Coughs

Coughs

*See also COLDS/FLU

FOODS TO EAT MORE OF

Fruits: Figs, lemon, pineapple
Vegetables: Leeks, onions, chili peppers
Garlic, ginger, cilantro, thyme, honey, red seaweed/algae (laver and carrageen), maitake mushrooms

FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE

Dairy Products

ESSENTIAL OILS

Anise
Chest rub: 5 drop fennel, 5 drops hyssop, 10 drops each of eucalyptus and thyme - dilute in 2 oz of carrier oil (sunflower or almond) and massage into chest 2-3 times daily. Can also use this solution as steam inhalant (Boil a full pot of water, remove from heat until no longer boiling. Add the oils. Hold your face about a foot away and put a towel over your head & shoulders. Inhale for up to 30 minutes, 2-4 times daily).
Rosalina (2-3 drops under tongue, hold 15-20 seconds then swallow).
A drop of peppermint oil placed on back of tongue.
A eucalyptus oil steam inhalation: Boil a full pot of water, remove from heat until no longer boiling. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Hold your face about a foot away and put a towel over your head & shoulders. Inhale for up to 30 minutes, 2-4 times daily.

HERBAL

Andrographis, Anise, astragalus, basil, bergamot, black cohosh, chickweed, cilantro/coriander, clove, comfrey, elder, eucalyptus, fennel, ginger (fresh has shown to be more effective in some cases), horehound, hyssop, lemon balm, licorice, marjoram, marshmallow root, pepper, peppermint, plantain, red clover, sage, slippery elm, St. John's Wort, thyme, valerian, yellow dock (try any of the above in tea or lozenge form).
For smoker's cough, coughs that linger and coughs that get worse at night: valerian
For a lung infection: thyme
Dry, tickling coughs: wild lettuce, licorice, marshmallow, hyssop, mullein, valerian
Productive (wet, mucus heavy) coughs: elecampane, Raspberry vinegar (add crushed raspberries to improve flavor), ground ivy, horehound
Herbal Cough Remedy: 1 teaspoon slippery elm, 2 teaspoon marshmallow, 1 teaspoon hyssop, 45 drops echinacea tincture, 45 drops licorice tincture. Mix all and steep in hot water for 20 minutes; add honey to taste.
Yarrow Tea: Cover 1/4 cup fresh (or 1/2-1 Tablespoon dried) herb with boiling water. Let steep for 5-15 minutes. Strain & drink. Sweeten with honey if desired.
Yarrow Tincture: Pack a mason jar 2/3-3/4 full with the herb. Cover completely with vodka (or glycerin if alcohol is not preferred). Make sure none of the herb is uncovered - as it can mold if exposed to air. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 6 weeks before using (shake every 2-3 days). Strain the plant matter out and store in a clean glass jar. If using on children, start with just 1-2 drops. For adults, can take up to 1/2 - 1 teaspoon tincture 3-4 times daily. Should keep for 2-3 years.

NATURAL

For cough with a hoarse voice, mix 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into 1 teaspoon of ghee/clarified butter or honey and take on a full stomach (3 times daily).
Hot lemon tea: Juice of 1/2 a lemon, 1 cup hot water, sweeten with honey.
Add 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar to 1 cup hot water and drink often (can sweeten with honey to improve taste).
Thinly slice 1 lemon, add 1 cup flax seeds and 1 quart water. Simmer slowly for 4 hours but don't boil. Strain while it's hot and add 2 oz honey. Add water to make a pint (if necessary). Give 1 Tablespoon of this syrup 4 times daily.
Layer slices of onion, turnip or leek with honey or sugar and leave overnight (covered). Suggested doses range from 1/2 teaspoon every 30 minutes to 1 teaspoon every 3-4 hours.
Mix 2 Tablespoons honey, 2 Tablespoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon ginger and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper. Add 4 Tablespoons hot water. Sip often.
Add 1 ounce of brandy, 1 Tbsp butter and 2-3 cloves to any of the teas mentioned above. Have a cup before bed.
Acupressure on the chest can help. Take your middle fingers and hold them in front of your eyes (both right and left) - this is just for spacing reasons. Then lower them to the depressions right below your collarbone. Press this area firmly for a few minutes and the cough may subside (can also try circular rubbing motions).
Mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon cloves, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard and enough lard to make a paste. Make a poultice and apply to to chest or throat. Leave on overnight.
Add several teaspoons ground ginger into bath water.

YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY

Yoga Breathing Exercises to Prevent Cough (2.5 minutes - ehowhealth)
Yoga For When You Are SICK (20 minutes - Yoga With Adriene)
Yoga For Colds (10 minutes - Christina D'Arrigo Yoga - ChriskaYoga)

SUPPLEMENTS

Chestal
Echinacea: 200 mg 3-5 times daily
Garlic: 400-600 mg 4 times daily with food (should provide 4,000 mcg allicin potential)
Goldenseal: 125 mg extract 5 times daily for 5 days (don't use if pregnant or with high blood pressure)
Vitamin A: 50,000 IU twice daily until symptoms improve; if needed beyond 7 days, reduce dose to 25,000 IU daily (pregnant women should not exceed 5,000 IU daily)
Vitamin C: 2,000 mg 3 times daily until symptoms improve; if needed beyond 5 days, reduce dose to 1,000 mg 3 times daily (reduce if it causes diarrhea). A different source says up to 500 mg daily but combine with a zinc supplement

HOMEOPATHIC

Drosera 30C (1-2 times daily): For a gagging spasmodic cough that is made worse by eating or drinking
Rumex 30C (1-2 times daily): For coughs due to a tickle in the throat that is made worse when lying down
Spongia tosta 30C (1-2 times daily): For a dry raspy cough that is made worse by talking or drinking

FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.

Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian