Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder. Some coughs are dry, while others are “productive.” A productive cough is one that brings up phlegm (also called sputum or mucus). Expectorant herbs loosen and thin the mucus that blocks the airways, facilitating a more productive cough.

Herbal cough remedies

Expectorants : Pleurisy root acts as an expectorant and relieves pain and congestion in the lungs. This plant has long been regarded as a valuable medicinal plant and one of the most important of the indigenous American remedies.¹ Anise is an expectorant that 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. 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 favorite home cough and congestion remedy. Colt's Foot is both emollient and expectorant. It will soothe the tissues of the throat as well as cause phlegm to be expelled.⁴ The medicinal chemicals responsible for horehound's expectorant action, marrubiin and marrubinic acid, also help stabilize heart rhythm. ² Lobelia stimulates the nervous system and speeds respiration. It also helps break up mucus and facilitates coughing.² 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 good for poor circulation, chilblains, and upper respiratory mucus.³ Modern herbalists still consider that an infusion of dried speedwell is useful in coughs, catarrh, etc., and is a simple and effective remedy in skin diseases.¹ Most homeowners consider this low growing, blue wildflower an invasive lawn weed ;)

Antitussives - cough suppressants : Black Cohosh, though more famous for it's use today as a woman's botanical, also helps allay coughs according to older herbalists.^1,2 According to M. Grieve, "In the paroxysm of consumption, it gives relief by allaying the cough, reducing the rapidity of the pulse and inducing perspiration. In whooping-cough, it proves very effective." Add the tincture to your cough remedy, or drink black cohosh tea to quiet a nighttime cough. Comfrey root is more effectual than the leaves and is the part usually used in cases of coughs. It is highly esteemed for all pulmonary complaints, consumption and bleeding of the lungs.¹ Research published in the FASEB Journal in February 2005 makes a strong case that dark chocolate (Cacao) can be a powerful cough suppressant. The theobromine content of dark chocolate may actually be a more effective cough medicine than traditional or over-the counter cold and cough remedies. Fennel Syrup prepared from fennel juice was formerly given for chronic coughs. ¹ Wild 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 respiratory ailments for its infection-fighting and cough suppressive qualities. Valerian calms spasmodic coughing and muscle tension - mixes well with licorice, coltsfoot, and mullein leaf in cough remedies. Wild lettuce has a sedative effect on the respiratory system and is used for treating whooping cough and nervous and dry irritating coughs. Most often used as a tincture.³

Using Aromatherapy

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.³