These are some of the home remedies for cough
A cough may be simple for others to handle but once it became disturbing to your everyday routine, you should try these home remedies to treat it.
Here are some of the home remedies for cough.
Honey tea
- Drizzle honey onto spoon and into mug of tea with lemon slice or mix it with warm water.
- To use honey to treat a cough, mix 2 teaspoons (tsp) with warm water or an herbal tea. Drink this mixture once or twice a day. Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.
Ginger - Ginger is good for dry or asthmatic cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties and it may also relieve nausea and pain.
- Brew up a soothing ginger tea by adding 20–40 grams (g) of fresh ginger slices to a cup of hot water. Allow to steep for a few minutes before drinking. Add honey or lemon juice to improve the taste and further soothe a cough.
- NOTE: In some cases, ginger tea can cause stomach upset or heartburn.
Fluids
- Drinking liquid at room temperature is also known as one of the home remedies for cough and runny nose and sneezing.
- For additional symptoms of a cold or flu, warming up the beverages is more effective.
Hot beverages that may be comforting include:
clear broths
herbal teas
decaffeinated black tea
warm water
warm fruit juices
Steam - It is good for wet cough, which is one that produces mucus or phlegm.
- Take a hot shower or bath and allow the bathroom to fill with steam. Stay in this steam for a few minutes until symptoms subside. Drink a glass of water afterward to cool down and prevent dehydration.
- For steam bowl: Fill a large bowl with hot water. Add herbs or essential oils, such as eucalyptus or rosemary, which may also relieve decongestion. Lean over the bowl and place a towel over the head. This traps the steam. Inhale the vapors for 5 minutes. If the steam feels hot on the skin, discontinue until the skin cools down.
Marshmallow root
- One small study revealed that an herbal cough syrup containing marshmallow root, along with thyme and ivy, effectively relieved coughs resulting from common colds and respiratory tract infections. After 12 days of taking the syrup, 90 percent of the participants rated its effectiveness as good or very good.
-For marshmallow root dried herb or a bagged tea: Add hot water to either and then drink it immediately or allow it to cool first. The longer the marshmallow root steeps in the water, the more mucilage will be in the drink. - NOTE: Side effects can include stomach upset, but it may be possible to counter this by drinking extra fluids.
Salt-water gargle
- Stir half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it dissolves and allow it to cool slightly before using it to gargle. Let it sit at the back of the throat for a few moments before spitting it out. Do this several times each day until the cough improves.
- NOTE: Avoid giving salt water to younger children as they may not be able to gargle properly, and swallowing salt water can be dangerous.
Dietary changes for acid reflux
- Acid reflux is a common cause of a cough. Avoiding foods that can trigger acid reflux is one of the best ways to manage this condition and reduce the cough that accompanies it.
- The foods and beverages that most commonly trigger acid reflux include:
-alcohol
-caffeine
-chocolate
-citrus foods
-fried and fatty foods
-garlic and onions
-mint
-spices and spicy foods
-tomatoes and tomato-based products
Slippery elm
- Make slippery elm tea by adding 1 tsp of the dried herb to a cup of hot water. Steep for at least 10 minutes before drinking. It is important to note that slippery elm can interfere with the absorption of medications.
- Slippery elm contains a high level of mucilage, which helps to soothe a sore throat and cough. It is available in powder and capsule form in health stores and online.
Bromelain
- This enzyme comes from pineapples. Drinking pineapple juice daily to reduce mucus in the throat and suppress coughing
- Bromelain is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and may also have mucolytic properties. It can break down mucus and remove it from the body.
Bromelain supplements are available but it is best to speak with a doctor before trying any new supplements. - NOTE: There are people who are allergic to bromelain, and this herb can also cause side effects and interact with medications. People who take blood thinners or specific antibiotics should not take bromelain.
Thyme
- To treat coughs using thyme, look for a cough syrup that contains this herb. Make thyme tea by adding 2 tsp of dried thyme to a cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes before straining and drinking.
What can you say about these home remedies for cough?