How to Make Pine Tar Cough Remedies

Many people are unaware that pine tar is an ingredient in many cough medicines. Even fewer are aware that you can make your own homemade cough medicine. Follow the steps below to save yourself some money on the remedy for a bad cough.

Things You'll Need

• Yellow heart pine
• Cast-iron pot
• Flat board
• Knife
• Wet clay
• Glass jars
• Sugar
• Capsicum
• Oil of wintergreen

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Instructions

• 1

  Extract pine tar from yellow heart pine, a greasy-looking, lemon-colored wood found in damp areas. Cut the wood into short, thin pieces. Place pieces in a heavy pot such as a Dutch oven. The pieces should be wedged in tightly so they will remain in place when turning over the pot.

• 2

  Cut grooves into a flat piece of wood that is larger than the pot. These will allow the pine tar to flow. Place an end of the board on a pile of rocks or bricks, allowing for slant. Prop the other end of the board with a container to catch the pine tar.

• 3

  Turn the pot upside down on the high end of the board. Cover with a thick layer of clay to keep splinters from burning. Build a fire on the clay-covered pot. It takes about 30 minutes for the tar to flow. If using a Dutch oven, this will yield about three cups of pine tar. Store in jars.

• 4

  Mix 1/2 tsp. of pine tar with 3 tsp. honey for a single dose of pine tar cough syrup. Repeat as needed.

• 5

  Use pine tar to make cough candy. Boil a mixture of 3 cups of water and five pounds of sugar. Boil to hard snap. Spread in second container. While cooling, add 5 drops pine tar (make this by dissolving 1.5 tsp. tar in 1 Tb. alcohol), 1.5 capsicum, 1.75 tsp. oil of wintergreen. Work ingredients manually until completely blended. Keep mixture warm, near a fire or stove. Roll into sticks. Roll until cold.