Coughing in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Coughing is a reflex action which helps our body get rid of foreign particles, irritants, microbes, mucus and bacteria – among other allergens from the throat. Coughing, by forcing air out of the lungs under high pressure, attempts to clear the throat of these foreign particles.
We cough for a multitude of reasons:
- Colds
- Smoking
- Medicines
- Flu
- COVID-19
- Throat clearing
- GERD
- Postnasal drip
Depending on the severity of the cough and underlying conditions, most people don’t need medical attention and will normally see their cough clear up within a week. For coughs that last longer than a week, seek medical attention.
That said, common coughs are still annoying to everyone. They can interfere with all aspects of your life and often prevent us from getting healthful, quality sleep.
There’s a whole pharmaceutical industry built around cough relief in the form of syrups, pills, salves, tablets, effervescents and lozenges. The problem with cold and cough medicines is that they often have undesirable side effects such as drowsiness at times when we can’t be drowsy. And sometimes, they simply aren’t very effective.
Medicinal Plants Can Help
There are several medicinal plants that may provide the kind of cough relief you’re looking for. Our recommendations:
Licorice root – Licorice root, a key plant in Chinese medicine, is the common name of Glycyrrhiza glabra, a flowering herbaceous perennial legume native to Western Asia and southern Europe.
In the world of medicinal plants, licorice root is primarily known as a demulcent (a soothing substance taken internally to protect damaged or inflamed tissue) and an expectorant (a substance that assists in expelling mucus from lungs and throat). Licorice root is normally used to treat colds and sore throats.
Human scientific studies are somewhat lagging. However, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the compounds found in licorice root “could significantly decrease cough frequency by 30-78%.”
Licorice root is commonly taken as a tea. But you can also find it in these forms:
- Tincture
- Powder
- Supplement
- Gel applied topically
While considered safe for healthy people to consume in small doses, it’s generally recommended to limit your daily intake to 100 grams per day.
Licorice root should be avoided by anyone at risk for high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease due to its mineralocorticoid effects. Licorice root is not suitable to give to children.
Ginger – A new study released in December 2020 reports that fresh ginger can help us to recover from a cough or cold. An earlier study suggests that the anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger can relax membranes in the airways, which could reduce coughing.
Ginger, of course, has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. In fact, there are few plants that have more health benefits associated with it than ginger.
Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from China. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is closely related to turmeric, cardamom and galangal. The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part commonly used as a spice.
Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger, responsible for much of its medicinal properties.
Ginger for coughs is taken as a tea, powder or eaten raw. Taken as a powder, the usual recommendation is to add around 2 teaspoons to your food while cooking. For eating raw ginger, buy fresh roots, peal then cut into small slices, which you can eat two or three times a day. Raw ginger is intense, but herbalists claim it’s very effective.
While rare, some people do have bad reactions to ginger such as abdominal discomfort (especially diarrhea), heartburn or gas.
Taking ginger might also increase your risk of bleeding as well as worsen some heart conditions when high doses of ginger are consumed. Diabetics also need to be cautious. Ginger might increase insulin levels and/or lower blood sugar. Consequently, diabetes medications might need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.
Pineapple – While probably not the first medicinal plant you would associate with cough control, there is scientific evidence that pineapple juice can help manage a cough. Bromelain, an enzyme found in the flesh of tropical fruit, has been shown to suppress coughs and loosen mucus in the throat.
In fact, a study a few years ago reported that a mixture of pineapple juice, honey, salt and pepper was an effective treatment for tuberculosis due to its ability to soothe the throat and dissolve mucus. You can use this recipe and see if it helps your cough:
- 1 tsp. chopped ginger
- 1 tbsp. honey
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 cup fresh pineapple juice
Blend and drink ¼ cup up to three times a day. Note: Do not give raw honey to children under 1 year of age. Also, people who have a pineapple allergy, or are allergic to other tropical fruits, should not drink pineapple juice.
Note: As with all medicinal plants, it’s best to first discuss their possible use with your health professional. Allergies and other conditions (especially if pregnant or breastfeeding) could result in side effects
