Herbs For Chest Congestion

Certain herbs may be helpful in treating your bronchial, or chest, congestion. According to the Canadian Lung Association, inflammation of your bronchi, or the tubes that carry air into your lungs, can cause bronchial swelling and increased secretion of sticky mucus. In most cases, chest congestion is actually congestion in your lungs and airways. Before taking herbs to help treat your chest congestion, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.

Colt's Foot

Colt's foot, a member of the Aster family, is an herb that may be beneficial in treating your chest congestion. According to the University of Michigan Health System, colt's foot, also known as Tussilago farfara, has been used by herbalists to help eliminate coughs caused by a variety of conditions, including lung conditions such as emphysema and silicosis. Emphysema and silicosis can cause chronic cough and chest congestion. Colt's foot is an herbaceous perennial plant native to North Africa and Eurasia, although it now grows throughout North America, thriving in damp conditions. Colt's foot has a sweet taste. The entire plant, especially the leaves, are used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that colt's foot is an anti-inflammatory and demulcent expectorant that thins mucus and helps expel it from your respiratory tract. Colt's foot, notes Smith, is also a cough sedative.

Boneset

Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book, "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that boneset is a stimulating diaphoretic, antispasmodic and stimulating expectorant that is helpful in treating pulmonary inflammation such as pleurisy with cough and sore chest. Boneset, notes Tilgner, boosts your immune system's defenses, and it may be helpful in treating colds, flu and intermittent fever. According to the Smith, boneset has been used to help treat chronic coughs, bronchitis and pneumonia, and is used to improve poor immune response and slow recovery. Boneset, also known as Eupatorium perfoliatum, belongs to the Aster family, has a nauseatingly bitter taste and possesses drying and cooling tendencies. Herbalists use the plants' aerial parts medicinally. Tilgner cautions that boneset should be used for acute conditions and in small doses only.

Lungwort

Lungwort is a flowering perennial plant native certain parts of Europe and Asia. Lungwort, also called Stricta pulmonaria, is a member of the Lichen family and has a slightly bitter taste. The stem of the lungwort plant grows to a height of about 12 inches, and the plant has egg-shaped leaves and pale purple flowers. The leaves of the lungwort plant are used to make medicine. According to Dr. William A. Mitchell, Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," lungwort is an anti-tussive and expectorant that helps relieve short, hacking coughs and pectoral and intercostal muscle pain associated with excess coughing. Mitchell states that lungwort contains numerous active ingredients, including allantoin, quercetin, kaempferol, vitamin C, mucilage and tannins. According to Tilgner, lungwort is an astringent, expectorant and antimicrobial that is helpful in treating bronchitis, chronic asthma and respiratory tract infections associated with pain and stiffness in your chest, neck and shoulders.