Expectorants for cough are medications designed to reduce the viscosity of phlegm and accelerate its expulsion from the body. There are two groups of such remedies: those with a reflex action and those with a direct action.
Types of Expectorants
Expectorants that act reflexively include certain herbs and their extracts that promote the rapid expulsion of phlegm from the respiratory system. These expectorants irritate the stomach lining, resulting in improved bronchial gland function, increased phlegm production, and reduced viscosity. Reflex action expectorants include herbs like thermopsis, licorice root, marshmallow root, and thyme.
Expectorants with a direct action facilitate phlegm expulsion by acting directly on the bronchi. This category includes two groups: agents that affect the bronchial glands and thin the phlegm. The first group includes essential oils, iodine salts, and baking soda. When these substances enter the bronchi, they stimulate the production of thin phlegm.
The largest group comprises expectorants that thin the phlegm. The most common are ACC, Lasolvan, and Bromhexine. These medications break down the molecules that make the phlegm viscous. As a result, the phlegm becomes thinner and is easily expelled from the bronchi during coughing.
Expectorants are prescribed for wet cough and conditions accompanied by thick phlegm. Today, they are an essential component in treating bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchial asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Expectorants should not be combined with antitussive medications, as their simultaneous use can lead to the accumulation of a large amount of phlegm in the airways.
Folk Expectorants
Nowadays, medical professionals and pharmacologists acknowledge that the best way to alleviate a cough is to use traditional remedies. Typically, all cough syrups and medications contain herbs and parts of medicinal plants, some including baking soda. Therefore, a dry cough can be treated with folk remedies without purchasing expensive medications from pharmacies.
For treating children, it is best to use regular baking soda for inhalations and internal consumption with warm milk, peppermint decoction, licorice root syrup, marjoram herb, thermopsis, and chamomile. Pharmacological recommendations include Mukaltin, Bromhexine, and Pectusin. If there is no improvement within three days, it is advisable to seek medical assistance.
In the case of bronchitis, expectorants play a special role. They clear the bronchi of bacteria. The specific medication should be chosen in consultation with a doctor, considering the nature of the coughing fit, its intensity, and productivity. If no phlegm is expelled after coughing, strong medications like ACC, Mukaltin, and Ambroxol are prescribed. For exhausting coughs with small amounts of phlegm, Bromhexine is recommended, along with plenty of water.
The best expectorant for cough is ordinary baking soda. It can be used for gargling, inhalations, and consumed with milk. Baking soda is an alkaline substance. Most bacteria and viruses live in an acidic environment, which they create in the bronchi and lungs. The alkaline action of soda stops their growth and reproduction, leading to their death. Additionally, soda stimulates the secretion of the bronchial and lung mucus, aiding in the expulsion of phlegm.
