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Kick your cough into touch – with Herbs
I’ll be honest. I am curled up in front of the fire writing this article feeling decidedly below average (yes, nutritionists get ill too, especially at this time of year).
I have a cold – and when I get a cold, it goes straight to the chest and throat. On the positive side I sound very sassy and it has given me great inspiration for this article. So, between the horrible hacking cough… here’s how to get rid of yours – with herbs. Keep this article in your medicine cabinet for next time you need it!
Coughing is actually an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing often means you have an underlying infection or more serious problem (always get a cough checked out if it lasts more than a week). Some coughs are dry, while others are productive. A productive cough is one that brings up phlegm (also called sputum or mucus) which is actually a good thing as it is a way for the body to clear out any infection and debris from where the immune system has been fighting the infection i.e. dead/ used immune cells.
One of the first lines of defence against coughs in my box of natural lotions, herbs and potions are expectorant herbs. These herbs loosen and thin the mucus that blocks the airways, facilitating a more productive cough to help reduce the time that the infection remains in the body.
Some of the best herbs (that are also easy to get your hands on) include:
1. Anise. Anise is not only an expectorant but it is also antiseptic to the mucous membranes. Anise can be used as a herbal seed tea, or the essential oil can be used in chest massages and room diffusors.
2. Cayenne (capsicum). The antioxidants in peppers support the lungs, and the capsicum thins mucus, allowing you to expel it easier. Adding a dash of cayenne pepper to teas has been a long-time favourite home cough and congestion remedy.
3. Black mustard seeds. Black mustard seeds make an excellent stimulating poultice (mixed with
a soothing substance such as slippery elm powder) for stubborn coughs and arthritis joints. Mustard foot baths are also good for poor circulation, chilblains, and upper respiratory mucus.
Another way to help deal with coughs is to suppress the coughing reflex (to give you a break and reduce pain). These herbs are called antitussives and some of the best are:
1. Black cohosh. Although more famous for its use today as a woman’s botanical, black cohosh also helps allay coughs according to older herbalists. According to literature it gives relief by allaying the cough, reducing the rapidity of the pulse and inducing perspiration. In whooping cough, it is
apparently particularly effective. Add the tincture to your cough remedy or drink black cohosh tea to quiet a night-time cough.
2. Comfrey root. The root of comfrey is more effective than the leaves of the plant part of the plant for reducing coughing. It is highly esteemed for all pulmonary complaints.
3. Cacao. Yes folks — chocolate is one of the best remedies for coughs! But it needs to be dark. In fact research has shown that it is more effective than leading cough medicines for calming a cough. This is due to a compound in chocolate called theobromine.
4. Thyme. The local favourite thyme tea is recommended for cough, hangover, flu and sore throat. Thyme honey is ideal for sweetening expectorant herb teas. Thyme has primarily been used in respiratory ailments for its infection-fighting and cough suppressive qualities. Mixed with ivy in tincture form it is particularly effective against chesty coughs – try Vogels Ivy Thyme complex.
5. Valerian. Valerian calms spasmodic coughing and muscle tension. Try mixing it with liquorice in cough remedies and teas.
Aromatherapy and essential oils for coughs:
Sandalwood oil’s expectorant and antispasmodic properties make sandalwood effective in chronic bronchitis and dry cough. Other essential oils used to quiet coughs and improve breathing are eucalyptus, frankincense, thyme and ginger. Use these in bowls of steaming water add to a bath or add to an oil base (sweet almond oil is good) and rub onto the chest and back area.
Bill & Sheila’s A-Z of herbs
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