1 1/2 Cups honey
1 T. Powdered Ginger
1-2 teaspoons Cayenne pepper (This can be skipped for little ones who are sensitive to spices, but it is very helpful to relieve congestion if one can take the heat)
This is a candy making process, so I do not recommend doubling the recipe and I also recommend keeping the measurements and temperatures as precise as possible to avoid over cooking or undercooking.
- In a large, heavy pot, ON MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT, Cook all the ingredients to a soft crack (185F/140C on a candy thermometer) It is important to cut the heat immediately as soon as the temperature is reached. There is a fine line between making perfect candy and overcooking.
- Line an edged pan with parchment paper. (I use a jelly roll pan, but a 9×13 works fine too).
- As soon as the honey and spices have reached the 185 mark, remove from heat and dump into prepared pan.
- Do not touch it for a good 15 minutes. It is incredibly hot and can burn skin easily.
- Once the honey has cooled to where it can be touched, wash hands, but do not dry them. With wet hands, gently pick up the honey and begin to play with it…stretch, twist, pull, wrap. This is the same method used to make pulled taffy.
- For the next 10-15 minutes pull the honey, twist it, pull, it. Wet or oil hands as needed to prevent sticking to hands. It will start to change in color as air bubbles are put inside the honey.
- Once the honey is looking whitish and opaque, and cool to touch make a long rope out of it and lay it on the parchment paper.
- Use scissors to cut the candy into 1 1/2 inch logs.
- Wrap each piece in rectangles of parchment paper.
- These MUST be stored in an airtight container or they will get sticky. A jar or Ziploc bag work fine. They will last indefinitely, and can be kept in the family medicine cupboard to be used as needed.
Honey is a scientifically proven cough remedy. It also acts as an expectorant, so the cough is not only tamed, but the mucus is loosened and allowed to drain or be coughed up with less restriction. Honey sooths the throat. And honey has no side affects, unlike traditional cough medications.
Ginger helps ease a cough and reduces bodily-including sinus sand chest -inflammation.
Cayenne Pepper-a little spice gets the nose running right? I love cayenne pepper for its slow burning heat, and yes, it does help drainage and interestingly soothes sore throats too!
When my children were still toddlers, their pediatrician told me not to use cough syrups at all, but recommended honey whenever they got a cold. I can personally attest to the healing powers of honey. I like that I don’t have to even wait for it wo work, but feel results immediately.
I use honey a lot during illnesses. I add honey to tea, give the children honey-sticks, and even make these honey chews to help with healing and discomfort. I also make A Healing Punch to help speed up healing as noted in another post.