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Health

Oregano for bronchitis coughs

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Oregano (forest mint, oregano) is an aromatic plant with healing properties for various pathologies. Products based on this herb are used for bronchial asthma (stops asthma attacks) and bronchitis (has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antimicrobial and sedative effects).

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Dosing and administration

Oregano is recommended for use with a wet cough, if the removal of phlegm is difficult. For these purposes, an infusion and decoction of the plant are used.

For infusion, 1 heaped tablespoon of dry grass is brewed with half a glass of boiling water and infused for 30 minutes. Take 1 tablespoon three times a day before meals.

Another recipe for infusion: pour 10 g of dry raw material with ½ cup of boiling water, keep it in a warm place for about 2 hours, then strain and take 1 tbsp. three times a day half an hour before meals.

For the decoction, take 30 g of the herb and 1.5 cups of water, boil the mixture for 10 minutes, strain and dilute with boiled water, bringing it to the original volume. Drink the decoction warm during the day in 3 doses. Take the medicine before meals.

Inhalations

Oregano is also one of the herbs used for inhalation in bronchitis. For example, to facilitate the discharge of phlegm from the bronchi in chronic bronchitis, you can inhale oregano essential oil (take 2-3 drops of oil per 1 liter of water).

For the treatment of obstructive bronchitis, oregano is best used in combination with other herbs (mint, chamomile, calendula, eucalyptus, etc.). Grind and mix various herbs with anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects. Take 5-6 tablespoons of the resulting mixture per 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. You can also add a crushed head of garlic to the composition. Inhalations are carried out for at least 3 days. The frequency of the procedure is 3-4 times a day.

For the treatment of acute bronchitis by inhalation, it is better to prepare a collection of violets, coltsfoot (20 g each), anise seeds (5 g) and thyme (10 g). For a liter of boiling water, take 20 g of the mixture, infuse and breathe in the hot steam for 10 minutes.

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Contraindications

No matter how much we praise the herb, which many know as an aromatic spice called oregano, it can not be used by everyone. It is not only about hypersensitivity to the herb. Recipes based on it can be dangerous for cardiovascular diseases, ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, pregnancy (it can increase the tone of the uterus). Like thyme, oregano is not the best choice for those who suffer from increased acidity of gastric juice.

During lactation, oregano tea will stimulate milk production, so it will only be useful for those who have problems with this.

Men should be especially careful with oregano, as long-term use of oregano-based products can lead to a decrease in sexual desire.

Oregano has a negative effect on the synthesis of sex hormones in childhood, causing premature puberty in girls and delaying puberty in boys. For this reason, children should not be treated with oregano orally, and caution should be exercised with oregano in dishes.

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Side effects oregano

Side effects of oregano are usually observed when the doses of medicinal compounds are exceeded. In addition to allergic reactions, heartburn and gastritis symptoms may occur, some complain of constipation and nausea. Oregano essential oil is used for inhalation for bronchitis, but if you overdo it, you can cause dizziness and nausea.

The use of very large doses of medicinal products containing oregano can cause uterine bleeding in women.

Storage conditions

Harvesting of the grass and flowers of the plant should be done in July-August. This is the time when oregano blooms. Oregano is a rather tall plant. Some branches of the bush reach 1 meter in height, but only the tops of branches no more than 25-30 cm in length should be cut.

You can dry the branches either hanging or spreading them out on a prepared mat. In the latter case, you will need to periodically turn them over and fluff them up.

When the raw material is dry enough, it will need to be threshed, i.e. remove the thick, tough stems, leaving only the leaves, flowers and small pieces of thin stems.

Store oregano in paper bags or cloth bags. The shelf life is no more than 1.5 years. But if the raw material is placed under the lid in a glass container, it can be stored for up to 3 years.

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Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Oregano for bronchitis coughs" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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