This time of year, the changing seasons most certainly bring tidings of good cheer, however it also brings sneezes, sniffles, and sore throats. Holiday season brings social gatherings, crowded shopping malls, and free-flowing cold viruses for all to share.

While we can do our best to boost our immune systems, and take precautions like washing our hands, picking up the common cold is inevitable for most of us. When it does happen, Cannabis can help reduce the duration and intensity of your cold.

Cannabis for the Common Cold

The symptoms of a cold, runny nose, sore throats, etc. happen because the immune system has launched an all-out war on the infecting virus causing inflammation. Controlling this inflammation is key to controlling the symptoms of a cold.

Multiple reports show the potential for Cannabis is more than snake oil when it comes to treating the common cold. Besides being a natural anti-bacterial, CBD, can help control the inflammation response, as well as, stimulate the immune system to help provide protection from the virus. In fact, regular use of CBD may help boost your immune system to reduce your risk of getting a cold all-together.

THC helps to reduce pain and joint inflammation. Plus, when all your body wants to do is rest and heal, THC can help your body get all the healing sleep you need for speedy recovery. Headaches and sinus pressure can also be alleviated with cannabinoid therapy.

In addition, the other cannabinoids and terpenes in Cannabis also have shown incredible potential. Cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichromene (CBC) are found in trace amounts in Cannabis and in hemp, and both are known to possess antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. In fact, in a study done in Italy, all cannabinoids: THC, CBD, CBD, CBC, and CBN were all shown to have potent antibacterial activity. Ahh…science!

Other Healing Herbs

Besides just Cannabis, this recipe includes other healing herbs to help combat the symptoms of your cold. While you can use whatever herbs you’d like to use in making the original tea, here are the herbs I recommend:

• Chamomile – also a natural anti-inflammatory, chamomile has been shown to have antibacterial qualities to help fight infection.
• Elderberries – well known for their ability to fight colds, elderberries may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-influenza, and anti-cancer properties.
• Marshmallow Root – reduces pain, swelling, and congestion. In addition, it can also reduce swelling in the lymph nodes, speed up healing, and act as a cough remedy.
• Slippery Elm – one of the best natural remedies for soothing a sore throat.

Smoking, Not Required

Now, I don’t know about you, but smoking when I’m sick or have a sore throat is the furthest thing from my mind. Inhaling smoke on an already irritated throat is probably not the best approach to promote healing.

In addition, keeping the throat moist is important, so these delicious Cannabis honey lozenges help with saliva production, too.

Herbal Cannabis Cough Drops

Combining throat-soothing herbs with that other soothing herb makes a potent herbal cold remedy. This recipe begins by making a strong tea out of whatever herbs you’d like to use. Then, reduce the tea to create an herbal concentrate. You’ll likely have some herbal concentrate left over after making these lozenges. You can mix it with honey tincture or plain honey to make a comforting cough syrup, too.

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• 1 Tablespoons Chamomile
• 2 Tablespoons Elderberries
• 1 Tablespoons Marshmallow Root
• 1 Tablespoon Slippery Elm

2. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over herbs and stir. Cover the bowl with a plate and steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain herbs.

3. Pour the resulting tea into a small saucepan on medium high heat. Reduce by at least half to make an herbal concentrate. Pour into a jar.

4. In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat combine:

• 1/2 Cup Infused Honey
• 1/4 Cup Infused Herbal Concentrate

5. Place a candy thermometer into the saucepan and wait until your lozenge mixture reaches the “hard crack” stage (If you’re at sea level, this is probably right at 300°. At 6,000 feet, hard crack stage is around 280°. Calibrate your thermometer using the boiling water method and adjust the temperature as needed.)

6. Quickly pour into molds. I like these for lozenges.

7. Allow to cool at room temperature.

8. These will stick together if not coated. Once cooled, remove from mold and toss with either 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar or 1 Tablespoon CALM Calcium Magnesium powder to skip the extra sugar and get some bioavailable magnesium.

These little gems are delicious, great for your immune system, and will provide comfort when your throat is screaming for relief.

Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Much Love,

Corinne

Herbal Cannabis Cough Drops

Combining throat soothing herbs with that other soothing herb makes a potent herbal cold remedy. This recipe begins by making a strong tea out of whatever herbs you’d like to use. Then reduce the tea to create an herbal concentrate. You’ll likely have some herbal concentrate left over after making these lozenges. You can mix it with honey tincture or plain honey to make a comforting cough syrup, too.

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Equipment

• Mixing Bowl
• Plate
• Strainer
• Small Saucepan
• Jar
• Candy Thermometer
• Molds

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp Chamomile
• 2 Tbsp Elderberries
• 1 Tbsp Marshmallow Root
• 1 Tbsp Slippery Elm
• 1 Cup Water
• 1/2 Cup Infused Honey
• 1/4 Cup Infused Herbal Concentrate
• 1 Tbsp Powdered Sugar or CALM Calcium Magnesium Powder

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, combine chamomile, elderberries, marshmallow root, and slippery elm.
• Pour 1 cup of boiling water over herbs and stir. Cover the bowl with a plate and steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain herbs.
• Pour the resulting tea into a small saucepan on medium high heat. Reduce by at least half to make an herbal concentrate. Pour into a jar.
• In a small saucepan over medium-high heat combine infused honey and infused herbal concentrate.
• Place a candy thermometer into the saucepan and wait until your lozenge mixture reaches the “hard crack” stage (If you’re at sea level, this is probably right at 300°. At 6000 feet, hard crack stage is around 280°. Calibrate your thermometer using the boiling water method and adjust the temperature as needed.)
• Quickly pour into lozenge molds.
• Allow to cool to room temperature.
• These will stick together if not coated. Toss with either 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar or 1 Tablespoon CALM calcium magnesium powder to skip the extra sugar and get some bioavailable magnesium.