Natural Cough Remedies to Try at Home

Coughing helps to clear throat from phlegm and other irritants. However, annoying, persistent coughing can disturb quality of life. Persistent coughing can happen due to many reasons, including conditions that do not involve the lungs such as acid reflux, post nasal drips, smoking etc.

A severe cough that lasts more than a few weeks should warrant a visit to the doctor. However, if these symptoms are also present, visit your doctor immediately. The symptoms to watch out for include thick, greenish-yellow phlegm, fever, wheezing, shortness of breath or breathlessness, tight chest, swollen ankles or weight loss.

Here, we present some natural home cough remedies which could be helpful only in alleviating discomfort and easing the symptoms. These remedies work in coughs mainly associated with colds, allergies and virus & sinus infections. The remedies are not a treatment or a cure for coughs.

Five Natural Home Cough Remedies to Relieve Cough

• Honey

In a small study, 105 children aged 2 to 18 with upper respiratory tract infection were given either honey, dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) or no treatment. It was found that honey was most effective at relieving cough, and it was rated as the more favoured treatment. However, avoid giving honey to children below 1 year due to fear of botulism.

• Peppermint

Peppermint leaves contain menthol, a compound to soothe the throat. It also has decongestant properties to break down mucus. One can benefit from menthol by either drinking peppermint tea, inhaling peppermint vapour from a steam bath, as well as commercial products like cough drops or menthol rubs.

• Ginger

A study on trachea cells from human and guinea pig found that ginger contains certain anti-inflammatory compounds that can induce relaxation of the airway muscles. Hence, the results of the study suggested that ginger may be helpful to ease a dry or asthmatic cough.

• Salt water

Salt water gargle is recommended for sore throat or wet cough. It can soothe a scratchy sore throat, thins mucus and washes out irritants in the throat. Nevertheless, avoid salt water in younger children who are not good at gargling yet.

• Pineapple

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. Bromelain can suppress cough and loosen mucus. Although the content of bromelain may be harmless in pineapples, avoid bromelain supplements in people taking blood thinners or certain antibiotics to avoid drug interactions.

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• Cough
• cough remedies
• natural remedies