A doctor has said a plant-based remedy you’ve probably never heard of could be the key to seeing off annoying coughs and colds. Dr Tim Bond, chemist and natural health specialist from Puressentiel, said that, despite March being halfway through, coughs and colds were still around.
He said: “Despite the fact we’re heading into spring, coughs and colds aren’t going anywhere just yet. In fact, Puressentiel research has found that for a third of those who have suffered with a cough or cold over the last month, their symptoms were more ruthless than in the past two or three years and they took longer to go away.
“Coughs and colds aren’t just energy-zapping, but they impact day-to-day life too – almost one in five Brits said they would take a sick day from work if they couldn’t concentrate and a high 93% of Brits admit that they have struggled to sleep while suffering from a cough or cold. And we all know how important sleep is when we’re trying to recover from illness.
“Finding ways to relieve the horrible symptoms of coughs and colds can make life that little bit more bearable. I always recommend natural, plant-based ingredients. There’s an ingredient in particular called mullein, which has traditionally been used for various medicinal purposes – where the leaves were used to rub over inflamed skin whilst the roots were boiled to make a cough syrup.”
Plant-based cough and cold remedy you’ve ‘never heard of’
You may have never heard of mullein, but it could help be the secret to offering relief from coughs, colds and winter congestion, according to Dr Bond. Research backs up mullein’s expectorant qualities, as a review published in the journal Respiratory Medicine found that the use of mullein was useful in treating conditions like coughs and respiratory congestion, noting its effectiveness as an expectorant.
Dr Bond said: “As an expectorant, mullein helps to break up mucus, making it thinner, and, in turn, making it easier to cough up. Essentially, expectorants help the body expel excess mucus, usually by helping make your coughs more productive, to bring up mucus that may be settling in the chest or in the throat.
“Mullein also has antiseptic qualities, plus it’s effective at fighting E. coli bacteria and pneumonia. And research has also flagged that mullein has anti-inflammatory properties, so it may be useful in helping to manage respiratory conditions such as bronchitis. On top of this, mullein has been found to exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against a range of bacteria and fungi, supporting the traditional use of mullein for treating respiratory infections, as well as ear infections.
“When you get a cough, help calm and reduce the frequency of coughs from the first day and here I recommend Puressentiel Respiratory Cough Syrup, which contains mullein along with several other natural ingredients and essential oils. It also contains three aromatic honeys – which are not only great for busting coughs along with mullein, but they help soothe sore throats and support the body’s natural defences.
“The combination of natural ingredients helps to clear the upper respiratory tract by hydrating mucous membranes, reducing irritation and providing a lasting protection to reduce cough frequency. That’s absolutely vital when trying to bust a cough or the congestion of a cold, which often comes with an irritating cough keeping many of us awake at night. It’s clear from all of this research that mullein is a natural winner for helping with annoying coughs and colds, helping to soothe throats and clear excess mucus which can make us feel blocked up.”