Herbal Action: Antitussive

Calm and relax the cough reflex

Antitussive herbs help calm and relax the cough reflex. Wild cherry bark is one of the best-known antitussives — it's where wild cherry cough syrup gets its name and reputation.

Antitussives work differently than expectorants or anticatarrhals — instead of helping the body clear mucus, they suppress the cough reflex itself. Because of this, they should only be used when coughing is so severe it's causing real discomfort, disrupting sleep, or leaving the abdominal muscles sore and weak. A productive cough that's actually clearing mucus is doing its job, and suppressing it too early can work against the body's natural process.

What they do:

• Calm and relax the cough reflex itself, rather than helping expel mucus

• Ease the muscular urge to cough

• Provide relief when coughing has become more harmful than helpful

How they're used:

Antitussive herbs are most often taken as syrups, teas, or extracts, typically in the evening or before bed when a severe cough is interfering with rest.

When to consider them:

When coughing has become severe enough to cause real discomfort, prevent sleep, or strain the abdominal muscles — not for a normal, productive cough that's still doing useful work.

Herbs

• Wild cherry bark

• Garlic

• Ginger

• Horehound

• Thyme

• Wild lettuce

• Lobelia (use in small amounts and with prudence)