See How to Treat Cough Naturally at Home

Coughing is an action that is sometimes normal, and in most cases, quite abnormal. A normal cough helps you keep your throat free and clear from phlegm and other things that may be irritating the throat. However, when the cough begins to get serious, it could be a pointer or a symptom of a particular health condition such as infections or allergies.

Not every cough is lung-related. Some other things like gastrointestinal reflux – a condition whereby food returns from the stomach to the throat while irritating the throat in the process, can also cause a cough.

Coughs are caused by various other factors. The ones that result from cold and allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medications, while coughs caused by fungal or bacterial infections will be treated with antibiotics.

Coupled with the medications, there are other natural home remedies that have been discovered to improve cough. Nonetheless, it is rather important to speak to your doctor about using natural remedies first in order to prevent drug interactions. The following are natural cough home remedies you should consider if you have a cough.

Honey

Honey is an age-long medicinal substance. It is popular for its effectiveness in the elimination of sore throat. In fact, according to research, honey heals cough faster and more effectively than certain over-the-counter medications that contain cough suppressants.

Try using honey with warm water or lemon for better results. While the honey soothes, calms, and relaxes your throat, the warm water and lemon help decongest your throat of the phlegm and other irritants in it.

You can also enjoy your honey by eating it alone or spreading it on your bread. Either way, the honey will do its job.

Probiotics

Probiotics do not necessarily have a direct effect on cough, but they balance the gastrointestinal flora – a bacteria that lives in the intestine. By balancing the gastrointestinal flora, the immune system gets support throughout the body and is able to identify the cough and its cause and fights it from the root.

Before using any brand of probiotics for your cough, speak to your doctor about it first to know and understand which one is best for you and which one suits your condition.

Bromelain

Bromelain is a compound that is usually present in the stem of pineapples. It is understandable that it is quite difficult to connect the dots between pineapple and the remedying of cough. However, since the bromelain enzyme is present in it, it has the ability to cure cough and decongest the mucus and phlegm in the throat.

You can either eat the pineapple itself or drink its juice. Either way, the goal of eliminating the cough will be achieved.

Though research is still ongoing as to whether it cures sinusitis which can also lead to cough, but it treats swellings and inflammation in the throat. Thus, one glass of pineapple juice a day keeps you away from cough.

Eating natural pineapple is great, but if you must take bromelain supplements, ensure that you are not on any blood thinner medication. In addition, while on an antibiotic medication, use bromelain supplement with care, as it increases the rate at which antibiotics get absorbed, and this could be dangerous for you.

Above all, it is important to speak to your doctor about the bromelain supplement before using it.

Peppermint

Peppermints are natural and medicinal leaves. They are popularly known for their healing abilities. They contain menthol and help in the decongestion of the throat, soothe the throat and break down phlegm and mucus.

One of the best ways of getting the best out of peppermint leaves is by drinking peppermint tea or adding 2 drops of peppermint oil to every ounce of hot water, then inhale the steam directly. The steam or tea would go right down into your throat and clears it of all the blockages.

Marshmallow

Marshmallow is made from a perennial flower known as Althaea officinalis; it grows only in the summer. This herb has been utilized since time immemorial by the locals of Europe and American continents to suppress cough, reduce its effects and treat sore throat. Both the leaves and roots of the herb helps in the treatment of throat-related sinusitis, congestion, and cough.

Being a herb that has always been in use since ancient times, it is considered to be safe for use.

Marshmallow is packed with a property known as mucilage. This mucilage helps in the soothing of the irritation in the throat, as well as the coating of the throat.

Getting the best out of marshmallows includes making a tea out of its root or getting a capsule or a supplement version of it. Drinking warm marshmallow tea can help relieve the cough that comes with a sore throat.

Despite all these benefits, marshmallow root tea is not good for children.

Thyme

Some people use thyme to treat certain respiratory illnesses. Several studies have shown that squeezing out the water from thyme leaves and mixing the outcome with ivy can relieve sore throat and cough and even go as far as treating short-term bronchitis.

Thyme leaves are packed with some compounds known as flavonoids which helps in the relaxation of throat muscles that get stressed whenever you cough. It is also known to reduce and relieve inflammation.

Thyme tea can be made with 2 spoons of ground thyme leaves and half a cup of boiling water. Cover the cup for 7 minutes, after which you can filter out the leaves and drink your thyme tea.

Salt and Water Gargle

Salt and water gargle helps soothe a scratchy throat that always makes you cough. Mixing half spoon of salt with 6 ounces of warm water can help reduce irritation in your throat.

Since most children who are under 6 years old do not know how to gargle, it is advisable to try out other remedies on them, other than saltwater gargle.

Prevention of Cough

While learning how to treat and manage cough, it is also important to learn how to prevent it. In order to avoid flu, ensure that you get your recommended flu shots. Some other measures you can take in the prevention of cough or flu include;

Avoid coming in direct contact with people who have the flu or cough. If, on the other hand, you are infected with the flu or cough, avoid direct contact with other people and tell them you have the flu.

Clean the most often touched parts of your home, car or office, with antiseptic. Also, wash toys and surfaces with running water and clean mobile phones as many times as you can.

Every single time you sneeze or cough, always cover your nose and mouth

As much as you can, stay hydrated

Always make sure to scrub your hands frequently with running water and soap after every activity. You could even include antiseptic in the washing of your hands in order to get maximum protection against germs.

If allergies cause your cough or flu, try to identify those allergies and avoid them as much as you can. Some cold and flu allergens or triggers include; dust mites, insects, animal fur, trees, mold, and pollen.

To further handle this professionally, try allergy shots, as they can help reduce your sensitivity to your allergy triggers.

Call the Doctor When…

You find it difficult to breathe as a result of cough or throat congestion.

You notice bloodstains in the phlegm you cough out

You feel body aches and other symptoms of fever alongside a severe cough. The difference between an infection-caused cough and an allergen-caused cough is; the infection caused one comes with severe headache and sometimes fever, while the allergen caused one to bring no fever or headache.

When you notice any of these following symptoms, do not hesitate to visit your medical and health care provider;

• Dehydration
• Chills
• The feeling of being unwell
• Cough that produces a smelly and green colored phlegm
• Weakness and constant fatigue

In conclusion, cough, according to medical professionals, is a perfectly normal thing, as it helps clear the throat of blockages. However, when the cough comes in handy with malaise–a feeling of being sick, then it should be carefully looked into. In treating cough, home remedies can be adopted if they are mild. However, if they are severe and show grave symptoms like blood stains or difficulty breathing, then it is a case that requires proper medical attention.