Simple herbal throat lozenges

The freeze and thaw of this year's unusually warm January seems to bring about more colds, as our bodies are having trouble adjusting to the weather properly.  Here is a quick herbal throat lozenge recipe that we love to make, perfect for treating those sore aching throats with soothing, healing herbs.  These lozenges are so delicious, and very simple to make.  They are a soft lozenge which does not require heating (hard lozenges are made like candy, heating the liquid and honey/sugar up to a high temperature so they harden properly).  These soft lozenges are simply rolled by hand, and kids love to help with this sticky process of making homemade folk medicine.  They are best stored in the freezer, so their shelf life is prolonged - and popping an icy cold herbal lozenge into a sore throat is intensely soothing.

Simple herbal throat lozenges

You will need:
2 Tbsp raw honey
2-6 Tbsp powdered slippery elm
1-2 Tbsp powdered herbs such as fennel seed, marshmallow root, or licorice root (or a combination)

1) Mix raw honey and half the powdered slippery elm on a small plate.  Mix well until you have a paste-like "dough".  Add enough powdered slippery elm to make this a consistency that can be rolled into balls.  Depending on the consistency of the honey you will need more or less slippery elm powder.  Work with your hands (or small spoons), but you may need to wash your hands occasionally if the honey gets too sticky.

2) Roll this "dough" into small balls.  This recipe yields about 15-20 small lozenge sized balls.  Then roll the balls in powdered fennel seed, marshmallow root, or licorice root to coat the balls.  Place on parchment paper. 

3) Place the parchment paper with the lozenges in the freezer for about 15 minutes.  Once frozen, the balls can be stored in a glass mason jar with lid, and left in the freezer until you need them.  Label and date the jar.  These keep almost indefinitely in the freezer (at room temperature they will not hold their shape for long).

4) Use 1-2 lozenges at a time, as needed.  Please note that children under the age of 2 should not be given raw honey.