Chronic colds can get in the way of living your life. Caused by viral infections in the upper respiratory tract, these colds and accompanying chest congestion are generally harmless but annoying. MayoClinic.com notes that healthy adults will likely experience several colds each year, but children are at the greatest risk of contracting colds frequently. Herbal remedies may help you prevent or lessen the symptoms of chronic colds and chest congestion.
Eucalyptus
You can find eucalyptus in a variety of over-the-counter remedies, including cough syrup, vapor baths and rubs, and throat lozenges, to treat chronic colds and chest congestion. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that herbalists recommend that you use fresh eucalyptus leaves to make teas and throat gargles to relieve your cold symptoms. Both eucalyptus leaves and the oil in the plant have antibacterial, antiseptic and expectorant properties.
Angelica
Angelica, an herb native to Europe and Asia, has long been cultivated for use as a medicinal herb. Mother Earth News indicates that this herb is commonly used for bronchitis and chest complaints that can often occur during chronic colds. Angelica leaves can be added to fruit salads and fish dishes, and tender stems can replace celery, although you should drink tea made from the roots for maximum effectiveness against frequent colds and chest congestion. No scientific evidence exists to prove angelica's usefulness in preventing or treating chronic colds or chest congestion.
Comfrey
Ingesting comfrey tea may help you relieve symptoms of chronic colds like throat inflammation, chest congestion and bronchitis. This herb is somewhat controversial, however. Research published in the March 2005 "British Journal of Cancer" indicates that comfrey causes cancerous liver tumors in rats, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that manufacturers pull all products that contain comfrey from store shelves in July 2001 due to its connection to both cancer and liver damage. Despite this, some proponents say that comfrey's benefits, including its effects on chronic colds and chest congestion, may outweigh its risks, according to a July 2004 article in "Vitality" magazine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Eucalyptus
- MayoClinic.com: Common Cold
- Mother Earth News: Healing Gardens
- Illinois State University Horticulture Center: Learning More About the Food We Eat
- British Journal of Cancer: Mutagenicity of comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) in rat liver; Mei, Guo, F, Heflich, Chen; March; 2005
- Vitality: Comfrey
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