What Herbs Are Good For Cough Articles & Resources

Many multi-symptom products include a decongestant, an antihistamine, a cough suppressant, and an expectorant. But if you don't have a stuffed-up nose, for example, you don't need the decongestant. And if you don't need it, you don't want it.

The most common decongestant in OTC products is pseudoephedrine--and it can be found in products such as Sudafed. This drug can boost blood pressure and possibly blood sugar levels. The caffeine in some cough and cold formulas adds a wake-me-up "benefit" but that may have an effect on your blood sugar. Antihistamines can cause dry eyes, nose, and mouth; blurred vision; urinary retention; increased heart rate; and, of course, drowsiness. In fact, the most common antihistamine, diphenhydramine, which is found in products such as Benadryl, is the same active ingredient in OTC sleep medications.

The Cold War

The first step in battling a cold or the flu is to talk with your pharmacist. He or she can make recommendations based on your symptoms--with special attention to your diabetes. It's important not to let a cough or cold go on for too long. If the symptoms worsen or persist for more than a week to 10 days, see your doctor. You may need an antibiotic or a prescription for something stronger than the drugs you can buy over the counter.

If your nose feels so clogged that you want to call the plumber, you may need a decongestant. Rogowski says to try a nasal spray first. It's the gentlest choice, since you'll absorb less of the medication. Even better, choose a saline nose spray ("just good old saltwater," says Rogowski). These sprays can help moisten the nasal passages and get your nose running again, which should help ease that stuffy, congested feeling in your sinuses.

But say you just have the sniffles. Look for an antihistamine. There are many on the market. But be careful to read labels. Avoid combination products. You don't want to take a decongestant as well, unless you really need one.

Cough It Up

Combining an expectorant and a cough suppressant, as many cold remedies do, may be counterproductive. An expectorant like the commonly used guaifenesin is designed to break up mucus in the lungs so you can cough it up and clear it out of the lungs. A cough suppressant--usually dextromethorphan, which is the "DM" on many cough-medicine labels--prevents this process.

Using a cough suppressant can make sense if coughing is keeping you awake at night, says Scott Drab, PharmD, CDE, a pharmacist, certified diabetes educator, and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. But usually, that's not the case. "Most patients think they need a cough suppressant all the time" he says. "But sometimes it's good to cough that mucus up and out of there and restore freer breathing."

Cough syrups can be just plain dangerous for people with diabetes. Many are sweetened with sugar. Others have a high alcohol content, which can lower blood sugar. This is not to be confused with some alcoholic beverages such as beer, which can raise blood sugar because of the carbohydrates they contain.

Fortunately, most drug stores also stock sugar-free, alcohol-free products (often labeled "diabetes-friendly"), such as Diabetic Tussin. But always check the labels yourself. And don't hesitate to ask the pharmacist.

Pain, Pain, Go Away

You also have to make some judgment calls with OTC painkillers. These fall into three basic groups: aspirin and aspirin-based products (as in Bufferin), acetaminophen (as in Tylenol and Anacin 3), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDS. These are ibuprofen (as in Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin), ketoprofen (as in Orudis KT and Actron), and naproxen sodium (as in Aleve).

For most types of everyday aches and pains--such as headaches, bruises, minor sprains, and strains-acetaminophen is the best choice. It's less likely to cause adverse side effects than other OTC painkillers. Acetaminophen also should be fine for osteoarthritis, where the pain is caused by deterioration of the joints--usually due to the wear-and-tear of aging. If acetaminophen isn't doing the job, it makes sense to move up to one of the NSAIDs, says Drab.

NSAIDs will also work better if you have rheumatoid arthritis. That's an autoimmune disease where inflammation is a major cause of the pain. So an anti-inflammatory like Advil or Motrin should help. The NSAIDs also work well for muscle strain--maybe from too much yard work or a game of touch football.

"I tell people with diabetes that if they did the weekend-warrior thing, and on Monday their muscles are killing them, they can take ibuprofen," says Rogowski. "But they should stick with the doses that are listed on the bottle."

One caveat on using NSAIDs: These drugs can cause sodium and water retention, which boosts blood pressure and increases the workload for the kidneys. They may also irritate the stomach and even promote ulcers--so it's advised to take these with food and plenty of water.

Of course, many types of pain fall outside of the OTC league. For example, if you get frequent migraines, talk to your doctor. There are some drugs that ward off migraines available by prescription. A cancer patient will need more powerful pain relievers--possibly even narcotic drugs. But note: Some prescription painkillers are habit-forming or cause other potential side effects. Take them only under a doctor's supervision. And never mix prescription painkillers with OTC medications. If your pain relief medicine isn't working, talk to your doctor about an alternative.

RELATED ARTICLE: The word on herbs.

Feel a cold coming on? You might be tempted to take an herbal or "natural" remedy to help ward it off. But the jury's still out on whether that will do you any good.

The most popular herbal remedy for colds these days is echinacea (pronounced ek-in-AY-shee-ah), a North American plant first used by Native Americans. According to its admirers, echinacea boosts the immune system, fending off colds and flu or shortening their duration.

Some clinical trials have supported that suggestion; others haven't. But the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is now funding several echinacea trials, so some objective conclusions may be available soon.

Here are some other "natural" cough and cold remedies that you can find in your local drug store:

Zinc. Proponents say zinc lozenges promote the growth of immune system cells, boosting the body's defenses against infectious disease, but clinical trials have produced inconsistent findings. Caution: Excessive zinc can be toxic to the liver.

Vitamin C. It's been more than 30 years since Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling proclaimed that large doses of vitamin C prevent colds. Unfortunately, clinical trials haven't proved him right. In fact, several trials suggest that megadoses of vitamin C and other vitamins may harm you. But many alternative-medicine advocates still swear by them.

Goldenseal. Touted as an immune system booster, goldenseal is said to soothe sore throats and protect against diarrhea. It has not been tested in clinical trials, although some of its components have impeded bacterial development in test tubes. Don't take it if you have high blood pressure or are taking blood-thinning medication.

Keep in mind that herbal and "natural" remedies are not screened by the government for safety and effectiveness. Nor do they have to meet the tight manufacturing standards that pharmaceutical companies face. If you want to try them anyway, let your doctor and pharmacist know what you are taking. Some herbal remedies can interfere dangerously with other

Bruce Agnew is a science writer from Bethesda, Md.