In medicinal plants you will find simple and effective remedies to relieve congestion and soften the throat in case of bronchitis, flu or cold.
Mucus sometimes accumulates in the airways that prevent you from breathing well. This mucus are not harmful, but benign, as they contain antiseptic or antimicrobial enzymes. Mucus forms to trap bacteria and dust specks and prevent them from entering the body. It protects the lungs and prevents the mucous membranes from drying out.
But when the walls of the airways become irritated and inflamed, it can overgrow and clog them, causing coughing and discomfort.
To reduce congestion, drugs that thin the mucus are prescribed so that it can be removed. Many include mucilaginous or mucolytic substances, which facilitate the expulsion of phlegm, but sometimes have side effects, such as gastrointestinal disorders.
A good alternative is phytotherapy, which proposes natural remedies based on medicinal plants. These, in addition to thinning the mucus, can add bactericidal, antitussive and anti-inflammatory effects without causing adverse reactions. Here are five of the most effective.
5 HOME REMEDIES FOR COUGH WITH EXPECTORANT AND ANTITUSSIVE PLANTS
THYME TO COUGH UP
Thyme stands out for its richness in an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic essential oil.
- Who it suits you: relieves from simple colds to flu, through colds with irritative cough, pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and mild asthmatic attacks.
- How it is taken: in decoction, infusion, liquid extract and syrup, or essential oil externally. Chest mists can also be made.
- Precautions: the essential oil should not be ingested in any case; It should also not be applied topically in children under six years of age or in allergy sufferers.
A good natural remedy for expectoration is to make mists for the chest. To do this, add thyme, rosemary, myrtle and lavender (5 grams of each) to a liter of water; Heat in a pot and suck in the steam.
PULMONARIA FOR BRONCHITIS
Pulmonaria dilutes mucus and facilitates expectoration thanks to its mucilage, which makes it mucolytic and demulcent.
- Who is convenient: those who suffer from recurrent or chronic bronchitis, smokers and people exposed to toxic fumes or gases, pollution or dust, and who often suffer from infection and inflammation in the pharynx, larynx and trachea.
- How it is taken: in infusion, decoction of the whole plant or capsules.
- Precautions: its saponosides can irritate the gastric mucosa in prone people, who are advised to always combine it with demulcent plants.
To prepare a remedy for bronchitis: mix pulmonaria, lavender, savory, mallow and green anise, in equal parts. Boil 5 grams of the mixture per cup of water one minute, rest ten, strain and drink two or three warm cups a day.
VIOLET, MUCILAGE TO SOFTEN THE THROAT
The beautiful flowers of this viola and other related ones are characterized by their richness in mucilaginous substances, which together with salicylic acid and saponosides give it balsamic, demulcent, febrifuge, anti-inflammatory and antitussive properties.
- Who is convenient: people with throat irritation and persistent cough, with flu and lots of mucus or with infections of the pharynx, larynx and trachea. It helps to lower fever, clears the throat, softens coughs and eliminates mucus.
- How it is taken: in syrup, liquid extract and infusion.
- Precautions: High doses should be avoided, as they may cause vomiting.
To make a natural remedy for cough: violet, mallow, poppy and thyme are mixed in equal parts. Add this mixture to hot water – one tablespoon per glass – and let it stand for ten minutes, already off the fire. Four cups of this hot decoction are taken throughout the day.
IRISH MOSS ANTITUSSIVE
This brown alga thrives on rocky shores of the Atlantic. Its mucilages (up to 80%) have a great protective power of the mucous membranes, as well as anti-inflammatory, antitussive and balsamic effects.
- Who it suits us: people affected by bronchitis with a lot or little cough, and in case of laryngitis, pharyngitis and flu, accompanied by mucus and phlegm, to help them expectorate without problems.
- How it is taken: in syrup, liquid extract, tincture and decoction.
- Precautions: may interact with some medications.
For pulmonary congestion you can prepare this syrup: liquid extracts of Irish moss, plantain, drosera, marshmallow and bitter orange (5 grams each) are well mixed in a jar and a teaspoon is taken every eight hours.
WHITE HOREHOUND, A BALM AGAINST THE FLU
Bitter substances, such as marrubiin, in association with saponosides, give this plant balsamic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. White horehound acts on the foci of infection in the respiratory tree, lowers fever and favors the elimination of phlegm and mucus.
- Who it suits you: in flu, especially with chest and nasal congestion, in colds with a lot of mucus and cough, and in bronchitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis.
- How to take it: in infusion, tincture, liquid extract, syrup and capsules.
- Precautions: it should be combined with mint or anise to soften its bitterness.
You can prepare this natural remedy against the flu: horehound, ulmaria, elderflowers, Scots pine yolks and mint are mixed, in equal parts. Boil 5 grams of the mixture per cup of water for two minutes, stand ten and strain. They are taken two to three cups daily, with honey or lemon juice.
HOW TO PREPARE POULTICES FOR COUGH
Poultices, although they have fallen into disuse, are still one of the most effective remedies to promote the expectoration of mucus: they provide a moist heat that softens it and thus facilitates its expulsion from the body.
INGREDIENTS
To make them, 100 g of fenugreek flour (Trigonella foenum-graecum), 100 g of linseed flour (Linum usitatissimum) and 10 g of ginger flour or mustard flour are needed.
PREPARATION
These flours are mixed until a homogeneous powder is obtained, from which three tablespoons are taken. They are poured in a saucepan, on the fire, with a large glass of milk (200 ml) and cook everything stirring with a spoon, until it begins to boil.
HOW TO USE THEM
At this point, the hot dough is spread on a scrap of old sheet, which is wrapped and applied to the chest.
Skin burns should be avoided. If necessary, wrap the poultice with another sheet and unwrap it as it cools.
It remains applied until it cools, about 15 or 20 minutes.
Poultices can be repeated as many times a day as needed.
