Herbs for Cough

Information about Herbal remedies for cough and cold problems.

What is Cough?

Cough is the sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages. It is a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia and the air is exhaled from the mouth suddenly with a noise. Coughs in children are common, and usually accompany many of the normal childhood illnesses. A cough that continues for several days, or increases in severity, should be iimmediately checked by a physician to rule out other diseases. A sudden expulsion of air from the body due to irritation of the airway, especially in young thoroughbreds or during the spring; a symptom of airway irritation that usually does not indicate serious illness.

Herbs and Supplements for Cough

Fill a basin with hot water and a handful of fresh or dried herbs or 3 drops of an appropriate essential oil. Tent a towel over your head and the basin so you can carefully breathe in the healing warmth and aroma. Suggested herbs include sage, eucalyptus, peppermint, or hyssop.

Echinacea (angustifolia or purpurea), primarily in tincture form, is highly recommended at the first sign of a cold, flu, or cough. Considered "the herbalists herb" it receives high praises as an immunostimulant and antibiotic.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) - tincture of mullein is used to relieve chest congestion and dry, bronchial coughs.Historically, Native Americans smoked dried mullein and coltsfoot cigarettes as a remedy for asthma and bronchitis.

Wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina) continues to be a favorite ingredient in cough and cold remedies, primarily due to its sedative effect on the respiratory system.

Herbs May Ease Persistent Cough

Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes found in pineapples ( Ananas comosus ). Bromelain supplements contain active substances that aid digestion and help reduce inflammation. Although not all experts agree, bromelain supplements may help suppress cough, reduce nasal mucus associated with sinusitis, and relieve the swelling and inflammation caused by hay fever.

Chinese Herbs for Cough

A number of herbs can provide some relief from coughs, however. The old standby is hard candy made with horehound, but these herbal drops can be hard to find these days. Licorice is also traditional for cough, but too much licorice can raise blood pressure and disturb mineral balance.

Tea made from thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon per cup) or grated ginger root can soothe a cough. Codeine is the gold standard for cough medicine, but it may require a prescription in some states.

Herbs for relieving cough

The bronchial spasms can be relaxed and the phlegm can be slowly induced to come out through the addition of expectorants to the herbal tea, this function is achieved in the herbal tea through the addition of licorice, which is a very powerful herbal expectorant. A few drops of the oils of the eucalyptus or the peppermint herbs can be added to steaming and boiling water, the steam produced can be inhaled slowly to help open clogged sinuses, and clear out the respiratory passages, this inhalation can also greatly minimize bronchial spasms and painful contractions that can result during the cough.

Herbal cough supplements

Most contemporary herbalists recommend horehound (Marrubium vulgare) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) for treating minor respiratory problems - coughs, colds, and bronchitis. In addition to horehound's expectorant and demulcent qualities, as an antispasmodic it helps to relax the coughing spasms so common with bronchitis.