Cough is just a symptom; don’t count it as a disease. Coughing is responsible for affecting the lung and interrupting the internal airway passage in our body. It was and will always be something that is apparent to everyone in the world. It is actually the body’s reflex mechanism that when the “body” feels an irritation in the air passage. Formally, it has always remained as a symptom of many underlying medical complications or diseases, but there are certain ways on how to get rid of a cough in a quick manner. In general, Coughs are the side effect of colds and flue. But there are some other reasons too-
Common Causes of Cough:
Most of the common cold and resulting discomfort occurs because of a virus. Such kind of cold virus can come in almost 200 different forms. You can get into connection with the cold virus through handshaking, breathing, touching, or kissing. You do not get caught by the cold just because of weather changes, or from deprived nutrition or excessive exercise.
Statistics and studies also reveal that people suffering from asthma or any kind of allergies are more probable to be contaminated by that cold virus. Even Stress can also be one of the major reasons behind getting cold. Common causes of cough are Allergies, Asthma, Dry Air, Acid Reflux, Smoking, Common Cold, Bronchitis, Inhaling and Irritant, Viral Infection, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and so on.
How to Get Rid of a Cough Naturally (Home Remedies)
1. Homemade Syrup
If you want to make one helpful cough syrup which is totally homemade and for adults, you have to mix some whiskey in a mug of lukewarm lemon juice. Though the alcohol might not have any kind of effect on the cough, it will definitely help you loosen up.
Preparation and Usage:
- Take 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey and 2 ounces lemon juice, and 4 ounces of water in a mug.
- Warm some water and pour into the mug.
- Pour one tablespoon of honey into the mug and stir well.
- Drink this once a day.
2. Hot Milk
One cup of warm milk mixed with honey will work wonders for your cough. The milk will slide down your throat really fast and the honey in it will soothe all the irritation. So, follow this simple procedure-
- Warm up some milk in the stove.
- Let it boil.
- Put one tablespoon of honey in a mug.
- Pour the milk into the mug and stir well
- Drink this every day.
3. Different kinds of Soup
Warm soups are a very quick way to get rid of your cough. The warm liquid lightens up mucus and the ingredients with which you make the soup are themselves packed with anti- cough elements. Put some spices in your soup while you make them. This will enforce the soup further to make your cough disappear.
- Chicken Soup- this is the most common kind of soup because it really works. It has anti-inflammatory characteristics and it acts like an immune booster. Also, it tastes delicious.
- Cream and Tomato Soup– tomato soup is filled with vitamin C. it is also a warm up for winter. You could also make some deliciously dairy-free soup to get your mucus concentration down. If you feel determined, you can combine it with some grilled cheese sandwich, so that you can have full eating comfort.
- Garlic and Kale Soup- Kale is the powerhouse of multiple vitamins. Garlic has antibiotic properties. Together, you are going to a perfectly healthy soup for yourself. In truth, you may want to think of this as a regular preventative remedy until the winter is gone.
4. Eat Spicy Foods
Spicy foods help to soothe the mucus in your throat. Eastern cuisines have a lot of spices in their food. Spices like black or cayenne pepper in cough remedies. Let us look at some examples-
- Take one teaspoon of fresh grounded black pepper and one tablespoon of honey. Make a paste. Warm some water and pour the paste in water. Honey has antibacterial properties.
- Make some homemade cough syrup. Mix half a teaspoon of pepper with half a teaspoon powdered ginger, one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey and some water to make syrup. Drink this syrup twice every day.
5. The Neti Pot and Nasal Sprays
If you are experiencing irritating nasal congestion that is putting you in extremely discomfort, one of the finest ways to simply get rid of it is to wash it out at its source using a salty nasal spray. Not only this technique reduces the sternness of congestion, but also reduces any kind of possible infection. You can procure many such useful nasal sprays over-the-counter from nearby drug stores.
You can also formulate the spray at your own by homely ingredients.
Preparation and Use:
- Mix a quarter teaspoon salt with 8 ounces of warm water
- Apply a quarter teaspoon baking soda in it and mix well.
- Spray it inside your nose by way of a bulb syringe, or a neti pot to clear your nasal vessel.
6. Use a Humidifier!
Creating moist environment for yourself will help soothe your cough greatly. You could use a humidifier to do that. But you need to clean it on a regular basis. The moisture will create an infestation of mold, bacteria and other fungi.
Molds can cause diseases like pathogens can turn out to be airborne if the humidifier is not clean. Bacteria could build up in the machine too, then get out into the air with the steam. Every night, run your humidifier and inhale the warm vapors. This technique is helpful for all kinds of coughs like asthma, colds and allergies.
7. Blend Almonds
Some of the earliest traditions consider blended almonds help ease bronchial problems, along with coughs. Almonds are highly enriched with vitamin E, copper, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamins, phosphorous, niacin, and selenium, all of which is a panacea for illnesses, infections and more. Take a teaspoon of almond oil in a glass of warm milk to help boost the body’s immunity and suppress a coughing reflex.
Preparation and Usage:
- Take three teaspoons of almonds and blend it.
- Take a big cup of orange juice and pour it into the blender.
- Blend the solution well.
- Drink this every day as a home remedy.
8. Carrot Juice
Carrots are packed with great nutrients and they also have high levels of antioxidants. As an antioxidant and beta-carotene food, carrots are quite effective in suppressing a bad cough. Blending carrot juice with warm water and honey and drinking it whenever you feel a cough occurring, helps to lubricate the throat and stop a bad cough. Warming carrot juice straight from the bottle is also very effective in suppressing a cough.
Preparation and Usage:
- Peel and cut the carrots into medium chunks. Boil it until it softens.
- Strain the chunks and keep the liquid in a bowl.
- Mash the carrot chunks or put them in a blender.
- Add three tablespoons of honey in the strained water and add the mashed carrot.
- Stir it well.
- Take three tablespoons of this juice every day.
9. Honey with Lemon Juice
On the other hand, you can try mixing honey in lukewarm water with lemon juice and ginger and drink that up. It is highly beneficial for those suffering from bad coughs.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is a great remedy to treat dry cough in a natural and simple way. Here we have some suggestions for you to incorporate turmeric in the cough treatment regimen of yours-
- Take one teaspoon turmeric and one tablespoon honey. Mix it and make a paste. Take this remedy three times every day to be relieved from dry coughs.
- You could mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of black pepper. Boil some water. Pour the mixture in it along with honey and cinnamon sticks. Stir well. Drink once daily.
[ Also Read: How To Effectively Get Rid Of Sore Throat ]
11. Belleric Myrobalan
This plum like fruit and herb is used in many home remedies because of its properties that are widely used to treat the throat, lung, stomach, and respiratory systems. In its herb form, belleric myrobalan contains lots of tannin substances. For a bad cough:
- Take two teaspoons of honey.½ teaspoon of black pepper.
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
- ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Mix with 2 cups of pulp from the belleric myrobablan fruit or a cup of its herbal forms.
- Mix and drink this mixture twice a day to relieve a bad cough and experience complete healing which has been proven through the Ayurvedic methods.
12. Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which has been used in prescription drugs to stop persistent coughs. The cocoa used to make chocolates contains antioxidants that help the body ward off illnesses. Research has proven that eating chocolate is often better than sucking on lozenges to stop a bad cough.
Chocolate also contains polyphenols that are abundant in plant-based foods and which are used in OTC medicines to right cancer. Dark chocolates contain flavonoids which also is a powerful antioxidant against cold infections.
13. Bromelain
Pineapple is very rich with nutrients like Vitamin C and the enzyme bromelain. This enzyme suppresses cough and thins out mucus. This helps with allergy-based sinus irritation which causes coughs.
You could also buy Bromelain supplements from pharmacies. You don’t need a doctor’s prescription for it. But the drugs are not perfect for the patients taking blood thinners. In order to avoid side effects from this, consult your doctor about Bromelain supplements, particularly if you take any other medicines.
14. Honey
One of the oldest and the most pacifying methods to treat a cough is to ingest honey. Taking a teaspoon of honey will instant ease to the throat. Also, it works as a lubricating agent, thus, if you have a dry cough, the inner membranes of your throat will be glazed with it and you will not feel any sort of irritation there. Moreover, it is ideal for all people of all ages.
15. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea can be brewed with many different recipes, one of which is a tea which contains cardamom, chamomile, clove, ginger and honey. Take very little of everything together and boil it at first; by boiling it, the juice and the essence of each herb and spice will come out and the water color will change. After that, you put in tea leaves – it can be green tea leaves or dried tea leaves, whichever suffices for you and boil the brew.
Drink hot and you will instantly get a great soothing sensation in your throat and the coughing will seize instantly for quite a time. Additionally, you can try taking this tea for multiple times throughout the day and it will help you get well quicker.
Or take a green tea bag, make a gorgeous mug of green tea mixing with 2tbsp honey and some lemon or ginger extract. Drink it hot and stay relaxed for half an hour. It makes your throat clear and mollify cough.
16. Licorice Extract
Of all the home remedy teas that you can brew, herbal tea with licorice extract is highly beneficial to the air passage, windpipe and your throat. To begin with, if you have a cough due to an infection or a virus, there is a high chance that the pathway to your lungs is bloated or swollen.
Therefore, a licorice-infused tea will help reduce it quick and hush that cough away. Brewing it as easy as brewing the herbal, take an ample proportion of dry licorice root or extract and then brew it along with honey and other ingredients. It is important to mention that licorice should be avoided by people who have urological complications.
17. Honey and Ginger
In fact, you can also try mixing other stuffs to honey and then taking it for your cough. Try peeling a little bit of ginger, then chop it and take a bit of honey with it and chew it up. You won’t feel the tinge burning sensation of the ginger and the ginger juice as well as the honey will help you. Or take some fresh slices of ginger and chew them with a little salt. If you think you can’t chew raw ginger then mix some ginger extract with your hot tea.
18. Gargle with Salt Water
It is one of the oldest homely tricks to get over the cold. The method is also very helpful to lessen throat pain and untie irritating mucous. Studies show that a proper gargle of warm salt water at least three times per day can help you to avoid sickness during cold season.
Preparation and Usage:
- Take a full glass of warm water.
- Just dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in it.
- Gargle for a few seconds, and then spit it out gradually.
19. Turmeric Powder
In South East Asia, an age-old remedy to soothe coughing is to mix turmeric powder with lukewarm milk and then drinking it. It is beneficial to cure the ailment as well as any underlying infection due to which the coughing has occurred and get rid of a cough.
20. Aromatic Oils
Apart from these, you can try taking in vapor of hot water mixed with aromatic/ essential oils or even menthol. As you take in the vapor and breathe it out, your lungs-passage will get cleared and your coughing will stop. Essential oils include tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, black pepper oil and more.
Black pepper oil is essential and you can even take a spoon of it and feel ease. Try to suppress coughing, as you try to change the pattern of cough coming, it will slowly start to cease. Moreover, you can try gargling salted water. It is an old remedy too and can help with sore throats along with coughing.
21. Garlic
Consuming raw garlic or garlic based tea treats cough and sore throat. An age old remedy, in various mixtures, to cure a dry cough is garlic. Warm black tea with garlic and honey is great. Or cut a few garlic cloves and place them in a container, pour honey over them and place in the refrigerator overnight.
In the morning and thereafter, take a tablespoon to relieve your cough. A simple garlic mixture is to boil two cups of water with about five cloves of garlic, remove the cloves and drink the water. Garlic is a natural anti-oxidant that gives your immune system a needed boost.
Take plenty of raw garlic with your regular snacks, it gives more health benefits while healing cough. If you don’t find it yummy just skip it and try to mix garlic extract into your tea mug.
22. Stay Hydrated
It is important to stay hydrated because if the fluid level of your body is right then the phlegm will dilute over time. Also, you can use a humidifier and breathe in the warm vapor. The essential thing to be mindful of is that you should stay away from any type of irritant that will trigger your coughing.
Also, DO NOT go near any sort of smoke or DO NOT SMOKE! Liquor and any sort of alcohol ingestion should be avoided.
23. Mint-Infused Tea
Another great drink to help ease coughing is mint-infused tea. You can try doing this: take peppermint/ mint leaves and ginger together in pan and crush them together. Add water and put it to boil. After it has come to a boil, you can mix in honey, tea leaves and in the end sprinkle some lime zest and juice and drink it down.
24. Hot Drinks and Liquids
The hot drinks provide immediate and sustained relief from unwanted cough and also sore throat. Besides these, hot drinks especially no-spice soups help to comfort you and your throat. Warm milk, coffee, hot chocolate, chicken soup also helps.
As an initial cure from common cold, consumption of a lot of water, liquids, juices and other drinks such as tea and herbs in general can assist. Because liquids avert the extensive drying of throat and congested nose, they assist the mucous membranes glands to linger open and thus it is easier to dirt free.
Such kind of liquids is also helpful when you catch fever. In such case, there is excessive risk of loss of fluids with dehydration. In accumulation, the hydration condition of the body put into the elimination of toxins formed from dead cells, which augments its ability to wrestle against the virus.
25. Try Cough Medicine
All over-the-counter kinds of cough syrups will help ease your mucus formation and soreness too. You can get sprays and drops. They coat your throat and will provide pain relief too.
If you are about to go to work, you have to pick a non-drowsy one. However, if you are facing problems sleeping for a sore throat, you should go for a more nighttime one that contains a ache reliever and antihistamine. This could help you sleep better.
How to Get Rid of a Bad Cough Using Over the Counter Medications
Generally there are many types of OTC available for cough like cough suppressant, expectorants and topical drugs. You can take the following medicines to get rid of a cough effectively.
Expectorants– Expectorants like Robitussin, Mucinex, Guaifenasin are the most common medication that help to get congestion out. These medicines help to break mucus and cough more easily. Use these medicines when you have congestion and a persistent cough.
Suppressants– Some popular cough suppressants such as Delsym, Robitussin Cough, Dextromethorphan that is very effective for stop coughing.
Topical Drugs– The commonly used topical drugs for cough are menthol and camphor. These are basically natural aromatic drugs. They are rubbed on both the chest and throat.
Take Doctor’s Suggestion!
If your situation is not improving at all, then you should check on with a doctor. If taking over-the-counter medicines and these remedies do not help you and your condition does not improve within a fortnight then you should visit the doctor as soon as possible. He or she will diagnose what your actual problem might be.
Prescribed medicines will be beneficial and you should take them according to the timings the doctor mentions to you. Besides, keep check of other symptoms too, and follow the home remedies suit to get rid of a cough.
