Antitussives

Antitussive: relieves coughing

Antitussives act peripherally or centrally on the brain. They reduce the input of stimuli 1) by acting as a mild analgesic or anesthetic on the respiratory mucosa, 2) by modifying output or viscosity of the respiratory tract fluid, or 3) by relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchi.

Examples:

• Papaver somniferum (poppy) — act centrally

• Thymus vulgaris (thyme) — act peripherally