & finally add spices to combine.
- Quickly (and you don't have to be frantic ...but you want to add quickly after whipping so spices don't settle at the bottom), pour your mixture into small silicone freezer trays. The sizing should be small enough to be able to pop one in your mouth (I found mine at TJ Maxx but I've seen them on Amazon).
- Place ice cube tray into freezer for about 2 hours. Once frozen, pop out each "lozenge" and store in container (I use a mason jar) in refrigerator.
- These can be used to soothe a sore throat or for prevention.
- *any raw honey will do but manuka honey has 4x healing properties than regular honey
- **cayenne pepper will somewhat "sting" a sore throat in progress but it has healing and numbing properties
