Monday, November 28, 2011

Herbal Cough Expectorant and Suppressant - The Best Way to Cure A Cough

By Stefan Moynihan


Although chronic cough in adults is not a disease per se, it can be quite annoying, tiring and embarrassing. Surely, over-the-counter medications are quite adept in treating a persistent cough. More importantly, herbal remedies are readily available to help you get rid of that cough once and for all. In this article you will discover the most potent kind of herbal remedies that will get rid of your cough for good.

Have you been coughing for 8 weeks or more? If you are, then you are definitely experiencing a chronic cough. There are 2 general types of chronic cough. A cough can be productive or dry. A productive cough is manifested when mucous is formed while coughing.

It is quite common for people to turn to over the counter medication to cure a cough. But did you ever consider herbal remedies can be quite effective in curing chronic cough as well? But did you know that there are herbal remedies that are as potent in curing chronic cough in adults as over the counter drugs?

Expectorants are medications that thin the mucous which blocks the air tubes connected to the lungs. These kinds of medication make it easier for you to cough up the mucous.

Suppressants, on the other hand, helps lessen the urge to cough. These kinds of medication should not be taken if there is buildup of mucus but it can be very helpful to relieve irritating dry cough. And it can surely prove to be useful especially at night, when your persistent dry cough keeps you awake at night.

Treatment for Chronic Cough in Adults - Expectorant Herbs

Anise - aside from having expectorant properties, Anise is well known as an antiseptic that targets the mucous membrane. You can take it as tea or purchase it as an essential oil form which you can use to massage on your chest.

Pleurisy Root - a potent expectorant herb that has the ability to relieve pain in the lungs and congestion. It can also subdue inflammation of the lungs caused by chronic cough in adults.

Eucalyptus is an excellent expectorant and decongestant. You are probably familiar with eucalyptus drops or lozenges. You can also include hyssop oil with eucalyptus in making the mixture for steam inhalation to make it a more potent cough expectorant remedy..

Horehound is yet another effective herbal expectorant which can also act as a cough suppressant. Studies show that this herb helps in stimulating bronchial secretions. You might find the taste of horehound quite unappealing, but there are sweet horehound drops available and it is also sold as tablets or capsules.

Herbs Used as Suppressant

Thyme - this potent cough suppressant herb was first known for its properties in treating respiratory diseases. It has the ability to suppress a cough and it is usually recommended for a sore throat, flu, and a hangover.

Valerian mixed with licorice and mullein leaf makes a great cough expectorant syrup. Valerian is rising in popularity for its soothing properties that also helps in relieving muscle tension.

Coltsfoot, originally named Tussilago meaning "dispelling cough" is another amazing herbal cough suppressant. Herbalists use this plant's flowers and leaves to concoct medicinal cough syrup. Traditionally it has been used in treating asthma, excess mucous buildup, dry cough and bronchitis. This can be purchased in tea, tincture , tablet or capsule form. Some studies claim though, that coltsfoot taken long term may have negative side effects. So you might want to take it in moderation.

Potent herbal treatments are all natural. They do not have side effects like most over the counter drugs. Besides, these herbs are all natural and have been proven time and again to be potent cough expectorants and/or suppressants.




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