Expectorant herbs for coughs

Among all herbal medicines, cough herbs are the clear leaders in symptomatic therapy.

Most of these herbs, containing a complex of biologically active substances, are classified as pharmacopoeial plants, that is, they are used in the production of cough medicines as raw materials, and are also available as pharmaceutical herbs for coughs.

Which herbs for coughs are widely used in modern medicine, and which do not have official status, but are nevertheless used in folk medicine?

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Indications cough herbs

In any case, the indications for the use of the medicinal herbs considered in this review are the treatment of dry and wet cough, which is a symptom of acute respiratory diseases (colds), catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, laryngitis, whooping cough, tracheitis, tracheobronchitis and bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pleurisy, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis. Herbal treatment can also be used for smoker's cough.

Effective herbs for cough

Pharmacognosy has sufficiently studied and in therapeutic practice the following herbs are successfully used for bronchitis and cough accompanied by increased formation of bronchial secretions:

• licorice root or licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra);
• marshmallow root (Althea officinalis);
• leaves of the coltsfoot plant (Tussilago farfara);
• leaves or grass of the large plantain (Plantago major);
• creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), savory or Bogorodskaya grass;
• oregano herb or motherwort (Origanum vulgare);
• wild pansy (Viola tricolor);
• Veronica officinalis herb;
• blue St. John's wort (Polemonium coerulcum), etc.

The action of these medicinal plants is aimed at liquefying bronchial secretions and facilitating their removal from the bronchi. And goose cinquefoil or goose feet (Potentilla anserina), sage (Salvia officinalis) and elecampane root (Inula vulgaris) reduce the formation of sputum.

Herbs for dry cough, including herbs for severe cough (like whooping cough): coltsfoot leaves, marshmallow herb (root), thermopsis (Thermopsis lanceolata), oregano, thyme, marsh rosemary (Ledum palustre), medicinal hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), plantain leaf, as well as forest mallow and lungwort (lungwort), which are used in folk medicine.

Herbs for sore throat and cough: hyssop, sage, oregano, plantain, wild pansy and – due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory action – silverweed. It is recommended to make a decoction from these herbs for gargling when the throat is inflamed.

Herbs for smoker's cough: licorice and elecampane root, thyme herb, coltsfoot and plantain leaves.

Recommended herbs for inhalation for cough include chamomile and calendula flowers, sage, peppermint and thyme.

It should be noted that botanical names of herbs for coughs are often duplicated by folk names. Thus, the same thyme, in addition to the names savory and Bogorodskaya grass, has more than a dozen synonyms. And Thermopsis lanceolata in some areas is known as drunken grass or mouse grass.

Therefore, it is better to use the generally accepted names of plants to avoid confusion. For example, yarrow and marsh cudweed, which are not used to treat coughs, are called cut grass or cut grass in different regions. Parmelia sulcata, which is not even considered a herb: it is a foliose lichen-epiphyte, is also often called cut grass. And due to the shape of its flattened thallus, Parmelia is called a paw. By the way, Iceland moss or Cetraria islandicae, from the same species as Parmelia, is used to treat coughs (a syrup with Cetraria extract is produced). Usnic acid, with an antibacterial effect long known in phytotherapy, was first isolated from the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria, and then from its close relatives - Cetraria and Parmelia.

In the same way, the grass moss for cough cuckoo flax, related to polytrich mosses (Polytrichum commune), is not. Although the composition of this green moss growing on damp forest soils is little known, but this plant is also used by people to treat cough.

[ 3 ]

Release form

First of all, a standardized collection of herbs for coughs is produced in terms of composition and proportions, which includes the already familiar names of herbs for coughs: coltsfoot, plantain, oregano, licorice root. From this plant material, decoctions and infusions of herbs for coughs are easily prepared at home, for more details see - Breast collection for coughs

Herbal cough tablets: Thermopsis (Termopsol) – with dry extract of thermopsis herb, Mucaltin – with marshmallow root extract. Thermopsis is also available in powder form.

Among other forms of cough medicines based on medicinal plants, galenic preparations predominate, that is, obtained by liquid (usually alcohol) extraction of substances contained in plant materials. Cough herbs for adults are included in drops, extracts and mixtures, and cough herbs for children are included in syrups and mixtures. For a child under one year of age, pediatricians recommend a decoction of licorice root or thyme herb.

Herbal cough drops: Eukabal (with thyme and plantain leaf extracts), Bronchipret (with thyme essential oil and ivy extract). Also read – Cough drops

Herbal extracts for cough: licorice root extract (thick and dry); Pectolvan phyto Icelandic moss (contains: alcohol extracts of elecampane root and Icelandic cetraria, tinctures of thyme, hyssop and soapwort root).

Herbal cough mixture: Pertussin (with thyme extract), Chest elixir (with licorice root extract), Pectosol (with thyme, hyssop, Icelandic moss, elecampane and soapwort root extracts), Bronchipret (thyme and ivy). More information in the materials – Cough mixtures, as well as – Dry cough mixture

Herbal cough syrup: Althea syrup, licorice root syrup, Doctor Mom cough syrup (with licorice), Cough syrup with plantain and coltsfoot, Gerbion (with plantain), Linkas (with extracts of marshmallow roots, licorice and wild pansy), etc. Read more - Syrups for dry cough

[ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Pharmacodynamics

Given the complex biochemical composition of medicinal herbs, it is not always possible to isolate the action of individual substances in galenic preparations: their mechanism of action is complex. However, the pharmacodynamics of the main biologically active components of herbs for coughs is known – in general terms. Thus, saponins – glycosides with high surface activity, promote expectoration of bronchial secretions formed during coughing. Inflammation is reduced due to the antimicrobial action of phenol derivatives (phenolic carboxylic acids), tannins and terpene compounds of essential oils.

Licorice root contains flavonoids (the main one being glabridin), coumarins, glycosides (in particular, glycyrrhizin). Due to their combined effect, as well as the significant content of saponins, licorice increases the production of secretions by the bronchi, but at the same time makes it less thick, which facilitates easier expectoration of phlegm. Saponins largely explain the mechanism of the expectorant effect of hyssop and elecampane roots.

Marshmallow herb, mainly the plant root used to prepare extracts and decoctions, contains a large percentage of polysaccharides in the form of pentosans and monocarboxylic acids, under the influence of the hydrolysis of which the bronchi produce more surfactant, which leads to reflex stimulation of the bronchial muscles and accelerates the removal of sputum. And tannins (in the form of tannins) have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The expectorant effect of thyme and oregano is provided by thymol (a phenol-containing terpene) contained in them, which stimulates the cilia of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi. Sputum is liquefied under the action of essential oils rich in terpene alcohols (borneol, cineole, thujol, terpineol, sabinol), which sage also contains. Read more – Sage leaves

The mucous components of coltsfoot, plantain and wild pansy soften cough. In addition, these herbs contain glycosides (in coltsfoot - tussilagin, in plantain - aucubin, in pansy - violaquercitrin), which provide an antispasmodic effect, relieve inflammation and suppress bacterial activity.

Bronchial muscle spasms during coughing are relieved by wild rosemary with the help of its essential oil, ledol (sesquiterpene alcohol), which suppresses the cough reflex. And monoterpenes, phenolic compounds and flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, etc.) cope with inflammation.

Thermopsis grass contains many saponins and alkaloids, among which the main role belongs to thermopsin and cytisine, which stimulate the respiratory center, and this, in turn, increases the secretion of sputum.

Among the active compounds contained in silverweed, phytotherapists note phenolic acids, flavonoids, glycosides and tannins.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Pharmacokinetics

In most cases, the pharmacokinetics of galenic preparations, that is, information about absorption and binding to blood plasma proteins, biological transformation and excretion of their substances from the body, is not provided. And this is the difference between medicinal plants and synthesized chemicals.

In addition, cough herbs act with the entire complex of their pharmacologically active components, and it is not always possible to isolate each one separately.

[ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Dosing and administration

Pharmaceutical herbs for coughs are taken internally, making decoctions and infusions from them.

To make an infusion of marshmallow root, pour 250 ml of boiled water at room temperature over a tablespoon of dry raw material, bring to a boil, leave in a closed container for two hours and strain. Take three times a day (before meals): a quarter of a glass (for adults), two tablespoons for children 6-12 years old, a dessert spoon for children 3-5 years old.

An infusion of coltsfoot leaves is prepared by pouring a glass of boiling water over a dry crushed leaf (two tablespoons) and infusing in a water bath (about a quarter of an hour). It is taken in the same way as an infusion of marshmallow.

Decoctions of sage and silverweed are prepared at the rate of a tablespoon of the herb per 200-250 ml of boiling water, boiled over low heat for no longer than 10 minutes and infused for an hour under a lid. Take a tablespoon three times a day.

An infusion of plantain leaves and oregano can be prepared in a thermos by pouring a tablespoon of dry raw materials into glasses of boiling water. In half an hour, the cough remedy will be ready, and it is taken by tablespoon up to four times during the day (half an hour before meals).

The preparation and dosage of thermopsis and wild rosemary infusions for adults are similar. But for children, the dose of thermopsis - for preparing the infusion - is one teaspoon per 200 ml of water. Take the infusion half a teaspoon three times a day (preschoolers) or a whole teaspoon (children over seven years old). After 12 years, you can give an adult dose of thermopsis infusion - a tablespoon three to four times a day.

[ 21 ], [ 22 ], [ 23 ], [ 24 ]

Use cough herbs during pregnancy

Since licorice contains sitosterol, which activates estrogen receptors, this cough herb – alone or as part of multi-component preparations – is strictly prohibited for pregnant women. Thermopsis is also strictly prohibited, since its alkaloid pachycarpine increases the tone of the myometrium.

Also contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding are wild rosemary, thyme, coltsfoot, and sage. Pregnant women should also not use oregano, but after childbirth this plant increases lactation.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is contraindicated to treat cough with drugs containing marshmallow root extract.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of these herbs for cough include:

• for marshmallow and milkweed - gastritis, gastric ulcer, COPD, tendency to constipation, children under three years of age;
• for coltsfoot - individual hypersensitivity, children under 12 years of age;
• for sage - acute inflammation of the kidneys, epilepsy, very strong cough;
• for thyme - ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiac ischemia, diseases of the gallbladder, liver and kidneys, hypothyroidism;
• for plantain - allergies, hyperacid gastritis, stomach ulcers, increased levels of platelets in the blood;
• for silverweed - increased hemoglobin levels in the blood, nephrolithiasis;
• for oregano - chronic gastritis with high acidity, stomach ulcer, severe hypertension;
• for Thermopsis - gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, adrenal gland diseases (tumors, Addison's disease), kidney problems and high degree of heart failure, as well as children under six years of age.

People with severe arterial hypotension, as well as inflammation of the stomach or intestines, should not treat cough with wild rosemary infusion. It is contraindicated for use until the age of 18.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ]

Side effects cough herbs

When using any herb for cough, side effects are possible. For example, marshmallow root can cause an allergic reaction. Plantain and wild rosemary stimulate diuresis, and the use of wild rosemary leads to increased drowsiness.

Some alkaloids in coltsfoot leaves are toxic to the liver. Oregano increases sweating and intestinal motility, and also increases appetite.

Thermopsis causes dilation of arterioles, venules and capillaries, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, and inhibits peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract.

[ 19 ], [ 20 ]

Overdose

Exceeding the recommended dose of thermopsis infusion leads to vomiting, decoction of marshmallow root or hyssop grass - to nausea with vomiting. The stomach should be washed out in the usual way.

Overdose of Thermopsis is manifested by weakness and dizziness; nausea, vomiting and intestinal upset. In more serious cases, convulsions and CNS disorders occur.

Failure to comply with the dosage of wild rosemary infusion may lead to dizziness, agitation, and then depression of the central nervous system; the risk of paralysis cannot be ruled out.

[ 25 ], [ 26 ], [ 27 ], [ 28 ], [ 29 ]

Interactions with other drugs

Ledum should not be taken with other cough remedies. Drug interactions with other herbs are not listed.

[ 30 ], [ 31 ], [ 32 ], [ 33 ], [ 34 ]

Storage conditions

Cough herbs should be stored in a dry place, in a tightly closed package. The finished infusion should be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.

[ 35 ]

Shelf life

The expiration date is indicated on the packaging, usually it is two years.

[ 36 ], [ 37 ]

Reviews

Most often, reviews of the use of herbs and galenic preparations are positive, although recently many people prefer cough remedies of synthetic origin, believing that they are more effective and reliable.