Coughs are sometimes viral in origin in which case you can use the information in Colds with good effect.

However most common coughs are the result of a bacterial infection, often from the Staphlococcal family of bacteria. Garlic has been used for thousands of years for chest infections and its beneficial action is thought to be due to the large amount of Sulphur it contains. Sulphur is the bit that makes it smell, so odourless garlic (which has the sulphur removed) is not necessarily going to work on infections. Pharmaceutical companies know all about Sulphur there is a whole class of antibiotics based on it the Sulphonamides.

Honey helps make Garlic more palatable and is very soothing to a throat made sore from too much coughing, so Garlic Honey has been on the herbalist’s shelf for many thousands of years. My home always has a big jar of unheated honey and organic garlic sitting by the window in the sun, steeping all through spring and summer, so it it is ready for the coughs that many of my clients experience with the change of season in Autumn.

Coughs can occur by themselves as a bacterial infection, or as a secondary infection following a cold or flu. There are generally two types of cough dry and moist. They can also be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition including whooping cough, tuberculosis, pneumonia, emphysema or lung cancer, so if a cough persists or rapidly worsens you need to seek urgent medical advice.

Dry coughs are usually rasping and tickly and paroxysmal, so that one cough sparks yet more coughing. There are a number of herbs which are excellent for this sort of cough Pulsatilla and Mullein are two of my favourites. For the dryness in the airways, herbs such as marshmallow root can also bring relief. All of these can be taken as teas. If this sort of cough persists or is accompaned by shortness of breathe it is very important to seek immediate medical aid as it may be a sign of a serious condition such as asthma or choking.

Wet coughs are when phlegm is produced. Hopefully you are able to bring this up if not you would benefit form some expectorant herbs. These assist your lungs with their natural healing process of eliminating the phlegm. Liqourice tea is a good home remedy for milder coughs of this nature. It is very important to cough the phlegm out otherwise it can become hardened and stuck and can cause a longer term, deeper infection – including bronchitis, pleurisy and pneumonia, all of which are potentially very serious and sometimes fatal. A qualified herbalist can assist you with expectorant herbs, which loosen and soften the phlegm and give your lungs the energy they need to cough it out.

As with colds, other supportive measures include:

• Vitamin C either in tablet or powder form as per the recommended dosage or in the form of Rosehips tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, or a hot lemon drink (add some honey to soothe your throat and for its antiseptic effect).
• Keep warm, especially if its windy, paying particular attention to your chest and feet.
• Rest. Winter is a time of slowing down, going within, and restinganimals hibernate and plants go dormantthere is a good reason for this. Copy them.
• Slow cooked soups and casseroles, hot teas and warm lemon and honey drinks are perfect comfort and soul food to keep you healthy during winter.
• Eat orange foods. Mother Earth colour codes her plants so you can know at a glance what nutrition they contain. Orange indicates beta carotene and/or vitamin A both tonics for the mucous membranes. Vitamin A is also present in high quantities in fish and fish oilespecially Cod Liver & Halibut Oils.

A good herbal extract for a broad spectrum of coughs is available through my clinic if you live locally to me. THis is good to have on hand through the cough season so you can take it at the first sign. As with all natural remedies, the sooner you start using them after the onset of symptoms, the better and more rapid the result. I can also customise a mixture to suit you individual needs if you already have a cough.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the lungs are associated with grief. Take some time to ponder whether you are holding any sadness or grief either from recently or from the past. Flower Essences can help balance your emotions. Sturt Desert Pea is used for long held grief and sadness. Red Suva Frangipani is more for fresh grief, while Illawarra Flame Tree helps to energetically support immunity.

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It is only recently that western medicine has had drugs effective against viruses, but herbalists have been effectively treating viral infections for thousands of years with a wide variety of plants. There is an old saying amongst doctors that a cold will last 7 days with treatment or a week without as a herbalist I would beg to differ.

Colds and Influenza (flu – including swine flu) are caused by viruses, so antibiotics dont work what is needed is anti viral agents.You probably have more than one of these natural remedies in your kitchen right now and can easily grow several more in your vege garden or in a pot on your verandah.

Vinegar is a fabulous anti-viral any vinegar will work, but the best is Apple Cider vinegar. Viruses are quite nasty things they invade one of your cells, devour it from the inside to feed themselves them migrate to another cell, where they repeat the process, breeding as they go. They are tough and hardy but are vulnerable when they are in your blood, looking for a new cell to invade. This is where vinegar comes in. Vinegar is believed to work by very slightly changed the pH in your blood not enough to harm you, but enough to make your blood hostile to a virus. So hostile that the virus dies before it can find a new cell. A tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water 2-3 times a day for an adult is usually effective within several days. If this sounds vile, just try it. If you have a cold (or any virus) you may be surprised at how much your body is craving it. When you go to have a dose and cant bear the thought of it, youve
had enough.

Antiviral herbs include Olive Leaf, Astragalas and Elder Flower.

Astragalas is also regarded in Chinese Medicine as being as good immune booster, as is Echinacea. Both these herbs need to be taken only in short sharp doses when they are needed – and then stopped. Neither is meant to be taken all the time. In fact research in Germany has suggested taking Echinacea over a long period of time will eventually weaken your immune system.

The flower essence Illawarra Flame Tree is also said to be useful for enhancing natural immunity.

Thyme and Sage are very good for a sore throat. You can take them as a tea. The flower essence Bush Fuchsia also balances the throat from an energetic perpective.

Vitamin C is also good either in tablet or powder form as per the recommended dosage or in the form of Rosehips tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, or a hot lemon drink (add some honey to soothe your throat and for its antiseptic effect).

Other things you can do to prevent colds and to hasten your recovery include:

• Keep warm, especially if its windy, paying particular attention to your chest and feet.
• Pace yourself. According to Louise Hay, rushing around and doing too much are the emotional triggers that can leave you susceptible to a cold.
• Rest. Winter is a time of slowing down, going within, and restinganimals hibernate and plants go dormantthere is a good reason for this. Copy them.
• Slow cooked soups and casseroles, hot teas and warm lemon and honey drinks are perfect comfort and soul food to keep you healthy during winter.
• Eat orange foods. Mother Earth colour codes her plants so you can know at a glance what nutrition they contain. Orange indicates beta carotene and/or vitamin A both tonics for the mucous membranes. Vitamin A is also present in high quantities in fish and fish oilespecially Cod Liver & Halibut Oils. .

Many of my clients also swear by my Cold and Flu Formula, which contains all of the herbs mentioned (and more). This is suitable for both adults and children. Take it at the first sign of a cold, or even if a cold has taken hold, and follow the advice above.

Kids also love the old fashioned remedy Garlic Honey.

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