Home Remedies for Cough
Coughing can be a common occurrence, especially during the colder months of the year. It is often caused by a viral or bacterial infection, allergies, or pollutants in the air, and can be a symptom of a more serious condition. While coughing is a natural way for the body to clear away irritants in the respiratory tract, it can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. Luckily, there are many home remedies that can help soothe a cough and promote healing.
1. Honey
Honey has long been used as a natural remedy for coughs and is even recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Its antiviral and antibacterial properties can help fight off infections that cause coughing. Honey can also soothe the throat and reduce inflammation, which can help ease coughing. Drinking a warm cup of honey tea or taking a spoonful of honey before bed can help calm a coughing fit.
Important Note:
- Do not give honey to infants under one year of age as it can cause infant botulism.
2. Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help relieve coughing. It can also act as a natural expectorant, loosening up mucus in the respiratory tract so it can be expelled more easily. Drinking ginger tea or adding grated ginger to hot water with lemon and honey can help soothe a cough.
3. Steam
Inhaling steam can help moisten and soothe the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough up mucus. Taking a hot shower or bath, using a humidifier, or placing a towel over your head and breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water can all help provide relief from coughing.
4. Saltwater Gargle
Gargling with saltwater can help reduce inflammation and soothe a sore throat. It can also help loosen up mucus in the respiratory tract. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting out. Repeat a few times a day for best results.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help relieve coughing. Adding a teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of warm milk or water can help soothe a cough and promote healing.
6. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has expectorant properties that can help loosen up mucus in the respiratory tract. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a humidifier or steam treatment can help provide relief from coughing.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. It can also help reduce inflammation and thin out mucus in the respiratory tract. Drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar and honey in warm water can help soothe a cough.
8. Lemon
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which can help boost immunity and fight off infections that cause coughing. They also have astringent properties that can help reduce inflammation and soothe a sore throat. Squeezing lemon juice into hot water with honey can help provide relief from a cough.
9. Sage
Sage has natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe a cough and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. Drinking sage tea or adding sage to hot water with honey and lemon can help provide relief from a cough.
10. Peppermint
Peppermint contains menthol, which has a cooling effect that can help relieve coughing. It can also act as a natural decongestant, helping to clear out mucus in the respiratory tract. Drinking peppermint tea or adding a few drops of peppermint oil to a humidifier or steam treatment can help soothe a cough.
11. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. It can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to loosen up mucus in the respiratory tract. Adding cinnamon to hot water with honey and lemon can help soothe a cough.
12. Onion
Onions contain compounds that have natural antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. They can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to break up mucus in the respiratory tract. Eating raw onions or drinking onion juice can help soothe a cough.
13. Betel Leaves
Betel leaves have natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help soothe a cough and fight off infections. Chewing on betel leaves or drinking betel leaf tea can help provide relief from a cough.
14. Carom Seeds
Carom seeds have natural antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. They can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to loosen up mucus in the respiratory tract. Boiling a teaspoon of carom seeds in water and inhaling the steam can help provide relief from a cough.
15. Garlic
Garlic contains compounds that have natural antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. It can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to break up mucus in the respiratory tract. Eating raw garlic or adding it to hot water with honey can help soothe a cough.
16. Almonds
Almonds are rich in vitamins and minerals that can help boost immunity and promote healing. They can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to loosen up mucus in the respiratory tract. Drinking almond milk or eating a handful of almonds can help soothe a cough.
17. Orange
Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which can help boost immunity and fight off infections that cause coughing. They also have natural astringent properties that can help reduce inflammation and soothe a sore throat. Drinking orange juice or eating an orange can help provide relief from a cough.
18. Thyme
Thyme has natural antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. It can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to break up mucus in the respiratory tract. Drinking thyme tea or adding thyme to hot water with honey can help soothe a cough.
19. Raisins
Raisins are packed with vitamins and minerals that can help boost immunity and promote healing. They can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to break up mucus in the respiratory tract. Eating a handful of raisins or drinking raisin water can help soothe a cough.
20. Black Pepper
Black pepper contains compounds that have natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight off infections that cause coughing. It can also act as a natural expectorant, helping to loosen up mucus in the respiratory tract. Adding black pepper to hot water with honey and lemon can help soothe a cough.
Tips for Soothing a Cough
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal tea, or broth.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep to help your body recover.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke as they can irritate the respiratory tract.
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air.
- Avoid exposure to irritants, such as air pollution, dust, and chemicals.
- Take over-the-counter cough suppressants, such as cough drops or cough syrup, as directed.
- Try breathing exercises, such as deep breathing or pursed-lip breathing, to help calm a coughing fit.
- Use pillows or a wedge to elevate your head and promote drainage.
Comparing Home Remedies for Cough
| Remedy | Properties | Preparation | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey | Antiviral, antibacterial, soothes throat, reduces inflammation | Warm cup of tea or spoonful before bed | Calms coughing fit |
| Ginger | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, natural expectorant | Grated ginger in hot water with lemon and honey or ginger tea | Soothes coughing and loosens mucus |
| Steam | Moistens and soothes respiratory tract | Hot shower or bath, humidifier, or towel over head with hot water | Provides relief from coughing |
| Saltwater Gargle | Reduces inflammation, soothes sore throat, and loosens mucus | Half teaspoon of salt in warm water, gargle for 30 seconds before spitting out | Provides relief from coughing |
| Turmeric | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, natural expectorant | Teaspoon of turmeric in warm glass of milk or water | Soothes coughing and promotes healing |
| Eucalyptus Oil | Expectorant, antiviral, antibacterial | Add drops to humidifier or steam treatment | Provides relief from coughing |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Antibacterial, antiviral, reduces inflammation, thins out mucus | Mixture of apple cider vinegar and honey in warm water | Soothes coughing and fights off infections |
| Lemon | Rich in vitamin C, astringent | Lemon juice in hot water with honey | Boosts immunity, soothes sore throat, provides relief from coughing |
| Sage | Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory | Drinking sage tea or adding sage to hot water with honey and lemon | Provides relief from coughing and reduces inflammation |
| Peppermint | Menthol cooling effect, natural decongestant | Peppermint tea or drops in humidifier or steam treatment | Provides relief from coughing and clears out mucus |
| Cinnamon | Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, natural expectorant | Cinnamon in hot water with honey and lemon | Soothes coughing and promotes healing |
| Onion | Antibacterial, antiviral, natural expectorant | Eating raw onions or drinking onion juice | Provides relief from coughing and breaks up mucus |
| Betel Leaves | Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial | Chewing on betel leaves or drinking betel leaf tea | Provides relief from coughing and fights off infections |
| Carom Seeds | Antibacterial, antiviral, natural expectorant | Boiled in water and inhaling the steam | Provides relief from coughing and loosens up mucus |
| Garlic | Antibacterial, antiviral, natural expectorant | Eating raw garlic or adding it to hot water with honey | Provides relief from coughing and breaks up mucus |
| Almonds | Nutritious, natural expectorant | Drinking almond milk or eating a handful of almonds | Provides relief from coughing and loosens up mucus |
| Orange | Rich in vitamin C, astringent | Drinking orange juice or eating an orange | Boosts immunity, soothes sore throat, provides relief from coughing |
| Thyme | Antiviral, antibacterial, natural expectorant | Thyme tea or adding thyme to hot water with honey | Provides relief from coughing and breaks up mucus |
| Raisins | Nutritious, natural expectorant | Eating a handful of raisins or drinking raisin water | Provides relief from coughing and breaks up mucus |
| Black Pepper | Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, natural expectorant | Adding black pepper to hot water with honey and lemon | Soothes coughing and breaks up mucus |
FAQ about Home Remedies for Cough
1. Are home remedies safe for everyone?
Most home remedies are safe for adults and children over the age of one. However, it is always best to consult a healthcare provider before trying any new treatment or remedy, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some remedies may also interact with certain medications, so it is important to check with your doctor first.
2. How long does it take for home remedies to work?
Home remedies can provide relief from coughing and other symptoms immediately, but it may take several days or even weeks for the underlying condition to resolve completely. It is important to continue using home remedies and following medical advice until the condition has fully resolved.