Cough Remedies

The body's natural reflex reaction to get rid of mucus, trapped organisms, and foreign material from the lungs and throat is by coughing. There are 2 types of cough, one is productive cough and the other is termed as non-productive cough. In productive cough, the lungs are filled with mucus and one needs to cough up the phlegm.

In non-productive cough, mucus is not produced and one suffers from dry cough. One may suffer from either chronic or acute cough.

There are several causes of cough, like asthma, allergies, inflammation of the larynx or pharynx, bacterial respiratory infection, smoking, inhalation of irritants, changes in weather, etc. In the following paragraphs, we shall cover some remedies that will help you get rid of this annoying condition.

There are plenty of remedies that can cure this debilitating condition. Let's have a look at some of them.

➜ Take a vaporizer and add 10 to 14 drops of thyme oil in it. Breathe in the steam from the vaporizer. The steam will help soothe the inflamed airways and even help clear the sinus congestion. This will in turn help clear the phlegm in your throat and lungs.

➜ While sleeping, keep head in an elevated position. This helps in clearing sinus passages and draining the nasal passages. This also help you get rid of the 'ticklish' sensation in your throat.

➜ Drink at least 8 glasses of water, as it is quite an effective treatment option. Water helps loosen the mucus, wash away the irritants, and get rid of the cough.

➜ Drinking hot tea or hot herbal tea helps in clearing the mucus. Herbal tea  contains vitamins and anti-inflammatory properties that beneficial for an irritated throat.

➜ You can take a teaspoon of pure honey and add a pinch of white pepper to it. Take mixture 2 to 3 times a day for about 5 days. This is one of the most effective home remedies for cough.

➜ You can extract the juice from a finely chopped onion and add about 2 teaspoons of it to 2 teaspoons of honey. Mix well and keep it aside for 5 to 6 hours. Then, take one teaspoon of this mixture at least 2 times a day.

➜ You can even mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of onion juice and lemon juice together and add a bit of water. Boil this mixture and then add 2 teaspoons of honey in it. Set it aside for 5 hours and have a teaspoon of this effective cough syrup twice a day.

Many people often look for natural remedies for cough as it is a common illness. Also, to avoid any side effects from over-the-counter medications, natural cures are an obvious choice. They also prove to be safe and effective for pregnant women. Let's have a look at some of these cures.

► You can use ½ cup honey, 1 lemon (juice), and 1 tablespoon of glycerin. In a saucepan, heat the lemon juice without bringing it to a boil. Now, add honey and glycerin to the heated lemon juice. Mix thoroughly and pour in a clean jar. Refrigerate for about 5 hours and take 2 tablespoons of this syrup once a day to get relief.

► Another easy and effectual cure involves the use of apple cider vinegar and honey. Mix ½ a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with equal amounts of honey. Drink this concoction to cure cough. Similarly, mix equal amount of aloe vera juice or gel with honey and take a teaspoon of this mixture. It will soothe your throat and provide quick relief.

► You can even boil 3 cloves of garlic in a glass of milk and drink this every night. You can even grind 100 grams of raisins with water and add 100 grams of sugar to it. Heat this mixture till it acquires a sauce-like consistency. Take about 20 grams of this raisin sauce daily before retiring for the day.

Dry cough is mostly caused due to an allergy, viral infection, asthma attack, exposure to foreign bodies or chemicals, and even heavy smoking. You can resort to a few remedies to get rid of this condition at the earliest.

➜ You can prepare a tea containing 1 lemon juice and a tablespoon of honey. Honey helps soothe the irritated throat and clear the dry cough.

➜ A glass of hot milk mixed with a tablespoon of honey is also effective. You can drink this milk at bedtime, as it will prevent coughing and help you sleep peacefully.

➜ You can peel a small piece of ginger and sprinkle some salt on it. Chew this piece of ginger as it is an effective dry cough remedy. A nice, hot bath or shower and breathing in the steam will also help relieve the dry cough.

➜ You can add 1 tablespoon of salt to lukewarm water and use it to gargle. It is a very beneficial remedy. Mix 1 gram turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon of honey. Have this mixture thrice a day to get rid of dry cough quickly.

➜ Soak 5 to 6 almonds overnight and peel their skin off in the morning. Grind the almonds to a fine paste and add a bit of sugar to it. Eat this paste to treat your dry cough.

➜You can even bring home a humidifier and place it in your bedroom or living room. This will help heal your dry cough and keep respiratory infections at bay.

Children are the ones most affected by cough, cold, and flu. This is because their immune system is developing and cannot cope with the common infections. There are many treatment options for babies that you can try at home and help your child get better. These natural remedies do not cause any allergic or adverse side effects.

► An older child can be given ginger tea as this concoction proves to be one of the most effective remedies for cough. Add a piece of ginger to the tea and allow the child to drink it twice a day.

► You can even prepare a special tea by adding 1 tablespoon of honey, juice of half a lemon, and warm water. This concoction can be given to the child to drink, and it helps to get rid of the cough as well as congestion. Herbal teas made from peppermint and chamomile can be given to older children.

► You can shred an onion and add 1 teaspoon of thyme leaf and a cup of honey. This mixture should be added to a pan and heated till it becomes soft. This mixture can then be added to the child's food and see the cough disappear. The remaining mixture can be refrigerated and used when needed.

► Pineapple juice is a tasty cough remedy for children. It contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps dissolve mucus.

► One of the old-fashioned remedies is chicken soup. Warm chicken soup is very effective in clearing congestion and getting rid of cough. It helps decrease  inflammation in upper respiratory tract and clears all the symptoms of cough and cold.

► You can even squeeze ½ a lemon and mix it with drinking water. Lemon juice is also one of many tried-and-tested home remedies for cough and cold for children.

If your cough does not get better in a few days of trying these home remedies, see your doctor. If you cough up green; yellow; or brown mucus or blood or bloody mucus, visit the doctor immediately. Shortness of breath accompanied by chest pain, night sweats, persistent chills, laryngitis, skin rash, ear ache, tooth ache, headache, etc., needs medical attention. Persistent coughing also needs a doctor's attention at the earliest.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.