Herbal Action: Anticatarrhal

Herbs that break down and eliminate excess mucus

Anticatarrhal herbs break down and eliminate excess mucus in both the respiratory and digestive systems. They counteract the buildup of excess mucus and inflammation in the sinuses and respiratory tract, and are generally used for chronic excess mucus production paired with inflammation

These herbs work best when paired with avoiding mucus-forming foods (dairy, sugar, processed foods) and supporting the body's other channels of elimination with aperient herbs for the bowel and diuretics for the kidneys to help flush fluids.

What they do

• Break down and clear excess mucus in the respiratory and digestive systems

• Counteract inflammation in the sinuses and respiratory tract

• Warm and stimulate circulation, helping mucus move rather than stagnate

How they're used

Anticatarrhal herbs are used as teas, extracts, syrups, or worked into meals as everyday spices (ginger, garlic, black pepper, cloves).

When to consider them

Consider these herbs for nose goop, nasal drip, and allergies; throat, lung, stomach, or intestinal discharge; or urinary tract discharge. They're commonly used for colds, flu, pneumonia, and chronic cough or hacking.

Herbs

• Ginger

• Marshmallow

• Mullein

• Sage

• Thyme

• Yarrow

• Angelica

• Anise (infants)

• Barberry

• Bittersweet

• Black pepper

• Black walnut

• Blood root

• Borage

• Burdock

• Capsicum

• Catnip

• Cayenne

• Cloves

• Coltsfoot

• Comfrey

• Coriander

• Cranesbill

• Cubebs

• Dill seed

• Echinacea

• Elder (flower & berry)

• Elecampane

• Eyebright

• Fennel seeds

• Garlic

• Goldenrod

• Heartsease

• Horseradish

• Hyssop

• Irish moss

• Juniper berries

• Lobelia

• Lungwort

• Milk thistle

• Red clover

• Safflower

• Sarsaparilla

• Sorrel

• Wild cherry

• Wintergreen

Other Anticatarrhals

• Lemon

• Vinegar/honey (oxymel)

• Figs

• Flax seed

• Raisins