A cough, sore throat or even laryngitis….simply indications that your sore throat involves your vocal cords….are really more Symptoms than actual Illnesses. What causes these symptoms?
Infection
Simple irritation
Result of a Cold or Flu
Strep Throat
Viral Laryngitis
Coughing is Beneficial
Coughing can actually be beneficial…it’s the body’s way of clearing the airways so that you can breathe. It also helps rid the body of mucus, which you DO want to get OUT of the body!
But after awhile, all that coughing starts to irritate the throat. This is where herbs can come to the rescue! Herbal cough drops or herbal cough syrup help reduce the irritation that makes you cough and also diminishes the pain.
Using a cough drop or syrup bring the herbs more into direct contact with your throat…coating and soothing your throat much better than tinctures or tea will.
Helpful Herbs
Anise
Eucalyptus
Fennel
Peppermint
Thyme
Marshmallow
Licorice
Slippery Elm
Plantain
All of these herbs have been used to craft remedies for aiding sore throats and coughing.
Anise, eucalyptus, fennel, peppermint and thyme are used quite a lot in cough medications; they are quite tasty and they work by shutting down the brain’s coughing center.
Marshmallow, licorice and slippery elm are great sore throat soothers. Marshmallow was suggested as a cough remedy i fourth century B.C. by the Greek physician Theophrastus. Native Americans have long used the bark of the Slippery Elm tree to stop coughs. Native Americans made a tea of Slippery Elm, created a gargle and even chewed on small pieces of the bark when they had sore throats.
Plantain is another good remedy and quite popular in Germany, China and Russia. Research in these countries showed that this herb stops coughing, wheezing and chest pain from bronchitis.
Helpful Essential Oils
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Cinnamon
Black Pepper
Lemon
Thyme
Marjoram
Rosemary
Basil
Peppermint
Natural Anti-biotics
Numerous scientific studies support the claim that garlic is a “natural antibiotic”. Researchers have found it to be particularly good at fighting strep infections. Other herbs that are good fighters are:
Berberine
Goldenseal
Barberry
Oregon Grape Root
Lavender
Laryngitis EO Steam Remedy
3 C. Water
1/4 tsp Lavender & Eucalyptus
Bring water to a simmer, turn off and remove from heat.
Add essential oils. Set pot where you can sit down next to it, place your face over the pot, drape head with towel to form mini-sauna. Breathe in the steam. Repeat 3 rounds at least 3X a day.
Sage
Sage Gargle
1 C Boiling Water
2 tsp Sage Leaves
Salt
Pour boiling water over sage leaves, cover and steep 20 minutes.
Strain, add salt and gargle as needed.
Store in refrigerator, will keep for several days.
Substitutions: Marjoram, Thyme, Hyssop.
Plantain
Honey Cough Syrup
1 TBSP EACH Licorice root, Marshmallow root, Plantain leaf
1 tsp Thyme leaf
1 pint water
4 TBSP Honey (Raw, organic)
4 oz Glycerin
1/8 tsp Anise Essential Oil
Prepare a triple-strength tea by simmering herbs in water for 10 minutes, then steeping in the water for 20 minutes.
Strain tea, stir in honey and glycerin while warm. Add essential Oil.
Take 1 TBSP as needed (Adults) 1/2 TBSP (Children)
**DO NOT give to infants**
Stored in a cool place will keep for 2 weeks, in the refrigerator will keep for several months!
This article can also be viewed at Simply-Living-Simply. Like them on Facebook while you are there!
