Cough: the most effective dietary supplements

Coughing is a natural protective reflex of the airways, aimed at expelling irritants such as dust, mucus, or foreign bodies, and at keeping the airways clear. It is generally triggered by irritation of the respiratory tract, initiating a reflex that engages the diaphragm, the abdominal muscles and the glottis to forcefully expel air from the lungs. The cough reflex also helps promote the removal of mucus from the airways, a mechanism essential for respiratory health. When mucus is too thick or viscous, the cough reflex helps clear secretions and prevents the accumulation of microbes and particles in the bronchi. Cough is a common symptom of many respiratory conditions, including: • Viral infections : Such as the common cold or the flu, where coughing serves to clear nasal and bronchial secretions. • Acute bronchitis : Often caused by viruses, it causes a hoarse, painful cough that can last several weeks. • ENT conditions : Cough can also accompany rhinitis, pharyngitis, or sinusitis, often due to post-nasal drip that irritates the throat. • Asthma : Asthma attacks cause spasmodic coughing and difficulty expelling air from the lungs due to bronchospasm.

Mechanisms and Types of Cough

Cough is triggered by two main mechanisms: • Direct stimulation of receptors : Receptors located in the airways and other areas such as the larynx, trachea, and bronchi respond to secretions, foreign bodies, or irritants (smoke, fragrances). • Hypersensitivity of receptors : Certain conditions (such as viral infections or exposure to certain chemicals) can lower the cough trigger threshold, leading to receptor hypersensitivity. There are two types of cough: • Dry cough : Non-productive, it is often irritating and does not expel secretions. It is common in the early phases of respiratory infections or in reaction to allergens. • Productive cough : Produces sputum, allowing clearance of mucus containing cellular debris and infectious agents. It often occurs in infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Prevention and Natural Remedies

For prevention and relief of cough: • Productive cough : Ivy, hyssop, mullein, pine, eucalyptus and elecampane promote expectoration by thinning bronchial secretions. Essential oils of thymol thyme provide anti-infective and antitussive effects appropriate for bronchitis with a productive cough. • Irritative dry cough : Plants with soothing and emollient properties, such as poppy, mallow, marshmallow, plantain, mullein, agrimony, maidenhair, grindelia, violet and licorice, are recommended to soothe airway irritation. • For drainage of the emunctories : Plants such as artichoke and rosemary support the liver and elimination pathways, facilitating the removal of toxins. • Trace elements : Certain trace elements, such as sulfur, are recognized for their ability to modulate inflammatory responses in the airways. Additionally, the manganese-copper combination is often recommended to strengthen the immune system and prevent recurrences of cough related to respiratory infections.