AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON EXPECTORANT
Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.Mucus Cleanses & Protects the Lungs
Mucus is essential for transport of dust, debris, allergens and irritants out of the lungs. It also traps bacteria and dilutes irritants, making them less harmful. Mucus contains antibacterial and antivral properties, including antibodies (IgA).
The cilia, tiny hairs lining the lungs, move the debris filled mucus out of the lungs. Without mucus the cilia would not be able to cleanse the lungs.
Mucus & Coughing
Similarly, for a cough to be productive, mucus must be present. A cough is the body's vital reaction to the presence of some irritant in the lungs. Once the irritant is trapped in mucus, a cough can rapidly clear it. A dry cough fails to clear the lungs of irritants.
Phlegm: Toxic Mucus
When the body fails to produce enough mucus, or fails to metabolize it, the mucus will stagnate, and then thicken or harden, turning into phlegm, a toxic substance. Instead of killing microbes, phlegm becomes a harbor to bacteria to proliferate and could trigger a lung infection.
Expectorant Types
Some expectorants increase bronchial secretions and reduce viscosity and stickiness of mucus, making it easier to expectorate.
- Warm Stimulant expectorants - Usually warm, drying pungents that improve circulation to the lower respiratory tract. They are indicated incold Kapha conditions (lung-phlegm-cold) that cause mucus to accumulate. As bronchial irritants, they are contraindicated in coughing. Examples: Thyme, Hyssop, Fennel, Anise, Angelica, Grindelia, Elecampane Root, and Horseradish
- Cold Sedative expectorants - Usually cooling pungents that improve circulation to the respiratory tract, are anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. They are indicated where mucus is yellow and green indicating infection (lung-phlegm-heat) with yellow tongue and rapid, slippery pulse. Examples: Eucalyptus, Pleurisy
- Mucolytic expectorants - These liquefy the mucus directly by breaking up mucus proteins. These often contain saponins that increase thin mucus production. Examples: Licorice Root, Mullein, Solomon's Seal, Grindelia. Astringents (such as cinnamon) also have a mucolytic action.
- Source - The Energetics of Western Herbs (Peter Holmes)
In addition to the above properties, the ideal expectorant formula will be
- Decongestant (mucostatic, anticatarrhal) - Elderflower, Plantain, Goldenseal, Ground ivy
- Antispetic - Neem, Marigold, Echinacea, Plantain, Goldenseal
- Immune-stimulant - Andrographis, Elderberry, antispetic herbs above
- Anti-inflammatory - Turmeric
- Bronchodilator - Garlic, Onion, Wile Cherry Bark, Lobelia, Black cohosh, Hyssop
- Demulcent: Mullein, Borage, Marshamallow, Licorice, Poplar bud.
Lifestyle Tips for Clearing Morning Mucus
Mucus builds while sleeping and lying down at night due to slowed circulation and less movement. The following tips may help clear the lungs first thing in the morning:
- Take a hot shower with the bathroom door closed to fill up the room with steam.
- Inhaling steam through the mouth for 10-15 minutes
- Taking an expectorant herb formula
- Inducing nausea and/or vomiting with mustard powder or lobelia (nausea and vomiting has a very strong expectorant effect)
- Gentle but vigorous pounding of the chest and back to loosen mucus
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