Pine Needle Cough Syrup

Pine needle cough syrup is beneficial for soothing a dry, scratchy throat and to help tame coughs.

Equipment:

Small saucepan,

Pint mason jar

Fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth

Ice cube trays

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup water

1 cup fresh pine needles (I prefer Eastern White Pine). Make sure you are not using a toxic pine!

1/2 cup raw honey

Instructions:

Bring the water to a boil then pour it over the pine needles in a pint mason jar. For a stronger pine needle flavor you can boil the pine needles in the water for a few minutes before taking off the heat. (Just be aware that this does diminish some of the vitamin C content).

Let the infusion steep until the water has cooled to room temperature, then strain out the pine needles and stir in the honey.

Store the syrup in a covered jar in the refrigerator and it will keep for 2-4 weeks. You can freeze in ice cube trays to make it last longer. Just thaw when you are ready to use.

Take one tablespoon every two hours as needed to ease a cough, relieve chest congestion, or to soothe a dry, scratchy throat.

*Due to the honey, do not give to children under 1 year of age.