
You might have a cough for different reasons, including allergies, infections, or acid reflux. This article teaches you 10 natural remedies for treating your cough.
Honey
By taking one or two teaspoons of honey, you can reduce mucus production and also kill germs. However, honey can also cause botulism in babies, so avoid giving it to children not up to a year old.
Ginger
Research shows that certain purified compounds in ginger root can relax the muscles, tightening your airways. You can eat ginger raw or mix ground ginger root with honey and stir it into tea.
Hot Drinks
Hot drinks can soothe a cough better than those at room temperature. You can sip on hot tea or hot water to reduce your coughing.
Steam
Breathing in steam can help with coughing as it calms and moisturizes your airways. You can also include essential oils like peppermint in the water to make the steam more bearable.
Water
Drinking lots of water soothes the scratching associated with coughing and keeps you hydrated. It also reduces the amount of mucus in your throat.
Elderberry
You can take elderberry extract as a syrup or as a capsule supplement. It may not ease your cough immediately, but studies show it could make it disappear sooner.
Neti Pot
Upper airway inflammation is one of the most common reasons for having a cough. You can keep this inflammation down using saline irrigation or washing out your nasal passages with a saltwater rinse. This involves using a special bulb or container called a neti pot to flush out irritants and clear away mucus.
Gargle Saltwater
A saltwater gargle is usually used for treating sore throats, but you can try it for coughs too. The extra moisture can reduce moisture and wash out things that irritate your throat, similar to what a saline rinse does for the nose.
To begin, mix 1/4 to 1/2 of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Next, tip your head back, gargle, and then spit the mixture out.
Menthol
Menthol, a compound naturally found in peppermint, opens your airways to help you breathe better and reduce your cough. You can find menthol in peppermint tea, cough drops, and rubs you spread across your chest.
Herbs
Experts have discovered that mixing herbs like ivy leaf, thyme, marshmallow root, and aniseed into a syrup can reduce the number of days you have a cough.
Conclusion
A cough can be stressful, but you can treat it with various natural remedies. These include honey, ginger, steam, elderberry, and menthol.