---
title: "28 Herbs for Respiratory, Throat & Mouth: Evidence & Safety"
description: "Herbs and essential oils used for coughs, sore throats, hoarseness and oral health. Most essential oils must not be swallowed."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

Explore by need

# Respiratory, Throat & Mouth

Herbs and essential oils used for coughs, sore throats, hoarseness and oral health. Most essential oils must not be swallowed.

28 herbs · 5 with clinical evidence (A/B) · 8 not marked avoid in pregnancy

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Hide herbs to avoid in pregnancyHide external-use-only herbsStrong / limited evidence only (A/B)

These filters do not guarantee safety. Results may include herbs with unknown safety.

**28** herbs found

 

### [Ivy Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ivy-leaf/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Hedera helix

Syrups and drops with standardised ivy leaf extract are used as an expectorant for chesty cough. The leaf itself is not made into tea.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Syrup & Paste](https://herbadex.com/en/form/syrup-paste/)

 

### [Peppermint Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/peppermint-oil/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Mentha × piperita

Gastro-resistant peppermint oil capsules may ease IBS cramps, wind and pain; oil rubbed on the forehead may ease mild tension headache.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1

[Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/)

### [Black Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-seed/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Nigella sativa

A spice seed for which small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. Kitchen amounts are safe.

[Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) +1

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

 

### [Black Seed Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-seed-oil/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Nigella sativa

Oil pressed from black seed. Small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar and cholesterol and limited benefit in asthma.

[Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) +1

[Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/)

 

### [Frankincense (Olibanum)](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/frankincense/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Boswellia sacra / Boswellia serrata

The resin of the Boswellia tree. Standardised extracts are backed by limited clinical studies for pain and mobility in knee osteoarthritis.

[Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Resin & Gum](https://herbadex.com/en/form/resin-gum/)

 

### [Anise](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/anise/)

T Traditional use

Pimpinella anisum

Aniseed tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for cough that comes with a cold.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

### [Black Mulberry Syrup](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-mulberry-syrup/)

T Traditional use

Morus nigra

A black mulberry syrup traditionally used in Anatolia for mouth ulcers and sore throats. It is rich in anthocyanins and high in sugar.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/)

[Syrup & Paste](https://herbadex.com/en/form/syrup-paste/)

 

### [Broadleaf Plantain](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/broadleaf-plantain/)

T Traditional use

Plantago major

Broadleaf plantain is traditionally used as a tea for mouth and throat irritation and dry cough, and as a fresh leaf on minor skin wounds.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Calendula](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/calendula/)

T Traditional use

Calendula officinalis

Calendula flower is traditionally used for minor skin inflammation such as sunburn, as an aid to heal minor wounds and as a mouth gargle.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

### [Chamomile](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/chamomile/)

T Traditional use

Matricaria recutita

A gentle herbal tea traditionally used for bloating and mild stomach cramps, common cold symptoms and mouth or throat irritation.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/) +2

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

### [Clove](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/clove/)

T Traditional use

Syzygium aromaticum

Dried clove flower buds. Traditionally used for temporary toothache relief and bad breath; their main active compound is eugenol.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/)

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

 

### [Clove Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/clove-oil/)

T Traditional use

Syzygium aromaticum

Traditionally used as a mouthwash for minor mouth and throat inflammation and for temporary relief of toothache from a cavity. It does not replace a dentist.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/)

 

### [Costus Root](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/costus-root/)

T Traditional use

Saussurea costus

The root known as costus (kust-i hindi). It shows antimicrobial effects in the lab; there are no human studies, and fakes carry a serious kidney poisoning risk.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/)

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

 

### [Cubeb Pepper](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cubeb-pepper/)

T Traditional use

Piper cubeba

Cubeb, or "tailed pepper", is a relative of black pepper. Traditionally used for cough and indigestion; there are no clinical data.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/)

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

 

### [Eucalyptus Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/eucalyptus-oil/)

T Traditional use

Eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus oil is used as steam or a chest rub for cough with a cold and on the skin for localised muscle pain; never under age 2.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/)

[Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/)

 

### [Fennel](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/fennel/)

T Traditional use

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel seed tea is traditionally used for bloating and wind, for mild period cramps and for cough that comes with a cold.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Women’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/womens-health/) +1

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

 

### [Licorice Root](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/licorice-root/)

T Traditional use

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Traditionally used for heartburn and indigestion and as an expectorant for cough with a cold; it needs care as it can raise blood pressure and lower potassium.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Marshmallow Root](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/marshmallow-root/)

T Traditional use

Althaea officinalis

Marshmallow root is soaked in cold water and used to soothe throat irritation with dry cough and mild stomach discomfort.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Mustard Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/mustard-seed/)

T Traditional use

Brassica spp. / Sinapis alba

A seed used as a spice and condiment. Crushed into a poultice, its warming effect is traditionally used for muscle and joint pain and chest colds.

[Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

### [Pine Cone Syrup](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/pine-cone-syrup/)

T Traditional use

Pinus spp.

A syrup made by steeping young pine cones in sugar. Traditionally used for cough and throat irritation; there are no clinical data.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Syrup & Paste](https://herbadex.com/en/form/syrup-paste/)

 

### [Ribwort Plantain](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ribwort-plantain/)

T Traditional use

Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort plantain leaf is traditionally used for throat irritation with dry cough, for cough with a cold and for minor skin inflammation.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Sage](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sage/)

T Traditional use

Salvia officinalis

Sage leaf is traditionally used as a gargle for mouth and throat inflammation, for mild indigestion and for excessive sweating.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) +1

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Spanish Lavender](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/spanish-lavender/)

T Traditional use

Lavandula stoechas

Spanish lavender, growing around the Mediterranean. Traditionally used for nervous tension and cough; it contains camphor and fenchone, unlike true lavender.

[Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

 

### [Tea Tree Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/tea-tree-oil/)

T Traditional use

Melaleuca alternifolia

Tea tree oil is used on the skin only for small wounds, insect bites, small spots and mild athlete's foot itching; it must not be swallowed.

[Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/)

-   [Terebinth Berry](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/terebinth-berry/) · Pistacia terebinthus
-   [Thyme](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/thyme/) · Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis
-   [Thyme Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/thyme-oil/) · Thymus vulgaris
-   [Witch Hazel](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/witch-hazel/) · Hamamelis virginiana

This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.