Coughing is a common problem that can occur to anyone irrespective of the age of the person. The inflammation or contamination of the respiratory tract results in coughing. The air passages of the lung secrete excess mucus when they are infected or contaminated, and finally lead to coughing. Coughing occurs when the mucus blocks the upper air passages or throat. Medically, coughing can be termed as a reflexive reaction of the sensory nerves, lining the respiratory passage. Cough is treated in different ways according to its nature and causes. Therefore, before going to the doctor you can try to alleviate the cough by some natural remedies.
Causes
These are the reasons due to which, coughing occurs:
- Common cold
- Viral infection
- Flu
- Smoking
- Asthma
- Whooping cough
- Bronchitis
- Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
- Lung-clot
- Lung cancer
- A side-effect from certain drugs and medications
- Irritants. Like dust
- Allergies
Symptoms of Cough
Cough accompanies the following symptoms:
- Congestion
- Chest pain
- Itchy and sore throat
- Headache
Home Remedies for Cough
There are numerous home treatments to cure a cough. Here is the list of most effective home remedies.
1. Honey
Honey is one of the most common natural remedies for cough. Honey can be used in several ways to eliminate coughing. Honey works best when used with hot water and lemon. Mix some honey and lemon juice in hot water and take at least 1-2 teaspoons of it after every one or two hours. Else, take 2 teaspoons of honey every night after dinner, if you are suffering from night coughing. You can also mix black pepper with a spoonful of honey, and take it twice a day to get relief from excessive coughing. Honey is a natural antibiotic, which not only kills the cough-causing bacteria, but also soothes the pain in the throat.
2. Ginger
Ginger is one of the best home remedies for cough in adults. Slice fresh ginger and boil it in some water. Drink this water at least 3-4 times a day to get quick relief from bad coughing, sore throat, as well as congestion. Ginger is also one of the best home remedies for asthma cough.
3. Lemon
Lemon is another effective home remedy to treat cough. Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in 1 tablespoon of honey, and heat it a little bit. Take this syrup several times every day, until the cough subsides.
If you are suffering from prolonged spells of cough, lemon tea is the best treatment for you. For good results, add ginger to your lemon tea.
4. Gargling
Gargling is also one of the old remedies for cough. You just need to add 2-3 pinches of salt in slightly hot water, and gargle with it. Gargling works great for sore throat that usually occurs due to an infection. You can also use fresh spinach juice with salt instead of water.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a very useful home remedy for severe cough, like a dry cough. It can be used in a number of ways. You can make herbal tea by mixing 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder along with a teaspoon of carom seeds. Then, boil it in some water until just ½ cup of water is left. Drink it 2-3 times a day.
Turmeric can also be used by roasting it a bit and then, grinding into a fine powder. Now, add some honey and water to it. Drink it at least 2 times a day.
Another alternative method is to add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in ½ cup of water along with 1 teaspoon of pepper and 1 tablespoon of honey. Allow it to boil for 2-3 minutes. Drink this mixture every day for a relief in cough.
6. Garlic
Take 2-3 garlic cloves and boil it in 1 cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon of oregano to it. Let it cool, and then, mix some honey. Garlic contains anti-microbial and anti-bacterial compounds, which ease up breathing and cough.
7. Peppercorn
Crush 3 peppercorns with a little bit of black cumin seeds. Add a pinch of salt to it. Take this mixture in order to get relief from excess coughing and sore throat. This is the best home remedy for cough in adults.
8. Carrot Juice
Take out juice of at least 4-5 carrots and dilute it by mixing some water. You can add some honey for sweetening its taste. Drink it around 3-4 times per day till you get relief from coughing.
9. Onion
Cutting onions is a simple and one of the best home remedy for cough as inhaling the vapours of onions helps to relieve coughing. You can also make onion syrup by mixing ½ teaspoon of onion juice in 1 teaspoon of honey. Take this syrup about 2 times a day in order to get relief from coughing.
10. Cayenne
Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper in ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp of honey and 2 tbsp of water. Drink it at least 2-3 times every day. Cayenne provides relief from chest pain, originated due to excessive coughing.
11. Thyme Tea
Make tea of fresh thyme leaves in 1 cup of water by boiling it for about 10 minutes. Thyme is a natural cough suppressant and also treats whooping cough, bronchitis and other infections.
12. Clove Oil
Mix 2-3 drops of clove oil with 1 crushed clove of garlic. Add ½ teaspoon of honey to it. Clove oil helps in soothing the sore throats and gives relief in congestion.
13. Almonds
Make a paste of 5-6 almonds, soaked overnight. Now, add a teaspoon of butter into it. Have it in little quantities at least 3-4 times per day. Almonds are very nutritious and effectively cures bad cough.
14. Grape Juice
Grapes have excellent expectorant properties, which helps in eliminating the blocked mucus from the respiratory tracts. Mix 1 spoon of honey into grape juice and drink it to get relief from non-stop coughing. Simply having grapes will also help a lot.
15. Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is a good home remedy for cough and cold. It is very effective in healing up the infection of cough and flu. The antioxidants present in the chicken and vegetables works as a therapeutic remedy for cough and cold.
16. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are one of the most useful home remedies for mucus cough. It helps in soothing the throat as well as the respiratory tract. Take 2-3 tablespoons of flaxseeds and boil them in a cup of water until it reaches a thick consistency. After boiling it, strain and mix some lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of honey in it. Take 1 tbsp of this mixture regularly to get rid of bad coughing.
17. Hot Milk
For mild cough, you can have hot milk every night before going to bed. Just add a teaspoon of honey into the milk and drink it daily.
18. Raisins
Prepare a sauce by boiling some raisins in water. Add some honey and preserve it. You need to take 2 tbsp of it every day. Raisin sauce works as an expectorant, thereby, giving relief from irritating cough symptoms.
19. Mullein Tea
Mullein tea is one of the best herbal remedies for cough. Steep some dried mullein herb in a cup of water for about 10 minutes. Add honey to sweeten it and drink whenever needed in order to get relief from cough and congestion. It is also an excellent home remedy for cough and congestion.
20. Vick’s Vaporub
Vick’s vaporub is a good way to reduce chest congestion. Apply it on your neck and chest and cover it properly. You will get a soothing relief from cough symptoms.
21. Over-the-counter Cough Syrups
A number of over-the-counter expectorants are available in the market, such as Benadryl. It helps in the release of excess mucus from the respiratory passages.
22. Inhale Steam
Inhale steam at least two-three times a day. Steam works best for loosening up the mucus as well as its warmth soothes up the cold and flu while speeding up the recovery. Steam is also good for treating croupy cough in children.
23. Have Lots of Fluids
Drink plenty of warm water, have soups or non-citrus fruit juices. This is a good croup cough treatment.
24. Holy Basil Leaves
Take out juice of some holy basil leaves. Mix some honey in it. Give 1 teaspoon of this mixture in order to give your infant relief from cough.
25. Saffron
Take some saffron strands and 1 betel leaf and makes its paste. Apply it on your infant’s forehead and also on the soles of his/her feet.
26. Sugar Candy and Pepper Powder
Mix 50 gm pepper powder and 50 gm sugar candy (mishri). Add some pure ghee and prepare small pellets. Consume these pellets 3-4 times each day.
27. Aloe Vera Juice
Take a glass of aloe vera juice and add 2 spoons of honey to it. Stir well and drink it. This is an effective herbal remedy for dry cough.
Home Remedies for Bronchitis Cough
Bronchitis is a condition of chronic cough, which occurs due to the inflammation of the air passages. Bronchitis results in excessive coughing of phlegm along with a bad chest-pain. Some of the home remedies to treat bronchial cough are as follows:
1. Hot Toddy
Steep a tea bag in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Then, add 1 tsp of rum/whiskey, a pinch of cinnamon and some honey to it. Sip it slowly. This remedy will reduce throat ache while curing bronchitis cough.
2. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an excellent natural cure for treating bronchial cough. Place few drops of oregano oil under your tongue, once every day.
3. Orange Juice
Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C, which helps in strengthening your immunity. Drink plenty of orange juice to alleviate bronchitis cough.
Homeopathic Remedies for Cough
Apart from the above mentioned home remedies to stop coughing, there are various homeopathic remedies that can be used, like:
1. Aconite napellus
This remedy is best suited for dry cough, croup cough, and shortness of breath.
2. Belladonna
It can be taken in dry cough, which is accompanied by a tickling sensation in the throat.
3. Calcarea carbonica
It is mostly taken in the cases of dry cough and throat tickling, which worsens at night while loosens up in the morning.
4. Kali bichromicum
This remedy is helpful in dry barking cough, accompanied by white coloured mucus.
5. Sepia
This is used when the coughing becomes really worsen with discharge of thick and yellow mucus. The coughing usually happens at night and in the morning.
Besides this, there are many other homeopathic cough remedies, such as Bryonia alba, Drosera, Hepar sulphuricum, Ignatia amara, Lycopodium clavatum, Nux vomica, and Pulsatilla pratensis.
Preventive Measures for Cough
To minimize the risk of cough, one should follow the below given preventive measures.
- Avoid contact with people, who are already suffering from cold or flu.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially in the cold and flu season to kill the virus.
- Quit the smoking.
- Increase the intake of liquids and fluids.
- Get your child protected against cough through DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccine.