A cough is the body’s reaction to irritation in the throat, bronchial tubes or lungs. Usually a cough signals a viral or bacterial infection such as a cold or bronchitis. Germs are being expelled via mucous in most coughs. They can also be caused by exposure to dust, allergens, smoke, polluted air, dry air or strong smells. Other causes include asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus, gastric reflux, foreign objects in the lungs or lung infections. If you are coughing up green or yellow mucous, that indicates a bacterial infection. Attend to the cough and the infection. If you cough up blood or if a cough goes on and on for weeks, see a doctor. Coughing is a problem if it fails to expel the offending substance or if it interferes with eating, talking or sleeping. A chronic cough can be a symptom of a number of disorders. Here are some possibilities. Do not tackle most of them on your own.
Possible Causes of Cough in Children: Upper respiratory infection. Post nasal drip. Croup. Hay fever. Bronchitis. Pneumonia. Asthma. Pertussis. Inhaled foreign body. Cystic fibrosis. Tapeworms. Chicken pox. Diphtheria. German Measles. Tonsillitis. Glandular fever. Possible Causes of Cough in Adults: Upper respiratory infection. Sinusitis. Laryngitis. Influenza. Tracheitis. Acute or chronic bronchitis. Pneumonia. Tuberculosis. Pulmonary embolus. Congestive heart failure. Cardiac asthma. Lung cancer. Bronchiectasis. Sarcoidosis. Angina pectoris Aortic valve disease. Asbestosis. Cardiomyopathy. Emphysema. Legionnaire’s disease. Lung abscess. Pleurisy. Pericarditis. Candidiasis. The Natural Approach:
The cure for a cough must treat the cause. Using medication to suppress a cough is not a good idea. Using natural cough remedies, treating the underlying infection, taking supportive supplements and eating only the right foods or fasting is in my opinion the best strategy to use.
Top foods to use: Chicken broth made from whole chicken thins mucous and soothes coughs. If hungry, only eat steamed vegetables, veg soup, veg stew and veg salads and chicken broth. Consume lots of garlic and onions raw or cooked. Eat raw ginger root- chew it or blend it and strain the juice out. Sauerkraut and or probiotics/ effective micro organisms all feed the friendly gut bacteria which improves your immunity. Keep hydrated. Drink lots of water or lemon water and or lemon and manuka honey (wild honey) in luke warm water. Apple cider vinegar can be used in luke warm water like lemon juice.
Avoid: All grains, flour, legumes, dairy products, sugar of any kind or in any form, fruit and fruit juices, chocolate, all processed foods, preserved foods, all GMO foods or any source of Roundup (glyphosate). All man made chemicals. All drug medications which often cause coughing as a side effect. Stale or smoky air will make a cough worse. Smoking when you have a cough is not wise.
Underlying Infection: Echinacea Root, olive leaf extract, golden seal, garlic, colloidal silver, astragalus and grindelia individually or in combination will be effective in any infection.
COUGH:
These herbs may be used in tea, extract, tincture or capsule form. Your results will depend on the quality of the herbs and how they are prepared. The dosage would depend on the individual. This article is for health education purposes only. If you need further details please contact me.
Horehound, wild cherry bark, hyssop, elecampane root, comfrey root, coltsfoot, slippery elm bark, lobelia and ephedra ( use only if directed by a herbalist), mullein tea, irish moss, drosera (sundew), aniseed, chickweed tea, licorice root whole extract (not for those with high blood pressure), marshmallow root, boswellia, minor bluegreen dragon decoction (chinese formula), fritillaria (chinese herb), schizandra (dry coughs), elder flowers and berries, lungwort, thyme tea, wild indigo (baptisia), eyebright and golden rod.
Supplements: Vitamin A, C and zinc. These boost immunity and white blood cell activity. N-acetylcysteine 500mg 1-3 times daily helps break down chronic mucous.
Bach Flower Remedy: Rescue Remedy.
Aromatherapy Oils: lavender, chamomile, peppermint, thyme, eucalyptus, myrrh and frankinsense.
Tissue Salts: Ferrum Phos, Kali Mur, Mag Phos, Nat Mur, Calc Phos, Kali Sulph, Calc Sulph, Calc Flour, Nat Sulph, Kali Phos, Silicea.
Homeopathy: Use according to the symptoms and the constitution of the individual- aconite, antimony tart, bryonia, carbo veg, causticum, cina, cuprum, drosera, hepa sulph, ipecac, phosphorus, pulsatilla, sulphur. If possible rest for a few days. Unwind and relax. Get out into Nature and breathe forest or sea air. Take the time to pray, meditate, practice yoga, tai chi and qi gong. If you like to read, draw or day dream, do so. Use EFT/Tapping several times a day. If you do not have any herbs or remedies available the advise in this paragraph costs you nothing and requires nothing except your time. Spend time with friends, pets and family if that is calming and nurturing for you. May you recover in the fullness of time. You can heal. Fast if necessary. Allow yourself the space to regain balance. Get in touch with your soul. Blessings.