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A cough can be an unpleasant symptom, but it is actually beneficial. It helps decongest blocked breathing passages and clears irritants/infections from the body. For that reason, it is not always a good idea to suppress a cough with medication. But you will agree with me that persistent coughing can be annoying, wouldn’t you?
There are many kinds of coughs, and each is an indicator of a specific type of health problem. Whooping cough, for example, is characterized by frequent hoarse coughing and a wheezing sound in the chest. Laryngitis causes hoarse coughing as mucus backs up in the throat and irritates the larynx.
Children may cough because they are teething or maybe by the presence of intestinal parasites; while coughing in adults can be a symptom of cardiac or nervous disorder. There are many more possible causes of coughs, including allergies, infections, and acid reflux. The best treatment for a cough will depend on its underlying cause.
So many natural remedies may help to relieve a cough. However, if a cough is severe or persists for more than a few weeks, it is essential to seek professional advice.
Let’s see some of the simple cough remedies:
Onions- can help tame coughing and encourage the airways to clear themselves of phlegm. They are rich in vitamin C, which is beneficial for cases of persistent cough and irritation of the breathing passages. For maximum benefit, chop the onion and simmer under low flame. You can also slice an onion and keep it in a bowl. Add some warm drinking water to it. You can have 2 -3 Tbsp. of the mixture 3 x daily. Onion juice can help vanish your cough within no time.
Honey- studies have shown that honey may relieve coughs. For nighttime coughing in children and even adults, mix 2 teaspoons of dark honey with warm water or an herbal tea (lemongrass, mint, basil, etc). Drink this mixture once or twice a day. Do not give honey to children under one year of age.
Garlic/onion Honey- garlic and onions are warming, antimicrobial, and stimulating expectorant herbs. You can make syrup out of one or both of these spicy herbs for cough. Simply mince the herbs finely, fill a jar half full with them, then cover with honey. Store in a warm place. In a couple of days, the honey will become syrupy. Now keep this in a cool place to avoid it fermenting. There is no need to strain the herbs. But note that after a while, the texture of the herbs will change. It is best to make this mixture in small quantities that you can use up as fresh as possible.
Ginger- may ease a dry or asthmatic cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It may also relieve nausea and pain. It has been stated that some anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger can relax membranes in the airways, which could reduce coughing.
Brew up a soothing ginger tea by adding 2-3 Tbsp. of fresh ginger slices to a cup of freshly boiled water. Allow to steep for 15 minutes before drinking. Add honey or lemon juice to improve the taste and further soothe a cough. Please use with caution if you suffer from frequent heartburn and stomach upsets.
Vinegar- has a long history of being used for coughs. Vinegar by itself has a concentrated effect on the respiratory passages, so I advise adding honey. To use, mix 1-2 Tbsp. of a high-quality apple cider vinegar with 1 Tbsp. of raw honey into a tall glass of warm water. Drink up to 2X per day for instant cough relief.
Ginger/vinegar -combining vinegar with ginger may make a well-rounded cough remedy. To use, combine 2 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and ¼ – 1 Tsp. of ground ginger root into one tall glass of warm water. Drink up to 2X per day for fast relief of cough.
Rosemary – this popular cooking spice can help quiet a cough. Drink a cup of infusion after meals. Use 1 Tsp. of plant per tea cup of boiled water.
Thyme- another wonderful cooking spice that works well to ease persistent or chronic coughing. To make thyme tea, infuse about 1Tsp. in a teacup of freshly boiled for 10 minutes, strain and drink 3 cups a day. You will be amazed at the result this simple remedy will give.
Eucalyptus- this plant stimulates phlegm production, has an antiseptic effect on breathing passages, and calms coughing fits. To make a syrup-add 2-3 Tbsp. of the leaves to boiling water, remove from heat and let stand overnight, filter, add a little honey, and boil again. Then add 1Tbsp. lemon juice and take 2 Tsps. 2-3 X daily. To prepare an infusion, place 2 Tsp. of the leaves in a cup of freshly boiled water and step for 15 minutes. You can drink up to 3 cups a day. If you can’t lay your hands on the leaves, use the oil. Put a few drops in boiling water and inhale the vapor or apply to a handkerchief and inhale. Don’t forget to apply to the chest and throat to relieve cough symptoms. Some people add about 3 drops to a cube of sugar to make their lozenges.
Fluids- staying hydrated is vital for those with a cough. Studies indicate that drinking liquids at room temperature can alleviate a cough, runny nose, and sneezing. Warming up your beverages will benefit you more. As hot beverages alleviate even more symptoms, including a sore throat, chills, and fatigue. You will notice an immediate symptom relief that would remain for a continued period after finishing the hot beverage. Hot beverages that may be comforting include: clear broths, herbal teas, warm water, warm fruit juices, etc.
Dietary changes- avoiding foods that can trigger acid reflux (a common cause of a cough) is one of the best ways to manage this condition and reduce the cough that accompanies it. Note that every individual may have different reflux triggers that they need to avoid. The foods and beverages that most commonly trigger acid reflux include: fried and fatty foods; caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, spices, and spicy foods.
