3K. Expectorant

Medicines that Clear Phlegm

Expectorant medicines are medicines that specifically clear Phlegm from the airways. However, this class of medicines are used for Phlegm conditions elsewhere in the body.

Various types of Phlegm
1. Cold-Phlegm-Damp: the true nature of Phlegm is cold and moist, and when uncomplicated, a Phlegm disorder is of this type. There is excess clear or white mucus, heaviness, the sound of rattling Phlegm in the Throat. Tongue is pale, moist, with a white coating, pulse is slow.
2. Phlegm–Heat: when Phlegm mixes with Heat (Bile) it forms Phlegm-Heat. The Mucus is thick, sticky, yellowish and maybe with a foul smell. Tongue is red with a thick yellowish coating and a rapid pulse.
3. Wind–Phlegm: Wind diseases may come from Phlegm obstructing the Brain and Nerves. In these cases medicines that clear Wind are combined with those that settle Wind and Spasms.

Ayurveda has the following group which act as Expectorants:
Licorice, Long Pepper, Hemidesmus, Hydroctyle asiatica, Solanum indicum, Solanum xanthocarpum, Sugar cane root, Raisins, Convolvulus paniculatus, Myrica sapida

Sample Expectorant Combinations:
1. Oxymel of Squill (6 drams), Gum Ammoniac (2 scruples), Cinnamon Water (2 ounces)
2. Gum Ammoniac (2 drams), Saffron, Benzoin (half dram each). Form 36 pills
3. Decoction of Senega (10 drams), Tragacanth powder (half dram), Spirit of Pennyroyal (1.5 drams), Syrup of Violet (2 drams)
4. Syrup of Squill (half ounce), Pennyroyal Water (5 oz.), Asafetida (1 dram)
5. Mucilage of Quince seed (half ounce), Syrup of Red Poppy (6 drams), Honey of Rose (1 ounce). Mix

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Warm Expectorants for Cold Phlegm

Calamint                        Thyme                        Rosemary                        Orris                        Raisin                        Jujube                        Almond                        Anise                        Ginger                        Mustard seed                        Horseradish                        Oregano                        Cress seed                        Bay berry                        Angelica                        Coltsfoot                        Myrrh                        Gum Ammoniac                        Squill                        Cyclamen                        Birthworts                        Colocynth prepared                        Pinellia Ban Xia                        Honey                        Earthworm                        Oil of Sulphur

Horehound Hyssop Camomile Calamus Date Fig Pine nuts Fennel Galangal Onion Radish seed Pennyroyal Nettle seed Juniper berry Elecampane Sundew Bdellium Asafetida Turbith Bryony Euphorbium Arum prepared Typhonium Bai Fu Zi Butter Fox Lungs Flowers of Sulphur

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Cold Expectorants for Hot Phlegm

Cold Seeds                        Lettuce seed                        Borage                        Barley                        Starch                        Marshmallow                        Ground Ivy                        Agaric                        Lungwort                        Kelp

Poppy seed Mallow seed Ribwort Plantain Rice Tabasheer Mallow Maidenhair Polypody Pellitory of the Wall Pumice

Warming Compounds

Diacalamintum                        Diareos Salomonis                        Diapenidium with Spices

Lohoch of Fox Lungs Diacyminum Lohoch Sanum & Expertum

Cooling Compounds

Diatragacanth Frigidum

Diapenidium

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Western Classification

2. Secondary Faculties a. Aperients b. Attenuaters c. Inciding Medicines d. Attenuaters of Congealed Blood e. Lenitive f. Purifying g. Cleansing h. Carminatives i. Antispasmodics j. Rarefying k. Resolvent l. Emollients m. Drawing n. Repellents o. Astringent p. Hemostatic q. Anodyne r. Narcotics & Hypnotics

s. Strengthening t. Glutinate u. Suppuratives v. Expel Pus w. Sarcotics x. Incarnative y. Corrosive z. Cicatrizing 3. Tertiary Faculties a. Sudorifics and Diaphoretics b. Febrifuge and Antipyretic c. Alexipharmic d. Cordials and Cardiacs e. Diuretics f. Lithontriptic g. Emmenagogue h. Lactagogue i. Aphrodisiacs j. Increase Semen

k. Expectorant l. Anti-tussive m. Arthritic Medicines n. Vulnerary o. Emetics p. Masticatories & Sternutatories q. Anthelmintic 4. According to Part a. Cephalic b. Opthalmic c. Cardiac d. Pectoral e. Stomachic f. Splenetic g. Hepatic h. Nephritics i. Uterine j. Nervine k. Arthritic