Herbs are traditionally used to treat coughs and the common cold. Plant properties can soothe throat irritation and thin mucus. That’s why multiple anti-cough products are often marketed as herbal-based or natural. However, the diversity of active components, along with marketing messages, can make it confusing to choose the right cough remedy.
The market offers dozens of cough syrups, and learning how to choose among them is essential when you need a reliable and predictable cough-relieving product.
Why Cough Syrup Labels Can Be Confusing
When you look at the shelf with various cough syrups, what do you feel? Sometimes you may feel confused; sometimes distracted and sometimes uncertain. So, why are their labels so confusing?
- The same product is often marketed under different brand names.
- Lack of information on the label makes the choice difficult.
- Cough is not a disease but a symptom, and its causes can be different, as can the type of cough. It can be wet or dry, caused by an affected throat (sore throat) or by viral or bacterial contamination of the respiratory ducts; it can be accompanied by thin or thick mucus, and for each cough type, different compounds are effective.
So, for the right choice, you should match the purpose of a product with your current cough symptoms and read labels thoroughly.
Traditional Herbs Used in Cough Syrup Formulas
Herbal components in cough syrups are versatile. The most common botanicals used for cough relief are as follows:
- Thyme helps relax airway muscles and can be effective for easing bronchitis or chest cough.
- Marshmallow root coats a dry and irritated throat with a film of mucilage and soothes it.
- Licorice root works as a demulcent.
- Ivy leaves are rich in saponins that help thin mucus and expel it.
On its own, herbal extracts do not guarantee a syrup’s efficiency. Only their proper dosing, combination with other ingredients, and clear intake instructions contribute to possible positive effects.
How to Compare Herbal Syrup Ingredients
As we said, reading the syrup’s label is a must. Yet, what information can you get from it, and how can you interpret it? Let’s take an example of Pertussin cough syrup. This traditional anti-cough syrup combines herbal base and mineral supportive ingredients. On its label, you can see the following list of ingredients:
- Thyme extract – a natural expectorant and muscle relaxant.
- Potassium bromide – a mild sedative that calms persistent cough fits.
- Sugar syrup works as a sweetener.
- Alcohol is a preservative and solvent.
This information already provides you with the understanding that the syrup’s action is targeted at easing expectancy and calming down cough fits. At once, you understand that it contains sugar, which can be undesired for patients with some dietary or health restrictions, and alcohol in its formulation makes the syrup inappropriate for minors’ use. Besides that, the label should contain necessary information about the expiration date, the country of origin, and storage terms.
What to Check Before Using a Syrup
From our example, you may notice that checking the syrup’s label is prioritized. Yet, for the right choice, you may need more information. It is typically provided in the product’s instructions. You can get significant information from them about:
- Age restrictions;
- Dosage for various ages or causes;
- Possible allergens;
- Possible side effects of a product;
- Contraindications for the product.
A Better Purchase Starts With the Product Label
Cough syrups are diverse in their action principles and formulas. They are not one-fits-all-cases products because some may soothe a sore throat, others act on the nervous systems, and some thin the mucus for a desirable effect. That’s why a good choice and a profitable purchase start with a thorough inspection of a product’s label and manufacturer’s instructions so as not to buy unnecessary or even harmful syrup.
