10 Best Cough Home Remedy
Looking for the best cough home remedy? Your worries are about to end as we are here with exactly that. It does not have any side effects or drowsiness that normally come with store-bought cough syrups.
Whenever you are under the weather or having the flu, fever, or viral attack, you end up having a bad cough that does not go away soon.
Â
Sometimes, it takes weeks to months for the cough to completely vanish. You end up having a good deal of cough syrup bottles but in vain. Every now and then, coughing in itself causes pain in the ribs and you may also get stomach sprains.
Always make sure that the supplements and herbs you are taking as the cough home remedy shall be of good quality.
Â
Also, the thing to keep in mind is that these remedies may interfere with other medications.
Assuringly, a cough is nothing to worry about. It may subside within 3 weeks. But, if the cough is persistent and exceeds more than this time, then you shall seek medical advice at once.
Why Do I Cough?
![]()
Do you often wonder what is cough? Cough is actually a reflex action to clear the airways from mucous or any irritants or allergens like dust, smoke, and pollen. A viral infection can also be the cause of a cough.
Types of Cough
- Voluntary
- Involuntary
- Acute
- Chronic
- Dry
- Wet
- Whooping
- Choking
Certainly, uncontrollable laughter and giggles are something we all long for. But, an uncontrollable cough is something, we all unanimously DREAD!!
Cough Home Remedy
1. Water
Cough is greatly reduced by increasing the water intake. As it not only gives hydration to the body but also increases body immunity.
It then helps to flush off the virus or source of infection from the body.
It is better to take warm water as cold or water at room temperature would aggravate the cough.Â
Remain hydrated and breeze off from a persistent cough.
2. Hot Drinks
Hands down, if you take a hot drink- a cup of coffee, tea, or just lukewarm-infused water, you get instant relief from coughing.
Â
Evidently, the hot concoctions loosen the sinuses and chest secretions. This helps to get rid of mucus and phlegm easily.
3. Soups and Porridges
You can also make different delicious soups and porridges. Have them warmed. Undoubtedly, they help to loosen the mucus and clear the airways. Chicken soup is among the best soups to get rid of cough, as it also increases immunity. You can also make clear soup with different vegetables and add grated ginger. Top it with lemon as an immunity booster.
4. Gargle With Saltwater
Take a glass of water and add half a teaspoon of salt to it. Mix well.
Thoroughly, gargle using this solution. It will help loosen the mucus in the throat. Saltwater is antimicrobial as well.
5. Steam
Wet cough, characterized by phlegm or mucous secretion, is found to be greatly reduced by taking steam or a hot-water bath.
This is the reason why you feel so relaxed and have greatly eased symptoms of cough after a long relaxing hot-water bath
6. Ginger
Cough home remedy is synonymous with ginger and honey. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help ease the asthmatic or dry cough. Not only that, but it is also quite useful as a pain reliever for the aches caused by a cough.
Â
You can either take a small, raw piece of ginger or steep it up as tea. It will work efficiently both ways. The choice is yours.
7. Honey
Either you can have a teaspoon of honey separately or mix a teaspoon of honey in ginger tea.
Â
Unquestionably, honey has effectively relieved coughs for centuries. And it is among one of the most ancient cough home remedies.
It is because it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its viscous nature coats the throat lining, resulting in a soothing effect.
Â
It muat not be given to children under the age of one and it may cause botulism (food poisoning) in them.
Â
8. Lemon
Indeed, lemon is also a cough reliever. It is a great source of Vitamin C and is anti-inflammatory in nature.
Â
There is a common misconception that vitamin C or other sour fruits may cause a sore throat but, it is otherwise.
Â
Vitamin C boosts immunity.
Â
Â
Honey and ginger can also be added to the lemon tea and it will become a power punch.
Â
It helps reduce phlegm and clears the airways.
It’s better to take warm water as cold or water at room temperature would aggravate the cough.Â
9. Apply Vapor Rub
Since the invention of vapor rub, it has been a cough home remedy. Remember how your mother used to rub it on your chest, throat, and temples?
Only reminiscing it, makes us smell the vapor rub! Doesn’t it?:)Â Â
Moreover, it is really helpful in relieving cough, when rubbed on the soles of babies and adults.
Do this at bedtime and wear socks.
Magically, the cough will decline and completely disappear in a day or two.
10. While Lying Elevate Your Head
Coughing as a result of postnasal drip is greatly reduced by keeping the head elevated while lying or sleeping. So make sure that you place enough pillows under your head before lying as a relief to a wheezing cough.
Covid-19 Cough Home RemedyÂ
While falling prey to Covid-19 (or Coronavirus), if you are having a cough, then the best cough home remedy is gargling from saltwater, keeping yourself hydrated, and having warm drinks.
Â
This will soothe the throat from the harshness caused by a cough.
Â
Cough Home Remedy During Pregnancy
![]()
Like the cough home remedies above, the same thing is good to treat cough during pregnancy.
- Keep hydrated.
- Take hot soups and broths.
- Drink hot beverages.
- Have ginger, lemon, and honey tea.
- Use humidifier.
- Take prenatal vitamins.
- Warm salt water gargles.
Lastly, if the condition persists, and the cough exceeds 10 days, then go visit your doctor.
Cough Home Remedy For Children and Infants
![]()
As their immunity is in the developing phase, children are prone to falling ill with coughs and colds at a larger frequency.
Â
Kids under 6 years of age should not be given cough syrups and other medications. So, it is better to play it safe through home remedies.
- Saline drops.
- DIY cough syrup made up of honey, ginger extract, and lemon juice.
- Keep them hydrated.
- Use humidifier.
- Give your baby steam. (Either through a steamer or simply fill up the bathtub with hot water and sit with your kid in the bathroom with the door closed for 10 minutes.)
- Keep your kid’s head elevated while sleeping or lying.
- Apple vapor rubs under the feet and let them wear socks.
- Pack up your baby and take him out in the cold for a while or let him stand in front of the opened freezer for a while.
If the cough does not subside, then head right away to your kid’s doctor.
Best Dry Cough Home Remedy
Use a humidifier at your home or in your bedroom. It will moisten your nasal passage and help you to get rid of the cough.
Â
Other than that, the above-mentioned cough home remedies will also work wonders.
Takeaway
Try one or more of the cough home remedies. But, if the condition worsens and elevates with time, then go see a doctor right away. As the cough could be due to underlying health conditions, like Asthma, Tuberculosis, Acid Reflux, Pneumonia, Chronic Sinusitis, or Bronchitis.
Â
Â