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This natural remedy is perfect for a sore throat, if you have congestion or a cough. 

How to Make the Herbal Throat Tincture

This throat tincture is a strong herbal solution that is mixed with raw honey. If you prefer to make this product vegan, you can replace the honey with vegetable glycerin. The herbs used offer immediate relief as well as providing long lasting benefits to beat your sickness. The herbs can be purchased from your local grocery store, farmers market or online. Here is a good place to start. 

• Ginger
• Echinacea
• Peppermint
• Elderberry
• Thyme
• Marshmallow Root
• Cayenne (optional)

Know that all of the herbs are optional. If you don’t have all of them, that’s okay, you can still make an herb tincture or use different herbs of your choice.

Recipe For Herbal Tincture 

1. In a pint-sized mason jar, combine 1 tablespoon of each of the dried herbs: Ginger, Echinacea, Mint, Elderberry, Thyme, Marshmallow Root, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
2. Pour ¼ cup boiling hot water over the herbs. This will draw out the beneficial properties.
3. Fill the rest of the mason jar with a strong high-proof alcohol like vodka or brandy.
4. Place an airtight lid and let it sit for at least two or three weeks in a cool dark place but shake daily. This solution can last up to one year. The longer it sits, the stronger it will be.

A Faster Variation for an Herbal Tincture:

If you don’t have time to wait around for weeks for your herbal tincture to be ready, you can make a quicker tincture in less than an hour.

1. Combine 1 teaspoon of all of the herbs from the list above and place into a small glass mason jar.
2. Pour boiling water to just cover the herbs with water.
3. Let stand for 30 minutes until water turns cool.
4. Strain out herbs (cheesecloth works best) then compost them
5. However, much water is left over, mix equal parts with high-proof alcohol (such as vodka or rum)
6. Use this herbal tincture and combine with the DIY recipe below.
7. Store in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Side Note:

If you prefer to not use an alcohol-based tincture, you can use a strong herbal tea instead. Just be sure to keep the resulting spray in your refrigerator and be aware that shelf life will be reduced to a mere number of days.

How to Make A Strong Herbal Tea-Based Tincture

1. Put 1 or 2 tablespoons of dried herbs in a heat proof mason jar
2. Pour 1 cup of boiling/simmering hot water over them. Let this steep for at least an hour, or more. The longer it steeps, the stronger the tea will be.
3. Strain and use in the recipe below. Extra tea can be frozen in ice cube trays for later use.

When your herbal tincture is ready, use this recipe below.

DIY Honey Herbal Throat Spray Recipe:

• Combine 2 tablespoons of any herbal tincture methods used above
• 2 tablespoons raw honey (or vegetable glycerin)
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a 3-ounce spray bottle (preferably glass). Store in your refrigerator for several months. If you used the tea-based tincture, remember that this mixture will last weeks not months in your fridge.

Spray into your mouth, directed towards your throat, as needed.

Other Herbs You Might Want to Try:

Listed below are some herbs and spices that you can try out and use for the herbal tincture recipes. Tinctures (herbal extracts) can be found in your local health store or online.

Peppermint- Soothes indigestion and bloating

Ginger – is antibacterial, helps upset stomach, nausea and chills.

Echinacea – is another one good to help with throat pain. It also helps boost your immune system.

Violet – Soothes inflammation and heals. It’s claimed to fight oral cancers.

Rose petals – are cooling and astringent. Make your own tincture easily by covering fresh or high quality dried rose petals with vodka for four to six weeks.

Marshmallow Root – excellent at coating and soothing inflamed throats.

Thyme – good for bronchitis and upper respiratory infections.

Elderberry – The classic antiviral, very effective against influenza.

Schisandra – It helps the body cope with stresses & illness.

Astragalus –  It gives a subtle boost of energy and increases the ability to fight off colds.

Lemon Balm – It is antiviral, calming, soothes nervous stomach and powerful against cold sores.

Cayenne pepper– Helps boost the stomach’s defense against infections, aids digestion.

What remedies do you use when you have a sore throat or cough? Please share!