Find 12 best best natural cough remedies which available at home . Coughing is the body’s natural reflex to try to expel irritants and mucus from the airways.
When you’re looking for soothing relief, try these 12 natural cough remedies before reaching for over-the-counter medicine. Many of these remedies can be made with ingredients you already have at home.
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12 Best Natural Cough Remedies
Honey
Honey is a natural cough suppressant. It coats the throat and helps suppress the nerve endings that trigger coughs. Mix 2 teaspoons of honey into warm water or tea and sip slowly. For best results, use raw organic honey. The honey’s viscosity helps create a coating on the throat.
Ginger
Ginger root contains anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These reduce irritation in the throat and respiratory tract. Add fresh grated ginger to hot water or tea. You can also chew candied ginger slowly to release ginger juices in the throat.
Steam
Inhaling steam helps loosen mucus in the airways and reduces coughing. Boil water in a pot, drape a towel over your head, and breathe in the vapors for 5-10 minutes. For added benefits, add eucalyptus, peppermint, or garlic oil to the water.
Licorice Root
Licorice contains an anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin. Sipping licorice root tea can coat the throat and suppress the urge to cough. Look for deglycyrrhized licorice (DGL) which does not have side effects with prolonged use.
Marshmallow Root
Like licorice, marshmallow root contains mucilage which coats and soothes sore throats. Marshmallow root capsules can reduce coughing or you can drink it as a cold infusion water.
Peppermint
Menthol in peppermint calms cough receptors in the throat and clears congestion. Enjoy peppermint tea, add peppermint oil to a diffuser, or inhale steam infused with peppermint oil. This can suppress the urge to cough.
Cough Drops
Cough drops containing menthol or medicinal herbs can numb nerves in the throat to provide temporary relief from coughing. Look for natural herbals cough drops with ingredients like honey, licorice, or slippery elm. Avoid drops with menthol if you have reflux.
Salt Water Gargle
Gargling with warm salt water can thin out mucus and coat the throat if you have a scratchy cough. Mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water and gargle. Salt pulls fluid into the tissues, reducing swelling.
Stay Hydrated
When you are sick, increase your fluid intake to keep mucus secretions thin. This makes coughs more productive. Water, soup broths, herbal teas, and electrolyte drinks like coconut water help thin mucus.
Humidifier
Dry irritated airways can exacerbate coughs. Running a cool mist humidifier, especially at night, can keep your throat from drying out and reduce coughing fits.
Honey & Turmeric Paste
For a homemade cough remedy, mix 2 teaspoons honey with 1/4 teaspoon turmeric and consume 1-2 times per day. Turmeric thins mucus, and honey coats the throat for relief.
Soup
Warm broth and salt in noodle soup can temporarily ease coughing. Make your own soup with carrots, onions, garlic, and ginger to get the anti-inflammatory benefits.
Next time you have an irritating cough, try these natural remedies to soothe your throat instead of cough medicine. They provide temporary relief without the possible side effects of OTC cough suppressants. Drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest, and consult your doctor if your cough persists.
FAQs: Natural cough remedies
Q.1 What are the best natural cough remedies for kids?
Ans: For children over 1 year old, you can try giving them warm honey water, soothing throat lozenges, or elderberry syrup to help suppress coughs. Do not give honey to infants under 1 year due to risk of infant botulism. Other kid-friendly remedies include humidifiers, ginger tea, and saline nasal drops. Always check with your pediatrician before giving any natural remedies to children.
Q.2 How long do I have to take natural cough remedies before my cough goes away?
Ans: It depends on the cause of your cough, but you may need to take natural cough remedies for 1-2 weeks before seeing improvement in your cough. Coughs often linger for 2-3 weeks. The remedies help manage symptoms but won’t necessarily cure the cough faster.
Q.3 What ingredients should I avoid in natural cough products?
Ans: Avoid menthol and cough suppressants like dextromethorphan if you have reflux, as they can aggravate it. Also avoid prescription cough medicines without consulting your doctor first, as drug interactions are possible.
Q.4 When should I see a doctor for a cough?
Ans: See your doctor if your cough persists longer than 3 weeks, produces colored mucus, is accompanied by a fever, or is disrupting your sleep. Also see a doctor if coughing worsens after starting a new medication. Chronic coughs may require treatment of an underlying condition.
Q.5 Do natural cough remedies really work?
Ans: Many natural ingredients like honey, licorice, and marshmallow root have been scientifically studied and shown to be effective at coating the throat and reducing cough severity. However, their effects are temporary and milder than prescription cough medicine. They may not completely cure a cough.
