Herbs & Honeysuckle for Cough

Many pharmaceutical medicines prescribed for coughs also make you drowsy. Natural remedies for coughs are a good way to regain health without the unwanted side effects. Honeysuckle alongside slippery elm makes a good herbal combination for a tea that will soothe the throat and calm excessive coughing.

Honeysuckle

• A honeysuckle plant blossoms in the sun.

  Honeysuckle's medicinal properties---it is antibacterial, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory---make it useful in treating a cough. Honeysuckle also has a high level of calcium, which helps the body absorb vitamin C and other minerals, including zinc.

Slippery Elm

• Slippery elm is traditionally used as a powder to treat inflammation of the mucous membrane tissue. It is a demulcent, which means it secretes mucilage when moistened. This causes the mucous membrane in the body to produce more mucus, which lines the throat and protects from infection and irritation.

Working Together

• Honeysuckle and slippery elm make a great combination for treating coughs. As the mucilage of slippery elm begins to coat the throat, the dryness that causes the throat to itch is relieved. Honeysuckle's anti-spasmodic property calms the nerves of the throat, seizing the coughing cycle that is causing irritation and permitting the anti-inflammatory qualities of both herbs to act upon the affected area.

Making the Tea

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil and add a couple of teaspoons of each herb to the water. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to simmer for five minutes.

Dosage

• Take a cup of this tea blend as needed to sooth the throat and calm the cough.