8 natural remedies for cough (very effective)
The cough, despite not being very serious in most cases, is quite annoying . This occurs because the nerve endings of the airways that are between the throat and the lungs are irritating for different reasons: dust, bacteria, viruses ...
The body reacts with the cough to try to expel these substances from these routes and thus clean them. In this article we give you some tips to treat cough naturally, without medication.
Differences between dry cough and productive cough
Cough can be classified in two ways, in dry cough and productive cough . The productive cough is one in which mucus or phlegm is expelled through the action of coughing. This cough should not be suppressed, since it has a beneficial effect for the organism. However, it is possible to take something to produce an expectorant effect and, in this way, loosen the mucus. The result is that it is easier for the organism to get rid of the mucus.
Dry cough is different from productive cough, so it is beneficial to try to suppress it. It can be caused by different reasons, for example, an environment with a lot of dust, allergies, dry air, etc. The medicines that are usually used for this type of cough usually contain dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine.
A series of studies published in 2004 did not find significant differences between taking these medications or a placebo, which indicates that, Instead of resorting to chemicals, it is almost better to take natural remedies .
Home remedies to treat cough
So, What natural remedies can we take to reduce the symptoms of cough?
In the following lines you will find a list of 11 natural remedies that will come your way:
1. A spoonful of honey
Honey is a delicious food, and on top it is good to treat coughs. A study conducted by the School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania (United States) concludes that honey may be more effective than drugs to calm cough. Since it is a demulcent, its viscosity and its sticky properties are perfect for this to combat this phenomenon, as it covers and calms the irritated area. If the cough is the result of a bacterial disease, honey can shorten the duration of your symptoms and improve recovery. Ideally, take three tablespoons of honey a day .
However, despite being ideal for children and adults, should not be applied in children under two years, it can cause botulism, a fatal disease. It is also necessary to be careful when buying packaged honey, because according to the Food Safety News, 76% of all the honeys present in the supermarkets may have been treated and do not contain natural honey.
- If you want to go deeper into this topic, you can read our article: "10 foods that are not what they seem"
2. Pepper tea with honey
Infusions can be a good alternative for cough, with the added attraction that they are made with natural products. In case of having a wet cough, it is advisable to drink pepper tea with honey. Apparently this helps to stimulate circulation, works as a relief and potentiates the flow of phlegm .
To make the recipe is simple, so you sure have the ingredients at home without having to go buy them. Just add to a cup of boiling water a spoonful of fresh pepper (fat) and two tablespoons of honey. Then it should be left to rest for 15 minutes. Finally, the mixture must be strained and the infusion is ready to drink.
3. Steam
Steam is one of the best remedies for either a cough, a cold or for congestion . The use of this old practice helps to release mucus and phlegm almost immediately. It is also possible to add oils that facilitate this task and stimulate the positive effect.
To benefit from this you can take a basin with boiled water. Then you must place yourself at a safe distance, in which you do not feel the excess heat and you can breathe the steam. Then place a towel over your head so that steam does not escape. Inhale and exhale as you notice the benefits. Do this for 5-10 minutes, 2 times a day. You can also take a hot bath with the windows closed and take advantage of the steam while you relax.
4. Ginger and mint syrup
Ginger syrup is a home medicine that has been used for a long time to treat cough . It is a natural expectorant, which also stops irritability and pain in the upper part of the throat. It is ideal for dry cough. To increase its effect it is possible to add mint to definitely alleviate that irritating tickling.
The recipe for this syrup is simple to make. It is only necessary to use 3 tablespoons of chopped ginger, 1 tablespoon of dried mint, 4 cups of water and 1 cup of honey. First, you have to chop the ginger and add it together with the mint to 4 cups of water. This mixture is boiled and left to simmer for 15 minutes.The next step is to let it cool slightly. Then add the honey and stir until the mixture has dissolved. Take a spoonful every few hours. It is possible to store the syrup in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
5. Sleep with your head elevated
In some individuals, productive cough occurs when the mucus passes from the back of the nose to the throat . This usually happens, especially during the night, because the lying position of the body causes this phenomenon. Sometimes the effect that this may have is causing a headache and shortness of breath.
Changing this position and sleeping with the highest head helps to prevent this from happening, so there is more likelihood of an improvement and to say goodbye to the cough.
6. Gargling with salt water
Just when the sore throat appears, it is appropriate to gargle with salt water for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This procedure can help drain excess fluid from the inflamed areas of the throat thus reducing symptoms. The gargles, also, make the mucus thinner. Half a glass of cold water with two tablespoons of salt will be enough for this method to take effect.
7. Vaporub
For several decades, Vaporub has been used by many people as a home remedy against cough . A study by the University of Pennsylvania corroborates this. Although it remains a mystery why this product works so well, the ingredients it contains seem to help prevent congestion and reduce cough, since air circulates more freely from the outside to the lungs .
8. Garlic
Garlic is also a natural remedy that works very well to calm the cough with phlegm , and contains several properties that make it act as a natural antibiotic. For garlic to be effective it is possible to consume it in two ways. One of them, when eaten raw, preferably on an empty stomach. However, this is not a viable option for everyone, because it can cause upset stomach.
Another way to benefit from garlic is to split it into two halves and leave each half in the cheeks of the mouth. It should be left in that position for 15-20 minutes, always when the pain is present.
