When you are struggling with a cough, it’s more than annoying. Not only can it be quite painful but it can be embarrassing too, especially if you are out and about when your cough decides to strike.
But, if a cough is wearing you down, remember you’re not alone. Research by Puressentiel – uk.puressentiel.com – the brains behind the evidence backed plant-based health products for everyday wellness needs – has found that a high one in three (36%) of Brits have had a cough in the last month, while a fifth (19%) had one in the last two months.
GP, Dr Nisa Aslam from Puressentiel- uk.puressentiel.com – explains: “A cough can be caused by a cold or flu, but also by various other factors, including allergies.[1] While a cough typically goes away on its own over time, it can be a good idea to use products targeted towards relieving coughs, to help reduce symptoms. After all, a cough can very much get in the way of normal living. Whether it’s a dry cough or a mucus cough, there’s no denying that it can become annoying!”
According to the Puressentiel real world data, a fifth of people would take time away from work if they had a cough or cold as they feel that it is important to rest. In fact, only 22% would keep working. Coughs and colds can also get in the way of physical activity as a quarter of Brits have skipped exercising outdoors with a cold, while 20% have skipped exercising indoors.
Easing your cough with nature
Explaining what natural remedies are, natural health specialist and chemist, Dr Tim Bond from the Puressentiel expert hub – uk.puressentiel.com -explains: “Natural remedies include any product borne out of nature, including plants and also essential oils. Nature offers many amazing ingredients which can help relieve you of nasty cough symptoms and it seems as though – judging by the Puressentiel data – that many Brits are already discovering the power of nature; only one in ten said natural solutions were not effective.”
Here, Dr Tim Bond and Dr Nisa Aslam have recommended their top natural ingredients borne out of nature that they swear by and say we should be looking for these ingredients in any respiratory product to help bust a cough. And the good news is that Puressentiel has a wide range of respiratory products that have smartly wrapped up all of the expert recommended ingredients, making the Puressentiel respiratory range a self-care essential.
#1. Eucalyptus: The essential oil e.globulus, extracted from eucalyptus, helps to clear mucus from the airways and break up mucus in the lungs, allowing you to breathe easier, plus it has antiseptic properties. “It has been incorporated in many of the Puressentiel cough cold remedies as it promotes bronchodilation as well as Puessentiels Purifying Air Spray,”[2] says Dr Tim Bond.
#2. Pine bud extract, also known as scots pine, has been found to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.[3] “Scots pine essential oil is often used to help against respiratory system ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, colds, sinusitis and sore throats,” says Dr Nisa Aslam. Dr Nisa Aslam adds, “as well as being a key ingredient carefully wrapped into many of the Puressentiel cough cold products, scots pine is also in Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray. This smart product is designed to be used indoors, and combines 41 essential oils — including two species of lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and geranium (pelargonium) — to combat airborne bacteria and viruses, fungal spores, and house-dust mites. A trial in patients with a history of respiratory symptoms showed significant improvements in lung function after just four weeks of use.[4]
#3. Honey: It’s more than just a natural sweetener for your morning porridge. According to research, natural honey could help to significantly reduce the severity of cough symptoms[5] and it’s been found to be ‘superior to usual care for the improvement of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.[6]
#4. Pinewood: Pinewood, also known as Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), has been found to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity[7].
Dr Tim Bond adds: “Scots pine essential oil is often used in to help against respiratory system ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs and sore throats.”
#5. Tea Tree: Often used in skin care, research shows that tea tree essential oil has strong antibacterial properties mainly thanks to its main component, terpinen-4.ol. “These properties explain the traditional use of tea tree oil in infections, including those of the respiratory tract – such as influenza and bronchitis – and the skin,” says Dr Tim Bond.
#6. Peppermint: Peppermint oil (as well as peppermint leaf) has been used internally to help clear catarrh of the respiratory tract and help with inflammation of the oral mucosa.[8]
#7. Lavender: A cough can disrupt sleep, so an essential oil such as lavender and linalool – a component of lavender-could help as they have been shown to increase relaxation and improve sleep whilst also improving mood.
#8. Erysimum: Found in Puressentiel’s new Acti Pure Kids Syrup, Erysimum, also known as wallflower, helps to soothe inflammatory throat pain.[9]
#9. Lemon: Lemon essential oil has been used for thousands of years for various reasons including helping to ease sore throats, coughs, cold and influenza, whilst also helping to induce relaxation and sleepiness.[10].
Puressentiel’s natural aids for easing your cough
Puressentiel’s broad range of products utilise the power of nature to help reduce the severity of your cough and allow you to get on with life more comfortably.
Puressentiel Respiratory Cough Syrup, available at Holland & Barrett contains three aromatic honeys – propolis, marshmallow and elderberry. “These help to soothe sore throats and support the body’s natural defences,” says Dr Tim Bond. He adds: “Puressentiel Respiratory Cough Syrup clears the upper respiratory tract by hydrating mucous membranes, reducing irritation and providing a lasting protection to reduce cough frequency.”
Puressentiel Respiratory Cough Syrup:
- 100% natural containing plants, essential oils, honey and propolis.
- Contains the essential oils Peppermint, Eucalyptus radia, Rosemary cineole, Lemon.
- Helps calm and reduce the frequency of coughs from the first day
- Sweet honey taste
- Reduces irritation and provides lasting protection for the mucous membrane.
- Suitable for ages 7 and above
Puressentiel’s Respiratory Soothing Syrup, available from Holland & Barret forms a protective film, soothing the throat, pharynx and tired vocal cords, while supporting your natural defences. Dr Nisa Aslam says: “It’s thanks to the combination of plant extracts, seven essential oils and soothing ingredients, such as honey and lemon.”
Dr Nisa Aslam and Dr Tim Bond swear by Puressentiel’s Respiratory Soothing Syrup because:
- 100% Natural, fast, effective relief
- Cough relief: soothes irritated mucous membranes that line our throats and cause us to cough. Plus, provides lasting protection for the upper respiratory tract
- Calms cough: reduces irritation and provides lasting protection for the tiny hairs, known as cilia – technical name: mucous membranes
- A natural, effective, special formula with a blend of: 3 aromatic honeys (thyme, lemon tree and lavender), marshmallow extract, elderberry & propolis
- Pleasant honey taste
- Non-drowsy and free from: gluten, colouring and preservatives
- A formulation with sustainable honey. For every purchase made, Puressentiel makes a donation to the global beekeeper’s network
- Suitable from three years plus
Puressentiel Respiratory Balm, available at Holland & Barrett helps to soothe the respiratory tract and promote good sleep thanks to its natural-origin formula. It’s ideal to apply just before bedtime.
Puressentiel Respiratory Balm:
- Natural, effective solution to help soothe your respiratory tract; this is ideal to apply just before bedtime.
- Offers a decongestant and soothing effect.
- Vegan, Cruelty-Free.
- 100% natural origin formula with a unique blend of 19 pure essential oils, including Lemon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender officinale, Lavandin grosso, Peppermint, Sylvestris Pine and Tea Tree.
For children aged three and above, Puressentiel Acti Pure Kids Syrup contains a 100% natural formula made of 100% pure organic honey, natural plant extracts of elderberry and erysimum and vegan vitamin D3, sourced from lichen. “This is ideal for soothing and softening children’s sore throats during winter. It helps unblock the nose and supports the body’s natural immunity at the first signs of a cold[11],” says Dr Tim Bond. 100% of parents said their kids felt better after using Acti Pure Syrup and would consider the product ideal to take from the first signs of a cold.[12]. Puressentiel Acti Pure Kids Syrup is:
- 100% natural with 100% organic honey, erysimum, elderberries and vegan vitamin D3 sourced from lichen
- Helps soothe and reduce the duration of cold and flu-like symptoms when used at the first signs of a cold
- Clears the nose and makes breathing easier, soothes sore throats and supports the body’s natural immunity
- Delicious natural taste
- Suitable for ages 3 and above
“A cough can be painful and disruptive and at times, when you start coughing, you may struggle to stop,” says Dr Nisa Aslam. “But harnessing nature’s pharmacy can help to reduce the disruption a cough can cause. Nature is filled with scientifically-backed ingredients that can help relieve symptoms and allow you to live more comfortably. Puressentiel’s respiratory range of products I highly recommend as it combines various plant-based ingredients to help alleviate respiratory ailments and the products are well studied, clinically proven and recommended by GPs in France.”
[2] A review published in the Archives of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Toxicology, published October 2021
[3] A review published in the Archives of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Toxicology, published October 2021
[4] Data on file General Practitioner’s Journal review (BAT PAO 21.12.2015_16h50_PURESSENTIEL_
[5]https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/
[7] A review published in the Archives of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Toxicology, published October 2021
[8] A review published in the Archives of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Toxicology, published October 2021
[10] A review published in the Archives of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Toxicology, published October 2021
[12] Evaluation of efficacy and perceived satisfaction after 7 days of use on 24 volunteers. Carried out on 24 children aged between 3 and 9 (average age: 7), prone to ENT ailments and sore throats and
not refractory to herbal CALs.