Respiratory System

The airways and lungs — breathing, gas exchange, and the mucosal defences of the nose, throat, and chest.

General herbal approach

Herbal choice follows the quality of the cough and mucus. Expectorants help shift and thin stuck phlegm, demulcents (mullein, marshmallow, licorice) soothe dry, raw, irritated airways, and antitussives calm an unproductive cough. Bronchodilators open constricted airways in wheezy, asthmatic states, while antimicrobials, antivirals, and warming diaphoretics address infection and help break a fever. Drying astringents and anti-catarrhals reduce excess upper-respiratory secretion.

Key herbal actions

The actions most often called on for the respiratory system: Expectorant, Demulcent, Antitussive, Bronchodilator, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic. Each links through to the herbs that carry it.