Natural Remedies to Quell Cough
Natural remedies are all the rage these days, and rightly so! They were, after all, used by our ancestors throughout past generations, long before quick-fix pharmaceuticals came to be. So, whenever possible, I tend to resort to natural remedies, particularly when having to fight off a cough. The common cough can be quite an annoyance, often accompanied by other side effects such as chest pain and exhaustion.
So, how can you quell a cough without resorting to over-the-counter medicine? Here are some of my favorite natural remedies that have helped relieve a nagging cough.
1. Create your own cough syrup
Studies show that honey is an effective
remedy in treating coughs and sore throats. A teaspoonful should
suffice, or for a stronger remedy, combine some honey with coconut oil
and lemon juice. Though not recommended nowadays, our grandmothers often
combined a shot of bourbon with honey before bedtime, to soothe a
cough.
2. Sip on Thyme tea
Thyme is an excellent treatment for coughs,
upper respiratory infections, bronchitis and whopping coughs, so much
so that in Germany, it has officially been approved as an effective
treatment. Thyme works to relax the trachea (the windpipe) and reduce
inflammation. To make thyme tea, steep two teaspoons of crushed leaves
in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain. For a more potent
fix, add honey and lemon.
3. Take a hot shower
Close the windows, turn off the fan and
crank up the heat. Steam can be a cough's worst enemy. It works to
soothe the airways and loosen sinus congestion and phlegm in your throat
and lungs. On the downside though, steam may worsen coughs that are
caused by asthma - in which case, be sure to practice caution.
4. Sip on black pepper and honey tea
Black pepper and honey are said to work on
'wet' coughs. The pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow, while
the honey works as a natural cough reliever. To make the tea, combine
one teaspoon of freshly ground pepper with two tablespoons of honey in a
mug and fill with boiling water. Cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Then
strain and sip.
5. Drink up- Be HydratedConsuming a lot of liquids, whether teas or
water, may help fight off a cough. This natural remedy tends to work
because fluids help thin out the mucus in postnasal drip, keeping the
membranes moist.
6. Suck on cough drops
Menthol cough drops work especially well, as they tend to numb the throat, which can help tame the cough reflex.
7. Suck on a lemon
This natural remedy may not sound as
pleasant, but it can be very helpful. You should sprinkle the lemon with
a pinch of salt and pepper to get the best effect.
8. Make a cup of licorice root tea
Licorice root has long been used to treat
coughs. And one of the reasons why this natural remedy works so well is
because it can help soothe an inflamed and irritated throat. Slice one
ounce of licorice candy (opt for candy that contains real licorice -
alternatively, you may opt for licorice root) and steep it in a quart of
boiling water for 24 hours. Sip as much as you need.
9. Have some ginger
Ginger has a wealth of health benefits, and
has long been used for its medicinal properties. In Eastern medicine,
ginger is often prescribed to treat symptoms of colds and flu due to its
antihistamine and decongestant properties. To get the most from its
beneficial properties, make ginger tea by adding 12 slices of fresh
ginger to a pot with three cups of water. Let it simmer for 20 minutes
and remove from heat. Strain and add one tablespoon of honey and a
squeeze of lemon. If it tastes too spicy, add more water.
10. Sip on Gypsy Cold Care Tea
This effective herbal tea remedy from the
Traditional Medicinals brand, the Gypsy Cold Care Tea, is made from 92%
organic pharmacopoeial-grade (very-high quality) herbs like elder
flower, yarrow flower, peppermint leaf, hyssop herb and other organic
herbs and flowers.
LAST AND THE BEST TRIED AND TESTED BY MANY FOUND TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, HONEY, WATER AND GINGER POWDER.
TAKE 4 TABLESPOONS OF THE LIQUIDS, MIX WITH 1/4 TEASPOON OF DRY GINGER POWDER. JUST TAKING 1 TSP RELIEVES YOUR COUGH IMMEDIATELY.
YOU CAN MAKE WHEN YOU NEED YOURSELF, AS ALL THE INGREDIENTS ARE IN YOUR KITCHEN SHELF. IT CAN BE KEPT OUT, AS IT CONTAINS VINEGAR AND HONEY. YOU CAN DOUBLE THE QUANTITY. MY GRANDSON FOUND IT VERY EFFECTIVE. AT NIGHT WHEN SLEEPING NEXT TO ME, SAID " GRANDMA, CAN I HAVE YOUR COUGH SYRUP PLEASE", AS HE HAD A BOUT OF COUGH. TAKING JUST 1 TSP GAVE HIM RELIEF, SLEPT SOUNDLY. AS I SUFFER FROM ASTHMA, WHEN NOTHING ELSE WORKED, READ ABOUT IT, TRIED, FOUND IT EFFECTIVE AND MY FRIENDS WHO DIDN'T GET RELIEF FROM ANY COUGH SYRUP FOR 2 WEEKS, ASKED THEM WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY MY COUGH SYRUP. THEY FOUND IT VERY EFFECTIVE, AS THEY HAD RELIEF FROM COUGH AND THE WORD SPREAD AROUND, AS TO WHO MAKES THIS COUGH SYRUP.