Back Porch Herbal: Respiratory Herbs
Next in my Back Porch Herbal series on the various categories of herbs I’ll discuss some of my favorite herbs to use in teas and tinctures for respiratory conditions. With some of the herbs only the aerial parts of the plants (leaves, flowers) are used while others use the roots, or, as you’ll see below with marshmallow, both can be used.
I’ll also mention a few herbs that I’ve talked about in the previous post on Liver Alterative herbs such as nettle and red clover and a few others I’ll include in future posts.
Respiratory herbs are primarily demulcent and expectorant with some having an additional emollient quality as well. They can be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and their mucilaginous nature soothes, coats, and nourishes airways and membranes during the cold, flu, and allergy season.
Preparation Reminder
- Leaves, roots containing volatile oils such as valerian, berries, seeds, are infused (steeped) with boiling water or hot decocted herbal water for 10 to 30 minutes. Strain and drink.
- Roots and barks are decocted by bringing them to a simmer in a quart of water (do not boil) in a pot on stove covered with a lid for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain and drink or again, use the hot water to pour over other herbs instead of the more boring boiling water from a kettle. It’s a great way to combine roots and leaves in a cup of tea!
Horehound
I first became acquainted with horehound when my mother brought home some horehound candy which quickly became my favorite. So, when I saw it growing on the property in the spring after buying our home, I was thrilled to say the least!
The white horehound that I grow comes up wherever it wants now that my husband used a rototiller to create another garden area. In tilling up the soil, the plant spread everywhere. And since I rarely keep horehound from flowering, the wind contributed to its spread as well and now it’s as common as dandelion on my property.
The leaves and flowers are used in teas, infusions, and tinctures and contain mucilage, tannins, and have a bitter taste. Horehound is a terrific herb to use in teas for cough, colds, or bronchitis. It can be combined with licorice root and marshmallow leaf which we’ll look at later in this discussion. Horehound acts as an expectorant and a tonic while it soothes mucous membranes and I use it both in tea and tincture form.
Mullein
Also known as witch’s or hag’s taper, mullein grows naturally around the property. It grows tall during the season with the upper portion full of small yellow flowers that I harvest to make mullein oil.
The entire plant can be used for a variety of concerns but for the purpose of keeping the respiratory system clear, the mucilaginous nature of the fresh or dried leaf makes this common herb great to use in tea blends if an expectorant is needed.
Marshmallow ~ Althaea officinalis
As you can see from the picture above, marshmallow grows much taller than does its cousin, the common mallow which grows close to the ground. Its root has been used in the past to create something similar to what we now know as the sugary marshmallow confection. Marshmallow is considered demulcent, mucilaginous, and emollient and its soft yet sturdy leaves soothe the respiratory system with its cooling and sweet flavor.
The flowers and root can also be used but remember that in the case of marshmallow, although I include it in tea blends that I infuse the normal way using hot water, the leaf extracts best as a cold infusion. It can then be consumed cold or added to hot tea blends. But again, I usually don’t bother with doing it that way. The root itself I typically reserve for digestive issues which I’ll talk more about when we look at digestive herbs.
Elecampane ~ Inula helenium
A perennial in my herb garden, elecampane stands tall with yellow flowers rising upward to greet the Sun. That said, the plant’s medicinal quality lies below the ground with its roots. Elecampane soothes wet, mucousy coughs and respiratory infections as an expectorant, astringent, and tonic, and as with most roots, is decocted on the stove instead of infusing. It can be combined with licorice root as well to treat cough and inflamed lungs and can also be used in tincture form.
Additional Herbs to Consider for the Respiratory System
- Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – expectorant, tonic, emollient; and has as well an overall positive effect on the body. (Decoction is used)
- Nettle (Urtica dioica) – astringent properties dry up excess mucous and reduce inflammation. Infusion is used.
- Red clover (trifolium pratense) – expectorant, anti-spasmodic; helps to clear lungs and reduce coughing. (Infusion)
- Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) – demulcent, antibacterial, expectorant, anti-inflammatory. (Infusion)
- Plantain (plantago major) – demulcent, expectorant, astringent; (Infusion)
- Peppermint and other mints – the mints act as a stimulant and have anti-spasmodic properties and they can be added to teas that aid cough. (Infusion)
- Hyssop (Hyssopus Officinalis) – I grow anise hyssop, both for our bees and my husband’s allergies, but irrespective of this version or the anise one, hyssop is an expectorant and pectoral and it useful for chronic or acute lung congestion as well as cough. (Infusion)
I find a combination of marshmallow leaf, nettle, red clover, plantain, and anise hyssop to be really useful when I’m feeling stuffy from allergy or cold symptoms. If chest congestion is a problem, then I might add mullein leaf to the above herbs and then decoct some elecampane root and use that liquid to infuse the herbs. Or for a cough I would add horehound to the herbal mixture and then decoct some licorice root and then pour that over the herbs to infuse. I love the taste of licorice and its effect on a cough is amazing.
I included some plants where their roots are used because I believe roots have a strong foundational effect on the body so don’t forget about considering them when experiencing respiratory symptoms. And remember that a few drops of these herbs in tincture form can be added to existing tea on a cup of warm water for medicinal benefit as well.
Stay well and Herbal Blessings to all!
Disclaimer:
The information above is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose any condition or prescribe any treatment. Please consult your medical/herbal professional for further advice regarding the use of herbs, particularly if you’re already taking prescribed medications to avoid any unnecessary or harmful interactions. Please seek treatment from a medical professional should symptoms occur that do not quickly resolve on their own. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, please consult your medical/herbal professional before using any herbs.
References
- A Modern Herbal by Mrs. Grieve. Volume 1 and Volume 2
- Herbs for Common Ailments by Rosemary Gladstar
- The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra
- Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffman
- Sage Mountain course work
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Thank you... Jan Erickson
