Herbs for Cough & Lung Problems
Recently, my sister stopped by in a panic because my 5-year-old niece was coughing non stop all day and she suffers from asthma. She has been working on changing their diet and determining her triggers but for today she wanted me to mix up something quick and effective to help my niece stop coughing.
My sister told me that my niece was doing breathing treatments with Albuterol and Pulmicort and her asthmatic coughing was as persistent as ever. Now, these meds have a place in our world when absolutely necessary and in an emergency but they are not a cure-all. The Albuterol is a bronchodilator while the Pulmicort is an inhaled steroid. Both Albuterol and Pulmicort are medications used to treat asthma, however Albuterol is short acting and reserved for acute symptoms management. Pulmicort is a medication taken daily in an attempt to suppress the symptoms of asthma and therefore reduce the need to use Albuterol. Both have serious side effects worth reading about, so research them if you use this medication.
When my first son was smaller he took many doses of both of these meds to no avail in addition to several other prescriptions. He got worse and ended up in the hospital or doctor’s office weekly. It was not until I started studying everything in detail and determining his triggers and also treating his stomach and food allergies that his condition started to get better.
But in my sister’s case she had done everything her pediatrician advised and my little niece was still coughing away.
So I whipped up a quick herbal goodie bag of La Chica Organica”s Cough Control Tea which has fennel. ginger, fenugreek and mullein. I also gave her 30 drops of organic cayenne extract, 15 drops of my lemon balm extract and 3 drops of super strong oil of oregano. The trick was getting this screaming coughing child to down less than an ounce of this spicy stuff that I mixed with juice. She kicked and screamed, we bribed her with candy and she gave in. The funny thing is that in our home everyone including out 17 month old has done some form of Cayenne shots and there is rarely a scream or kick from them although we sometimes jump up and down and make faces. But we have gotten use to it and I started them early so now its as common as drinking a glass of water, although my oldest son sometimes freaks out, we usually handle the heat quite well.
The cool thing is that my niece’s cough stopped immediately and I sent my sister home with enough herbs to make a few cups of tea and some herbal cough drops. I also advised her to add some raw crushed garlic to her tea.
But I must say that not all coughs are the same so its important that you pay attention and seek medical advise to determine the cause of the cough as a serious cough can be a sign of bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, lung cancer, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, post nasal drainage, allergies and more.
If you are wondering why I chose some of the herbs mentioned for my nieces cough; here is some helpful information about their medicinal properties:
Fenugreek – The seed part of fenugreek is a mucilaginous herb with affinity for the lymphatic and respiratory systems. It is an excellent herb to use for conditions involving excess mucus or phlegm such as asthma. It has bitter principles, saponins, which have a dissolving and loosening properties, which may explain why it has been used to dissolve thick or hardened mucus and aid in its expulsion from the body. It may help expel toxic waste from the lymphatic system as mucus secretions come from the lymphatic system. Mucilage is also helpful in the digestive process.
Garlic has been used for centuries for its antibiotic and its ability to help with dry coughs. One significant advantage of garlic is that the bacteria do not seem to build up a resistance to it as they do to many modern antibiotics; “garlic does not seem to produce such resistant strains”. This also makes it potentially effective against hospital superbugs. To make an effective garlic syrup just mince a clove of garlic and place in a small bowl; cover with honey and cover the bowl with plastic wrap; marinate overnight then strain off the garlic and place honey in a jar. Take one tablespoonful upon awakening, then throughout the day, as needed. This can also be done by using red onion and garlic for colds, flu and coughs.
Fennel is an aromatic herb, especially useful for stimulating the digestive process. It has a long history of use in helping to overcome colic, gas and other digestive disturbances. These oils appear to stimulate the lungs to eliminate phlegm. This is known as an expectorant action. Fennel also has diuretic properties. Historically, it has been used in cases of persistent coughs and bronchitis. It is also reported to have anti-convulsive properties.
Mullein is one of the major herbs used for lung problems. It appears to have the ability to loosen mucus and move it out of the body. It also appears to nourish and strengthen the lung tissue making it useful for all respiratory problems and pulmonary diseases. Mullein has been used to help reduce swelling in the lymph nodes as well.
Related articles:
- Herbal Tea for Colds, Throat Irritation and Infection
- Herbal Tinctures to help you during Flu Season
- How do I make a tea with organic loose herbs and what on earth is a Decoction?
- Cold and Flu Cocktails/Remedies – What you Should Have on Hand!
- Got Cayenne? Find Out why You Should Always Have it on Hand
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