Best Cough Drops: Top 7 Soothing Lozenges Most Recommended By Experts

Coughing can be disruptive and irritating, whether you’re at work, school, or simply trying to relax. Fortunately, cough drops offer a quick and convenient way to soothe your throat and suppress your cough. These small lozenges contain ingredients like menthol, honey, or eucalyptus that work to alleviate symptoms and provide temporary relief. Our list of the top seven cough drop brands includes some of the most popular lozenges for cough and sore throat relief.

Coughs and sore throats are common winter ailments, making cough drops a natural go-to for relief. With their portability, convenience, and variety of flavors and benefits, cough drops offer a simple solution to alleviate winter’s unpleasant symptoms and provide temporary comfort. So, it’s no wonder they have become a popular winter purchase for many people. We turned to eight experts to compile this list of the best cough drop brands on the market. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

The List: Best Cough Drops Most Recommended By Experts

1. Luden’s

Craving a cough drop that goes beyond the usual flavors? Look no further than Luden’s, says Prevention. While classic options like lemon and honey are reliable, their taste can get old, especially if you’ve been battling a cough for a while. Luden’s offers exciting alternatives to keep your taste buds happy. Prevention specifically likes their green apple and honey berry flavors, perfect for soothing a mild cough without sacrificing taste.

Luden’s cough drops offer delicious and soothing relief from sore throats and coughs. Active agrees, emphasizing the crowd-pleasing appeal of Luden’s Wild Cherry cough drops. These drops are suitable for the whole family and contain pectin as the active ingredient. This means they effectively soothe and suppress coughs without leaving a strong menthol aftertaste. So, if you’re not a fan of menthol, the bold cherry flavor offers a refreshing alternative.

With a variety of classic and innovative flavors, Luden’s continues to be a trusted choice for comforting winter woes. SheKnows takes a trip down memory lane, highlighting the rich history of Luden’s. Founded in 1879 with the goal of creating the most delicious throat drops, Luden’s legacy lives on over a century later. SheKnows describes the Wild Cherry flavor as reminiscent of cherry Blow Pops, minus the bubble gum center – a delightful treat for both your taste buds and your throat.

2.  Halls

Halls cough drops are a popular choice for relieving coughs and sore throats. They come in a variety of flavors, including cherry, honey-lemon, and menthol. Halls Cough Drops offer a convenient and effective solution for a cough, says FindThisBest. They specifically like the refreshing cherry flavor because it goes beyond mere taste. It also provides a cooling sensation that extends to your nasal passages, bringing a touch of comfort during those sniffly days.

Looking for a sugar-free alternative? Glory Cycles recommends Halls Relief Honey Lemon Sugar Free Cough Drops. These drops offer the same cough-soothing and throat-calming benefits without the sugar, catering to various dietary needs. They pack a powerful punch with 5.8mg of menthol per drop, effectively tackling your symptoms.

For those battling a full-blown case of the sniffles, SheKnows also suggests Halls Sugar-Free drops. While their medicinal flavor might be a bit stronger, the key ingredient, menthol, delivers a fast-acting cooling effect. This translates to quicker relief and a noticeable improvement in how you feel.

3. Ricola

Ricola, a beloved Swiss brand known for its herbal cough drops, offers a soothing and natural way to combat coughs and sore throats. Their unique blend of Swiss alpine herbs provides relief with a burst of delicious flavor, making Ricola a popular choice for those seeking comfort and effectiveness.

Craving cough relief that goes beyond the usual sugary options? Look no further than Ricola, says Mybest. They’ve mastered the art of “doing sugar-free right,” offering natural relief with a unique twist. Their elderflower sweets are not just sugar-free, but also gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan. Plus, they’re packed with a delightful blend of herbal goodness.

Good Housekeeping highlights another advantage of their sugar-free option – it’s a lifesaver for those suffering from chronic dry mouth or nighttime coughing. No more midnight trips to brush your teeth! This sugar-free version retains the essence of the famous Swiss herbal cough drops, packing 1.5mg of menthol for relief alongside the soothing properties of peppermint, thyme, and lemon balm. The result? A slightly medicinal flavor that’s gentle on your taste buds.

Prevention describes the Ricola cough drops as having a pleasant lemon mint flavor that’s kind to your taste buds. Menthol is also present to provide a temporary numbing effect for sore throats caused by persistent coughing.

4. Cēpacol

Cēpacol is known for its throat lozenges and offers a variety of solutions to combat cough and sore throat symptoms. Feeling the tickle in your throat and dreading the thought of a persistent cough? Business Insider Reviews says these handy pocket-sized lozenges are perfect for on-the-go relief. Unlike sprays that require multiple applications, sucking on a Cēpacol drop provides sustained comfort.

Active adds that these drops go beyond soothing a sore throat, offering powerful oral pain relief. This makes them a valuable tool for managing discomfort caused by canker sores and other mouth wounds.

Good Housekeeping emphasizes Cēpacol’s effectiveness in tackling both coughs and the accompanying throat pain. The numbing agent, benzocaine, provides immediate relief for a sore throat, while the cough suppressant, dextromethorphan, helps calm the cough itself. This two-pronged approach offers comprehensive relief, allowing you to feel better faster.

5. Zarbee’s Naturals

Zarbee’s Naturals offers a range of wellness solutions for all ages and stages. Their commitment to safe and effective natural remedies makes them a popular choice for families seeking relief from coughs, colds, and other common ailments.

Struggling with a cough but looking for natural solutions? Look no further than Zarbee’s, says SheKnows. These cough drops boast a unique blend of soothing honey, the antioxidant powerhouse vitamin C, and immune-boosting ingredients like zinc and echinacea.

Designed to tackle cough-related symptoms – hoarseness, dryness, and irritation – while simultaneously strengthening your defenses, Zarbee’s drops are a must-have for your medicine cabinet, purse, or car. They offer tasty relief with a focus on all-natural ingredients. Business Insider Reviews loves the the purely natural formula. Zarbee’s cough drops ditch the processed sugars, artificial colors, and flavors often found in conventional options. Plus, the lozenge form is convenient and less messy than syrups.

Common cough drop ingredients to look for:

Cough drops come in a variety of formulations, each containing ingredients that target different aspects of cough and throat irritation. Here’s a breakdown of some key players:

• Menthol: This cooling agent provides a numbing sensation, offering temporary relief from a sore throat and easing the urge to cough.

• Honey: A natural humectant, honey draws moisture to the throat, soothing dryness and irritation.

• Benzocaine: A topical anesthetic, benzocaine numbs the throat to alleviate pain and discomfort caused by coughing.

• Dextromethorphan: This cough suppressant works by acting on the cough reflex in the brain, reducing the frequency and intensity of coughs.

• Pectin: This natural ingredient acts as a demulcent, coating the throat with a protective film that soothes irritation and discomfort.

Additional Ingredients:

• Vitamin C and Zinc: These immune-boosting elements aim to shorten the duration of a cough and cold by supporting the body’s natural defenses.

• Echinacea: This herb is traditionally used to support the immune system and may help reduce the severity of coughs and colds.

Which cough drop is right for you?

• For a sore throat: Look for drops containing menthol or benzocaine for numbing relief.

• For a cough: Dextromethorphan-based drops can help suppress the cough reflex.

• For natural options: Honey-based lozenges or drops with natural flavors like lemon or cherry can soothe a cough while avoiding artificial ingredients.

Sources:

• FindThisBest
• SheKnows
• Business Insider Reviews
• Active
• Mybest
• Good Housekeeping
• Prevention
• Glory Cycles

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.