Dear Bob Liebert,

I have had a chronic cough for 5+ years. I had Hodgkins 10 years ago with radiation and chemotherapy treatments. I have acid reflux and use preilosec. During the day my cough is tolerable but at night, I cough for 2 plus hours before I finally fall asleep and thus am very sleep deprived. I have had X-rays, a scoping and no final solution. Please help.

Sleep Deprived

Dear Friend,

Two good herbs to aid in controlling unproductive and irritative coughs are the extracts of Sundew and Wild Cherry bark; they can be taken as needed. Before bed and during the night and another dose in the night if needed are advised. Since the cough is related to problems with acid reflux, herbs are traditionally used to cut the acid and aid in healing the lining of the esophagus; Meadowsweet is used on both accounts, along with a gruel made of Slippery Elm bark powder stirred into a 1/2 cup of water and letting it set for 5 minutes, taken twice a day. If there is problems digesting foods, and fats in particular, the addition of Dandelion Root extract or tea can be taken once a day.

(If you wish, I can combine the Sundew and Wild Cherry extracts; the Meadowseet and Slippery Elm I also have. These would have to be ordered by phone 417-683-3491. I have seen very good results with these remedies).

You can buy these herbs and many more in the Formula and Single Herb sections of the Teeter Creek Herb website. Herbs that don't appear in the Formula or Single Herb lists can usually be requested in the "Message" section at the bottom of the order page.

The information expressed is the personal observations of Herbalist Bob Liebert based on his personal experience and his studies of folk and traditional herbalism. These observations are not meant to be a substitute for qualified medical diagnosis and treatment. Uses of many of the herbs have not been scientifically verified.