Respiratory problems can range from coughing to difficulty breathing due to bronchitis, emphysema or the flu. Many of the difficulties encountered are caused by viruses or long-term chronic conditions affecting the airways. Herbal remedies may provide relief for respiratory problems where other types of treatments may fail. Some herbal treatments can cause side effects, so contact your health practitioner before using unfamiliar herbs.
White Horehound
Horehound is used worldwide by Ayurvedic practitioners, Australian aborigines and Native Americans for its respiratory properties. Horehound is a bitter herb and used medicinally to treat ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, coughing, colds, sore throats and as stomach tonic, according to Purdue University. Because the active compounds are volatile, the herb is useful as an expectorant, loosening chest congestion and helping the patient bring up trapped mucus. White horehound is considered safe as long as it is used according to directions.
Fennel
Fennel is a culinary and a medicinal herb used to treat chronic upper respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, coughing and other pulmonary ailments, according to the Multilingual Archive World Lingo website. Fennel juice is used by North American Indians and Ayurvedic practitioners as a sweet syrup to relieve chronic, spasmodic coughing associated with whooping cough, according to "Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice."
Sundew
The herb sundew is used to relieve a variety of upper respiratory conditions, especially those associated with hard, spasmodic coughing in chronic bronchitis and whooping cough, according to AltMD. These coughs often start with an itching in the upper chest or a tickle in the throat and lead to long bouts of intense coughing and difficulty breathing. The cough associated with this remedy is so strong that sometimes the patient will break ribs while coughing, notes James Duke in "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." Sundew is very bitter and best taken as an herbal tea sweetened with honey, maple syrup or stevia. It calms the cough and soothes the tickle in the throat, allowing the patient to rest. The tea can be consumed warm or cold, whichever feels better, and you can sip throughout the day as needed.
Lobelia Inflata
Lobelia inflata is another herb used to relieve chronic coughing associated with bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, flu, asthma or other respiratory ailments. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that it works as an expectorant, loosening phlegm and mucus in the chest, helping the patient to bring it up. It can also relieve tightness and congestion in the airways. In addition, Lobelia contains the alkaloids piperidine and lobeline, which may help some people quit smoking by reducing nicotine withdrawal, according to "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine." Lobelia can be toxic and must be used only under medical supervision. Consult an herbalist or other health practitioner familiar with its properties for treatment and dosing guidelines.
References
- AltMD: Herbal Remedies for Whooping Cough
- "Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice"; Sebastian Pole: 2006
- Purdue University: Horehound
- Multilingual Archive World Lingo: List of Herbs Used in Ayurveda
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James Duke; 2002
- "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments"; Andrew Chevallier; 2000s
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