Most cough remedies sold in shops do very little. The herbs below are the ones traditionally used for coughs and colds - as teas, syrups and steam inhalations.
Traditionally used as a tea for coughs, and the base of the old-fashioned cough syrup. One teaspoon of dried herb per cup, covered, steeped 10 minutes.
Soothing for a dry, tickly cough. Usually taken as a cold infusion - steep in cold water for 4-6 hours, which draws out the mucilage hot water destroys.
A classic for sore throats. Not for people with high blood pressure or heart problems - it raises it.
Popular through cold season, usually as a syrup. Cook the berries - raw ones are not safe.
Helps with the blocked nose that comes with a cold more than the cough itself.
Pour boiling water over a teaspoon of dried thyme, cover, steep 10 minutes, strain. Honey helps - but never give honey to children under one.
Thyme, marshmallow root, liquorice root, elderberry and peppermint are the traditional choices. Thyme as a tea is the most common.
One teaspoon of dried thyme per cup of boiling water, covered, steeped for 10 minutes, then strained. Honey can be added for adults and children over one.
Cold. A cold infusion for 4-6 hours draws out the soothing mucilage that hot water destroys.
If you want the complete guide: the full set of 39 herbal home remedies (amounts, preparation, storage).
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