Leaves from cough: what plants can be used?

Among the morphological parts of plants used for the treatment of cough official and folk medicine, a significant proportion are leaves from cough, which are used both in pharmacological preparations and in home remedies.

According to some reports, the predominant part of 36% of plants used for coughs is their leaves.

Indications Cough leaves

Leaves of plants - primarily pharmacopoeial medicinal plants - are used both for unproductive or dry cough, and wet cough with the formation of pathological bronchial secretion (sputum), arising as one of the main symptoms of colds, respiratory infections, diseases of the upper respiratory tract - laryngitis, tracheitis, as well as bronchopulmonary inflammation, including acute or chronic bronchitis.

It should be noted that only leaves of those plants whose chemical composition contains certain biologically active substances are suitable for cough treatment, in particular, saponins - a class of bioorganic surface active compounds (with hydroxyl and other functional groups); mucilaginous substances (complex polymeric carbohydrates of branched molecular structure); polyphenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties (terpenoids); derivatives of phenolcarboxylic acids, including glycosides and tannins (tannins).

Dosing and administration

The main method of application is the ingestion of decoction, steaming or infusion, which are prepared from dried plant material at the rate of - one tablespoon per 250 ml of water.

Doses depend on age: children under 5 years old are given 3-5 times a day by teaspoon, children under 12 years old - by dessert spoon, teenagers and adults - 1-2 tablespoons.

Mother and stepmother's leaves for coughs

Tussilago farfara leaves contain mucilage, tannins and bitter glycosides (tussilagin), which make them an effective cough soother and expectorant. They are included in the herbal mixture of Breast Collection No. 2, in Bronchinol syrup, etc.

Read more:

• Stepmother's leaves
• Mother and stepmother for coughs in adults and children

Plantain leaves for coughing.

Due to mucilaginous substances and iridoid glycosides (aucubin and asperuloside), leaves of plantain major (Plantago major) and plantain lanceolate (Plantago lanceolata), which are classified as secretomotor expectorants, are good for coughing. [1], [2], [3]

They can be used separately, but are more often included in herbal mixtures - phytosboroughs, for example, in Chest collection from cough #1, in the composition of such a galenic preparation, such as syrup Gerbion.

All details in the publication - Plantain for coughs

Sage leaves for coughs.

Sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) help reduce the formation of bronchial secretion during coughing due to the complex action of cineole, borneol, thujone, pinene, tannins and other substances contained in them. [4], [5]

Together with plantain sage leaves are part of the chest collection of cough No. 1.

Ivy leaves for coughs

The evergreen liana, common ivy (Hedera helix), has a number of biologically active substances in its leaves, including the terpenoid hederagenin and the saponin alpha-hederin. [6], [7]

In productive cough, the effect of ivy preparations - mixtures and syrups Gedelix, Gelisan, Prospan, Pectolvan ivy, Bronchipret - is to increase the production and liquefaction of bronchial secretion, as well as bronchial dilation, which facilitates the expectoration of sputum.

Eucalyptus leaves for coughs

Eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus globulus) contain cineole, which prevents nasal congestion and irritation of the paranasal sinuses, and tannins, which - when gargled with a decoction of the leaves - relieve sore throats. [8] [9]

And vapors of eucalyptus oil when inhaled liquefy viscous phlegm and relieve coughing. Read - Inhalations with eucalyptus for coughs and bronchitis

Aloe leaves for coughs

About what biologically active substances are contained in the leaves of this plant, their therapeutic effect, as well as what are contraindications to their use and possible side effects when using them in the treatment of respiratory inflammatory diseases, in detail in the publication - Aloe from cough. [10], [11]

Laurel leaf for coughs

Essential oil of laurel leaves (Laurus nobilis) contains biologically active components in the form of terpenes and terpenoids, resinous, mucilaginous and tannins. In folk recipes it is recommended to take bay leaf steam in cases of colds with fever and cough. [12], [13]

Feijoa leaves for coughs

Leaves of pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana), i.e. Feijoa leaves can be used for coughs due to their high content of tannins and terpene compounds. In folk medicine, a decoction of the buds treat diarrhea, and infusions of feijoa leaves are used in urological diseases, for mouthwash in cases of periodontal inflammation. But tea from the leaves of this subtropical plant can also soothe coughs. [14]

Cabbage leaf for coughs

Cabbage leaf with honey for cough - an ancient method, you can say, archaic. It is recommended to use it in the form of a compress, which is made on the chest, additionally wrapping it to warm and increase blood flow. A cabbage leaf can be slightly crumpled, beaten or treated with boiling water, it is also recommended to slightly heat honey (which smears the leaf). In addition, an effective cough was considered cabbage juice with honey, although in the leaves of cabbage there are no substances that would liquefy phlegm, making it easier to expectorate. Obviously, this is all about honey.

More information in the material - Kompress for dry and wet coughs

Application for children

Cough leaves for children - mother and stepmother, plantain, ivy (from the age of two). Pediatricians believe that it is safer to use cough mixtures containing extracts of medicinal plants , syrup Herbion with plantain or ivy, etc.

Useful information is also in the materials:

• Treatment of dry cough in a child
• Effective cough syrups for children
• Effective expectorants for expectoration of phlegm

Use Cough leaves during pregnancy

Use of leaves of mother and stepmother, sage, aloe, ivy, raspberry and calamus during pregnancy is contraindicated.

Contraindications

Contraindicated to use leaves of mother and stepmother with liver failure and allergies, plantain leaves - with high stomach acidity and increased blood clotting, sage leaves - with acute inflammation of the kidneys and children under five years old.

Aloe leaves are not used in the presence of GI and/or cardiovascular disorders and diseases, cholecystitis and high blood pressure.

And constipation is a contraindication to the use of bay leaf.

Side effects Cough leaves

The use of plantain leaf infusion may be accompanied by heartburn, and preparations based on ivy leaf extract - nausea and vomiting.

Possible side effects of mother and stepmother, in addition to allergic reactions, are associated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in its leaves, which cause liver damage when taken orally.

Sage can cause allergies and general weakness, heartburn and vomiting, as well as seizures and tachycardia.

Which leaves are not used for coughs?

Currant leaves are unlikely to help with coughs: it is more appropriate to use them for bladder problems and kidney stones - as a natural diuretic. Do not use birch leaves for coughs, birch leaves in the form of decoction are used for urinary tract infections and as a diuretic, used to get rid of edema.

Kalina leaves from coughing are not used, but the fruit - in any form - contribute to the liquefaction of thick phlegm.

Also will not help raspberry leaves from coughing, but in fever tea or infusion with raspberry leaf, which contains salicylic acid, act better than any drugstore antipyretic.

Are apple tree leaves used for coughs? Apple leaves contain polyphenols with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Boiled leaves give an infusion that helps not only with heartburn and acid reflux, but also with intestinal disorders with diarrhea.

Do not use horseradish leaves for coughs, but the useful properties of allylglucosinolate sinigrin available in their composition are being studied, for example, to prevent an increase in blood cholesterol levels and the development of atherosclerosis.

Fresh lilac leaves from coughs are also not used, but due to the presence of glycoside syringin, used as a diaphoretic, making an aqueous infusion or decoction with the addition of linden flowers. And crushed leaves, applied to the boil, accelerate the exit of pus and healing.