Dear Bob Liebert,

I am a forty year old man with Duschenes Muscular Dystrophy. Lately I have been suffering from an excessive buildup of mucous in my bronchial cavity. It is extremely thick and I have difficulty expelling it. What should I be taking to either thin it out or perhaps even inhibit the production of it all together?

Signed,
Roger

Dear Friend,

The symptoms follow what would be called in Chinese medicine Lung Phlegm Dryness; tough, sticky mucous that is hard to expell. Herbs are used that help in liquefying and aiding the expectoration of mucous from the lungs. Such herbs as Mullein, Grindelia and Violet are thought of. If there is much tension in the lungs and chest a relaxing excpectorant such as Lobelia or Black Cohosh can aid. A demulcent (coating, soothing) herb like Slippery Elm or Plantain can be added; Plantain also cuts down on production of mucous. See our Asthmaid Formula, which contains a number of these herbs and is formulated as an aid in such conditions.

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.