What herbs are good for a cough?

What herbs are good for a cough?

By Shannon, Posted in Wellness

We all have endured random cough attacks and those weird times when the cough just wouldn’t go away. Mostly we go about taking over-the-counter medicines and it’s safe to say that somehow the coughing episodes fly away too. 

But is it safe to take these synthetic medicines that come with copious side effects? 

Also, if we are talking about chronic coughs that last for more than eight weeks, taking these cough syrups for prolonged periods can have a disastrous impact on the body. 

Today, we are dedicating this post to the herbs that have always been around us to shun those horrendous cough attacks and chronic cough episodes. Mind that these herbs are gentle on the body and tough on the cough to relieve you of the misery without the taste of terrible side effects.


Elecampane Root

Elecampane (Inula helenium) is a legendary herb, simmered in elves and fairy folks. During the Middle Ages, it was repetitively planted to be used as a medicinal plant. Its species name helenium is derived from Helen of Troy, referring to its origin from the place where Helen’s tears had fallen. It is a great ally of the spleen, lungs, stomach, and large intestine. Its root tinctures and teas are fervently used to relieve the coughs related to asthma, bronchitis, rhinitis, and other respiratory abnormalities. 

You may use it every day, as per the advice of Pliny the Elders to not just get rid of the cough, but also to help with stagnated digestion.

Horehound

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) performs a stellar job at relieving the cough instantly. Both teas and tinctures of this soothing herb help break down the mucus and expel it out quite quickly to reduce the cough attacks that generate due to mucus-related blockage. 

To tone down the bitterness of Horehound Tea, you can add a spot of honey to your drink and enjoy it when warm to soothe your inflamed respiratory passages and reduce the occurrence of cough attacks. 

Marshmallow

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) has been playing a phenomenal role in the world of herbalism for centuries. It is not the white puffy confection we are talking about, but the genuine marshmallow herb that has seen more than 2000 years on this earth. 

It is high in mucilaginous content which makes it an excellent remedy for cold-related coughs. It forms a protective coat over the mucus membranes of the tract to reduce swelling and irritability. You can simply use Marshmallow Tincture, at least three times a day for reinforcing the arsenal of your respiratory passage and supporting the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, dry cough, productive cough, cold, and other respiratory tract-related disorders.