Coleus aromaticus: Uses And Health Benefits For Cough And Cold

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<p>Remember those chilly evenings when a scratchy throat or stubborn cough tried to ruin your day? A quick brew of crushed leaves in hot water or a spoonful of herbal syrup from grandma’s kitchen usually did the trick. It wasn’t just tradition — it worked. And now, science is beginning to understand why.</p><p>If you grew up in Southeast Asia or East Africa, chances are this familiar remedy came from a plant growing quietly in a pot by the window or the kitchen garden: Coleus aromaticus.</p><p>Known by many names — Indian borage, ajwain leaf, karpooravalli, dundu, or kikuyu oregano — this fuzzy, aromatic herb has been a trusted ally in countless homes for generations.</p><p>With its bold minty scent and powerful soothing properties, Coleus aromaticus is more than just a home remedy — it’s a natural defender of the lungs and throat. In Sri Lanka, coastal Kenya, and across the tropics, families steep its leaves in tea, crush them into a chest rub, or mix them with honey to ease coughs, colds, and congestion.</p><p>Handed down through generations, this “cure-it-all” leaf is still doing what it’s always done —gently helping us breathe a little easier when we need it most.</p><h2 id="What">What is Coleus aromaticus?</h2><ul><li>The plant, Coleus aromaticus, is a member of the genus Coleus (now known as Plectranthus) and the herbal family, Lamiaceae (Labiatae).</li><li>Other names include Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng, Coleus aromaticus Benth, and Coleus amboinicus Lour.</li></ul><p>This herb is large, juicy, fragrant, and perennial (it can produce seeds every year and live for more than two years).</p><p>Its height ranges from 30 to 90 cm. Its leaves have a unique scent. Originating in Indonesia, it is grown in Africa, Asia, and other tropical locations.</p><p><strong>This herb has been used to treat:</strong></p><ul><li>Cough and cold</li><li>Long-term asthma (breathing becomes challenging as the lungs' bronchial airways swell and become narrow)</li><li>Bronchitis (redness and swelling of the vast airways that connect the lungs and windpipe)</li></ul><h2 id="Health">Health benefits of Coleus aromaticus</h2><p>Our body naturally produces free radicals, (extremely reactive substances) that can damage cells. Antioxidants interact with free radicals to stop them from causing harm. Coleus aromaticus has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.</p><h3>Antimicrobial</h3><ul><li>The growth of fungi like Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Candida versatilis, Penicillium, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae is inhibited by the Coleus aromaticus essential oil, demonstrating its effectiveness against the different fungi tested.</li><li>The leaf's saltwater extract demonstrates strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive/negative bacteria, mainly due to thymol and its related compound carvacrol, which have antimicrobial properties.</li></ul><h3>Antioxidant</h3><ul><li>The ability of various plant extracts to scavenge free radicals is studied using the DPPH radical as a model system.</li><li>With a 60–69% DPPH-free radical-scavenging activity, the Coleus aromaticus leaves exhibit outstanding antioxidant potential.</li></ul><h3>Other benefits</h3><ul><li>The herb is an effective immune system booster due to its high ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) content.</li><li>The anti-inflammatory (lowers inflammation, i.e., swelling, pain, and redness) properties are found in leaves.</li></ul><h2 id="Benefits">Benefits during cough and cold</h2><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://media.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/coleus-aromaticus-benefits-for-cough-and-cold.webp" alt="Benefits during cough and cold" width="876" height="500"></p><ul><li>Coleus aromaticus is very useful in treating respiratory problems.</li><li>As an outstanding expectorant, it has also been demonstrated to aid in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, reducing the duration and severity of symptoms.</li><li>The plant has been shown to alleviate respiratory symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness in conditions like bronchitis, asthma, and COPD.</li><li>The various biologically active elements in Coleus aromaticus have anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory (that opens up the tiny airways of the lungs), and immunomodulatory (increases or decreases the immune system's activity) properties, which may help in respiratory conditions like cough and cold.</li><li>Coleus aromaticus is commonly used to treat sore throats, persistent (long-lasting) coughs, asthma, and bronchitis. Its main benefits for cough and cold are present in the leaves.</li></ul><h3>Use of Coleus aromaticus leaves during cough and cold</h3><ul><li>They are mostly used to cure headaches, asthma, and fever. Infusions made from Coleus aromaticus leaves or aromatic syrup are found to be highly effective in treating coughs.</li><li>Honey-infused Coleus aromaticus leaf juice helps with colds and coughs, and a warm, concentrated infusion helps with respiratory infections.</li><li>Chewing the Coleus aromaticus leaves provides relief because of thymol and carvacrol at high levels, which are good expectorants (medications that cause mucus to be released from the respiratory tract) and help clear the sinuses (an opening, gap, or passageway within the body) by removing mucus and phlegm.</li><li>Mucus is a sticky and viscous fluid produced by the cells enclosing the mouth, throat, lungs, and nose. Phlegm is an excessive quantity of viscous mucus.</li></ul><p>According to a study, after seven days of treatment with a 600 mg daily dosage (in three 200 mg doses spaced eight hours apart), Coleus aromaticus has been shown to be a rapid, effective, and safe way to help those with common cold by improving expectoration and reducing cough.</p><ul><li>Coleus aromaticus leaves also contain substances like ursolic acid and rosmarinic acid in addition to carvacrol and thymol.</li><li>Strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are exhibited by rosmarinic acid. By reducing oxidative stress — the body's oversupply of free radicals, or unstable molecules— and lung inflammation, it can help treat respiratory disorders.</li></ul><h2 id="Uses">Uses of Coleus aromaticus</h2><p>You may wonder what possible uses such a beneficial aromatic plant could have. The vast health benefits of Coleus aromaticus have made it possible to use it in various applications.</p><h3>Skincare</h3><ul><li>Coleus aromaticus causes sweating, which helps the skin rid itself of impurities and accelerates the healing process.</li><li>The antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties of Coleus aromaticus and zinc facilitate wound healing.</li><li>Essential oils found in Coleus aromaticus leaves and stems are utilized in skin care products like creams and cosmetics.</li></ul><h3>Scent for various purposes</h3><ul><li>Coleus aromaticus leaves are used in laundry.</li><li>After a bath, leaves are rubbed on the hair to give fragrance to the hair and on the body to eliminate the body odor.</li><li>They can also be applied to the body to keep insects away.</li></ul><h3>Cough and cold medicines</h3><ul><li>Coleus aromaticus has various properties that help treat cough and cold and can thus be used to make cough and cold medicines like syrups, tablets, and capsules.</li></ul><h3>Food</h3><ul><li>Coleus aromaticus is used to cook and flavor beef, lamb, and poultry dishes because of the leaves' aromatic scent.</li><li>In the West Indies, this herb is primarily dried and then used with a few seasonings.</li><li>Carvacrol, found in Coleus aromaticus, helps to extend the shelf life and improve food taste.</li><li>Research also reveals that Coleus aromaticus contains many biomolecules, including fatty acids, macronutrients (proteins, fiber, and carbohydrates), micronutrients (like vitamins A, B, and C), and minerals (like calcium, iron, and magnesium).</li><li>Coleus aromaticus may thus find use as a food additive and in the development of dietary supplements.</li></ul><h3>How to incorporate Coleus aromaticus into your routine?</h3><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://media.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/coleus-aromaticus-juice-for-cough-or-cold.webp" alt="How to incorporate Coleus aromaticus into your routine" width="876" height="500"></p><p>Coleus aromaticus is a versatile herb with numerous health benefits that you can easily incorporate into your routine.</p><p>For personal care, try skincare products with Coleus aromaticus extracts or use the leaves for a refreshing scent on your skin and hair.</p><ul><li>For health care, drinking warm, honey-infused leaf juice may help soothe a cough or cold.</li><li>In the kitchen, add it to sauces, dips, or non-vegetarian dishes for extra flavor, or make fritters by chopping the leaves and frying them in batter.</li><li>Alternatively, Coleus aromaticus supplements offer another way to enjoy its health benefits.</li></ul><h2 id="Conclusion">Conclusion</h2><p>From scratchy throats to stubborn coughs, Coleus aromaticus has long been a comforting remedy across generations. Rich in thymol and carvacrol, this aromatic herb works as a natural expectorant, helping to clear congestion and ease breathing. Thanks to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-supporting properties, it’s more than just a traditional cure—it’s a potent ally for respiratory health.</p><p>Whether used in teas, syrups, or as part of your daily wellness routine, Coleus aromaticus continues to earn its place not just in our gardens, but in our personal care, diets, and everyday health rituals.</p>

<ul><li><a href="#What">What is Coleus aromaticus?</a></li><li><a href="#Health">Health benefits of Coleus aromaticus</a></li><li><a href="#Benefits">Benefits during cough and cold</a></li><li><a href="#Uses">Uses of Coleus aromaticus</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">Conclusion</a></li></ul>

Coleus aromaticus: Uses And Health Benefits For Cough And Cold

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Coleus aromaticus: Uses And Health Benefits For Cough And Cold

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