Herbs for Chronic Coughing

Chronic coughing can be an annoying problem, especially if you are around other people. Although coughing is not considered something that actually needs to be suppressed, you may want to take an herbal remedy to assist with clearing out the lungs and lessening the effects of infection or inflammation. Several herbs are useful in this regard and can be taken in the form of teas, tinctures or supplements.

Mashmallow

• Marshmallow is an excellent expectorant that can help with chronic coughing. Marshmallow is highly soothing and can be made into a tea. The mucilage contained in this herb can help to induce a nerve reflex in the lungs, making the mucus thinner, and more able to be expelled, rendering a dry, hacking cough into a productive cough.

  It is recommended to drink three cups of marshmallow tea between meals for an optimal effect. Make a tea by simmering one ounce of dried marshmallow in one pint of boiling water for ten minutes. Take at the beginning stages of your infection, when your cough is still dry and hacking.

Licorice

• Licorice is a useful herbal remedy for chronic coughs. Licorice is considered an expectorant that has an irritant effect helpful in that it stimulates coughing to move the phlegm out of the lungs. In addition to being an excellent expectorant, licorice is also an immune system booster, and helps to regulate mucus production in the lungs.

  Make a licorice tea from the dried root. Use between 1 tsp. and 1 tbsp. of the dried herb in 1 cup of water. Simmer for 10 minutes, strain and drink. Licorice has a strong taste, and the tea can benefit from some added sweetener such as honey.

Tincture of Echinacea, Elder, Usnea, Thyme

• This is a useful herbal tincture formula that you can mix up yourself to treat coughing that is associated with a cold or flu. Thyme leaf is the herb that is responsible for helping with coughs, while the other herbs have healing properties to help with the cold symptoms.

  The formula to make this tincture is to use two parts of echinacea to one part of the remaining herbs. These can be purchased at your health food store. You can buy a larger bottle of the echinacea and smaller bottles of the other herbs. Mix together, and take 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the formula three times a day between meals for full benefits.