Home remedies for cough: discover the best options

Honey is one of the best home remedies for cough. Discover other natural solutions to relieve dry and productive coughs.

Coughing is the body’s natural reaction to irritation in the throat or airways. Coughing occasionally is common and healthy, but when it becomes bothersome and occurs throughout the day, it may be helpful to look for natural ways to relieve it.

Among the various home remedies for cough, some stand out as particularly effective.

However, before trying these home remedies, it is important to understand what type of cough you have in order to determine whether these options are sufficient or whether medical attention is needed.1

Types of cough

Depending on its duration, a cough may be acute (appears suddenly and disappears within days or weeks), subacute (lasts between three and eight weeks) or chronic (lasts for more than eight weeks and persists over time).

It can also be classified according to its characteristics:1, 2 and 3

Productive cough with mucus: generally associated with a respiratory infection. If accompanied by bloody mucus, treatment goes beyond the use of home remedies;
Dry and non-productive cough (without mucus): often occurs following a respiratory infection.

Main causes

Coughing can have several causes, with the most common including:2 and 3

Asthma;
Allergies;
Rhinosinusitis;
Post-nasal drip;
Gastro-oesophageal reflux;
Certain medications, such as nasal sprays;
Inhalation or aspiration of foreign substances, such as smoke or dust;
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung diseases;
Respiratory infections, such as influenza, the common cold, acute bronchitis or pneumonia.

9 home remedies for cough

In general, it is not necessary to see a doctor for a cough. General recommendations include resting, drinking plenty of fluids and, in the case of a high fever, staying at home and avoiding contact with other people.

From honey to tea, discover 9 home remedies that may help relieve discomfort.4

Honey

The combination of lemon and honey is an effective home remedy for cough, as it can have an effect similar to cough syrups. In addition to helping eliminate germs, honey may reduce mucus production.

Before going to bed, add a spoonful of honey to tea or hot water. This drink may help relieve coughing.

This home remedy is not recommended for children under one year of age, as honey may cause botulism.4, 5, 6 and 7

Herbs

Some herbs, such as thyme and marshmallow root, may help relieve persistent coughing.

In addition to its culinary uses, thyme is also used medicinally as a home remedy for cough, sore throat, bronchitis and digestive problems.

Marshmallow root may also be used to relieve cough and sore throat and is available as a dried herb or in tea bags. To consume it, add hot water and drink immediately or leave it to cool before drinking.

The longer marshmallow root is infused in water, the more mucilage will be released into the drink. This may provide greater cough relief by reducing the cough reflex while also helping to keep the throat hydrated.5 and 6

Water

Staying well hydrated with water is an excellent home remedy for a dry cough, as it helps relieve the itchy sensation in the throat.

Drinking plenty of water can also help loosen mucus and soothe a dry, irritating cough.5, 7 and 8

Menthol

Menthol, found in peppermint, helps open the airways and can make breathing easier. As a result, it may help relieve a persistent dry cough.

It can be found in chest rubs, cough lozenges and peppermint tea.5

Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with coughing caused by allergies or colds.

Certain compounds found in ginger root may help relax the muscles that constrict the airways, reducing throat irritation and calming a mild cough.

You can mix powdered ginger with honey and add it to hot tea, or use ginger when preparing soup.

Ginger can also be eaten raw.5 and 7

Hot drinks

Hot drinks do not act directly on nasal congestion, but they may soothe a dry and irritating cough more effectively than drinks served at room temperature. Try drinking tea or hot water to help relieve coughing.5 and 8

Cough lozenges

Cough lozenges may help with a productive cough by keeping the throat moist enough to provide temporary relief. However, if the cough is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be required.

If this is not the cause, try menthol cough lozenges to help open the airways, always following the instructions on the packaging. In general, you should not take more than one lozenge every two hours.5, 7 and 8

Humidifier and steam

Coughs caused by asthma, allergies and colds often become worse in dry environments. Using a humidifier may help soothe the airways and loosen mucus.

Similarly, a productive cough with mucus may also improve with steam. Simply take a hot shower and allow the steam to fill the room. Symptoms may improve after a few minutes.5, 6 and 7

Gargling with salt water

Another home remedy for cough is gargling with salt water, which is commonly used for sore throats and symptoms associated with the common cold.

The additional moisture can thin mucus and help remove substances that irritate the throat.

Mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Tilt your head back, gargle and then spit out the solution. This can be repeated several times a day until the cough improves.5 and 6

How can you prevent coughing?

To help prevent viruses that can cause coughing, you can adopt several strategies:6 and 7

Wash your hands;
Drink warm fluids;
Avoid alcohol;
Follow a healthy diet — fruit and vegetables support health during respiratory infection season;
Sleep at least seven hours per night — the immune system needs sufficient rest to function properly.

Complementing these self-care measures with Unilabs health and wellness tests can help you monitor your immune health and prevent future complications.

Book your health and wellness test now

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