Natural Expectorant

An expectorant is a medication that helps bring up mucus and other material from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea. It does this by thinning the mucus that blocks the air pipes that lead to the lungs. The thinned mucus is easier to cough up. Some conditions require the patient to cough up mucus, which is where expectorants help. For a pneumonia patient, coughing up mucus is important as it clears the airways. One of the most frequently used expectorants is guaifenisin. While people often mistakenly think that all cough medications are expectorant, in reality only some are expectorants while others are suppressants. Suppressants lessen the urge to cough and are useful for a dry hacking cough. By minimize coughing, they aid comfort and facilitate better sleep. Apart from cough syrups and other medications, there are several substances that are considered natural expectorants. The effectiveness of most are not verified by scientific fact, but they have been used by people for generations to treat wet coughs. To err on the side of caution, it is best to consult your medical health practitioner and then use them.

One of the most commonly advocated expectorants is steam. Almost every doctor will tell you to do steam inhalations, that will loosen the mucus and help you cough/blow it out. Use the steam from a vaporizer to thin the mucus, ideally twice a day. If you don't have one, a hot shower works well too, but if you feel too ill to have a shower, just hold your head over a pan of boiling water. Cover your head and the pan with a towel to create a 'steam room' environment. However, be careful not to get a steam burn. Certain aromatherapy oils such as cypress oil and juniper oil also work as natural remedies, and can be used for inhalation.

Eucalyptus oil is also one of the many natural expectorants. You can pick some up at the pharmacy, and add a few drops to the water you use for inhalations. Apart from that, dab some on to a handkerchief and sniff it through the day. While it may seem like stating the obvious, eating hot chili peppers, horseradish or other spicy foods help loosen and expel mucus.

If you've ever wondered why the doctor told you to drink plenty of water while you are sick, one of the reasons is this. Water is the best remedy for children and adults alike, as it helps thin the mucus and loosen the cough. It also keeps the airways moist, thus reducing irritation. Along with water, hot tea with ginger/lemon and honey soothes the throat and may also help break up the mucus.

The next natural expectorant is Angelica. The recommended use is a tincture of the root or leaf, added to boiling water to make tea. However, it is advised against if you are pregnant. Horehound is a natural expectorant, which can be consumed in the form of cough drops. The compound marrubiin present in horehound stimulates bronchial secretions and helps break up congestion.

To use Hyssop, stir in two teaspoons of dried hyssop to one cup of boiling water, and let it sit for ten minutes. Then strain and drink when cool, for it to work as an expectorant. The oils in hyssop are believed to be beneficial for mild respiratory problems.

Apart from using a natural expectorant, avoid foods that increase the production of mucus, such as dairy products, meat and fried foods until you are better. While sleeping, elevating your head will allow your sinuses and nasal passages to drain well.