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Decoctions for dry and wet cough

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 10.08.2022
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Decoctions of medicinal plants, which in the recent past pharmacists called decoctions (in Latin decoctum - decoction), can be used in the complex therapy of various diseases, and cough decoctions are used to treat respiratory diseases.

Indications Decoctions for cough

It is recommended to take decoctions for  dry cough  (unproductive), as well as productive or  wet cough  - for colds, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by respiratory infections, including acute forms of laryngitis and tracheitis. Medicinal herbs are widely used  for bronchitis  - acute, chronic and obstructive.

Use Decoctions for cough during pregnancy

Cough decoctions with licorice root, marshmallow, elecampane, as well as coltsfoot leaves, sage, thyme (thyme) and oregano during pregnancy are contraindicated.

Read more:

Contraindications

First of all, any herbal cough decoctions are contraindicated in the presence of allergies and a tendency to allergic reactions.

Licorice root is contraindicated in functional insufficiency of the liver and / or kidneys, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, potassium deficiency.

Contraindications to the use of thyme (thyme) are: cholecystitis, gastric ulcer; problems with the liver and thyroid gland, take during pregnancy and lactation, as well as during menstruation.

Plantain leaves, oregano and elecampane root should not be used with increased acidity of the stomach, and chamomile flowers - with low acidity, acute cystitis and nephritis.

Inflammatory diseases of the liver and kidneys, as well as arterial hypertension and children under five years of age impose a ban on the use of sage leaves.

In general, cough decoctions for children are not used until the age of three.

Side effects Decoctions for cough

The use of herbs can cause side effects in the form of allergies (with skin rashes and other manifestations).

Heartburn can cause a decoction of plantain and elecampane root; heaviness in the liver - coltsfoot; swelling and increased blood pressure - licorice root; nausea - herb thyme and sage.

Overdose

There is no information on overdose of cough decoctions.

Interactions with other drugs

Any herbal cough decoctions should not be taken in combination with drugs that suppress the cough reflex (Tusuprex, Sinekod, Glauvent, etc.).

Storage conditions

The finished broth is stored in a cool place, or in the refrigerator; expiration date does not exceed two days.

Cough decoction recipes

Herbal cough decoctions are obtained by boiling plant materials (various parts of plants) for extraction - extracting its biologically active substances into water.

The standard amount of dry grass, leaves, flowers or crushed roots and rhizomes per 250 ml of water is one tablespoon. The raw material is poured with boiling water and cooked from the moment of boiling for 10-15 minutes over low heat. The volume of water during this time decreases, therefore it is recommended - especially if cough decoctions are prepared for children under 10 years old - add boiling water at the end of cooking so that the volume of the finished decoction is at least 200 ml). After removing from the fire, the container with the broth is closed with a lid, and it is infused while it cools.

How to prepare and take a decoction of coltsfoot for cough, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8309739/in detail in the publications:

A decoction of plantain leaves (large or lanceolate)  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5388152/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075699/ is described in the article -  Plantain for cough

With a dry cough, a decoction of licorice cough helps - a decoction of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which is also called licorice root. One of the most effective plants for dry cough is also the root of marshmallow (Althaea officinalis).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3498851/

In cases where sputum is coughed up with difficulty, a decoction of oregano (Oreganum vulgare) can be used, for details, see -  Oregano cough with bronchitis . Liquefies sputum and facilitates its removal. Decoction of meadow or red clover (Trifolium rubens), full information in the material -  Red clover cough for bronchitis .

Gives the same effect:

Also in preparation:

  • decoction of calendula for cough (flowers are used); read more -  Calendula cough for bronchitis ;
  • decoction of sage for cough, see publication -  Sage leaves ;
  • birch broth for cough, that is, a decoction of birch buds.

It is advisable to use a multi-component chest decoction for cough - pharmacy  Chest collection for cough , which contains marshmallow root, coltsfoot leaves, oregano herb (Breast collection No. 1); licorice root, plantain leaves and coltsfoot (Breast collection No. 2); marshmallow and licorice roots, anise fruits, sage leaves and pine buds (Breast collection No. 3).

By the way, pine decoction for cough with thick sputum has long established itself as a fairly effective expectorant for bronchopulmonary inflammation. Only it is not used a decoction of pine cones, but namely from pine buds - both inside (a tablespoon three to four times for) and for inhalation (once a day, at bedtime).

To prepare a decoction of viburnum for cough, fresh, dried or frozen berries are used. Some are helped by a decoction of apples for coughing (apple peel is used). You can make a decoction of oats for coughing on water, but  oats with cough milk are considered more effective .

Among the available alternative remedies for the treatment of bronchitis is a decoction of a cough pit, that is, from barley groats: two tablespoons for 500-600 ml of water. When the cereal is boiled, the broth is filtered and taken 100 ml three times a day, it is possible with the addition of honey.

A decoction of linden for coughs will not help: it is an antipyretic, and it is used for fever. A decoction of chamomile cough is not used, but if the cough develops with tonsillitis, pharyngitis or laryngitis, then it is useful to gargle with such a decoction or infusion.

How onion cough decoction (which is advised to be boiled long enough) can help is hard to imagine, but onion juice (which is released when crushed onion is mixed with sugar) really relieves any cough.

To alleviate the cough, a decoction of potatoes for coughing is also used, more precisely, steam coming from potatoes boiled in their skins (which they breathe by covering their heads with a towel). Such inhalations are one of the most common home remedies for respiratory diseases accompanied by a cough.

Analogues

About analogues of cough decoctions in publications:

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Decoctions for dry and wet cough" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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