Natural Cough-relieving Expectorants

Natural expectorants are used to eliminate bronchial secretions accumulated in the airways. They are used to treat coughs, colds and other respiratory conditions that cause symptoms such as congestion, phlegm and difficulty breathing.

Specifically, expectorants increase the aqueous secretions of the submucosal and salivary glands, helping to eliminate excess mucus.

Although most expectorant drugs are found in pharmacies in the form of pills or syrups, there are also natural ingredients that produce similar effects.

In today’s article, we present 5 of the best natural expectorants  that you can prepare at home when you catch a cold.

1. Syrup with honey and cayenne pepper

This natural syrup with honey, ginger and cayenne pepper has expectorant and mucolytic properties that help relieve cough and congestion.

The remedy below is suitable for all ages and can be used to treat colds, asthma and bronchitis.

ingredients

• ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar (62 ml)
• The juice of a lemon
• 3 tablespoons natural honey (75 g)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger (5 g)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (2 g)

Method of preparation

• Pour the apple cider vinegar into a saucepan and mix it with the lemon juice, honey and ginger.
• Mix everything with a wooden spoon and let the ingredients simmer.
• Add the cayenne pepper and, before the mixture boils, remove from the heat.
• After it cools, pour it into a sterilized glass jar.
• Take one or two tablespoons a day. 

• You can dissolve this dose in a glass of water to consume the remedy more easily.

2. Eucalyptus steam

Eucalyptus is one of the best plants with mucolytic effects, being a natural expectorant that relieves cough and inflammation in the respiratory tract.

The steam released by the eucalyptus infusion is an excellent remedy for congestion, headaches and difficulty breathing.

ingredients

• 10 eucalyptus leaves
• 2 liters of water

Instructions

• Put the eucalyptus leaves in a saucepan with water and simmer for five minutes.
• After they have boiled, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam. 
• Try to use this remedy in the evening, before bedtime.

3. Syrup with honey and onion

The combination of honey and onion is ideal for relieving the symptoms of respiratory diseases. Both ingredients have antibiotic and expectorant properties that facilitate the elimination of viruses, bacteria and phlegm.

ingredients

• 1 cup of onion (300 g)
• ½ cup of bee honey (150 g)
• 1 glass of white wine (200 ml)

Instructions

• Cut onions into small pieces and mix them with honey and white wine in a glass jar.
• Leave the onion pieces to marinate for two days and consume the resulting syrup.
• Take two or three tablespoons a day.

4. Natural tea with expectorant properties

A tea with thyme, honey and lemon relieves coughs, sore throats and excessive mucus production. Its expectorant and anti-inflammatory compounds help dissolve mucus, facilitating its elimination from the body.

ingredients

• 1 cup water (250 ml)
• 1 teaspoon thyme (5 g)
• The juice of half a lemon
• 1 tablespoon honey (25 g)

Method of preparation

• Bring the water to a boil. Add thyme and a tablespoon of honey.
• Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes, then add the lemon juice.
• Drink the remedy two or three times a day.

5. Natural expectorants with apple, honey and lemon

A paste made from apple, honey and lemon is an effective expectorant solution that relieves cough in children and adults. Its anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effect stimulates the elimination of mucus secretions and cleanses the airways.

ingredients

• ½ ripe apple
• The juice of half a lemon

• 1 tablespoon honey (25 g)

Method of preparation

• Boil the apple and pass it to obtain a puree.
• Mix the puree with the lemon juice and honey and consume the remedy obtained twice a day. 

Choose the expectorant treatment that caught your attention the most and follow our instructions on how to prepare and administer it to relieve cough and cold.

If symptoms persist, see a doctor.