Herbal medicines are frequently used for prophylaxis and adjuvant therapy of respiratory ailments in paediatric practice. In medical treatment of inflammation of respiratory mucosa, essential oils with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are frequently used and applied externally (ointments, baths), or internally (inhalations). In the same indication field, herbal preparations based upon the extracts of dalmatian sage leaves (Salviae folium) and plantain leaves or herb (Plantaginis lanceolatae folium/herba) are also commonly used. In the treatment of productive cough, the use of preparations derived from certain saponin-containing and aromatic herbal medicines, as well as the essential oils with secretolytic and secretomotoric action is justified. For relief of unproductive cough, phytopreparations containing mucilage (mucilaginosa) are useful. In paediatric practice, only the use of plant-derived diaphoretics is recommended for the treatment of feverish conditions (willow bark, Salicis cortex, as a herbal antipyretic, is contraindicated because of high salicylate content). For prophylaxis and adjuvant therapy of recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract (common cold), the use of herbal preparations based on the extracts of certain Echinacea species is advised.