Herbal Pantry: Demulcents and Expectorants

Medicine from plants can’t replace pharmaceuticals, but botanical remedies can contribute to prevention and recovery from illness. In this episode, I explore building the kitchen herbal pantry to include cough remedies. 

Categories and Examples of Herbs with therapeutic use for coughing

Demulcents are herbs that soothe and protect mucous membranes from irritation and inflammation and thin mucus

Examples are flax seed, chia seed, oats, okra, marshmallow, licorice, fenugreek, fennel, slippery elm, mullein, violet, butterfly weed

Expectorants are herbs that help move excessive mucus out of the respiratory system

Examples include wild cherry bark, plantain, hyssop, fenugreek, thyme, fennel, licorice, ginger, marshmallow, anise, onion, garlic, eucalyptus, pine, elecampane, lobelia, horehound

Decongestants reduce and/or eliminate the formation of mucus or phlegm

Examples are anise, black pepper, cayenne, ginger, fenugreek, mullein, marshmallow, licorice, horehound, sumac, wild cherry, elecampane, lobelia

Astringents dry up mucus,  be careful with astringents, use only if copious mucus

Examples include peppermint, spearmint, bayberry, sumach, raspberry leaf, wild cherry, cleavers, lobelia

Antispasmodics relax muscles, decrease constriction and tightness, help coughing spasms

Examples are Fenugreek, fennel, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, mullein, Angelica, bayberry, red clover, elecampane and  lobelia

Mentions:

American Herbalist Guild COVID19 Resource page

Respiratory System and Respiratory Immunity: Course offered by the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism

Recipe for Onion Poultice:

1-2 onions, steamed

½ cup flour or cornmeal

2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or any vinegar except distilled white vinegar)

Mix together to form paste, spread onto a cheesecloth, wrap in plastic. Place on chest and cover with a towel to keep warm. Keep on chest for at least 30 minutes.

---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com. 

Original music by Dylan Rice

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