6 Best Remedies
to Relieve a Bad Cough
A cough is a reflex reaction designed to keep your airways
clear. You may be coughing because of another condition, like asthma or a
respiratory infection, or because you have swallowing difficulties. Your
healthcare provider can help you figure out what’s going on.
What
are the most common causes of a cough?
There are many things that can make you
cough. Some of them include:
Irritants
or allergens
- Smoke.
- Strong smells (like cleaners and perfumes).
- Mold.
- Dust.
- Pollen.
- Pet dander.
- Mucus.
- Certain medications, like the blood pressure
medications known as ACE inhibitors.
Medical
conditions that can cause acute and subacute cough
- Cold.
- Flu.
- Acute bronchitis or
bronchiolitis.
- Sinusitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Whooping cough (also
called pertussis).
- Asthma.
- Allergies.
- Acute second- or third-hand smoke exposure.
Medical
conditions that can cause chronic cough
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Asthma.
- Allergies.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and other lung conditions.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD).
- Throat disorders, including vocal cord
disorders.
- Postnasal drip.
- Heart failure and
other cardiac conditions.
People who want to use natural
remedies to treat their cough should research sources and brands. They should
also be aware that some herbs and supplements can interfere with medications,
which may result in unwanted side effects.
A person should always consult a doctor before taking supplements.
A person should also see a
doctor if:
- The cough
lasts for a long time or is recurrent
- They
experience shortness of breath
- Blood or yellowish-green
mucus is present
- They also
experience a fever or headache
- The cough
makes a wheezing or whooping sound
Some natural remedies
may help to relieve a cough.
1.
Honey
2.
Ginger
3.
Hot
Fluids
4.
Steam
5.
Marshmallow
Root
6.
Saltwater
Gargle
According to research, honey may
relieve a cough. Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed
with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey
alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. In one study, children
ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2
teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime.
The
honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep
In a 2021 review of
studies, researchers looked at the effect of using honey to treat coughs
in upper
respiratory infections.
The researchers found that honey was superior
to usual care, both in suppressing the cough and in helping to prevent the need
for antibiotics.
In a 2021 study, researchers compared honey to dextromethorphan, a
common cough suppressant.
The researchers found that both honey and
dextromethorphan worked to suppress coughs. They noted that honey scored
slightly higher in one trial and on par with dextromethorphan in another trial.
A person can use this remedy by swallowing a
spoonful of honey or adding it to a hot drink, such as an herbal tea.
What is the best way to
take honey for a cough?
You can
create your own remedy at home by mixing up to 2 teaspoons of honey with herbal
tea or warm water and lemon. The honey does the soothing, while the lemon juice
can help with congestion. You can also simply eat the 2 teaspoons of honey or
create a spread on bread for a snack.
2. Ginger
Ginger juice has anti-inflammatory effects,
You cough when you have a sore throat or bronchitis. This
inflammation can be the result of your body's immune response to an infection
or an irritant, like postnasal drip. The anti-inflammatory effect of ginger can
relieve a cough or sore throat by reducing inflammation.
Ginger may ease a dry
or asthmatic cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
It may also relieve nausea and pain.
Only a few older studies have looked at
ginger’s effect on coughs. A study from 2015 examined 10 different natural products used in
traditional Asian medicines, including ginger.
The researchers found that ginger, along with
other remedies, including honey, has played a long-lasting role in traditional
medicines.
While a long history of use can be an
important implication, the researchers noted that their study may provide
future researchers with a place to start when examining natural solutions to
coughs.
People often add ginger to dishes or drink it
in tea. They should be aware that, in some cases, ginger tea can cause stomach upset or heartburn.
What is the best way to take Ginger for a
cough?
Chew on a piece of ginger root two to three
times per day for relief. This is the most intense way
to take ginger due to the herb's spicy heat.
The primary indication that our body gives us
when any infection of flu is contracted is through a sore throat. At this
time, grate some ginger and add it to a pan of boiling water. Once
it boils, add the honey into it and squeeze half a lemon and you are
good to go. This is beneficial for both sore throats and cough.
While current research is lacking, an older
study from 2008 Trusted Source showed that drinking liquids at room
temperature may alleviate a cough, runny nose, and sneezing.
However, people with additional symptoms of a
cold or flu may benefit from
warming up their beverages. The same study reports that hot beverages alleviate
even more symptoms, including a sore throat,
chills, and fatigue.
The symptom relief was immediate and remained
for a continued period after finishing the hot beverage.
Hot beverages that may be comforting include:
- Clear broths
- Herbal teas
- Decaffeinated black tea
- Warm water
- Warm fruit juices
- Chicken Soup
4. Steam
A wet cough, which is one that
produces mucus or phlegm, may improve with steam.
To try this method, a person should take a hot shower or bath and
allow the bathroom to fill with steam. They should stay in this steam for a few
minutes until symptoms subside. They can drink a glass of water afterward to
cool down and prevent dehydration.
Alternatively, people can make a steam bowl. To do this, a person
should:
1. Fill a large bowl with hot water.
2. Add herbs or essential oils, such as
eucalyptus or rosemary. These may help relieve congestion.
3. Lean over the bowl and place a towel over the
head. This traps the steam so the person can breathe it in.
4. Keep breathing in the steam for about 10–15 minutes.
A person may find steaming helpful when done one to two times per
day.
5. Marshmallow root
Marshmallow root is
an herb that has a long history of use as a treatment for coughs and sore throats.
The herb can ease irritation
resulting from coughing because of its high mucilage content. Mucilage is a thick,
gluey substance that coats the throat.
One older, small study found
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% of the participants rated its effectiveness as good or very good.
In a 2020 study Trusted
Source, researchers also noted the coating effect of marshmallow
root extract.
They found that the root extract
has antioxidative and
anti-inflammatory properties and provided similar relief to diclofenac, a
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. The study used in vitro testing.
Marshmallow root is also available
as a dried herb or a bagged tea. A person should 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.
Side effects can include stomach
upset, but it may be possible to counter this by drinking extra fluids.
Marshmallow root is available to
purchase in health stores or online.
6. Saltwater gargle
People have used saltwater gargles for
a long time to help alleviate sore throat and symptoms associated with
the common cold.
It may help loosen mucus and alleviate some pain.
However, it likely will not help
reduce viral load.
In a 2021 study Trusted
Source, researchers compared different antiseptic mouthwashes to
help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
They found that several commercial brands helped with reducing viral load, but
a lab-made saltwater solution did not effectively kill the virus.
To make a saltwater gargle, a
person can:
1. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it
dissolves.
2. Allow the solution to cool slightly before using it to gargle.
3. Let the mixture sit at the back of the throat for a few moments
before spitting it out.
4. Do this several times each day until the cough improves.
Young children and people
with high blood
pressure should avoid using saltwater gargles.
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