Cough - forced expiration through the oral cavity, which is caused by a contraction of the muscle cells of the respiratory tract. A cough can be initiated either voluntarily or due to reflex mechanisms.
Cough is a symptom, not an independent disease, because its function is to clear the respiratory tract of harmful substances. It occurs with inflammatory, mechanical, chemical or thermal stimulation of cough receptors. Inflammatory stimulation is accompanied by edema and hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
Mechanical irritants - dust, other small particles, exercise or trauma to the respiratory muscles. Damage accompanied by compression of the airways can increase coughing.
Causes of Severe Cough
The main causes are diseases of the respiratory system, heart, stomach, medication or mental disorders. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms that people seek for medical advice. Rarer causes of cough are aortic aneurysm, granulomas, and mediastinal malignancies.
A distinction is made between productive and unproductive cough. The first type occurs in response to an infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract, and the second - at an early stage of the common cold, with allergies, as well as the use of drugs. Psychogenic cough is less common in adults than in children.
Folk remedies for cough stimulate the passage of mucus, but are not always effective and safe. Sometimes the risk of using an antitussive agent exceeds the benefit. The rash use of high doses of herbal remedies can cause irreparable harm to health.
Folk remedies for cough: herbal remedies
1. The use of calendula extract 3 times a day.
Doctor's comment: Saponins, triterpenes, and flavonoids will be responsible for the wound healing effect of calendula. Sugar structures isolated from plants can stimulate certain immune functions. Calendula extract stimulates the formation of new, well-perfused tissue.
Calendula is used externally and locally to treat poorly healing wounds, burns, dry skin, eczema, thrush, and symptoms of hemorrhoids. In cohort studies, a slight antitussive effect was observed. In most cases, the effectiveness of calendula when coughing is comparable to placebo.
2. 1 tablespoon of coltsfoot pour 300 ml of hot water. Stir, cool to room temperature and strain through a gauze dressing. Take in a warm form 2-3 times before eating.
Doctor's comment: coltsfoot contains polysaccharides, mucus, sterols, bitter and tannins. It has a statistically significant antitussive effect. The most effective part of the plant is the leaves. German studies have proven the effectiveness of leaves in acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.
However, leaves and flowers of coltsfoot contain mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic pyrrolisidine alkaloids (PA). In the pharmaceutical market, the concentration of PA is poorly controlled, which has repeatedly led to poisoning of people. In large doses, coltsfoot can cause digestive upsets. The recipe is potentially dangerous.
3. 3 teaspoons of dry eucalyptus pour 1.5 liters of boiling water. Let it brew for about ¼ hour, strain and drink throughout the day.
Doctor's comment: Different types of eucalyptus are not suitable for children under six years old and most animals. In large quantities, they are also toxic to adults. Blue eucalyptus contains 60-85% cineole, 25% monoterpenes, sesquiterpenols, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenols, monoterpene ketones and esters. Lemon eucalyptus contains 70% aldehydes, 25% monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenols and esters.
At high dosages, eucalyptus oil can cause severe irritation of the throat mucosa and damage to the respiratory tract. The antitussive effect has not been proven. A recipe can be dangerous.
4. Daily use of licorice extract.
Doctor's comment: Licorice root has an expectorant, secretory and antitussive effect. In studies of invitro, antibacterial and antifungal effects have been identified. Typical indications are cough, bronchial catarrh and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects have not yet been conclusively proven in experimental and clinical conditions. According to scientists, the anti-inflammatory effect of glycyrrhizic acid is caused not by inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, but by the effect on the migration of leukocytes to the site of inflammation.
Licorice root inhibits enzymes that destroy cortisone and aldosterone. This leads to an increase in the biological half-life of corticosteroids. In some cases, hyperkalemia, arterial hypertension, and other side effects occur. In large doses, folk remedies for cough with licorice can lead to severe fatal poisoning. The recommendation is potentially dangerous.
5.1 Art. spoon of oak bark pour boiling water and let it brew for 120 minutes. Strain and gargle 3 times a day.
Doctor's comment: dry bark of young branches is used as a medicine. The bark contains mainly 10% (up to 20%) of tannins, which are catechins (oligomeric proanthocyanidins).
Local applications of oak bark are mild inflammation in the mouth and throat, as well as in the genital and anal cavities. Oral bark of oak is used for non-specific acute diarrheal diseases. The effectiveness of oak bark is due to the presence of tannins, which can cause gastrointestinal upsets. The antitussive effect of oak bark has not been proven in any study. The recipe is useless.
Food Cough Remedies
1. Carrot juice with honey.
Doctor's comment: polyacetylenes are found in large quantities in carrots. The plant is rich in provitamins A. Vitamin A is necessary for the growth, development and maintenance of epithelial tissue and mucous membranes. It stimulates keratin synthesis and maturation of epithelial cells.
Systemic retinoids enhance collagen synthesis and reduce collagenase production by inhibiting the collagen-forming enzyme. Falkarinol has a mycolytic effect against Mycocentrosporaacerina and Cladosporiumcladosporioides. It is the main component responsible for the bitterness of carrots.
Carrots are a source of dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. The product should be taken on a daily basis, but it does not help overcome cough. The mucolytic effect is comparable to placebo.
2. Beets with vinegar.
Doctor's comment: in ancient Rome, beets were used as a laxative, antitussive and analgesic. Juice is currently used to treat ulcers. Juice mixed with vinegar helps with dandruff and hair loss, according to naturopaths. Seeds and other parts of the beet plant were used in folk medicine against tumors.
Recent studies show that choline and betaine can influence the metabolism of cancer cells. However, 2015 clinical studies have disproved the effects of beets and vinegar on malignant diseases or the upper respiratory tract. The recipe is useless.
3. Water with lemon.
Doctor's comment: lemon contains essential oil (65-70%), neohesperidin, naringenin, hydroxycoumarin, furanocoumarin, citric acid and pectins. Essential oil is used mainly because of its taste and smell. Isolated citrus flavonoids are contained in preparations for the treatment of venous diseases and influenza infections.
Flavonoids improve vascular endothelial function and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. However, they are ineffective against coughing. Randomized trials did not reveal the prophylactic or therapeutic effect of lemon for colds and bacterial diseases.
4. Gargle with soda and salt.
Doctor's comment: Soda should be taken with caution, since it, together with salt, can cause severe stomach irritation. A mixture of sodium bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid of the stomach leads to an abundant release of carbon dioxide (CO2). If the stomach is very full or there are disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the amount of contents with gas can break it. Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid, so it is used to relieve heartburn.
Salt is sodium chloride, which in high doses can increase blood pressure and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Prolonged use of salt worsens the health of patients.
The combination can cause serious damage to the gastrointestinal tract if taken in very high dosages. The recipe is life threatening and can be fatal.
Folk remedies for cough: compresses
1. Applying mustard plasters on the throat.
Doctor's comment: mustard contains minerals of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, selenium, iron, zinc and sulfur. Vitamins of group B, C, E and K are contained in small quantities. Mustard plasters have a local irritant effect and increase regional blood flow. With a bacterial infection, increased local blood circulation can lead to fatal consequences - the spread of the disease throughout the body.
Folk remedies for cough can be taken within 1-2 days, but it is not recommended due to the lack of effect or studies on the safety of individual plants. If the symptom does not disappear, you need to stop self-medication and consult a doctor.
