8 Natural Cough Remedies (very effective)

Solutions much healthier and more effective than any medication.

Coughs, despite not being very serious in most cases, are quite annoying.. It occurs because the nerve endings in the airways between the throat and the lungs are irritated for various reasons: dust, bacteria, viruses ....

The body reacts by coughing to try to expel these substances from the airways and clean them. In this article we give you some tips to treat coughs naturally, without medication.

Differences between dry cough and productive cough

Coughs can be classified in two ways, as dry coughs and productive coughs.. A productive cough is one in which mucus or phlegm is expelled by coughing. This cough should not be suppressed, as it has a beneficial effect on the body. However, it is possible to take something to produce an expectorant effect and thus loosen mucus. The result is that it is easier for the body to get rid of the mucus.

A dry cough is different from a productive cough, so it is beneficial to try to suppress it. It can be caused by different reasons, e.g. a dusty environment, allergies, dry air, etc. Medications commonly used for this type of cough usually contain dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine.

A series of studies published in 2004 found no significant difference between taking these medications or a placebo, which suggests that, instead of resorting to chemical substances, it is almost better to take natural remedies..

Home remedies to treat coughs

So, what natural remedies can we take to reduce cough symptoms?

In the following lines you will find a list with 11 natural remedies that will be great for you:

1. A spoonful of honey

Honey is a delicious food, and on top of that, it is good for treating coughs. A study conducted by the School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania (United States) concludes that honey can be more effective than medicines to calm coughs. Since it is a demulcent, its viscosity and sticky properties are perfect for this to combat this phenomenon, as it coats and soothes the irritated area. If the cough is the result of a bacterial disease, honey can shorten the duration of its symptoms and improve recovery. The ideal is to take three spoonfuls of honey a day..

However, although it is ideal for children and adults, it should not be applied to children under two years of age, as it can cause botulism, a fatal disease. It is also necessary to be careful when buying packaged honey, because according to Food Safety News, 76% of all honeys present in supermarkets may have been treated and do not contain natural honey.

• If you want to know more about this subject, you can read our article: "10 foods that are not what they seem".

Pepper tea with honey

Infusions can be a good alternative for coughs, with the added bonus that they are made with natural products. If you have a wet cough, it is advisable to drink pepper tea with honey. It seems that this helps to stimulate circulation, works as a relief and enhances the flow of phlegm..

To elaborate the recipe is simple, so surely you have the ingredients at home without having to go shopping for them. Just add to a cup of boiling water a tablespoon of fresh pepper (fat grain) and two tablespoons of honey. It should then be left to steep for 15 minutes. Finally, the mixture should be strained and the infusion is ready to drink.

3. Steam

Steam is one of the best remedies for coughs, colds and congestion.. The use of this old practice helps to release mucus and phlegm almost immediately. It is also possible to add oils that facilitate this task and stimulate the positive effect.

To benefit from this you can take a basin of boiled water. Then you should stand at a safe distance, so that you do not feel the heat too much and can breathe in the steam. Then place a towel over your head so that the steam does not escape. Inhale and exhale as you feel the benefits. Do this for 5-10 minutes, 2 times a day. You can also take a hot bath with the windows closed and enjoy the steam while you relax.

4. Ginger and mint syrup

Ginger syrup is a home remedy that has long been used to treat coughs.. It is a natural expectorant, which also stops irritability and pain in the upper throat. It is ideal for dry coughs. To increase its effect it is possible to add peppermint to definitely relieve that irritating tickle.

The recipe for this syrup is simple to prepare. It is only necessary to use 3 tablespoons of chopped ginger, 1 tablespoon of dried mint, 4 cups of water and 1 cup of honey. First, chop the ginger and add it together with the mint to 4 cups of water. This mixture is brought to a boil and simmered for 15 minutes. The next step is to let it cool slightly. Then add the honey and stir until the mixture has dissolved. Take a spoonful every few hours. It is possible to store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

5. Sleeping with the head elevated

In some individuals, a productive cough occurs when mucus moves from the back of the nose into the throat.. This tends to occur, especially at night, as the lying posture of the body causes this phenomenon. Sometimes the effect this can have inclye cause headache and shortness of breath.

Changing this position and sleeping with the head higher up helps to prevent this from happening, so there is a better chance of improvement and saying goodbye to coughing.

6. Gargle with salt water

Just when the sore throat appears, it is opportune to gargle with salt water for its Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This procedure can help drain excess fluid from the swollen areas of the throat, thus reducing symptoms. Gargling also thins the mucus. Half a glass of cold water with two tablespoons of salt will be enough for this method to take effect.

7. Vaporub

For several decades Vaporub has been used by many people as a home remedy for coughs.. A study by the University of Pennsylvania corroborates this. Although it remains a mystery as to why this product works so well, the ingredients it contains seem to help prevent congestion and reduce coughing, since the air circulates more freely from the outside to the lungs.

8. Garlic

Garlic is also a natural remedy that works very well to soothe coughs with phlegm, and it contains several properties that make it a natural remedy that works very well to soothe cough with phlegm.Garlic contains several properties that make it act as a natural antibiotic. For garlic to be effective, it can be consumed in two ways. One of them, by ingesting it raw, preferably on an empty stomach. However, this is not a viable option for everyone, because it can cause stomach upset.

Another way to benefit from garlic is to split it in two halves and leave each half in the cheeks of the mouth. It should be left in that position for 15-20 minutes, always when the pain is present.