Remedies that may help provide relief from a cough
- Decongestant – clearing congested airways
- Mucolytic – breaks up mucus
- Expectorant – helps to loosen and expel mucus
- Antitussive – relives a cough
- Demulcent – soothes irritated mucous membranes
Coughing is our body’s way of removing a foreign irritant or mucus from the upper or lower respiratory tract.
A cough can occur as a result of a number of conditions, including allergies, irritants, medications, viral and bacterial infections and gastric reflux.
Using an inhalation of essential oils may be a convenient and effective way to soothe a cough.
The easiest way is to simply add 3-4 drops of your chosen oil to a handkerchief, hold it to your nose and inhale as needed.
Another method is steam inhalation. Add 5-10 drops of oil to a bowl of steaming water, with a towel placed over your head. Close your eyes and place your head over the bowl, and slowly breathe in and out for a few minutes.
Essential oils that may be of benefit for cough relief include:
Using a herbal cough syrup may help to provide relief from an irritating cough. A cough syrup that contains an extract of ivy leaf is a good choice as it may help to soothe your cough by: breaking down mucus, acting as an expectorant and relieving catarrh.
Herbal throat lozenges and gargles may help to soothe an inflamed and irritated throat which can lead to painful fits of coughing.
Using a lozenge that contains echinacea may help to relieve inflammation and improve resistance to infection.
Herbs for sore throats and coughs that can be prepared as a tea and then gargled when cooled include:
When you have a cough, it’s important to stay hydrated to prevent any mucus from getting thick and sticky. Fluids can help to thin out mucus, making it easier to expel.
To make a great hot drink when you have a cough, add fresh ginger slices, manuka honey and fresh lemon juice to a mug of hot water. Ginger is warming and helps to break up mucus.
Herbal teas that may be of benefit when you have a cough include:
New research supports zinc reducing cold symptoms. Read about it in the Blackmores Wellbeing Blog.
References available on request