KoffTonic - Veterinary Reference Extract

EquiNatural® | Botanical Nutritional Support for Airway Comfort, Mucous Clearance & Upper-Respiratory Reflex Balance

Organically grown • Human grade • Not veterinary medicine

1. Important Context for Veterinary Review

Equine coughing is a physiological protective reflex, not a pathology in itself. It is triggered by irritation of upper-airway mechanoreceptors due to:

  • inhaled dust, spores, particulates
  • bedding, forage, or stable irritants
  • pollen and environmental allergens
  • viral or bacterial upper respiratory challenge
  • mucous accumulation following weather shifts or stabling
  • airway dryness, throat irritation, or mucosal sensitivity


A productive cough is desirable, as it mobilises and expels mucous — the lung’s natural clearance mechanism. Suppressing cough is generally counterproductive unless medically indicated.


Horses may present with:

  • intermittent or environmental cough
  • dust-triggered irritation
  • post-viral throat sensitivity
  • mucous accumulation during seasonal transition
  • cough associated with stabling or arena work


KoffTonic is not a treatment for RAO/COPD/Equine Asthma, lower-airway disease, pneumonia, or chronic lung pathology. It supports upper-airway comfort and natural mucous clearance, not deep pulmonary conditions.


Functional Positioning — KoffTonic

KoffTonic is formulated for the short-term support phase of respiratory care, where the primary objective is to:

  • enhance mucous clearance
  • soothe irritated upper-airway tissues
  • support an effective, rather than suppressed, cough reflex
  • ease throat discomfort following irritant exposure
  • help the horse move through transient or environmental cough episodes more comfortably


It is best suited to reactive, dust-triggered, or seasonal coughs, and used as a Phase 1 respiratory support before considering longer-term airway resilience formulas (e.g., BreathePlus) if deeper patterns emerge.


KoffTonic is not a chronic respiratory formula and does not replace veterinary assessment for persistent or effortful breathing.


Core Actions

  • Supports the natural cough reflex and mucous mobilisation
  • Soothes pharyngeal and tracheal mucosa
  • Provides demulcent protection of irritated tissues
  • Encourages clearer, calmer breathing during irritation
  • Supports upper-airway comfort without suppressing necessary clearance


Rationale for Key Components

Pimpinella anisum (Anise)
Aromatic expectorant that relaxes airway smooth muscle and helps loosen mucous.

Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot)
Traditional botanical for throat comfort and modulation of the cough reflex.

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Mild expectorant aiding mucous clearance; carminative qualities support calm breathing.

Inula helenium (Elecampane)
Powerful expectorant supporting deep mucous shift and bronchiole comfort.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice Root)
Demulcent, adrenal-supportive herb that soothes airway linings; may prolong steroid activity.

Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow Herb)
High mucilage content coats tissues, reducing irritation and dryness.

Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)
Classic lung tonic supporting gentle airway clearance and respiratory ease.

Plantago lanceolata (Plantain)
Mucosal protectant with anti-irritant properties; supports immune tone in the airways.


2. Product Summary

KoffTonic is a short-term botanical formula providing nutritional support for:

  • airway comfort and mucous mobilisation
  • effective cough reflex and throat soothing
  • upper-airway irritation from environmental triggers
  • respiratory ease during recovery or seasonal shift


It is designed for reactive or intermittent coughing, not chronic equine asthma or deep lung conditions.


3. Clinical Rationale (Nutritional Mechanisms of Action)

Demulcent Protection

(Marshmallow, Liquorice, Plantain)
Coats irritated mucosa, reduces friction sensitivity, and supports smooth expectoration.

Expectorant Activity

(Elecampane, Anise, Fennel, Mullein)
Encourages mucous mobilisation, airway clearance, and reduced cough frequency.

Reflex Modulation

(Coltsfoot, Liquorice)
Calms hypersensitive cough receptors without suppressing productive clearance.

Immune–Airway Synergy

(Plantain, Mullein, Coltsfoot)
Supports mucosal immunity and reduces reactivity to airborne irritants.


Botanical support does not treat infection, but aids comfort and clearance while the body resolves irritation.


4. Nutritional Indications (Non-Diagnostic)

KoffTonic may be appropriate for horses with:

  • dust- or bedding-triggered cough
  • stable-related or arena-related irritation
  • mild mucous accumulation
  • reactive cough on weather changes
  • transient cough during recovery
  • occasional cough linked to environmental allergens


Not intended for:

  • fever, infection, or systemic illness
  • chronic respiratory effort
  • wheezing, flared nostrils, or heave lines
  • prolonged cough lasting >10–14 days without veterinary review


5. Composition

 Pimpinella anisum
Tussilago farfara
Foeniculum vulgare
Inula helenium
Glycyrrhiza glabra radix
Althaea officinalis herba
Verbascum thapsus
Plantago lanceolata


6. Herb Micro-Monographs (Technical)

Pimpinella anisum
Aromatic expectorant supporting airway relaxation and mucous clearance.

Tussilago farfara
Traditional antitussive-demulcent supporting mucous membrane comfort.

Foeniculum vulgare
Mild expectorant aiding mucous shift and airway ease.

Inula helenium
Deep expectorant supporting bronchial comfort and productive clearance.

Glycyrrhiza glabra
Demulcent, soothing; may influence steroid metabolism.

Althaea officinalis
High mucilage content for upper-airway coating and comfort.

Verbascum thapsus
Supports respiratory moisture balance and gentle airway clearance.

Plantago lanceolata
Anti-irritant mucosal tonic; supports immune balance in the upper airways.


7. Medication Considerations

Use with veterinary oversight when horses are receiving:

  • Corticosteroids (inhaled or oral):
    Liquorice may prolong steroid action.
  • Anticoagulants / antiplatelet drugs:
    Aromatic herbs may influence vascular tone.
  • NSAIDs or hepatically metabolised drugs:
    Introduce gradually; monitor as liquorice may influence fluid balance.
  • Bronchodilators (e.g., clenbuterol):
    No known harmful interactions; monitor for cumulative airway effects.


Spacing herbal and medicated feeds by 2–3 hours is recommended.


8. Feeding Guidance

Tincture Blend

6 ml per 100 kg bodyweight daily
30 ml/day for a 500 kg horse

Introduce gradually over 2–3 days.


Duration

Feed for up to 4 weeks, then provide a break (due to Liquorice).


Sensitivity Advisory

If cough worsens, persists, or is accompanied by fever, nasal discharge, or effort, discontinue and refer to a veterinarian.


9. Clinical Considerations

Advisories

  • Suitable for short-term cough support.
  • Ensure hydration to aid mucous clearance.
  • May be layered with BreathePlus when upper-airway and lower-airway patterns overlap.
  • Begin environmental management: dust control, soaked hay, ventilation.
  • Begin early during seasonal irritation for best results.


Contraindications

  • Pregnancy or lactation (due to Liquorice and other botanicals).
  • Horses on steroid medications unless veterinary-supervised.
  • Horses with fluid retention, hypertension, or impaired liver function.
  • Not for horses with chronic respiratory disease.


10. Supporting Products

  • BreathePlus — long-term lung & lower-airway resilience
  • PollenTonic / PollenCOMBO — seasonal allergy support
  • Spirulina — immune modulation in histamine-driven cough
  • OptimaCARE / OptimaPLUS — systemic detox/reset where post-viral burden is suspected


11. Standard Professional Disclaimer

KoffTonic is a botanical nutritional supplement for horses.  It is not veterinary medicine and does not diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.

Veterinary consultation is advised for horses on concurrent medication, showing respiratory effort, or experiencing persistent coughing.