FAQ- Why we have so many cough formulas (and how to choose the right one)
Posted by TriLight Health on Sep 16th 2026
Q-Why do you have so many cough formulas?
A- Coughs are one of the trickiest things to find the right remedy for, because no two are really the same. Even within one family, during the same illness, you'll hear different coughs from each person: barking, croupy, dry, deep, hacking, rattling, loose, whooping, worse at night, or the kind that just won't let up. A cough can show up on its own or ride along with half a dozen other symptoms.
That's exactly why we don't make just one cough formula. Herbs work on different systems in the body, so we've created six formulas, each rooted in a different kind of cough or a different piece of what's going on underneath it. Here's how they break down, and how to figure out which one (or two) belong in your medicine cabinet.
Here is a list of our herbal cough formulas-
Lungs Plus focuses on deeper respiratory tract support and is a popular choice right before bed.
Lung Tonic is our pregnancy-friendly answer to Lungs Plus, offering similar support but designed with pregnancy in mind. Families also reach for it when a cough is tied to allergies rather than a cold.
RespaClear works a little differently than the other five. It pairs immune support with respiratory relief in one bottle, designed by midwife and clinical herbalist Shonda Parker specifically with pregnancy and nursing in mind. It's concentrated, so a little goes a long way, and it's meant for short-term, as-needed use rather than daily use.
Scout Out is called our "antibiotic tonic" by many of our customers.0 Formulated by D. Walt Burchett, the 7th-generation Cherokee herbalist known as Medicine Bear, Scout Out is blended from herbs traditionally used to support the body during infection. It works well on its own or rotated with any of the other formulas here.
Sinus Minus, as the name suggests, this one targets the sinuses. When a cough is coming from post-nasal drip or sinus problems rather than the lungs themselves, Sinus Minus addresses that source instead of just the symptom.
Wild Cherry Coffaway is our most versatile cough formula, and usually the one families reach for first. Crafted around wild cherry bark, one of the best-known herbs for cough, it's especially suited to coughs that come with congestion.
Not sure which is right for you?
Customer reviews are a great place to start; TriLight families are generous about sharing what worked for their specific kind of cough. You also don't have to choose just one. Several of these formulas are already bundled into our Cold & Flu Day Kit and Cold & Flu Night Kit, so you don't have to guess what pairs well with what.
One more note: you'll sometimes see Lympha Rub mentioned alongside these six. It's a topical rub rather than one you take by mouth, and it pairs well with several of these formulas (Scout Out especially) for extra throat and lymphatic support.
RespaClear or Lung Tonic? How to choose
Since both are pregnancy-friendly and both support the lungs, this is the question we hear most. A simple way to think about it:
- RespaClear: reach for it at the very first sign of symptoms; it's immune support and respiratory relief together.
- Lung Tonic: works more like a traditional cough syrup, and it's especially popular at bedtime.
Many families keep both on hand and use them this way.
| Formula | Best for | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lungs Plus | Acute cough, day or night, especially bedtime | Not for long-term/chronic use |
| Lung Tonic | During pregnancy and support for chronic respiratory concerns | Pregnancy-friendly |
| Wild Cherry Coffaway | Kid-favorite tasting syrup replacement | Expectorant, breaks up congestion |
| RespaClear | Combined immune + respiratory support | Pregnancy-friendy |
| Scout Out | Daytime cold/flu + earache | Not under age 3; max 10 days due to goldenseal. Usually used alongside a cough-specific formula |
| Sinus Minus | Tail end of a cold & drying up mucus | May need to be used alongside Wild Cherry Coffaway, RespaClear, or Lungs Plus/tonic |
| Lympha Rub | Sore throat, sinus, earache - either alone or along with a cough | Topical, not ingested & typically used alongside other products |
| Cold & Flu Day Kit | Daytime combo | Scout Out + Lungs Plus + Lympha Rub |
| Cold & Flu Night Kit | Nighttime combo | Triple Echinacea & Goldenseal + Lungs Plus + Flew Away |
Q- What is the difference between some of these? I'm confused!
A- We get it; some of our formulas are similar. We hope these images will help you differentiate; feel free to reach out if you have more questions. 
Q- What is the most popular herbal cough syrup for kids you offer?
A- By far, Wild Cherry Coffaway. It tastes amazing and is so easy to get kids to take! Moms often tell us things like this from Christina:
"It's the only cough syrup my 3-year-old will take because it tastes great too! I always have it stocked, especially in the winter months!"
Q- Why can't all of these be used during pregnancy?
A- Not all herbs are safe for pregnancy use for a variety of reasons. Some might stimulate labor. Others are not good for a developing fetus. We've worked alongside midwives to ensure everything in our pregnancy line is ok for moms-to-be and their babies.
Learn More-
Why so many Immune Products?!
Herbal Respiratory Support
Herb of the Month: Echinacea
