Natural Remedies For Cough: A number of home remedies, such as honey and saltwater, may help a cough go away naturally. If home remedies do not help, over-the-counter and prescription medications are available.
Allergies, infections, and acid reflux are just a few possible causes of a cough.
Natural Remedies For Cough, Some natural remedies may help relieve a cough.
This article reviews natural remedies that may help treat a cough.
Natural Remedies For Cough, It is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source does not monitor herbs and supplements, so people who use them may be at risk of using low quality products with impurities.
Natural Remedies For Cough, People who want to try natural remedies to treat their cough should consider researching sources and brands. Additionally, some herbs and supplements can interfere with medications, which may result in unwanted side effects.
It is best to consult a doctor before taking supplements.
10 natural cough remedies
Natural Remedies For Cough, People use a range of natural remedies to treat a persistent cough.
While they may help some people, it is important to note that some of the following remedies have limited evidence to support their use.
Natural Remedies For Cough, This means a person may or may not find that the remedies work for them.
1. Honey
Natural Remedies For Cough, According to research, honey may relieve a cough.
In a 2021 review of studies, researchers looked at the effect of using honey to treat coughs in upper respiratory infections.
Natural Remedies For Cough, The researchers found that honey was superior to usual care, both in suppressing the cough and in helping prevent the need for antibiotics.
In another study, researchers compared honey with dextromethorphan, a common cough suppressant.
Natural Remedies For Cough, The researchers found that both honey and dextromethorphan worked to suppress coughs. They noted that honey scored slightly higher in one trial and on par with dextromethorphan in another.
A person can use this remedy by swallowing a spoonful of honey or adding it to a hot drink, such as an herbal tea.
2. Ginger
Natural Remedies For Cough, Ginger may ease a dry or asthmatic cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It may also relieve nausea and pain.
Only a few older studies have looked at ginger’s effect on coughs. A study from 2015 examined 10 different natural products used in traditional Asian medicines, including ginger.
Natural Remedies For Cough, The researchers found that ginger and other remedies, including honey, have played a continued role in traditional medicine.
While a long history of use can have valuable implications for a treatment’s effectiveness, the researchers noted that their study may provide future researchers with a place to start when examining natural solutions to coughs.
Natural Remedies For Cough, People often add ginger to dishes or drink it in tea. However, in some cases, ginger tea can cause stomach upset or heartburn.
3. Hot fluids
Natural Remedies For Cough, While current research is lacking, an older study from 2008Trusted Source showed that drinking liquids at room temperature may alleviate a cough, runny nose, and sneezing.
However, people with additional cold or flu symptoms may benefit from warming up their beverages. The same study reports that hot beverages alleviate even more symptoms, including a sore throat, chills, and fatigue.
Natural Remedies For Cough, The symptom relief was immediate and remained for a continued period after finishing the hot beverage.
Hot beverages that may be comforting include:
Clear broths
Herbal teas
Decaffeinated black tea
Warm water
Warm fruit juices
4. Steam
Natural Remedies For Cough, A wet cough, which is one that produces mucus or phlegm, may improve with steam.
To try this method, a person should take a hot shower or bath and allow the bathroom to fill with steam. They should stay in this steam for a few minutes until symptoms subside. They can drink a glass of water afterward to cool down and prevent dehydration.
Natural Remedies For Cough, Alternatively, people can make a steam bowl. A person can do this by:
Filling a large bowl with hot water
Adding herbs or essential oils, such as eucalyptus or rosemary, which may help relieve congestion
Natural Remedies For Cough, Leaning over the bowl and placing a towel over the head, which traps the steam so the person can breathe it in
Breathing in the steam for about 10–15 minutes
A person may find steaming helpful when done one to two times per day.
Natural Remedies For Cough, While many believe steam will help with cough and other symptoms, not all evidence supports this. For example, a 2017 study looking at the use of steam for common cold symptoms found that it did not noticeably improve a person’s symptoms.
5. Marshmallow root
Natural Remedies For Cough, Marshmallow root is an herb with a long history of use as a treatment for coughs and sore throats.
The herb can ease irritation resulting from coughing because of its high mucilage content. Mucilage is a thick, gluey substance that coats the throat.
Natural Remedies For Cough, One older, small study found that an herbal cough syrup containing marshmallow root, along with thyme and ivy, effectively relieved coughs resulting from common colds and respiratory tract infections.
After 12 days of taking the syrup, 90% of the participants rated its effectiveness as good or very good.
Natural Remedies For Cough, In a 2020 in vitro study, researchers also noted the coating effect of marshmallow root extract.
They found that the root extract has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and provided similar relief to diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Natural Remedies For Cough, Marshmallow root is also available as a dried herb or a bagged tea. A person should add hot water to either and then drink it immediately or allow it to cool first. The longer the marshmallow root steeps in the water, the more mucilage will be in the drink.
Side effects can include stomach upset, but it may be possible to counter this by drinking extra fluids.
6. Saltwater gargle
Natural Remedies For Cough, People have used saltwater gargles for a long time to help alleviate sore throat and symptoms associated with the common cold. It may help loosen mucus and alleviate some pain.
However, it likely will not help reduce viral load.
In a 2021 study, researchers compared different antiseptic mouthwashes to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. They found that several commercial brands helped with reducing viral load, but a lab-made saltwater solution did not effectively kill the virus.
Natural Remedies For Cough, A person can make a saltwater gargle by:
Stirring 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it dissolves
Allowing the solution to cool slightly before using it to gargle
Letting the mixture sit at the back of the throat for a few moments before spitting it out
Doing this several times each day until the cough improves
Young children and people with high blood pressure should avoid using saltwater gargles
7. Thyme
Natural Remedies For Cough, Thyme has both culinary and medicinal uses and is a commonly used remedy for a cough, sore throat, bronchitis, and digestive issues.
In a 2015 meta-analysis of several studies, researchers noted that strong evidence suggests that using thyme preparations helped alleviate people’s cough symptoms.
Natural Remedies For Cough, However, they noted that additional studies are needed to demonstrate its overall effectiveness.
A more recent study in 2021 showed that people using a combination of thyme and ivy drops showed improvement in bronchitis symptoms, cough, and overall quality of life.
Natural Remedies For Cough, They also noted that people experienced few side effects using the drops.
To treat coughs using thyme, a person can look for a cough syrup that contains this herb.
8. Dietary changes for acid reflux
Natural Remedies For Cough, Acid reflux is a common cause of a cough. Avoiding foods that can trigger acid reflux is one of the best ways to manage this condition and reduce the cough that accompanies it.
Every individual may have different reflux triggers that they need to avoid. People who are unsure of what causes their reflux can begin by eliminating the most common triggers from their diet and monitoring their symptoms.
Natural Remedies For Cough, The foods and beverages that most commonly trigger acid reflux include:
Alcohol
Caffeine
Chocolate
Citrus foods
Fried and fatty foods
Mint
Spices and spicy foods
Tomatoes and tomato-based products
9. Slippery elm
Natural Remedies For Cough, Native Americans traditionally used slippery elm bark to treat coughing and digestive issues.
Slippery elm is similar to marshmallow root as it contains a high level of mucilage, which helps to soothe a sore throat and cough.
Natural Remedies For Cough, A person can make slippery elm tea by adding 1 teaspoon of the dried herb to a cup of hot water and allowing it to steep for at least 10 minutes before drinking.
It is important to note that slippery elm may interfere with the absorption of medications, so a person should talk with a doctor before making a tea or using another supplement.
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