Leaves from cough: what plants can be used?

Among the morphological parts of plants used to treat coughs in official and traditional medicine, a significant proportion are cough leaves, which are used in both pharmaceutical preparations and home remedies.

According to some data, the predominant part of 36% of plants used for coughs are their leaves.

Indications cough leaves

The leaves of plants - primarily pharmacopoeial medicinal ones - are used both for unproductive or dry coughs, and for wet coughs with the formation of pathological bronchial secretions (phlegm), which occur as one of the main symptoms of colds, respiratory infections, diseases of the upper respiratory tract - laryngitis, tracheitis, as well as bronchopulmonary inflammations, including acute or chronic bronchitis.

It should be noted that only the leaves of those plants are suitable for treating cough, the chemical composition of which contains certain biologically active substances, in particular, saponins - a class of bioorganic surface-active compounds (with hydroxyl and other functional groups); mucous substances (complex polymer carbohydrates of branched molecular structure); polyphenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties (terpenoids); derivatives of phenolic carboxylic acids, including glycosides and tannins (tannins).

Dosing and administration

The main method of application is oral administration of a decoction, infusion or infusion, which are prepared from dry plant materials at the rate of one tablespoon per 250 ml of water.

Doses depend on age: children under 5 years old are given a teaspoon 3-5 times a day, children under 12 years old – a dessert spoon, teenagers and adults – 1-2 tablespoons.

Coltsfoot leaves for cough

Coltsfoot leaves (Tussilago farfara) contain mucus, tannins and bitter glycosides (tussilagin), which make them an effective cough suppressant and expectorant. They are included in the herbal mixture Breast Collection No. 2, in the composition of the Bronchinol syrup, etc.

Read more:

• Coltsfoot leaves
• Coltsfoot for coughs for adults and children

Plantain leaves for cough

Due to the mucous substances and iridoid glycosides (aucuban and asperuloside), the leaves of the large plantain (Plantago major) and the lanceolate plantain (Plantago lanceolata) are good for coughs and are classified as secretomotor expectorants. [ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

They can be used separately, but are more often included in herbal mixtures - herbal collections, for example, in Breast collection for cough No. 1, in the composition of such a galenic preparation as Gerbion syrup.

All details in the publication – Plantain for cough

Sage leaves for cough

Sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) help reduce the formation of bronchial secretions during coughing due to the complex action of cineole, borneol, thujone, pinene, tannins and other substances they contain. [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Together with plantain, sage leaves are included in the composition of Breast collection for cough No. 1.

Ivy leaves for cough

The evergreen liana, common ivy (Hedera helix), contains a number of biologically active substances in its leaves, including the terpenoid hederagenin and the saponin alpha-hederin. [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

In case of productive cough, the effect of ivy preparations – mixtures and syrups Gedelix, Gelisan, Prospan, Pectolvan ivy, Bronchipret – is to increase the production and liquefaction of bronchial secretions, as well as to dilate the bronchi, which facilitates the expectoration of phlegm.

Eucalyptus leaves for cough

Eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus globulus) contain cineole, which prevents nasal congestion and irritation of the paranasal sinuses, as well as tannins, which – when gargling with a decoction of the leaves – relieve a sore throat. [ 8 ] [ 9 ]

And eucalyptus oil vapors, when inhaled, liquefy viscous mucus and relieve coughing. Read - Eucalyptus Inhalations for Cough and Bronchitis

Aloe leaves for cough

The biologically active substances contained in the leaves of this plant, their therapeutic effect, as well as contraindications to their use and possible side effects when used in the treatment of respiratory inflammatory diseases, are described in detail in the publication - Aloe for cough [ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Bay leaf for cough

Essential oil of bay laurel leaves (Laurus nobilis) contains biologically active components in the form of terpenes and terpenoids, resinous, mucous and tannins. Infusion of bay leaf in folk recipes is recommended to be taken in cases of colds with high temperature and cough. [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Feijoa leaves for cough

Pineapple guava leaves (Acca sellowiana), or feijoa leaves, can be used for coughs due to their high tannin and terpene content. In folk medicine, decoctions of the buds are used to treat diarrhea, and infusions of feijoa leaves are used for urological diseases, for rinsing the mouth in cases of periodontal inflammation. But tea from the leaves of this subtropical plant can also soothe a cough. [ 14 ]

Cabbage leaf for cough

A cabbage leaf with honey for cough is an old method, one might even say archaic. It is recommended to use it as a compress, which is applied to the chest, additionally wrapping it to warm it up and increase blood flow. The cabbage leaf can be slightly crushed, beaten or doused with boiling water, it is also recommended to slightly warm up the honey (which is used to lubricate the leaf). In addition, cabbage juice with honey was considered effective for cough, although white cabbage leaves do not contain substances that would liquefy phlegm, making it easier to cough up. Obviously, it's all about the honey.

More information in the material - Compress for dry and wet cough

Application for children

Cough leaves for children - coltsfoot, plantain, ivy (from two years). Pediatricians believe that it is safer to use cough mixtures containing extracts of medicinal plants,Herbion syrup with plantain or ivy, etc.

Useful information is also available in the materials:

• Treatment of dry cough in a child
• Effective cough syrups for children
• Effective expectorants for removing phlegm

Use cough leaves during pregnancy

It is contraindicated to use coltsfoot, sage, aloe, ivy, raspberry and viburnum leaves during pregnancy.

Contraindications

It is contraindicated to use coltsfoot leaves in case of liver failure and allergies; plantain leaves - in case of increased stomach acidity and increased blood clotting; sage leaves - in case of acute kidney inflammation and for children under five years of age.

Aloe leaves are not used in the presence of disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and/or cardiovascular system, cholecystitis and high blood pressure.

Constipation is a contraindication to the use of bay leaf.

Side effects cough leaves

The use of plantain leaf infusion may be accompanied by heartburn, and preparations based on ivy leaf extract may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Possible side effects of coltsfoot, in addition to allergic reactions, are associated with the pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in its leaves, which, when taken orally, cause liver damage.

Sage can cause allergies and general weakness, heartburn and vomiting, as well as convulsions and tachycardia.

Which leaves are not used for cough?

Currant leaves are unlikely to help with coughs: it is more appropriate to use them for bladder problems and kidney stones – as a natural diuretic. Birch leaves are not used for coughs; birch leaves in the form of a decoction are used for urinary tract infections and, as a diuretic, are used to get rid of edema.

Viburnum leaves are not used for coughs, but the fruits – in any form – help to thin thick phlegm.

Raspberry leaves also won't help with a cough, but when you have a fever, tea or infusion with raspberry leaves, which contain salicylic acid, works better than any pharmacy antipyretic.

Are apple leaves used for coughs? Apple leaves contain polyphenols with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. The leaves, when steeped in boiling water, produce an infusion that helps not only with heartburn and acid reflux, but also with intestinal upset with diarrhea.

Horseradish leaves should not be used for coughs, but the beneficial properties of the allyl glucosinolate sinigrin contained in them are being studied, for example, to prevent increased cholesterol levels in the blood and the development of atherosclerosis.

Fresh lilac leaves are also not used for coughs, but due to the presence of glycoside syringin, they are used as a diaphoretic, making an aqueous infusion or decoction with the addition of linden flowers. And crushed leaves, applied to an abscess, accelerate the release of pus and healing.