The Herbal Library

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Browse every herb in the database by name, category, or the body system it's traditionally associated with.

All categories Aromatic Culinary Medicinal

Filtered by body system:RespiratoryClear

Get emergency help for severe breathlessness, chest pain or blue lips. Don't use herbs in place of asthma inhalers or other prescribed medicines. These herbs are listed because of traditional use or research, not because they're proven treatments.

Results

61 herbs

No. 001Medicinal

American Ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

North American ginseng, a root studied for preventing colds. Taken for 8 to 16 weeks, it shortened colds in healthy adults in a small number of trials.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 002Medicinal

Andrographis

Andrographis paniculata

A bitter herb used across Asia for infections and fevers, and traditionally for skin inflammation and wounds. It has mainly been studied for colds and flu.

Cough · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 003Medicinal

Aster Root

Aster tataricus

Zi wan, the soft purple root of Aster tataricus, a classic Chinese, Japanese and Korean remedy to moisten the lungs and relieve cough and phlegm.

Cough

No. 004Medicinal

Bai Zhi

Angelica dahurica

Angelica dahurica root, used in China, Korea and Japan for colds, headache, blocked sinuses, toothache and skin sores. Research is in the lab and in animals.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 005Medicinal

Bearded Scutellaria

Scutellaria barbata

Ban zhi lian, a Chinese herb first used for snake bites and now listed for sores, sore throat, swelling and jaundice. In China it's used alongside cancer treatment; most research is in the lab.

Sore Throat

No. 006Medicinal

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

A red-flowered North American mint, also called Oswego tea, used by the Cherokee as a tea and as a poultice for colds and headaches. Human research is very limited.

Cough · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 007Medicinal

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

A North American wildflower long used as a tea for fever, flu, colds and coughs. In the lab, an extract stopped flu viruses from infecting cells, but it hasn't been tested in people.

Cough · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 008Medicinal

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

A plant in the mint family traditionally used for colic, coughs, asthma and nervous upset. Its oil is also an effective mosquito repellent.

Cough · Asthma and Wheezing

No. 009Medicinal

Cloves

Syzygium aromaticum

A kitchen spice from the clove tree, whose oil is recognized in Europe for toothache and minor mouth and throat inflammation. In the lab, clove oil kills bacteria and fungi.

Sore Throat

No. 010Medicinal

Cramp Bark

Viburnum opulus

The bark of the guelder rose, traditionally used for bleeding from the stomach or uterus and for haemorrhoids; the plant is used for coughs, colds and kidney problems. Research is in the lab and in animals.

Cough

No. 011Medicinal

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

A purple coneflower traditionally used to support the immune system, especially for colds.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 012Medicinal

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

The European elder, whose berries are used in folk medicine for colds and flu and whose flowers are recognized in Europe for early cold symptoms. Raw berries, leaves and stems are poisonous.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 013Medicinal

Elecampane

Inula helenium

A root used for centuries in European medicine, including medieval Ireland, for coughs, bronchitis and other chest complaints. Germany's Commission E didn't approve it, citing weak evidence and possible side effects.

Cough · Chest Congestion and Bronchitis

No. 014Medicinal

English Plantain

Plantago lanceolata

A plant (also called ribwort plantain) whose leaves are recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for coughs, sore throats and minor skin inflammation.

Cough

No. 015Medicinal

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus

Leaves of the eucalyptus tree, taken as tea or inhaled in steam, and recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for cough with a cold.

Cough · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 016Medicinal

Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis

A plant traditionally used on the eyes and in nasal ointments for colds. European regulators declined to approve it because its benefits aren't documented and home-made eye washes aren't safe.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 017Medicinal

Glehnia Root

Glehnia littoralis

Bei sha shen, a root recorded in the Shennong Herbal Classic and used to clear the lungs, ease dry cough and dry mouth, and help the stomach.

Cough · Sore Throat

No. 018Medicinal

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

A North American plant with a bright yellow root, used by Native Americans on wounds and for skin and eye conditions. There isn't enough research to know whether it helps any health condition.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 019Medicinal

Grindelia

Grindelia robusta

Gumweed, a daisy-family plant whose above-ground parts are recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for cough with a cold in adults.

Cough · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 020Medicinal

Haritaki

Terminalia chebula

The dried fruit of the chebulic myrobalan tree, called the "king of Tibetan medicines" and one of the three fruits in Triphala. It's used for constipation, digestion, coughs and dental health.

Cough

No. 021Medicinal

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Tulsi, a highly revered plant in India used in Ayurveda for stress, coughs, asthma and many other conditions. Small studies suggest it may ease stress and anxiety.

Cough · Asthma and Wheezing

No. 022Medicinal

Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle, or jin yin hua, is a widely used herb in traditional Chinese medicine, taken for fevers, sore throats, skin sores and infections. Most research so far is in the lab and in animals.

Sore Throat

No. 023Medicinal

Horehound

Marrubium vulgare

White horehound, a bitter mint-family herb recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to help bring up phlegm with a cold, and for indigestion and poor appetite.

Cough · Chest Congestion and Bronchitis

No. 024Medicinal

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

A blue-flowered herb of the mint family, used for colds, coughs and poor appetite and as a flavoring. Its essential oil can cause seizures at high doses.

Cough

No. 025Medicinal

Iceland Moss

Cetraria islandica

A lichen, not a true moss, recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to soothe throat irritation and dry cough, and for temporary loss of appetite.

Cough · Sore Throat

No. 026Medicinal

Indian Trumpet Tree

Oroxylum indicum

An Asian tree with huge sword-shaped seed pods, called shyonaka in Ayurveda, where its root bark and seeds are used for diarrhea, fever, coughs and joint pain. Its safety hasn't been studied in detail.

Cough

No. 027Medicinal

Isatis Root

Isatis indigotica

Ban lan gen, a Chinese medicine root used for centuries for flu and viral infections, fever, cough and sore throat. Its compounds acted against viruses in lab studies.

Colds and Nasal Congestion · Sore Throat

No. 028Medicinal

Jack in the Bush

Chromolaena odorata

One of Jamaica's most popular bush teas for colds and flu, also used in Africa and Asia for fever, wounds and diabetes. Research so far is in the lab and in animals.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 029Medicinal

John Charles

Hyptis verticillata

A Caribbean bush in the mint family, used since Maya and Aztec times for breathing, digestive, women's health and skin problems. It hasn't been tested in clinical trials.

Cough · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 030Medicinal

Ju Hua

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Chrysanthemum flowers, drunk as tea in China for over 3,000 years and used in Chinese medicine for colds, dizziness, headaches and the eyes. It hasn't been tested on its own in clinical trials.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 031Medicinal

Korean Bellflower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Jie geng or doraji, the root of the balloon flower, eaten as a vegetable and used since the Han Dynasty to clear phlegm, ease sore throats and treat cough.

Cough · Sore Throat

No. 032Medicinal

Leaf of Life

Bryophyllum pinnatum

One of Jamaica's most popular bush medicines, used for colds and flu. In Switzerland, tablets made from its leaf juice have been studied for overactive bladder and sleep.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 033Medicinal

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

A root used since ancient times in Egyptian, Greek, Chinese and Indian medicine for coughs, asthma and wounds. Recognized in Europe for cough with a cold and for indigestion, but too much can raise blood pressure and upset heart rhythm.

Cough · Sore Throat · Chest Congestion and Bronchitis

No. 034Medicinal

Linden

Tilia cordata

Flowers of the lime (linden) tree, traditionally made into tea for colds, stress and nervous heart complaints.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 035Medicinal

Lion's Ear

Leonotis nepetifolia

A plant in the mint family, known as shandilay in Trinidad, where it's a popular traditional remedy for colds and coughs. Research so far is limited to lab and animal studies.

Cough · Asthma and Wheezing · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 036Medicinal

Magnolia Bark

Magnolia officinalis

Hou po, the bark of a magnolia tree used in Chinese medicine to ease bloating, stomach pain, diarrhoea and asthma, often paired with coptis root.

Asthma and Wheezing

No. 037Medicinal

Marshmallow Root

Althaea officinalis

A root recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for mouth and throat irritation with a dry cough, and for mild stomach and gut discomfort.

Cough · Sore Throat

No. 038Medicinal

Mosla Herb

Mosla chinensis

Xiang ru, an aromatic mint-family herb used in China for about 1,500 years to bring on sweating and treat summer colds, heatstroke and diarrhoea.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 039Medicinal

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

A plant whose flowers are made into tea and recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for sore throat with a dry cough and cold.

Cough · Sore Throat

No. 040Medicinal

Osha

Ligusticum porteri

A root from the Rocky Mountains, long used by Hispanic and Native American peoples for colds, flu and chest infections. It has only been studied in the lab.

Colds and Nasal Congestion · Chest Congestion and Bronchitis

No. 041Medicinal

Penny Royal

Clinopodium brownei

Jamaican pennyroyal, one of the island's popular bush medicines for breathing and digestive problems. It is a different plant from European pennyroyal, but its oil contains the same toxic compound, pulegone.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 042Medicinal

Pepper Elder

Piper amalago

A plant in the pepper family whose leaves are made into a Jamaican bush tea for colds and flu. Research so far is mostly in rats.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 043Medicinal

Peppermint

Mentha piperita

A cooling, menthol-rich herb traditionally used for digestion and headaches. Research suggests peppermint oil may help IBS symptoms.

Colds and Nasal Congestion · Sore Throat

No. 044Medicinal

Pine Needles

Pinus spp.

Needles of pine trees, brewed into a tea popular in Japan, Korea, China and Russia, and used in folk medicine for coughs, colds and flu. Some pines contain a substance that causes miscarriage in cattle.

Cough

No. 045Medicinal

Pleurisy Root

Asclepias tuberosa

A milkweed whose root was traditionally used for breathing problems and to loosen mucus. It contains heart-affecting compounds, and its sap has injured people's eyes.

Chest Congestion and Bronchitis

No. 046Medicinal

Poppy

Papaver rhoeas

The red corn poppy, a common field weed, used in folk medicine for coughs, sleep problems, diarrhea and pain, and eaten in salads. Eating it has poisoned adults, causing seizures and loss of consciousness. It's a different plant from the opium poppy.

Cough

No. 047Medicinal

Prickly Ash

Zanthoxylum americanum

The "toothache tree", a thorny North American shrub whose bark Native Americans used for toothache, rheumatism, fevers, colds and coughs.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 048Medicinal

Prunella Vulgaris

Prunella vulgaris

Self-heal, called xia ku cao in China, a mint-family herb used in Chinese medicine since the Han Dynasty and eaten as a vegetable and tea. Low-quality trials suggest it may help when added to standard treatment for an overactive thyroid.

Sore Throat

No. 049Medicinal

Qiang Li Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan

Lonicera japonica, Forsythia suspensa and other herbs

A Chinese patent medicine based on Yin Qiao San, a honeysuckle and forsythia formula used early in colds and flu for fever, sore throat and headache.

Colds and Nasal Congestion · Sore Throat

No. 050Medicinal

Sarsaparilla

Smilax ornata

A plant whose root is boiled into Jamaican roots tonics and used for colds and flu. Research on sarsaparilla plants is mostly preliminary lab and animal work.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 051Medicinal

Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis

A fruit known in Chinese as wu wei zi ("five-flavor fruit"), long used in traditional Chinese medicine for the liver, coughs and energy. Studies in people are few and small.

Cough

No. 052Medicinal

Scrophularia Root

Scrophularia ningpoensis

Xuan shen, a Chinese medicine root recorded in the Shennong Herbal Classic and used for sore throat, abscesses and constipation. Research is in the lab and in animals.

Sore Throat

No. 053Medicinal

Scutellaria Baicalensis

Scutellaria baicalensis

Chinese skullcap, or huang qin, a root used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years for diarrhoea, bleeding, sleeplessness and lung infections. Most research is in the lab or on multi-herb formulas.

Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 054Medicinal

Search Mi Heart

Rhytidophyllum tomentosum

A Jamaican plant whose dried leaves are made into a bush tea, traditionally used for colds and flu, the heart, breathing problems and digestion. It hasn't been studied in research.

Asthma and Wheezing · Colds and Nasal Congestion · Chest Congestion and Bronchitis

No. 055Medicinal

Slippery Elm

Ulmus rubra

The inner bark of a North American elm, taken by mouth for sore throat and stomach upset and used on the skin for rashes. It is generally recognized as safe.

Sore Throat

No. 056Medicinal

Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum odoratum

Angular Solomon's seal, or yu zhu, a root eaten as both food and medicine in China for over 2,000 years, used for dry coughs, thirst and a dry throat. Most research is in the lab and in animals.

Cough

No. 057Medicinal

Stemona Root

Stemona species

Bai bu, the root of Stemona plants used across South and East Asia for cough and asthma, and to kill lice and other pests.

Cough

No. 058Medicinal

Trichosanthes Peel

Trichosanthes kirilowii

Gua lou pi, the dried fruit peel of the snake gourd plant, used in Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years for heart conditions such as angina and for cough with phlegm.

Cough

No. 059Medicinal

Vervain

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Called vervain in Jamaica and vervine in Antigua and Trinidad, a weedy plant whose leaves make a "cooling" tea used for the stomach, colds and coughs, and to clean wounds.

Cough · Asthma and Wheezing · Colds and Nasal Congestion

No. 060Medicinal

Wild Cherry

Prunus serotina

Black cherry (capulín), a North American tree used in Mexican folk medicine for cough, high blood pressure and digestive problems. Its seeds and leaves contain compounds that can release cyanide.

Cough

No. 061Medicinal

Yerba Santa

Eriodictyon californicum

A shrub from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico whose leaves have been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries, especially for breathing problems.

Cough