Elecampane: A Natural Cough Remedy

You’ve come to the right place for a natural cough remedy. If you have a cold with coughing, make sure you are following my Eight Simple Secrets to treating colds naturally.

People often start coughing in later stages of a cold. However, this is not always the case.

People often start coughing in later stages of a cold. However, this is not always the case.

Remember that coughing (just like a sore throat) is a cold symptom, not the cause of the cold. That’s why you have to continue to rest and take care of yourself with the Eight Simple Secrets.

Types of Coughs

There are two types of coughs: productive coughs and unproductive coughs.

Basically, productive coughs are bringing up “stuff” that needs to leave the body. Therefore, you do not want to suppress it. In this case, use herbal expectorants.

Eventually a cough can become unproductive, meaning you are left with an irritating cough. In this case, remedies that suppress the cough are ok to use.

It’s good to address unproductive coughs so they do not develop into respiratory infections.

If you want a “do it yourself” home remedy, I’ll tell you what I do…

I know I keep saying follow the Eight Simple Secrets, but of those, make sure you focus on taking a lot of garlic. Not only is it immune enhancing, antibacterial and antiviral, it also has an affinity for the lungs.

Elecampane

I used to use lots of different herbs for coughs, but the one I use the most is elecampane (Inula helenium). It’s my favorite natural cough remedy.

Elecampane is a cough suppressant AS WELL AS a natural expectorant. It is a great, all purpose cough remedy that is EASY to grow and make medicine from.

Dry Cough vs Wet Cough Support

Dry coughs tend to call for moistening, soothing herbs and wet coughs tend to call for expectorants. You can learn more about dry cough remedies and wet coughs in this cough drop recipe article. 

Elecampane Honey

Make your medicine with honey?

My favorite way to take elecampane is infused in honey.

Elecampane is REALLY easy to grow. It is also low maintenance. I barely even have to water mine in the summer.

In the fall, dig up the entire plant and cut off part of the root. I usually snip off the longer, thicker roots. I then wash them up. Then…

1. Slice the roots in bite-sized pieces, not too small.
2. Fill half a jar with them.
3. Fill the entire jar with honey.
4. Turn over the jar a few times a day for a few days.
5. In a few days, it’s ready!
6. Keep it in the fridge.

When you have a cough, simply eat the honey. Honey also feels good on the throat as well. Also, eat the pieces of root. They are candied. I chew on them for a while, then spit them out.

If you don’t have fresh elecampane root, you can use half as much dried elecampane root to make the honey.

This is my favorite way to take elecampane. Kids love it too!

Elecampane Tincture

When I am out and about, I like elecampane tincture.

I make it EXACTLY like I make the Echinacea tincture in the Herbal Remedy Kit.

Elecampane Tea

Here’s a QUICK and EFFECTIVE cough tea/cough syrup recipe!

1. Boil a quart of water in a saucepan.
2. When it comes to a boil, add 2 tablespoons of dried elecampane root to the hot water.
3. Turn down to a simmer and do so for 20 minutes.
4. Add honey to taste. Honey heals and soothes as well.
5. Add a splash of lemon juice as well if you have it.
6. Strain and drink your natural cough remedy. This hot drink is one of my favorite remedies for coughs.

Written by John Gallagher

John Gallagher, L.Ac., CCH is co-founder and co-CEO of LearningHerbs. He created and designed HerbMentor and has produced all of the products and learning experiences that we offer. Besides being a dad to two grown kids, John is a five-element acupuncturist and a musician. He also co-founded a wilderness skills school and a theater company.