Cough – productive or unproductive, is a huge menace. Dry cough (unproductive) is unable to remove mucus or irritants from the nasal passage or from the lungs which create additional problems for the individual. In this article, we will discuss various terms like home remedies for cough, cough remedies, dry cough home remedies, natural remedies for cough, ginger for cough, and the best remedy for cough.
A dry cough can stay for days after you have experienced a cold or flu. They can also be caused by several underlying reasons such as asthma or acid reflux. The cough may also arise due to long exposure to environmental toxicities, such as cigarette smoke and pollution. Indeed, dry coughs can be very irritating as well as uncomfortable. There are several clinical treatments that you may use to get rid of the cough, but there are also several home remedies for dry cough which may prove beneficial for you.
Various cough remedies to try at home
1. Use honey
It is an excellent option to treat day and night time coughing. This method is only to be used for adults and children above the age of 1. It is a dry cough home remedy. As honey is rich in anti-bacterial properties, it can effectively coat the throat and give relief from irritation in the neck. According to a study in 2007, honey was found to be more successful than a cough suppressing medicine, dextromethorphan. These are the natural remedies for cough. You can use honey by consuming a teaspoon several times a day or can add it to tea or water and drink it. It is a very effective home remedy for coughing.
2. Turmeric
It contains a compound called curcumin which has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. It is one of the best dry cough remedies. Turmeric has been used for ages to treat respiratory problems, bronchitis, and asthma. The best remedy for cough is curcumin taken along with black pepper. Just add a teaspoon of turmeric with 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper into any drink, such as orange juice or warm tea. You can use turmeric in the spice form, or even in the capsule form, whichever is available around you. It is one of the natural remedies for cough.
3. Use ginger for cough
Using ginger for cough can prove very beneficial for an individual as ginger has built-in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is one of the best dry cough home remedies. It also boosts the immune system and relieves pain and discomfort from the body. It is indeed a very beneficial cough remedy. You can make ginger tea from the ginger root by using the peeled or cut root in warm water. Adding honey to it may make it even more beneficial for dry cough. It is one of the proven home remedies for cough.
4. Try peppermint
Let us have a look at another natural remedy for cough. One of the ingredients of peppermint is menthol, which numbs the nerve endings present in the throat region of the neck which becomes highly irritated while coughing. This may help the individual by relieving pain and may also reduce the natural urge to cough. It is one of the most efficient cough remedies. It possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties which further help in relieving the congestion of the throat. You can consume peppermint in a variety of ways. Some of the ways include drinking peppermint tea or trying peppermint lozenges. Also, drink peppermint tea before bed to reduce nighttime coughing problems.
5. Get capsaicin
Capsaicin is an organic compound found in chilli peppers. It has been shown results regarding the reduction of chronic coughing. Cayenne is a type of organic chilli pepper. Add a few drops of cayenne hot sauce into the water, tasting it all the while, so you don’t exceed your threshold for how much heat of the beverage you can handle. You can also buy chilli peppers from around you and steep them in some warm water. You can make tea from cayenne pepper, hot sauce and warm water. This is one of the dry cough home remedies. This treatment is not recommended for children.
6. Gargle with salt water
Gargling with salt water is one of the best remedies for cough. It helps in relieving the discomfort and irritation caused in the neck due to dry cough. Saltwater kills the bacteria present in the mouth as well as the throat region of the neck. For this method, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in a glass of water, preferably warm water, and then gargle many times for at least 10 minutes. This remedy is recommended only for adults, as kids may swallow the salty water.
When to visit a Doctor
Dry coughs can last for months, especially after a cold or the flu. But the point is that they usually stop on their way in a specific period. But, if you are experiencing some other symptoms along with dry cough, you should consult your doctor at the earliest. These symptoms include:
- Difficulty in catching your breath.
- Wheezing
- Frequent chest pain.
- Backache.
- Fever.
- Chills.
You should visit your medical practitioner at the earliest if your cough, be it dry or wet, does not get better by the end of two months. A productive or unproductive cough, along with other symptoms is not a good sign.
You can follow the home remedies for cough and treat your cough right at your home without medical assistance.
stay healthy, stay safe!
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