Expectorant — herbalism term · PlantSage glossary
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Expectorant defined
— Clears mucus from the airways.
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The definition
Plants that aid removal of mucus from the respiratory tract. Two subtypes: stimulating expectorants (irritate the bronchi to increase clearance) and relaxing expectorants (loosen tight, dry coughs).
Mechanism
Saponins thin secretions, volatile oils stimulate ciliary action, mucilage in relaxing expectorants soothes spasmodic coughs while saponins below do the clearing work.
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Example plants
Classic species in this category from the PlantSage archive.
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See also
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