HERBAL REMEDY FOR DYR COUGH (IKO EGBE) IN YORUBA HERBAL MEDICINE
BY BABALAWO OBANIFA
This work shall document
different herbal remedies that is available in Yoruba herbal medicine for
curing Dry cough. Dry cough is popularly called Iko Egbe in Yoruba herbal medicine.
The work will critically examine among other things, scientific or orthodox
medical explanations of what this disease is, their symptom, causes and
treatment, The Yoruba traditional herbal remedies for this diseases, as well as
Allayurvedia remedies for dry cough. In attempt to make this work very comprehensive, knowledge
has been gather on this topic under this discussion from various reliable
authority. To make sure that the reader have adequate knowledge of this diseases
and it cure. Babalawo obanifa did not
claim accolade or property right over the orthodox medical information
in this work, as they are solely derive from experts in the field of orthodox medicine,
but they are adopted here for
explanation sake. Only the various explanation on Yoruba herbal remedies that
is reveal and document in this work are
exclusively that of Babalawo Obanifa,
before we start to explain different herbal remedies for dry coughs that is available in Yoruba herbal
medicine . Our first point of call will be to explain what this diseases is, from
orthodox perspective. In attempt to do this, the orthodox medical explanation on dry cough that caught my attention is that
of http://www.mydr.com.au/respiratory-health/cough-dry-cough. I choose this out of myriad of sources available because
of their simplicity of style and diction that can by understand by any lay man.
According to this aforementioned source, Dry cough is a cough where no phlegm or mucus
is produced (known as non-productive). A dry cough is irritating, usually with
a tickly throat.
How long does a cough normally last?
Coughs associated with
a cold or the flu tends to last a week or 2, most clearing up within about 3
weeks. A post-viral cough may persist for several (up to about 8) weeks after a
viral illness, while some coughs persist for longer and are usually a sign of
an underlying problem.
In adults and
children, a cough is described as acute (short term) if you have been coughing
for up to 2 weeks.
In adults, a cough
that lasts for more than 8 weeks is described as a chronic (ongoing) persistent
cough.
In children, a cough
that lasts 2 to 4 weeks is called a prolonged acute cough. A cough that lasts
more than 4 weeks is considered to be a chronic cough.
Causes of dry cough
A dry cough is often
the result of:
- a viral illness, such as a cold or influenza (the flu); or
- a post-viral, or post-infective, cough (cough that persists for weeks after a viral illness).
However, a dry cough
may be a result of other problems, such as:
- asthma;
- gastro-oesophageal reflux;
- smoking;
- allergic rhinitis (hay fever) due to inhaling substances you are allergic to, such as pollen, dust or pet dander;
- post-nasal drip (the drainage of mucus secretions from the nose or sinuses down the back of the throat);
- laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx, also known as the voice box);
- whooping cough;
- obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring;
- habit cough (a cough that is only present in the daytime and not caused by illness – it most often affects school-aged children);
- certain types of lung disease known as interstitial lung disease; or
- a side effect from a medicine (for example, cough is a possible side effect of most ACE inhibitors – often prescribed for high blood pressure).
Other, less common,
causes of a dry cough include:
- heart failure;
- pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs); or
- lung cancer.
A dry cough can be
aggravated by:
- breathing cold, dry air;
- air pollution;
- inhaled irritants such as dust or smoke;
- exposure to tobacco smoke;
- excessive use of your voice; or
- a change in temperature.
Complications
A persistent dry cough
can cause problems, including the following complications.
- Repeated coughing can lead to urinary incontinence in women, especially older women, pregnant women and those who have been pregnant.
- Interrupted sleep resulting in tiredness is a common problem for people with a persistent cough.
- Severe or uncontrollable coughing fits can sometimes cause vomiting.
- Headaches may result from a persistent cough.
Can I hurt myself coughing?
When a cough is
severe, pulled chest muscles and even fractured ribs are a possible
complication.
Diagnosis and tests
Your doctor will ask
about your cough and any other symptoms you may have, and perform a physical
examination. Depending on your age, history and examination, your doctor may
order tests such as:
- a chest X-ray;
- a throat swab (sample of secretions from the back of your throat which can be tested for infections);
- lung function tests; or
- allergy tests.
Dry coughs are often
related to a viral illness and in most cases special tests are not needed.
When should you seek medical advice about a dry cough?
You should you seek
medical advice if:
- you start to cough up blood or copious amounts of mucus (phlegm);
- you are short of breath or wheezy;
- the cough is mainly at night;
- you have associated chest pain;
- you have a fever;
- you are a cigarette smoker;
- you have a hoarse voice;
- the cough is associated with vomiting or a choking sensation;
- you have other symptoms such as an ongoing headache, sore ears or a rash;
- you have recently lost weight or have general muscle aches;
- the cough is in an infant aged 6 months or younger;
- the cough has lasted longer than 10 days, with little or no improvement; or
- you have high blood pressure, a heart complaint, respiratory illness (such as asthma), gastric problems or are taking other medicines.
Yoruba Traditional
Herbal Remedy for Dry Cough by Babalawo Obanifa
The following herbal remedies that will be explained below are used
in Yoruba herbal medicine to cure dry cough.
1.
Get the following:
Alubosa Ayu mewa( 10 garlic)
Orogbo mewa( 10 bitter kola)
Atale meje ( 7 ginger)
Alubosa onisu meje( 7 onion)
Omi
osan grap igo meji ( 2 liters of grape
juice)
Oyin igan igo meji (2 liters of natural honey)
Omi igo merin ( 4 lliters of ordinary potable
water)
Mix the grape juice, water and honey together,
grind the bitter kola , garlic and ginger and onion together . Mix it with the
already mixed water, honey and grape juice ,
Use:
Adult will be taking this herbal remedies half a glass three times a
day.
2.
Ewe osan agbalumo ekun owo kan ( a handful of star apple
leaves)
Oyin igan igo kan( one liter of natural honey)
Grind the star apple leaves into fine powder. Grind
it well; pour the grinded powder into one liter of natural honey. Mix it
together well.
Uses: adult will be taking it one full table
spoon morn ad night.
Children
will be taking it half table spoon morning and night.
Allayurveda
Remedies for Dry Cough
Spicy Ginger Tea
Ayurveda: Often referred to as vishwabhesaj in Ayurveda, ginger truly is ‘the universal medicine’. According to Ayurvedic specialists, ginger decreases Vata and Kapha, while increasing Pitta, helping relieve a variety of respiratory disorders. The use of ginger for dry cough treatment is highly recommended, as it doesn’t just reduce phlegm, but also relieves inflammation.The Evidence: Ginger’s active components of gingerol have been proven to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects that can help relieve a dry cough, supporting its traditional Ayurvedic use. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center, US, also demonstrated that ginger works as a powerful bronchodilator, encouraging rapid relaxation of the airway smooth muscle. Their study also supports the use of ginger as an adjunct to asthma treatment.
What Does This Mean For You?
Pour yourself a cup of hot and spicy ginger tea. This herbal tea packs a punch and will leave you feeling a lot better in no time.
How To:
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Ingredients
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Recipe Instructions
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Add 2
tablespoons of freshly shredded ginger to a glass of water. Use a saucer to
bring the water to a boil and let it steep for at least 15 minutes. Allow the
water to cool down a bit and add honey to sweeten it. Drink this at least
twice or thrice a day to get relief from a dry cough and to promote healing.
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Homemade Honey Cough Syrup
Ayurveda: Honey is one of the most widely used ingredients in Ayurvedic medicine and with good cause. Referred to as ‘madhu’, the ingredient is used both as a flavoring or masking agent, and also as a medicinal ingredient in itself. In fact, one of the most widely prescribed Ayurvedic medications for a dry cough is Talisadi churna mixed with honey.The Evidence: Over the years, there has been mounting evidence to support the use of honey in the treatment of respiratory conditions like a dry cough and persistent post-infectious cough. A 2007 study, “Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents”, shows that honey provides more symptomatic relief than many commonly used OTC cough syrups.
What Does This Mean For You?
Ditch the OTC cough syrup and reach for your jar of honey. You can bet that a honey cough syrup will soothe your throat and give you some respite.
How To:
Basil Concoction
Ayurveda: Holy basil, better known to most Indians as Tulsi, is regarded as the most sacred plant in any herbalist’s arsenal. The use of this herb is not restricted to religious rituals however, and it has also been used to increase ojas and prana, concepts that relate directly to immunity and energy. Tulsi is therefore a staple ingredient today in most Ayurvedic cough syrups, cough suppressants and expectorants.The Evidence: There is a need for more clinical trials to support the use of holy basil in the treatment of dry coughs and other ailments. However, reviews of the existing literature suggest that this herb can be safely used to deal with immunological stress and several other health conditions. Researchers at Jeypore College of Pharmacy, India, also examined the results of several studies and found them to be supportive of the use of holy basil in home treatments.
What Does This Mean For You?
If that annoying cough has left you praying for divine intervention, holy basil just might be the answer to your prayers. So, get off your knees and head to your kitchen cabinet now!
How To:
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Ingredients
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Recipe Instructions
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If you’re
pressed for time, you can simply chew on some fresh basil leaves or take tulsi capsules for quick relief. At other times, you
can add a handful of basil leaves to boiling water and steep for 15 minutes.
In addition to ingesting basil, as
described above, you can also use basil essential oil for steam inhalation. Just add a
few drops of the oil to basin of boiling water and inhale the steam. |
Turmeric Milk (Golden Milk)
Ayurveda: Popularly referred to as haldi across the Indian subcontinent, turmeric has been used in traditional medicine by Indians for millennia. Ayurvedic specialists believe that in addition to balancing your doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha, it also has a positive effect on rasa and rakta dhatu (the circulatory system). Traditionally, this ingredient has been used in combination with milk or ghee to treat a dry cough or sore throat.The Evidence: The efficacy of turmeric for respiratory tract infections has been confirmed by modern science. These benefits are attributed to turmeric’s main ingredient – curcumin, which exhibits strong antimicrobial activity. In addition, research shows that curcumin also fights inflammation, providing relief from any inflammatory condition, including a sore throat or dry cough. A promising study, titled “Evaluation of Efficacy of Curcumin as an Add-on therapy in Patients of Bronchial Asthma”, even supports the use of curcumin as a complimentary therapy in the treatment of bronchial asthma.
What Does This Mean For You?
It’s time for you to pour yourself a glass of warm turmeric milk. This simple dry cough remedy provides quick relief and it can also help treat some common throat infections.
How To:
The Onion Juice Remedy
Ayurveda: Although the intake of onions is generally restricted in Ayurveda, it has also long been recognized for its therapeutic value. Onion consumption increases ushna veerya (the fire component), acting as an appetite stimulant and energy booster. It normalizes Vata, while increasing Kapha and Pitta. For this reason, the use of onion for dry cough relief can be effective, provided it is used in moderation.The Evidence: Findings of the study “Potential therapeutic effect of Allium cepa L. and quercetin in a murine model of Blomia tropicalis induced asthma” show that treatment with onion extract offers anti-inflammatory benefits, also helping relax the trachea. This makes it useful not just in the treatment of asthma, but also for other types of dry cough. Some researchers believe that onion’s therapeutic benefits can be attributed to the presence of sulfur compounds.
What Does This Mean For You?
Whether you can brave onion breath or not, this might be a good time to try out an onion cough remedy. Besides, it seems like a fair trade off!
How To:
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Ingredients
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Recipe Instructions
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Extract
raw onion juice and mix with an equal amount of raw honey. Allow the mixture
to stand for at least 3-4 hours before using. You can have a tablespoon of
the concoction thrice a day.
If you cannot wait for 3 hours or more, you
can also make an onion broth by boiling raw onions in water. |
Aloe Vera Mixture
Ayurveda: Referred to as kumari in Ayurveda, Aloe vera is believed to help balance all 3 doshas and is useful in the treatment of diseases caused by Pitta aggravation. Although most commonly used in the treatment of skin conditions, it has wide range of medicinal uses and can also help in the treatment of a dry cough.The Evidence: Although more research is needed to prove the efficacy of aloe vera for dry cough treatment, studies so far lend credence to the use of this medicinal herb. In fact, researchers have even isolated unique inflammatory compounds like C-glycosyl chromone from aloe extracts. The evidence therefore suggests that aloe can help to reduce inflammation and irritation in the throat, providing relief from a dry cough.
What Does This Mean For You?
You’ve tried it on your skin, so maybe it’s time to test it on your throat. You can be sure that it’ll pass with flying colors, providing quick relief from the hacking and throat irritation.
How To:
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Ingredients
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Recipe Instructions
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Possibly
the simplest of all home remedies for a dry cough, an aloe vera mixture for
dry cough relief only requires a glass of aloe
vera juice and a teaspoon or two of honey. Add the honey to your glass of
aloe juice, mix well, and you’re good to go. You can drink this twice or
thrice a day.
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Peppermint Solutions
Ayurveda: An herb that can be found in almost every Indian kitchen, pudina or peppermint has long been a part of the Ayurvedic tradition. Helping normalize the flow of prana vayu through the body and reducing the buildup of ama, practitioners of Ayurveda recommend pudina for dry coughs, as well as wet coughs.The Evidence: A staple ingredient in almost every OTC preparation for coughs and colds, peppermint’s main component menthol has been used in conventional medicine for over a century. A review of ingredients used in the treatment of coughs, “Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives” suggests that menthol may work through its activation of nasal sensory afferents. Researchers from Brazil’s Ceará State University also found that peppermint oil has an antispasmodic effect that would logically translate to quick relief from coughing spasms.
What Does This Mean For You?
It’s time to try some menthol meds and no, menthol lights are not a suitable delivery mechanism. You can try steam inhalation using peppermint oil or simply reach out for some peppermint drops. As an added bonus, your breath will be minty fresh!
How To:
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Ingredients
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Recipe Instructions
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Mix a few
drops of peppermint oil, along with a carrier oil like almond oil, and apply this across your
chest. For something more powerful, try using peppermint steam inhalation.
Add a few drops of peppermint oil to a bowl of boiling water and inhale the
steam for a few minutes. You can add eucalyptus and rosemary oils to the
water, but this is optional.
As a first resort, if you find boiling
water to be too tedious, you can also suck on some peppermint candy or peppermint lozenges for quick relief.
Just make sure that they don’t contain too much sugar. |
Eucalyptus Steam Inhalation
Ayurveda: Often described as ‘Nilgiri taila’, in India, eucalyptus occupies an important position in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a heating energy that helps to lower Vata and Kapha, while increasing Pitta. The oil of eucalyptus is recommended as a remedy for dry coughs because of its effectiveness as a decongestant that also promotes vitality.The Evidence: Because of the widespread use of eucalyptus oils in traditional medicines, there has been significant interest in its therapeutic applications in modern medicine. Eucalptus oil is now recognized as powerful natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. In addition to its efficacy for fighting infections, the plant’s oil has also been proven to possess immune-stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. This was demonstrated in the study “Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of Eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices”. The study authors recommend either inhalation or ingestion for relief from respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
What Does This Mean For You?
It probably won’t cure Ebola or protect you from SARS, but you can be sure that it will make your throat feel a hell of a lot better. In addition to providing symptomatic relief, eucalyptus oil could also help treat the infection, depending on the underlying cause of your dry cough.
How To:
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Ingredients
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Recipe Instructions
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Instead of
doing the usual saltwater gargle, add a pinch of salt and 2 drops of
eucalyptus oil to a glass of warm water for your gargle.
Apply a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your
palms and gently massage your throat and upper chest.Steam inhalation is perhaps the most effective method of delivery for quick relief. Simply add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of boiling water and inhale the vapor.
Copyright: Babalawo Pele Obasa Obanifa, phone
whatsapp contact : +2348166343145, location Ile Ife osun state Nigeria.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As regards the
article above, all rights reserved, no part of this article may be reproduced
or duplicated in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including
photocopying and recording or by any information storage or retrieval system
without prior written permission from the copyright holder and the author Babalawo Obanifa, doing so is
considered unlawful and will attract legal consequences
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