Does your cold keep you up all night? Try these natural cough remedies…and thank us later!
Are persistent coughs causing disruptions in your daily routine? Fear not, as Healthy Reads delves into the world of wellness with some natural cough remedies that are effective and worth a try.
Dealing with a cough can be quite irritating, and while over-the-counter medications exist, natural alternatives can provide gentle relief without all those potential side effects.
We’ll uncover natural remedies, offering you a holistic approach to soothing that incessant tickle in your throat. There are many time-tested herbal solutions and do-it-yourself concoctions that promise to ease discomfort.
So say goodbye to chemicals and hello to the soothing embrace of these plant-based elixirs. It’s time to explore the gentle yet potent world of 12 natural cough remedies to get you back on your feet!
Ginger
Eating aromatic spices, including cinnamon, ginger, and anise, can help boost your respiratory system.
You can either cook them in your meals or brew them into a delicious herbal tea, and the warm water and steam have the added advantage of helping to open up your lungs.
According to a study printed in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, purified ginger in a nebulizer helped relax people’s airways and relieve coughing, particularly “dry” coughs that were related to asthma.
Chicken soup
Chicken soup is a time-honored cold remedy in many cultures, and we understand why. Not only does it incorporate several other proven cough remedies, like warm water, herbs, steam, salt, and fluids, but it also has cough-fighting properties of its own.
This natural cough remedy especially lowered signs of infection from colds and flu, according to an analysis published in Chest.
Orange juice
The secret to managing any cough is to make sure you’re drinking lots of liquids, says an integrative medicine specialist at Stanford University Medical Center. She says that the lungs need to be well hydrated in order to minimize the formation of mucus.
Not only is this natural cough remedy a delicious way to hydrate, but it also contains tons of vitamin C. High doses of this vitamin were found to help relieve symptoms, including coughing, in patients with pneumonia in a meta-analysis published in Nutrients.
Neti pot
If you’ve never heard of it before, a Neti pot is a small kettle used to flush out one’s sinuses. You fill it with a warm salt water solution and then gently pour it into one nostril, permitting it to travel through your sinus cavities and out your other nostril.
While this might sound weird, it’s a very effective natural cough remedy for coughs caused by sinus congestion or sinusitis, according to experts. Just ensure you’re using purified water so you don’t allow other germs into your sinuses.
Chili peppers
Experts say that spicy foods are a natural way to strengthen your respiratory system.
But some of them, specifically ones containing capsaicin, like this natural cough remedy, can significantly decrease the coughing and congestion that come from constant post-nasal drip due to allergies or rhinitis, according to a study published in The Annals of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.
They found that patients who used a nasal spray containing capsaicin saw major improvement in under a minute that lasted for up to an hour.
Steam shower
The research on steam showers as a cough remedy is mixed, with some studies showing that it helps while others say it offers no benefit.
But regardless of whether or not it produces statistically meaningful results, many patients who suffer from a cough find a hot shower very soothing and comforting.
And we say that this natural cough remedy certainly won’t hurt to try. One smart way to make the steam more effective is by combining it with other things, like menthol or herbs.
Black Pepper Tea
This natural cough remedy is deeply rooted in two very different traditions: New England folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. The rationale is that it stimulates circulation and mucus flow.
But be aware that this remedy works best on coughs that produce mucus and isn’t appropriate for dry coughs. Here’s how to make the tea:
-Place a teaspoon of ground black pepper in a cup.
-Add two tablespoons of honey.
-Fill it with boiling water, cover it, and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
-Strain and sip as needed.
Probiotics
Probiotics are microorganisms with the capability of providing a ton of health benefits. While they won’t relieve your cough directly, they help balance your gastrointestinal flora. These are bacteria that live in your intestines.
A study performed in 2015 showed a reduction in the number of individuals having upper respiratory infections after being given various types of probiotics, though the evidence is still ongoing.
Probiotics are also added to some yogurt types and you can find them in miso soup and kombucha. Given the number of probiotics available, you should speak with your doctor about which is suitable for you and your situation.
The easiest way to get this natural cough remedy in your system is through fermented foods, such as:
-Yogurt
-Kefir
-Miso
-Sauerkraut
-Tempeh
-Kimchi
-Kombucha
Almond milk
The idea that drinking or eating dairy products causes increased mucus is a huge misconception. And it doesn’t worsen a cough if you have a cold, according to research published in The American Review of Respiratory Disease.
But many people associate dairy products with congestion because milk has a viscosity and texture similar to mucus, making it feel like it’s clinging to your throat, according to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
Experts say that this natural cough remedy is a suitable replacement if you have a dry cough and are craving something creamy to coat your throat and ease the scratchiness. Here’s one of our favorites from Amazon!
Thyme
Thyme isn’t just helpful in flavoring your meat. It also serves as an exceptional cough suppressant. The volatile oils in the plant affect a person’s cough reflex, calming their tendency to cough,” explains a doctor of naturopathic medicine.
It can be swallowed as a tea by mixing two teaspoons of crushed leaves into a cup of boiling water. Simply cover it, let it steep for 10 minutes, and then strain it. But one of our favorite ways to use it as a natural cough remedy is by adding it to some honey and onion tea.
Honey
Many doctors will tell you that one of their favorite natural cough remedies is a big spoonful of honey. Not only is it delicious, but it’s been shown to be just as effective in getting rid of coughs, particularly those caused by upper respiratory tract infections.
Patients given a tablespoon of honey every night before bedtime got as much, or more, relief than they did when given dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in cough medicine, according to a study issued in The Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been traditionally used for many ailments, including coughing. The active compound in it is curcumin, and it’s known to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming this natural cough remedy with black pepper makes it even more effective.
This is because piperine, the primary compound found in black pepper, stimulates the bioavailability of turmeric. This supports the body’s absorption of turmeric.
We recommend sipping warm turmeric tea. But you’ll want to a dash of black pepper and some honey for sweetness.
We hope you found this post on natural cough remedies helpful. Be sure to let us know in the comments if you have any of your own tips and tricks.
But don’t leave yet! Healthy Reads has lots of fantastic advice to share with you. For instance, are you Suffering From the Flu? Here Are 12 Things You Should NEVER Do
