Foods That Act As an Expectorant

There are several foods which are both effective as expectorants and delicious to eat. Food used as medicine is usually safe and free of side effects, but you should always check with your doctor before using an alternative treatment, especially for young children.

Peppermint

Peppermint contains menthol, which thins mucus. Peppermint tea is a relatively safe preparation of this natural expectorant, but care must be taken in using peppermint oil, which is never to be ingested and can irritate the skin.

Licorice

Licorice can ease a number of respiratory ailments: everything from allergies to tuberculosis. Licorice is a demulcent, which means it coats and soothes, and it contains glycyrrhizin, which promotes the secretion of mucus and can help clear thickened membranes.

Red Clover

Red clover is an expectorant that has been used traditionally to treat respiratory problems, such as whooping cough in children. It is filled with vitamins, minerals and isoflavones and has several potential preparations, including as a tea, tincture or powdered form.

Onion

Members of the onion family have been respected and used medicinally since ancient times as expectorants, possibly due to the etheric oils and sulfur compounds they contain. Onion is an anti-inflammatory and has been used to fight bronchial infections.

Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana is the Latin name for horseradish, most familiar to Americans as a condiment or sauce. Fresh horseradish root is the most useful form, but it can also be used as a tea or infusion to treat respiratory issues.

References

• Licorice
• Horseradish
• Onion

Resources

• Allium cepa L.