Home Remedies for Cough

Coughing is perfectly common. A cough will keep throat clear from phlegm and other irritants. However, frequent coughing can be a symptom of many other diseases. It makes you feel uncomfortable and even embarrassed when you cough frequently at a public place be it a restaurant, your classroom etc. All you would do at that instant is trying to control it, but in vain. Moreover, you need to know the types of coughs before treating it.

There are two types of coughs: productive and dry cough. Dry cough is caused due to irritants, dry air and allergies whereas productive cough will make you cough up phlegm. Both these conditions can be treated by taking few medications. Instead of taking cough syrups and medications in an initial stage, you can try few natural home remedies for cough treatment.

Effective Home Remedies for treating All types of Cough

Here are some remedies effective in cough.

Ginger Remedies for Cough

Ginger has soothing properties and is a common ingredient in cough syrups. It has expectorant properties and helps loosen and expel phlegm from lungs. It can even control the painful tingling sensation caused at the back of your throat that triggers cough.

Ginger juice with honey for all types of cough

Ginger juice acts as expectorant and reduces phlegm production in the lungs. It helps coughing up accumulated phlegm and reduces throat irritation when used with honey.

1. Take fresh ginger slice and extract its juice.
2. Now, take 1 tsp. of ginger juice and 1 tsp. of honey.
3. Mix ginger juice with honey and use it by swallowing slowly.

Ginger with salt

You can simply cut a slice of fresh ginger, sprinkle little salt over it and chew it.

Note

However, it is also beneficial for all types of cough, but we found it more effective in only productive cough. Some people with dry cough may feel increase in throat irritation after taking this remedy, so we suggest using it only in productive cough.

Ginger tea

You can also consume fresh ginger tea twice a day to treat coughs. For preparing it, follow the steps given below.

1. Add few chopped ginger slices in a bowl filled with water.
2. Boil this liquid until it reduces to half the original quantity.
3. Strain it and sweeten it with honey before drinking it warm.

Ginger with basil leaves

Ginger along with basil leaves is yet effective in treating cough.

1. Crush basil leaves and add ginger extract to it.
2. Mix in along with honey and swallow around 1tbsp of this mixture.
3. Follow this remedy twice a day to see effective results.

Ginger Mix for cough with congestion and cold

You can prepare a paste using black pepper powder, ginger extract, Turmeric (Haridra or Haldi) and honey. Have it slowly for around 10 minutes. It helps reduce congestion in chest and cough as well.

Honey remedies for soothing throat in cough

Honey is a rich demulcent and does an incredible job of soothing and coating irritated mucous membranes, thanks to its stickiness, high viscosity and the enzymes added by honey bees. Its antibacterial properties can help treat infections as well.

1. You can have a tablespoon of honey early in the morning to treat coughs.
2. You may even add honey to grape juice when you have dry cough.
3. A glass of milk with a pinch of turmeric and honey can help in relieving night coughs.
4. Add lemon juice and honey in warm water. Consume it thrice a day to get relief from coughs.
5. If you are having nasty cough, consume at least 3tbsp of honey daily on an empty stomach.

Peppermint remedies to break up phlegm

Menthol in peppermint acts as an amazing decongestant that helps in breaking down mucus and soothing sore throat. Menthol is also an active ingredient in vapor rubs. When applied on the chest, it can effectively treat chest congestion and breaks up phlegm.

1. You can consume peppermint tea daily to soothe your irritating sore throat.
2. Try inhaling the vapors of peppermint through steam bath. Drop around four or five drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water. Inhale its vapors to get relief from coughs.

Licorice root

Licorice (Mulethi or Yashtimadhu) – acts as demulcent and has expectorant properties, which helps in thinning and loosening mucus, soothing airways. It also helps reduce inflammation that is irritating your throat.

Glycyrrhizin, the major component in licorice releases an enzyme that regulates the access of glucocorticoid to steroid receipting hormones, which thereby slows down the transformation of cortisol to cortisone. It helps reduce inflammation by increasing the effect of cortisol.

1. Prepare licorice root tea by adding dried licorice root in a pan filled with hot water.
2. Allow it to boil and steep for few minutes.
3. Make sure that it is covered with water.
4. Drink this herbal tea at least twice a day to see amazing results.

Thyme tea

Thyme has been a great herb in treating coughs. It is known for its antimicrobial properties. Thyme helps in relaxing the muscles of bronchi and trachea and reopens the blocked up airways. It eases your comfort and reduces intensity of coughing.

1. Lightly bruise a handful of thyme springs with pestle or mortar and then place it in a mug.
2. Cover it with a glass of boiling water.
3. Steep it for around 15 minutes.
4. Add little honey and squeeze little lemon juice.

Drink it warm at least twice a day. Have it before going to bed.

Marshmallow

The roots and leaves of this herb are known to treat coughs and sore throat. However, there are no studies to support these claims yet this herb is considered safe. This herb contains mucilage, which soothes irritation because gelatin in it coats and soothes throat.

1. This herb can be used to prepare herbal decoction and can be consumed daily.
2. It is also available in the form of supplements and can be taken after seeking approval from your physician.

In addition, the juice of marshmallow plant can also be used to treat sore throats and dry cough.

Lemon

Lemon is loaded with vitamin C and helps loosen as well as clear up phlegm. Lemon along with honey is known as a traditional remedy for treating cough easily. All you have to do is prepare your own cough syrup using lemon and honey and consume it daily before going to bed.

1. Add few tbsp. of honey in a pan and cook it over a low flame for 2 minutes.
2. Now put a lemon (entire lemon without peeling and cutting it) in hot water and allow it to boil for few minutes.
3. Remove it from the water and keep it aside to cool.
4. You can cut it down to slices once it reaches the room temperature.
5. Make sure you cut it to thin slices. Add these slices to warm honey and stir it for few minutes.
6. Put this mixture on a pan and cook it for an hour but make sure it does not boil.
7. Strain the mixture and remove all the plumps and seeds of lemon. After this mixture cools down, you can place it in a dark airtight bottle and store it in your refrigerator.
8. This cough syrup can be taken twice a day to see visible results.