In my corner of the world, Flu A is running rampant. Following close behind are COVID, strep, pertussis (whooping cough), and RSV. It’s that time of year.

This little blog ‘o mine is NOT a substitute for medical care. If you have an illness that’s not resolving, please see your doctor. Pertussis and strep are treated with antibiotics, and flu is sometimes treated with Tamiflu.

However, we are also seeing a lot of people that either don’t want to treat a viral issue they are having with standard medical protocol, or that the virus they have is not showing up on any panels. This post is for you.

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat coughs and congestion. In fact, there is a particular term, “catarrh”, for that chronic build up of mucus in the back of your throat that makes you go ‘ahem’ ‘ahem’ ‘AHEM’ over and over again. These herbs will help.

I am partial to putting them into a syrup made of pineapple juice – and yes, I use sugar in it. If I used honey, it could not be used by those younger than 2 due to botulism concerns. As it is, I would not use it for those under a year (too many concerns for allergies, in my opinion). While I like to keep my formula quiet, I will share some of the herbs I use and why.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis): This herb helps to coat the throat and add extra moisture. When your throat is raw and torn up from coughing, marshmallow will goop it up and help it heal. While the herb is thought of for respiratory issues, it was originally used as a poultice for skin issues. Our insides and outsides aren’t so different, and marshmallow can help with it all. It also adds some sweet if you are using it as a tea.

Elecampane (Inula helenium): This one helps with the chronic coughs of bronchitis, sinusitis, and emphysema. Its constituents are interesting: some have been shown to be antimycobacterial (tuberculosis is a mycobacterium) and hemostatic (helps to stop bleeding).

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Is a mild expectorant and helps to heal lung tissue. It tastes quite nice and can cover some of the other tastes in formula. It helps to relax tissue and open up respiratory passages. This herb and elecampane are not for use in pregnancy.

Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus spp.): This is an herb that is helpful in small amounts. Again, not for use in pregnancy, but in other stages of life, cherry bark is amazing to help soothe irritability. It is indicated for irritations of mucus membranes in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts. Symptoms like diarrhea, chronic cough, cystitis, and even palpitations can be helped by this herb.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): Another traditional herb for coughs and congestion, mullein is more indicated for dry hacking coughs. It works as an expectorant, but also helps with moisturizing the respiratory tract. This herb is covered with tiny fine hairs, so anytime it is used, it must be strained very well (I use coffee filters for this).

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): I like to add a little mint to my formula for its antispasmodic effect. That and taste.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas on herbs to use to help with the seasons gifts that just keep giving (these germs have been passed around so much here!). If you’re not up for even making a cup of tea, just try some pineapple juice. Pineapple (the fresher the better, but even canned will work) contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein which (sorry to gross you out) is what mucus is.

Other options to help with this stuff are using an herbal steam with peppermint or thyme (both are somewhat antiseptic and will help open up your nasal passages), chicken soup (because protein and fluids are very important!), and lots of rest.

I hope that you are feeling better in no time, or even better, that you don’t get this stuff at all!