I thought that this would be interesting to try....just thought I'd share it...

Lozenges are the ideal preparation for remedies to help the mouth, throat and upper respiratory tract, as taken in this way they can work where they are most needed. Lozenges containing the most used herbal remedies for the respiratory tract are easily available in herbal pharmacies, but it is very simple and economical to make your own. Stored in an airtight container, they will keep for months. The method of making lozenges is based on combining a powdered herb with sugar and a mucilage (thick, viscous jelly) to produce the charateristic texture.

The mucilage may be obtained from Marshmallow root, Slippery Elm Bark, Comfrey root(not the best herb to use for internal things) or from one of the edible gums such as Tragacanth or Acacia.

Prepare your dried herb first. A good selection for respiratory tract complaints includes anti-microbial herbs such as Red Sage for tonsillitis or mouth ulcers, demulcents such as Coltsfoot, licorice or Lungwort for sore throats, expectorants such as Angelica, aniseed and Thyme to clear mucus and specifics such as White Horehound for coughs.

Instead of using dry herbs, you can also use essential oils. A good example would be Peppermint oil. Mix 12 drops of pure Peppermint oil with 60g/2oz of sugar then combine this with enough of the mucilage of Tragacanth to make a paste. Then proceed to make the lozenges and store the product in an airtight container.

HOW TO MAKE A LOZENGE

Lozenges are easy to make using edible gum such as Tragacanth or Acacia to make a basic mucilage. Tragacanth is available at herbal pharmacies and some specialist food stores, but you can also get it from artist's material suppliers.

1. Soak 30g/1oz Tragacanth in water for 24 hours, stirring as often as possible... Boil 500ml/1pt of water. Mix in the Tragacanth.
   
2. Using a wooden spoon, beat the mixture to a uniform consistency. Force it through a muslin strainer to make a mucilage.
   
3. Mix enough of your chosen herb (in dried, powdered form) into the mucilage to make a paste. Add unrefined brown sugar if you like (especially when using white horehound).
   
4. Dust a pastry board and rolling pin with icing sugar or cornflour to prevent sticking and roll out the paste to a layer about 1.25cm/½inch thick.
   
5. When the paste has cooled slightly, cut the paste into lozenges, in any shape and size you like. Leave to dry. Store in an airtight container.
   
   
   Excerpted from "The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal" by David Hoffman.