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Decoctions for dry and wet coughs
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Decoctions of medicinal plants, which in the recent past pharmacists called decoctions (in Latin decoctum - decoction), can be used in the complex therapy of various diseases, and decoctions for coughs are used to treat respiratory diseases.
Indications cough drops
It is recommended to take decoctions for dry cough (unproductive), as well as productive or wet cough - for colds, inflammations of the upper respiratory tract caused by respiratory infections, including acute forms of laryngitis and tracheitis. Medicinal herbs are widely used for bronchitis - acute, chronic and obstructive.
Use cough drops during pregnancy
Decoctions for coughs with licorice root, marshmallow, elecampane, as well as coltsfoot leaves, sage, savory (thyme) and oregano are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Read more:
Contraindications
First of all, any herbal cough decoctions are contraindicated in the presence of allergies and a tendency to allergic reactions.
Licorice root is contraindicated in cases of functional liver and/or kidney failure, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and potassium deficiency.
Contraindications for the use of thyme are: cholecystitis, gastric ulcer; problems with the liver and thyroid gland, taking during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as during menstruation.
Plantain leaves, oregano and elecampane root should not be used in cases of increased stomach acidity, and chamomile flowers should not be used in cases of decreased stomach acidity, acute cystitis and nephritis.
Inflammatory diseases of the liver and kidneys, as well as arterial hypertension and children under five years of age prohibit the use of sage leaves.
In general, cough decoctions are not used for children under three years of age.
Side effects cough drops
The use of herbs can cause side effects in the form of allergies (with skin rashes and other manifestations).
Heartburn can be caused by a decoction of plantain and elecampane root; heaviness in the liver - coltsfoot; swelling and increased blood pressure - licorice root; nausea - thyme and sage.
Overdose
There is no information regarding overdose of cough decoctions.
Interactions with other drugs
Any herbal cough decoctions should not be taken in combination with drugs that suppress the cough reflex (Tusuprex, Sinekod, Glauvent, etc.).
Storage conditions
The finished decoction is stored in a cool place or in the refrigerator; the shelf life does not exceed two days.
Cough decoction recipes
Herbal cough decoctions are obtained by boiling plant materials (various parts of plants) for extraction – extracting its biologically active substances into water.
The standard amount of dry grass, leaves, flowers or crushed roots and rhizomes per 250 ml of water is one tablespoon. The raw materials are poured with boiling water and cooked from the moment of boiling for 10-15 minutes on low heat. The volume of water decreases during this time, so it is recommended - especially if cough decoctions are prepared for children under 10 years old - to add boiling water at the end of cooking so that the volume of the finished decoction is at least 200 ml). After removing from the heat, the container with the decoction is covered with a lid, and it is infused while it cools.
How to prepare and take a decoction of coltsfoot for cough, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8309739/ in detail in the publications:
And a decoction of plantain leaves (large or lanceolate) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5388152/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075699/ is described in the article - Plantain for cough
For dry cough, licorice decoction helps against cough - decoction of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which is also called licorice root. One of the most effective plants for dry cough is also the root of marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3498851/
In cases where phlegm is difficult to cough up, you can use a decoction of common oregano (Oreganum vulgare), for more details see - Oregano for coughs during bronchitis. A decoction of meadow or red clover (Trifolium rubens) liquefies phlegm and facilitates its removal, full information in the material - Red clover for coughs during bronchitis.
A similar effect is achieved by:
- thyme decoction for cough, for details see – Thyme for cough with bronchitis;
- Elecampane decoction for cough (the root is used) – Elecampane for cough;
- primrose for coughs due to bronchitis;
- a decoction of black elder flowers for coughs.
Also in preparation:
- calendula decoction for cough (flowers are used); read more - Calendula for cough during bronchitis;
- sage decoction for cough, see publication – Sage leaves;
- Birch decoction for cough, that is, a decoction of birch buds.
It is advisable to use a multi-component chest decoction for cough - the pharmacy Chest collection for cough, which contains marshmallow root, coltsfoot leaves, oregano herb (Chest collection No. 1); licorice root, plantain and coltsfoot leaves (Chest collection No. 2); marshmallow and licorice roots, anise fruits, sage leaves and pine buds (Chest collection No. 3).
By the way, pine decoction for cough with thick phlegm has long established itself as a fairly effective expectorant for bronchopulmonary inflammations. Only not a decoction of pine cones is used, but specifically from pine buds - both internally (a tablespoon three to four times a day) and for inhalation (once a day, before bedtime).
To prepare a decoction of viburnum for cough, use fresh, dried or frozen berries. Some people find that a decoction of apples for cough helps (apple peel is used). You can make a decoction of oats for cough in water, but oats with milk for cough is considered more effective.
Among the folk remedies for treating bronchitis, there is a decoction of barley for cough, that is, from barley groats: two tablespoons per 500-600 ml of water. When the groats are boiled, the decoction is filtered and taken 100 ml three times a day, with the addition of honey.
Linden decoction will not help with cough: it is an antipyretic and is used for fever. Chamomile decoction is not used for cough, but if the cough develops with tonsillitis, pharyngitis or laryngitis, then it is useful to gargle with such decoction or infusion.
It is difficult to imagine how an onion decoction can help against a cough (which, as they advise, should be boiled for a long time), but onion juice (which is released when mixing chopped onion with sugar) really does ease any cough.
To relieve cough, a decoction of potatoes is also used for cough, or rather the steam coming from potatoes boiled in their skins (which is inhaled by covering the head with a towel). Such inhalations are one of the most common home remedies for respiratory diseases accompanied by cough.
Analogues
About analogs of cough decoctions in publications:
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Decoctions for dry and wet 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.