Snot What You Want

Are you bugged by catarrh?

T’is the season of snuffles and sniffles, and many people are reaching for their Echinacea in order to ward off colds and flu. Not everyone is in time to nip infection in the bud, though, and these days people sometimes seem to have a great deal of trouble throwing off the original bug. It lurks and lingers and weeks or even months can go by before the cough or the catarrh finally takes its departure.
Catarrh is irritating enough if it hangs around at the end of a cold, keeping you in a state of hanky-dependent, snuffling discomfort. It’s worse if it becomes a feature of your general life, dripping down the back of your throat of a morning, and constantly making you feel as if you’re trying to swallow the back of your nose.

The sticky stuff

Catarrh is the result of mucus production, and mucus is produced by the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract, from the nose to the lungs. The mucous membranes mostly produce their sticky, slippery goo in order to trap infectious organisms such as bacteria, which we can then blow or cough out with the mucus. Mucus will also entrap irritating molecules such as dust particles or pollen, and is produced in greater amounts when the nasal passages are inflamed due to suchlike environmental irritants.
Another reason for excessive mucus production is sensitivity to dairy products, making it sensible to avoid excessive consumption of these when struggling with catarrhal congestion.

Save yourself from snot

The herb Plantago works on the mucous membranes in the ear/nose/throat tract (ENT), soothing and healing them. The soothing action is due to the mucilage found in Plantago – it coats the membranes and prevents further irritation, which in turn reduces the amount of mucus being produced. Then the tannins and bitters Plantago contains come into play with their astringent action, which cleanses the mucous membranes and helps tone them up. This is particularly useful if you have had a long period of inflammation and congestion that has weakened the membranous lining of the ENT. You can team it up with Echinacea, as this is also anti-inflammatory for the respiratory tract (and prevents you getting another cold!).
Easing congestion in the ENT tract will also relieve pressure on the sinuses. This is a welcome development if you have been suffering headaches and constant pressure around your eyes and nose. The sinuses are hollows in the bony structure of the skull and will fill with phlegm when the mucous membranes are overloaded, which can be extremely painful. Removing ENT tract congestion may also help to resolve issues such as tinnitus or hearing problems.