Herbs For Bronchial Congestion

Bronchial congestion is due to an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, or airway passages, caused by bronchitis or other upper respiratory infection. Common symptoms include mucus, dry or wet cough, and tightness in the chest. Conventional treatment may include antibiotics and cough medicines, but they may have unpleasant side effects. Herbs may work well to relieve symptoms of bronchial congestion. Consult a health care professional before starting herbal therapy.

Mullein

Mullein, or Verbascum thapsus, is a biennial with one large stem that protrudes from a cluster of leaves. The dried leaves and flowers contain flavonoids, mucilage, saponins, tannins and a volatile oil, and the plant is used traditionally to relieve symptoms of upper respiratory infections. In "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann recommends mullein tincture or tea when symptoms call for a relaxing expectorant. Mullein will not suppress the cough, but will reduce inflammation and gently stimulate mucus production to eliminate bronchial irritants. In "The Herbal Drugstore," Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster recommend mullein tincture or tea for both wet and dry coughs, since it will help expel mucus and ease chest pain. Mullein may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Osha

Osha, or Ligusticum porteri, is a perennial member of the parsley family that grows in mountainous regions of North America. Traditionally it is used to treat muscle aches, upper respiratory viral infections, fever and sinusitis. Clinical herbalist David Hoffmann recommends osha as a specific herb for tracheobronchitis, where both the bronchi and the trachea are inflamed. Osha is a stimulating expectorant; when used to treat a dry cough, osha will stimulate coughing to help remove mucus. Osha also has antimicrobial properties and may help fight a viral infection and prevent a secondary bacterial infection. Do not use osha while pregnant or breastfeeding.

English Ivy

English ivy, or Hedera helix, is an evergreen vine native to Europe. Traditional healers use the leaves and stems to treat cough, parasites, skin disorders, bronchitis and chronic respiratory tract inflammation. Active ingredients include saponins, phenols and alkaloids. The plant has expectorant, antispasmodic and mucus-producing actions. Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink in "Medicinal Plants of the World" state that ivy's expectorant action works by stimulating the "nervus vagus" in the stomach, causing a cough response. A study by S. Fazio and colleagues published in the January 2009 issue of "Phytomedicine" tested a dried leaf extract on 9657 patients with acute and chronic bronchitis, including children. After one week, cough and chest pain disappeared or improved in 95 percent of patients. Patients tolerated the extract well, with only a 2.1 percent reporting adverse effects, mainly gastrointestinal distress. The number jumped to 26 percent when antibiotics were added and there was no additional benefit from the antibiotics, indicating that ivy extract alone was more effective and tolerated than the conventional therapy. Ivy should not be used by children or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ivy leaf may cause skin allergies in sensitive individuals, and the berry seeds may be toxic.