Coughing happens when viruses, bacteria, dust, pollen or other substances irritate the nerve endings in the airways between the throat and lungs. When it comes to treating a cough, instead of reaching for the cough syrup, you can try some natural treatments that are available right inside your home.
Cough is a common reflex action that occurs when foreign irritants drain down the back of the throat. Some natural remedies may help to relieve a cough. Before you reach out for pills, try these given the Best Home Remedies for Cough.
Tumeric Milk
“A great home remedy beverage for cough, congestion, colds and skin problems. Turmeric is fast becoming a popular remedy for just about everything that ails you. Turmeric milk is healthy, beneficial for body and easy to make. One of the most important benefits of turmeric milk is that it works as an excellent home remedy for cough and cold.
Mix 1-2 tsp of pure curcumin powder in warm milk, mix thoroughly. Using this concoction twice a day offers relief from cough in just two days. This remedy works better for cough caused by bacteria.
Steam
A wet cough, which is one that produces mucus or phlegm, may improve with steam. 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.
Alternatively, make a steam bowl. To do this, 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.
Giloy Juice
In case of chronic cough, you must have 2 tablespoons of Giloy juice with water in the morning everyday till it becomes better. It builds your immunity and is known to bring about a balance in three doshas – Vatta, Pita and Kapha.
It acts as an anti-allergic and thus, helps in treating cough caused due to allergic reactions to smoke, pollution or pollen.
Honey + Mulethi + Cinnamon
A mix of 1/4 teaspoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon mulethi powder and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon with water had twice daily in the morning and evening works wonders. Honey is known for its great anti-inflammatory properties.
A 2007 study conducted at Penn State College of Medicine showed that honey is actually more effective than over-the-counter medicines that mostly contain cough suppressants like dextromethorphan.
Black Pepper
For productive cough, black pepper is the simplest home remedy. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper with desi ghee or honey and have it on a full stomach. The heating quality helps in clearing congestion.
Have this concoction at least two to three times a day for best results.
Spiced Tea
A warm cup of spiced tea is a great way to get rid of a bad cough, naturally. Add 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder, a pinch of cinnamon and some cloves. All three spices are known to heal you from within.
These warming spices gently reduce congestion and phlegm in the lungs, and also help in drying up a runny nose.
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea not only tastes good but also helps in treating common cold and cough. The tea helps in drying running and dripping nose, thus expelling phlegm from the respiratory tract.
Among various health benefits of ginger, it is known to soothe common cold and seeds up the recovery process.
Ginger-Tulsi mixture
Ginger may ease a dry or asthmatic cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It may also relieve nausea and pain. Tulsi or holy basil is one of the most wondrous herbs and is known for its medicinal properties.
Extract the ginger juice and add crush tulsi leaves to it and add honey. Consume it to get relief from a cough.
Salt-Water Gargle
This simple remedy is one of the most effective for treating a sore throat and wet cough. Salt water reduces phlegm and mucus in the back of the throat which can lessen the need to cough.
Stir half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it dissolves. Allow the solution to cool slightly before using it to gargle. Let the mixture sit at the back of the throat for a few moments before spitting it out. Gargle with salt water several times each day until the cough improves.
Honey + Warm Water + Lemon
A study on treatments for nighttime coughing in children compared dark honey with the cough-suppressing medication dextromethorphan and with no treatment. The researchers reported that honey provided the most significant relief from coughing, followed by dextromethorphan.
To use honey to treat 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. Drink this mixture once or twice a day. Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.
Probiotics
Probiotics are microorganisms that can provide a host of health benefits. While they don’t relieve a cough directly, they do help to balance your gastrointestinal flora. Gastrointestinal flora is the bacteria that live in your intestines. This balance can support immune system function throughout the body.
Evidence also suggests that Lactobacillus, a bacterium in dairy, can reduce the likelihood of a cold or flu and sensitivity to certain allergens, such as pollen.
Hot Milk with Honey
Hot milk with honey is useful for treating dry cough and easing chest pain from continuous coughing. For optimum results, drink it before sleep. Separately have a teaspoon of plain honey on empty stomach to clear the mucus and soothe the throat.