How to Stop a Cough Naturally with Herbs

by Webmaster, All4NaturalHealth.com

Are you seeking information on how to stop a cough naturally using herbs?

There are many possible causes of coughing. Broadly speaking, coughs can be categorized into two main types - coughs that produce or release mucus, or the dry and hacking coughs that do not.

A cough can be a reaction to a minor irritation, or it can be a sign of a deeper, more serious underlying health condition. If your attempts to use natural remedies and home treatments do not work, and your cough persists for a sustained period of time, perhaps even worsening, it is probably time to seek out a health care practitioner who will be able to check out your symptoms and ascertain if you are indeed suffering from a health ailment.

In essence, coughs are your body's attempts to get rid of something undesirable in the respiratory system, and if it affects you chronically, you can be sure there is something more deep-seated which is going on inside your body.

There are several herbal remedies for coughs which have been around for literally hundreds of years. A few of these herbal treatments are discussed here.

Ginger

One herb which can aid in how to stop a cough is ginger. Research has suggested that ginger contains compounds which help to suppress coughs as well as relieve pain.

Licorice

Another useful herb for cough relief is licorice. This herb, which has a long history of use for respiratory issues, helps to sooth one's mucus membranes.

For how to stop a cough with herbs, you can try taking licorice tea, which can be prepared by boiling dried licorice root in water; due to possible unwanted reactions, especially if this herb is taken for extended periods, it may be a good idea to limit yourself to 3 cups of licorice tea per day.

Anise

In your attempts to figure out how to stop a cough naturally, another herb which could interest you is anise, also referred to as anis or aniseed. In Germany, there is a team of experts called "Commission E" which advises the German government on the safety and efficacy of herbs. And anise is endorsed by that commission as helpful in suppressing coughs and removing phlegm that is in one's respiratory tract (expectorant).

Anise also has antispasmodic properties, which make it helpful for spasmodic coughs.

To help with how to stop a cough naturally, anise can be consumed as a tea, which can be prepared by boiling crushed anise (about one or two teaspoon) with water (about a cup).

Marsh Mallow

Marsh mallow is an herb that has soothing properties, which make it useful for stopping a cough using naturally. The root of this herb is recommended by Commission E for dealing with throat mucus membrane irritation as well as any related dry coughing.

Again, for how to stop a cough with herbs, a tea of this herb can be made by boiling its dried parts (about two teaspoons) with water (about a cup).

Mullein

Mullein is another herb which, like marsh mallow, contains mucilage that helps to sooth the throat. It is also an expectorant. The flowers of this plant are endorsed by Commission E as an herbal cough treatment. Here is a small cautionary note - this tea can be bitter, but it can be sweetened with honey or lemon.

Primrose

Yet another herb endorsed by Commission E is primrose - a teaspoon or two of its dried flowers can be used to prepare one cup of primrose tea, which can be used for cough relief. Please note that primrose and the better known evening primrose (where evening primrose oil is obtained from) are two different plants.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle tea is another long-used cough remedy. This herb also helps with colds and even tuberculosis. The leaves of stinging nettle can be used to prepare the said tea.

Slippery Elm

Slippery elm is a very useful herb with excellent soothing properties. These properties are mainly obtained from its bark, which contains copious amounts of mucilage. Not only can this herb sooth infected throats, it can also help to suppress coughs.

Other Herbs and Herbal Remedies for Cough Relief

There are numerous other herbs which could be helpful for how to stop a cough naturally. Sundew and coltsfoot have been shown to have cough-relieving properties (as does marsh mallow). One thing to note about coltsfoot - its roots contain compounds which may be toxic to one's liver, so caution must be exercised; one suggestion is to avoid the root and only use its flowers and leaves.

In Europe, thyme has been used for many years to treat bronchitis as well as dry and spasmodic coughs. Other traditional cough-relieving herbal remedies include bloodroot, catnip, comfrey, hyssop, ivy leaf, lobelia, onion, plantain, and red clover.

A steam inhalation of the vapor of eucalyptus oil may also help with whooping coughs.

Conclusion

There are indeed many herbs and herbal remedies which may help with relieving coughs. In addition, there are also other treatments and therapies which help with how to stop a cough naturally. To learn more, read the other related cough articles and pages.

Read More: More on Cough | Natural Health Remedies for Various Ailments and Conditions | Home Page | Site Search

Click here to learn more about a powerful natural remedy which helps to get rid of the coughs, phlegm and mucus of bronchitis.

Click here for natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for coughs.

	Get Quality Natural Health Supplements at Reasonable Prices. $5 or $10 discount for new customers
Get natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for hundreds of health conditions and ailments. GO.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read. Leave a comment in the box below.

Some Related Cough Pages

Click here for more pages and articles on Cough.