Cough is a natural reflex of our body, and it is equally essential to keep away any irritants that may sneak into the body through the throat or nose.
Coughing can be an infrequent action to clear the throat or sometimes can become serious when persistent for a couple of weeks.
A cough that is continuing or associated with other symptoms like bloody phlegm, excess mucus production, and shortness of breath, could indicate a more serious medical problem.
However, it is crucial to cure the condition by using some of the best herbs for cough and other homemade remedies that help in relieving the condition immediately.
Read on to find various herbs for cough and also ease cold and phlegm.
[Also Read: Natural Ways to Cure Cough]
Peppermint is well known for their healing and sedative properties. Methanol in peppermint soothes the throat and acts as a decongestant helping in break down of mucus. The herb loosens chest congestion and breaks up phlegm in the lungs and respiratory tracts. You can use peppermint essential oil made from peppermint herb(1). Have a quick look on to how to use peppermint herb for cough.
Always add carrier oils like coconut oil or olive oil with essential oils. Because direct contact of essential with skin can cause irritation or inflammation.
[Also Read: Surprising Benefits of Peppermint Oil]
Licorice herb for cough eases inflammation in the airways that makes it potentially useful for people with chronic rhinitis. The herb loosens the mucus build-up in the lungs and helps clear congestion.
Is ginger good for cough? Ginger is a potent natural antihistamine and decongestant agent that has strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. These properties boost immunity and treat phlegm, cough, and many illnesses. Ginger soothes congestion by drying out excessive mucus of phlegm.
Some people are prone to stomach discomfort, mild side effects including diarrhea, heartburn, mouth or throat irritation, and cardiac arrhythmias if overdosed with ginger.
[Read: Benefits of Ginger for Cough]
Mullein, a medicinal herb that fights inflammation and infections. The leaves and flowers of the mullein plant find its use in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases such as cough asthma, lung-related ailments, and sore throats. It expels mucus explicitly from the lungs with proper use of mullein(2) herb for cough.
The side effects include bleeding problems, skin irritations, and respiratory distress if you happen to have an allergic sensitivity to mullein plant. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not supposed to consume mullein herb in excess quantities.
Sage has been used as a cold and flu medicine for thousands of years. One of the most excellent herbs for cough, sage, not only helps in soothing the cough but also acts as a pain reliever antibacterial herb, that can treat sore throat as well. It is also an effective herb during fever and tames coughs with its astringent properties.
Yarrow is one of the beneficial and soft herbs that shortens the duration of cough and cold, and helps in relaxation of the throat and relieves cramps associated with illness. Read on to know how to use yarrow herb for cough.
White Pine has herbal properties and is known to relieve cough. A tea of the pine needles and the needles with thin twigs included is helpful for thinning and removal of mucus from the lungs and to promote expectoration. It is one of the best herbs for a cough that you can take with honey to relieve cough and throat irritation.
Horehound is a traditional expectorant and continues to find a place in cold preparations and cough lozenges. Horehound’s leaves and flowers have been used in home remedies as a bitter syrup for the common cold and cough. Horehound has both analgesic and antispasmodic effects.
The leaves and flowers of sweet violet contain demulcent and mild expectorant properties. As with many other herbs, violets have a long tradition of use in the treatment of cancer. But the phytochemicals present in the herb help thinning mucous and break up chest congestion that makes it easier to cough up.
Hyssop is probably the most famous herb for cough known for it’s cold and flu relieving properties. Hyssop contains sedative, antispasmodic, and expectorant properties. Hyssop is perfect for a cough with congested mucus. The herb stimulates mucus and expectorated mucus that enables the lungs and coughing mechanisms to rid it from the body.
[Read: Hyssop Benefits]
Thyme has antimicrobial properties that alleviate the infection causing the cough. Thyme herb is sedative in nature and can help reduce any throat pain. You can experience an instant soothing relief when you consume thyme herb for cough.
Thyme is generally safe when it is consumed in normal food amounts. In some people, it can cause dizziness, headache, and upset your digestive system. Thyme might slow blood clotting and also increases bleeding after surgery. So, it is advised to stop using thyme at least 2-3 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can reduce the usage of thyme.
Runny nose, irritated throat, and cough can get easily treated with some of the best homemade tea recipes. These are simple to prepare and soothe the throat, and clear any nose blockage; it also effectively helps in curing the cough. Read on to get these tea recipes to cure cough.
Although coughing is a natural bodily reflex, persistent coughing is a sign of a health issue, which you must tackle immediately and effectively. Moreover, in case one is suffering from common cold and cough, there are some of the best herbs for a cough that can be used to treat the condition effectively.
The immune system needs boosting from time to time so that it can fight the irritants in the body, causing cough. It can be done by keeping this valuable information handy and using the best herbs for cough for preparing tea recipes, which would help in soothing the irritation in the throat, easing the inflammation, alleviating pain, and keeping away cough effectively.
As the proverb goes, prevention is better than cure, so it is good to stay alert, but if the condition is unavoidable, visit your doctor immediately and rest, you still have the best cures right here for you!
[Read: Benefits of Chamomile Tea Benefits]
For respiratory issues, thyme herbal tea is beneficial, with both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, that can soothe congestion and coughs. Also, thyme tea’s herbal property attacks the underlying pathogen to help you get better faster.
A wet cough that produces phlegm and mucus can improve with steam. You can take a hot shower both or take a steam bath. Stay in this steam for a few minutes. After, drink a glass of water to cool down and to prevent dehydration.
To make the cough go away, add more herbs and essential oils in a steam bowl. Lean over the bowl and place a towel over the head for trapping the steam. Inhale the vapors for five minutes. Make sure to discontinue if your skin feels hot.