Plantain for coughs

Cough occurs as a result of an inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract. Often it all starts with a common cold: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, then the pathological focus goes lower, provokes chest pain and cough, which can be dry barking or wet coughing. This is a natural protective reflex of the body, aimed at freeing the respiratory organs from inflamed and swollen mucous membrane. For the patient, cough causes a lot of torment, especially when phlegm does not go away and there is a constant urge to cough. In this case, along with drug treatment, herbal remedies, infusions, decoctions of medicinal plants with softening anti-inflammatory properties, inhalations based on them are prescribed. One of the effective cough remedies is plantain.

Medicinal properties of plantain

Only people who grew up in the "concrete jungle" of megacities do not know about this herb. It grows everywhere where there is no asphalt. Since childhood, in natural conditions, it is picked and glued to abrasions, cuts, bleeding wounds, without thinking much about why plantain has medicinal properties. Tannins and phytoncides make it medicinal, providing a bactericidal effect, and polysaccharides reduce inflammation and accelerate healing. In addition to external use of the plant and the treatment of cough, plantain juice is good for the digestive system, in particular the stomach with low acidity, in the fight against gastritis, ulcers, colitis. It also improves immunity, it is prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy, tones the nervous system.

Indications of plantain for coughing

Cough is caused by tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, whooping cough, tuberculosis. Any of these diseases accompanied by unproductive cough are indications for the use of plantain, to stimulate the formation of sputum, enveloping and softening the mucous membrane.

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Release form

In summer, it is easy to prepare a potion from fresh plantain leaves, but most often the need for it arises in the cold season. You can prepare it yourself by picking, washing, drying and storing it properly. Most people do not bother with this, because pharmacies sell the plant in various forms. Here are some options:

• plantain syrup - there is store-bought, but you can also make it yourself. It has a viscous consistency, is gentle on the mucous membrane, and copes well with the function of phagocytosis, removing pathogenic organisms;
• decoction and infusion of fresh plantain leaves for cough - possible during the growth period of the grass, it is in the green living plant that the most useful ingredients are found. Can be prepared in a water bath, in a thermos or by brewing;
• tincture - prepared with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10, but can be purchased at a pharmacy. It is a brownish-greenish liquid with a distinct odor;
• plantain extract is a concentrated composition that must be diluted in water before use. It contains all the components of the plant: mucus, vitamins K and C, mineral salts, carotene, flavonoids and other useful elements, its effectiveness in the treatment of inflammation of the bronchial tree is no lower than that of other means;
• plantain tea for cough - to prepare it, dried plantain leaves are used as a brew (3-4 teaspoons per 500 ml of water). You can put a spoonful of honey in a glass of warm drink, this will increase its effectiveness in the fight against colds and coughs.

Everyone has heard of and widely advertised during the cold season, which is favorable for the spread of colds and infectious diseases, such names as "Dr. Theiss Syrup with Plantain" and "Herbion", which refer to medicinal expectorants made from plantain:

• Dr. Theiss syrup - prescribed for difficulty coughing. In addition to the main active ingredient, it contains sugar beet syrup, honey, potassium sorbate, peppermint oil, and purified water. The anti-inflammatory and bacterial properties of the product help reduce pathological processes in the respiratory organs, thin phlegm, and facilitate its removal from the body;
• Herbion with plantain - contains an aqueous extract of this herb, it also uses other active ingredients: ascorbic acid and mallow flower extract. Viscous in consistency, dark brown, with a specific taste and smell. The mucolytic, antibacterial, expectorant, immunostimulating effect of the mixture is provided by mucus, saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, organic acids. Mallow forms a protective film on the mucous membranes, soothes inflammation, reduces unproductive cough. Ascorbic acid improves immunity, strengthens blood vessels, reduces intoxication of the body. It is intended for the treatment of dry cough.

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Pharmacodynamics

Saponins in the plant irritate the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, increasing the secretion of the bronchial glands. As a result, more sputum is secreted and its viscosity decreases. Organic acids increase the resistance of cells to oxygen deficiency, polysaccharides have a beneficial effect on the formation of interferon, thereby increasing immunity. Plataginin glycoside reduces the cough reflex. Mucus, enveloping the respiratory tract, prevents the proliferation of bacteria. Such pharmacodynamics of plantain helps to get rid of cough and general recovery.

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Dosing and administration

All existing forms of plantain mixtures are taken 15-20 minutes before meals 3-4 times a day:

• decoction - tablespoon;
• tincture - adults 20-30 drops, children can take it only after 12 years, the dose is calculated according to the formula: 2 drops per year of life;
• extracts - half a teaspoon per 100g of water;
• Gerbion - for children under 7 years old - a teaspoon, 7-14 years old - 1-2 spoons, older than this age - 3-5, washed down with warm water;
• Dr. Theiss syrup - recommended for more frequent use (5-7 times a day), for children aged 2-6 years - half a teaspoon, 6-12 years - a full spoon, for everyone else - a tablespoon.

The average course of treatment is 7-10 days.

Fresh plantain for cough

Fresh plantain is famous for its pharmacodynamic activity, thanks to aucubin, carotene, vitamin K, tannins, citric and oleanolic acids, pectins, saponins and other useful substances. Juice is squeezed out of it, syrup, extracts, infusions, decoctions, teas are prepared. It is used to treat cholecystitis, colitis, dyspepsia, it is used as a bactericidal and wound-healing agent for skin lesions, to stop bleeding, fight insomnia, and reduce blood pressure. Plantain leaves are no less effective for coughs.

There are different ways to prepare the healing remedy:

• plantain juice for cough - clean leaves, possibly with cuttings, are doused with boiling water, chopped in a blender or meat grinder, squeezed through several layers of gauze or thick natural fabric. The resulting juice (you can add a small amount of water) is boiled for 2-3 minutes, cooled, poured into a glass container. It does not keep in the refrigerator for a long time, so you should not prepare it in large portions. Before use, it is necessary to warm it up to room temperature;
  • plantain with sugar for cough - fresh washed and dried leaves are finely chopped, layered in a glass container, sprinkled with sugar, tightly closed and kept in a cool place for 2 months. After that it can be used;
  • how to brew fresh plantain for cough - crushed raw materials are poured with hot boiled water (10 g per glass), placed in a water bath and kept for another half hour. You can prepare this in a thermos and let it brew. Strain before use;
  • plantain for cough with coltsfoot - the combined use of two medicinal plants will enhance the therapeutic effect in acute and chronic respiratory diseases, since coltsfoot contains essential oils, vitamins, malic and tartaric acid, bitter glycosides, mucous substances, inulin, rutin, etc. Thanks to them, the plant has an anti-inflammatory, softening, mild antispasmodic effect, liquefies phlegm and promotes its discharge. Pharmacies sell syrups that combine plantain and coltsfoot, but in the summer, being outdoors, you can collect the leaves of the plants yourself, take them in equal proportions, crush, pour boiling water over, leave for 30 minutes and get a medicinal drink;
  • plantain with honey for cough - honey is almost always taken out of the bins for colds, it is always expected to speed up the recovery process. Even without knowing its rich chemical composition (more than 300 elements), the medicinal properties of the product have been confirmed in practice: honey with warm milk at night softens the larynx, soothes cough, and makes breathing easier. Adding it to a warm decoction or plantain juice can enhance the medicinal properties of the latter, use the uniqueness of the bee product, which combines propolis, bee bread, flower nectar, pollen and much more.

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Plantain for cough for children

Purchased pharmacy plantain preparations have instructions prohibiting their use by children under 2 years of age. An older child can be treated for cough with plantain in the absence of contraindications. In addition to the direct effect on pathogenic bacteria, the product will increase the body's resistance, strengthen the child's immunity, and be useful for diseases of the nasopharynx. To avoid possible allergies to the auxiliary substances of ready-made preparations, it is necessary to resort to home recipes for preparing potions.

Use of plantain for coughing during pregnancy

Pregnant women are just as susceptible to colds and infections as everyone else, but unlike others, they are limited in their choice of treatment. In this case, plantain and preparations based on it can help fight cough. In addition, it is effective against constipation, which pregnant women often suffer from, and reduces toxicosis. It is best to use infusions, decoctions, and teas. Studies have shown that the plant does not have a toxicological effect on the fetus and does not cause congenital deformities, but a doctor's consultation is still necessary, since it has its own contraindications that can aggravate some pathological conditions.

Contraindications

Plantain may cause allergic reactions in case of hypersensitivity to it. Other contraindications for use include increased acidity of the stomach, certain types of ulcers in it and the duodenum, and a tendency to thrombosis. Syrups are prescribed with caution to diabetics, since they contain sucrose.

Side effects of plantain for coughing

Plantain can cause side effects in the form of allergies: urticaria, itching, swelling. With increased secretion of gastric juice, pain in the epigastric region and heartburn occur. Plantain increases blood clotting, so blood clots may form.

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Overdose

If all instructions for use are followed, there can be no overdose. In case of multiple exceeding of recommendations, allergies, stomach pains, and intestinal upset are possible.

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Interactions with other drugs

Plantain syrups are not recommended to be used simultaneously with those that block the cough reflex: stopussin, codelac, libexim. Their simultaneous use can lead to stagnation of secretion in the tracheobronchial tree and increased inflammation. It is best to drink plantain during the day, and antitussive drugs at night.

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Storage conditions

All home-made plantain remedies are stored in the refrigerator, dry leaves - in paper packaging, fabric bags or glass or ceramic jars in places inaccessible to sunlight and moisture. Tinctures require dark cabinets and an air temperature of 8-15 ° C. Storage conditions for syrups - a dark place with no higher than + 25 ° C.

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Shelf life

Homemade plantain preparations can be stored in the refrigerator for only a few days, properly stored dry leaves - up to several years, although if possible, it is best to renew supplies in the season. The shelf life of tinctures and syrups is 2 years, after opening - one month.

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Analogues

Plantain analogues are substances that have the same therapeutic effect: marshmallow, pectolvan, licorice root, ascoril. They eliminate bronchospasm, promote rarefaction and evacuation of the upper respiratory tract secretion

Reviews

The use of plantain is a very common method in the treatment of cough, as evidenced by people's reviews. In them, they share that they use the plant not only as a single remedy, but also in combination with pine buds, elder flowers, wild pansy, calendula, St. John's wort. And those who have increased secretion of gastric juice and the body reacts painfully to the herb are advised to carry out inhalations using plantain juice.

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