Dry Cough: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A dry cough is a type of cough characterized by a non-productive, harsh sound without the production of mucus or phlegm.

It can be caused by various factors such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Prolonged dry cough can lead to vocal cord strain, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of respiratory infections.

To alleviate dry cough, herbal remedies like thyme, licorice root, and slippery elm can be used. Herbal teas, infusions, and syrups are commonly prepared from these herbs to provide relief.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially for those with underlying health conditions or allergies.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of dry cough, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of dry cough?

The main causes of dry cough are respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu, which can cause inflammation in the airways and lead to a dry, hacking cough.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is another common cause, as stomach acid can flow up into the esophagus and trigger a cough. Allergies, particularly to dust, pollen, or pet dander, can also cause a dry cough, as the body reacts to the foreign particles. Inhaling irritants such as tobacco smoke, pollution, or strong chemicals can also lead to a dry cough.

Additionally, underlying conditions like chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or postnasal drip can cause a persistent dry cough.

• Postnasal Drip: Postnasal drip, also known as upper airway secretions, occurs when excess mucus from the nasal passages drips down the back of the throat, irritating the cough center in the brain and triggering a dry cough.
• Asthma: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that can cause a dry cough, often in response to allergens, respiratory infections, or other triggers that irritate the airway linings and stimulate the cough reflex.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, irritating the throat and triggering a dry cough due to the irritation of the nerves in the esophagus and the cough center in the brain.
• Pulmonary Embolism: A pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage of an artery in the lungs, can cause a dry cough due to the irritation and inflammation of the lung tissue and the stimulation of the cough reflex in the brain.
• Lung Cancer: Lung cancer can cause a dry cough due to the irritation and inflammation of the lung tissue and the stimulation of the cough reflex in the brain, often in the later stages of the disease.
• Pneumonia: Pneumonia, an infection of the lung tissue, can cause a dry cough due to the inflammation and irritation of the lung tissue and the stimulation of the cough reflex in the brain.
• Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can cause a dry cough due to the chronic inflammation and irritation of the airway linings and the stimulation of the cough reflex in the brain.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, can cause a dry cough due to the chronic inflammation and irritation of the airway linings and the stimulation of the cough reflex in the brain.
• Chronic Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease can cause a dry cough due to the buildup of toxins in the body that can irritate the nerves in the brain and stimulate the cough reflex.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and beta-2 agonists, can cause a dry cough due to their effects on the nervous system and the stimulation of the cough reflex in the brain.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for dry cough?

The main medicinal herbs used for dry cough are Echinacea purpurea, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Eucalyptus globulus, Thymus vulgaris, Zingiber officinale, Mentha x piperita, Verbascum thapsus, Lavandula angustifolia, Sambucus nigra, Ginkgo biloba.

Echinacea purpurea contains alkylamides and polyphenols that modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating dry cough symptoms. Glycyrrhiza glabra's anti-inflammatory properties and expectorant effects help loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus globulus, Thymus vulgaris, Zingiber officinale, Mentha x piperita, and Verbascum thapsus exhibit decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that aid in relieving dry cough and congestion.

Lavandula angustifolia's antispasmodic effects help soothe the airways, while Sambucus nigra and Ginkgo biloba have immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties that support the body's natural defense mechanisms.

• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea helps with dry cough by stimulating the immune system and reducing inflammation, which may alleviate symptoms of a dry cough.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with dry cough by its expectorant properties, which facilitate the removal of mucus from the airways, thereby relieving dry cough symptoms.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus helps with dry cough by releasing eucalyptol, a compound that has decongestant and expectorant properties, which may help to relieve dry cough symptoms by thinning mucus and making it easier to expel.
• Thymus vulgaris: Thymus vulgaris helps with dry cough by its antimicrobial properties, which may help to reduce the severity of dry cough symptoms caused by underlying infections.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale helps with dry cough by its anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce inflammation and alleviate dry cough symptoms.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita helps with dry cough by its expectorant and decongestant properties, which may help to relieve dry cough symptoms by thinning mucus and making it easier to expel.
• Verbascum thapsus: Verbascum thapsus helps with dry cough by its mucilaginous properties, which may help to soothe and calm irritated tissues in the respiratory tract, thereby relieving dry cough symptoms.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia helps with dry cough by its calming and soothing effects, which may help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, thereby alleviating dry cough symptoms.
• Sambucus nigra: Sambucus nigra helps with dry cough by its expectorant properties, which facilitate the removal of mucus from the airways, thereby relieving dry cough symptoms.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not have direct effects on dry cough, but its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the respiratory tract, which may indirectly alleviate dry cough symptoms.

What are the main herbal preparations used for dry cough?

The main herbal preparations used for dry cough are Decoction, Lozenges, Tincture, Capsules, Salve, Syrup, Elixir, Poultice, Cream, Gargle.

Decoction is a liquid herbal extract made by boiling herbs in water, used for its expectorant properties in herbs like Thyme and Echinacea to help loosen mucus and reduce coughing. Lozenges, often containing herbs like Licorice root and Honey, are sucked on to soothe the throat and provide temporary pain relief. Herbal Tinctures like Ginger and Slippery Elm are used in various forms such as Capsules, Salve for topical application, or Syrup for easier consumption, to provide antitussive and anti-inflammatory effects.

Additionally, herbal Elixirs like those containing Wild Cherry bark, Cream for topical use, and Gargle solutions like those with Sage, can also be employed to alleviate dry cough symptoms.

• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with dry cough by releasing its active compounds, such as glycyrrhizin, which have anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that relieve coughing and soothe the respiratory tract.
• Lozenges: Lozenges made from the extract of Echinacea purpurea help with dry cough by providing a soothing, protective coating to the mucous membranes in the throat, reducing inflammation and discomfort caused by dry coughing.
• Tincture: A tincture of the leaves of Thymus vulgaris helps with dry cough by releasing its essential oils, such as thymol, which have antimicrobial and expectorant properties that help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
• Capsules: Capsules filled with the powder of the roots of Asclepias tuberosa help with dry cough by releasing its active compounds, such as asclepiadin, which have anti-inflammatory and antitussive properties that relieve coughing and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract.
• Salve: A salve made from the extract of the leaves of Plantago major helps with dry cough by providing a soothing, protective coating to the mucous membranes in the throat, reducing inflammation and discomfort caused by dry coughing.
• Syrup: A syrup made from the extract of the roots of Althaea officinalis helps with dry cough by releasing its active compounds, such as mucilages, which have anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that relieve coughing and soothe the respiratory tract.
• Elixir: An elixir made from the extract of the flowers of Calendula officinalis helps with dry cough by releasing its active compounds, such as triterpenoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antitussive properties that relieve coughing and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the crushed leaves of Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) helps with dry cough by releasing its active compounds, such as saponins, which have anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that relieve coughing and soothe the respiratory tract.
• Cream: A cream made from the extract of the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus helps with dry cough by providing a soothing, protective coating to the mucous membranes in the throat, reducing inflammation and discomfort caused by dry coughing.
• Gargle: A gargle made from the extract of the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus helps with dry cough by releasing its essential oils, such as eucalyptol, which have antimicrobial and expectorant properties that help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract.