Intractable Cough Herbal Remedies

"Loose" coughs have a real health purpose--they clear out mucus and sputum, which often contain germs and debris. Coughing is part of your body's cleansing system.

However, dry, hacking coughs can be painful--and literally unproductive. When that persistent hacking cough just won't loosen up or move on, what can be done? Simple herbal remedies can often help ease the situation.

Teas

• Hot liquids in general can help relieve tightness in the chest associated with a dry cough. Not only can they help mucus begin to flow, but they relax tight muscles and ease sore throats, which may develop from chronic coughing.

  But to make that hot water more effective, turn it into herbal tea. Ginger in particular is strong and aids in loosening trapped mucus. Ginger tea can be made either from instant packets found in health stores, Chinese medicine shops and Asian grocery stores--or by simply steeping a piece of fresh ginger in water.

  Other teas with similar properties include peppermint tea and mullein tea--both available in health food stores.

Rubs, Expectorants and Decongestants

• Chest rubs with camphor, eucalyptus or menthol are a great nonpharmaceutical way to loosen a cough. If you're looking for something more natural than Vick's, look to brands such as Nature Works, Hyssop and Tea Tree Therapy, which can often be found in natural food stores and online.

  Steam inhalation is another great way to loosen a cough. Add essential oils of any one of eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, pepper, or menthol to make it even more effective.

  Bonnie McMillen, RN, at the University of Pittsburgh reports that a mixture of cayenne pepper, ground ginger, honey, apple cider vinegar and water makes an effective homemade cough syrup.

  Some herbalists report coltsfoot can be effective as a decongestant while cherry bark syrup is a good expectorant. Both of these can be found in health food stores and online.

Common Sense

• Coughs not caused by a cold or flu may not be affected by herbal or even nonherbal treatments. Smokers develop intractable coughs that are caused by their smoking. Environmental hazards like asbestos, dust, molds, etc., may require a life or environment change.

  Anytime a cough is persistent, strong, painful and lasting more than eight weeks, doctors consider it chronic. Make sure you know what's causing your cough and consult a physician about a cough that's particularly painful or ongoing.