Herbs For Congestion

Excessive Mucus/phlegm cause excessive stress on the respiratory system as well as the Central Nervous System. Excessive mucus build up excretes through an airway passage/opening(s) causing irritation to both nasal and bronchial passageways . Excessive amounts of phlegm or mucus can trigger a bronchial spasm which in tern causes more irritation. The first thing we have to do is determine what is the cause of the Congestion (cold, Flu, Allergies etc) ?

If congestion is caused by allergens then histamines may of been released by pollen or a food or dairy enzyme. if this is the case we need a herb with anti-histamine properties, and for this particular scenario Licorice Root would be the Herb of Choice taken as a tea. But this herb can effect blood pressure levels if you have a blood pressure problem do not use this herb.

If Congestion is caused by excessive coughing then their may be a bronchial spasm present, In this case we need a herb with antispasmodic properties; Cayenne tincture is a wonder of an antispasmodic but just 1/4 to 1/2 of a drop of tincture on the tongue or 1 drop of tincture in 6 ounces of warm water.

Expectorants: These are herbs that will expel mucus and or phlegm and these herbs must to be used carefully such as anise seed is a powerful expectorant and if taken before you go to bed you will be up all night bringing up mucus and or phlegm The best way to take this is in a tea form as the heat will aid in breaking up the large amounts of phlegm into smaller quantities to be expelled. When broken up in smaller amounts there is an unlikely hood of a bronchial spasm to become present. A few Good Expectorant Herbs are but not limited to:

 Anise  Peppermint  horehound  mullein  wild cherry  licorice  elecampane

Demuculant: These are herbs that aid the mucus membrane with a soothing effect by softening the mucus membrane. As they soften the mucus membrane it begging the healing process.

A few Good Demuculant herbs:

 Licorice:  Slippery Elm Bark  Marshmallow Root  Mullein  Irish Moss  Comfrey  Cornsilk  Flaxseed A Powerful Lung Tonic:

 1/2 ounce Comfrey root  1/2 ounce Horehound  1/2 ounce Elecampane root  1/2 ounce Ground Ivy  1/2 ounce of Ginger Root  1/2 ounce Cayenne  1 1/2 lbs of raw wildflower honey

Directions: simmer the first four herbs in 3 pints of water for 25 minutes strain over the ground ivy and cayenne add the honey while hot. allow to cool and bottle.

Dosage: “Adults” 1-2 tablespoons every 2 hours.

Recipe #2 Another Powerful Healing Tonic:

 1 ounce of Horehound  1 ounce of Mullein  2 ounces of Licorice Root  1/2 ounce ground ivy

Directions bring 16 ounces of water to a hard boil add all herbs lower heat to a low simmer simmer for 15 minutes let cool and bottle Dosage: “Adults”6 ounces 2 times daily A SYRUP recipe to sooth a sore throat:

 1 ounce licorice root  1 ounce marshmallow root  1 ounce wild cherry bark  1 pint raw wildflower honey  1 1/2 pints of distilled water

Directions:

Bring distilled water to a boil add honey lower to a low simmer for 20 minutes Remove any scum Add herbs keep on a low simmer for 20 additional minutes Remove from heat and let cool strain and bottle and keep in a cool place Dosage: “Adults” 1 tablespoon as needed.