Contents
Thyme and coltsfoot are ingredients of many herbal preparations for sore throats, coughs and hoarseness. They often appear together for a stronger effect. They are readily used by patients, not least because the use of herbal medicines raises fewer safety and side effects concerns than with synthetic substances. This does not mean, however, that all herbs can be used without any restrictions.
Thyme and coltsfoot – the most important information
Thyme, also known by names such as thyme, thyme and thyme, is a plant from the Lyme family. It is native to the Mediterranean but is now grown in many parts of the world. It measures 20 to 30 cm in length, has characteristic leaves and flowers ranging from lilac to purple, curled on both sides.
Thyme has been known to people since antiquity as a spice, as well as a medicinal herb. In parts of this plant we find ingredients such as thymol essential oil, many minerals, B vitamins and flavonoids. For this reason, thyme has been widely used in medicine for centuries, including as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, digestive and skin conditioner.
Common coltsfoot has many folk names, including donkey’s foot, god count, pike flower, kaczyniec and many others. It is a plant of the Asteraceae family, common in Europe and some parts of Asia and Africa. It measures about 30 cm, has small yellow flowers and large, round leaves. It grows in soils with high humidity, along the banks of lakes and rivers, ditches, landslides, etc.
Like thyme, coltsfoot also has a long history of use in folk medicine. It contains a number of ingredients such as essential oils, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and fatty acids. Therefore, coltsfoot has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, astringent and protective properties.
Thyme and coltsfoot in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections
Thyme and coltsfoot is a combination that occurs very often in various preparations for upper respiratory tract infections, including lozenges containing extracts of these plants. How do they provide relief from a sore throat, hoarseness or cough?
Both thyme and coltsfoot have antibacterial and disinfectant properties, so they allow you to fight the microorganisms that caused the infection. In addition, they soothe inflammation, reducing the feeling of discomfort and sore throat. Thyme and coltsfoot also provide relief from both dry and wet coughs, as they facilitate expectoration of secretions by stimulating the cilia of the respiratory epithelium and relaxing them. Thyme and coltsfoot in the form of lozenges additionally stimulate the secretion of saliva, which moisturizes the dry mucosa of the throat and mouth. The protective effect of coltsfoot is also of great importance, and the tannin content provides it with an astringent effect, which also has a positive effect on the condition of the upper respiratory tract in the disease.
Thanks to these properties, lozenges with thyme and coltsfoot can be successfully used not only in diseases of the throat and lungs, but also by smokers or forced to stay in unfavorable conditions, such as dusty or dry air rooms.
It is also worth reaching for Honey with thyme and coltsfoot, which helps the body fight infections of the upper respiratory tract.
What should I remember when using thyme and coltsfoot?
There is a belief among a large part of society that all herbal preparations are safe because they are natural, as opposed to synthetic, “chemical” drugs. In practice, however, it is different: it turns out that even innocent preparations, available without a prescription in any pharmacy, can harm our health if they are improperly used.
Thymol, the essential oil in thyme, can lead to severe intoxication if overdosed. It manifests as nausea, nausea, stomach pain and difficulty breathing. In the coltsfoot, however, we find pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can seriously damage the liver if they reach too high a concentration in the body.
Obviously, it is difficult to deliver such large amounts of these substances via lozenges. Their use in accordance with the instructions on the packaging should ensure complete safety. Another situation is the intake of thyme and coltsfoot by pregnant women – the substances contained in them can cause uterine contractions and lead to premature birth. For this reason, the use of these herbs is strictly prohibited.