Best effective home remedies to get rid of cough

Mumbai 24 July 2016: Coughing is perfectly normal until it becomes persistent. Coughing clears phlegm and other irritants from the throat. But it's never a fun situation when you have persistent cough. A cough can get really irritating! When it's continuous and persistent. 

Different types of cough :

 

Acute : When your cough lasts less than 3 weeks it is said to be an acute cough. 

Sub-acute : When your cough is persistent from 3 to 8 weeks it is said to be subacute cough. 

Chronic : If your cough continues to last even after 8 weeks it is said to be a case of chronic cough. 

Productive : If you have been coughing up sputum, it is said to be a productive cough. 

Dry cough : If there are no signs of sputum while you cough then it is said to be dry cough.

 

What causes us to cough? 

There are so many reasons behind why we cough. I'll just be listing down the most common reasons to why we cough.

• Common cold
• Asthma
• Tuberculosis
• Viral respiratory tract infection
• Eosinophilic bronchitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Pneumonia
• Dry mouth
• Swallowing difficulties
• Lung tumors
• Pollution related pathogens

Some of the above cause acute cough which can be treated with home remedies, while some cause chronic cough which needs us to see a doctor. 

Home Remedies for Cough

 

Warm Milk :

Warm milk hydrates the dry throat,  reduces chest congestion and also helps im removing sputum. 

Steps for using milk as a home remedy for cough :

• Boil a glass of milk
• Let it get cool, so that you don't burn your tongue
• Drink it, when its warm

Sesame Oil :

Sesame oil is widely used as a traditional remedy for relief from cough, it is a thicker syrup said to ease the symptoms of coughs, especially in children. 

Steps for using Sesame Oil as a home remedy for cough :

•  In a small bowl Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sesame oil with 2 tablespoon honey
• Take this mixture 3 times a day and your cough will be gone

Almonds :

Almonds too are known to be a good cough suppressant due to its nutritious content and moisturizing abilities.

Steps for using Almonds as a home remedy for cough :

• Take handful of them in water and leave it overnight
• Grind them to form a paste and take it every day morning for suppressing cough
• If you have nighttime cough, almond paste can be  taken in the night before bedtime

Lemon Tea :

Lemon tea is known as a queen of teas. This refreshing tea provides relief from cough by soothing the throat. Lemon  clears any built up phlegm from your throat, giving you the much needed relief from cough. 

Steps for using Lemon Tea as a home remedy for cough :

• Sip on a cup of nice and hot lemon tea
• Have it at least 3 times a day

Lemongrass :

Lemongrass is a herb which has a summery aroma which helps in getting relief from cough. Lemongrass is used as an infusion in boiling water to relieve cough. Vapor from the infused water  soothes the aching throat muscles.

Steps for using Lemongrass as a home remedy for cough :

• In a bowl boil some water
• Add lemongrass to the boiling water
• Then cover your head with a towel and lean into the water vapor rising from the bowl

Flaxseeds :

 
Natural properties present in flax seeds help to soothe sore throat which provides relief from cough.

Steps to use Flaxseeds as home remedies for cough :

•  Add Flaxseeds to water and bring it to boil
•  Add a little honey to the Flaxseeds mixture for taste
• Sip on this mixture for quick relief from cough 

Turmeric :

Turmeric is well known for it's medicinal properties. Turmeric has amazing antibacterial and healing properties which provide a quick relief from cough.

Steps to use turmeric as home remedy for cough :

 

• To a glass of warm milk add a small spoon of turmeric
• Sip on this warm milk to soothe your throat and cleanse the cough causing bacteria

Vinegar : 

 
Vinegar can be used to soothe the cough, because of its anti bacterial properties. This is one of the best home remedy for cough.

Steps to use Vinegar as home remedy for cough :

 

• Take a glass of warm water
• Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and mix well
• Gargle using this mixture to get quick relief from cough
• You can also add lime juice or salt to make it taste better

Onion syrup :

 
This is an easy homemade cough syrup, made by grating onion and mixing it with sugar. The antibacterial properties of onion will give you quick relief from cough.

Steps to use onion syrup as a home remedy for cough :

 

• For this syrup you need to grate an onion finely
• Add sugar to it and let it dissolve by keeping it overnight
• Next morning your homemade natural cough syrup is ready
• Take a teaspoon of this onion syrup to get quick relief from cough

Cinnamon :

 
Cinnamon is a spice which has a lot of health benefits. Cinnamon mixed with honey works like magic to give relief from cough.

Steps to use cinnamon as home remedy for cough :

 

• For making this natural cough syrup you first need to heat some honey
• Now add cinnamon powder to the heated honey and mix it well
• Let the mixture cool down and use it like a cough syrup whenever needed

Black pepper :

 
Black pepper is very effective in curing persistent cough. As Black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow.
When taken with honey it is the best remedy for instant relief from cough.

Steps to use Black Pepper as a home remedy for cough :

 

• Ground fresh black pepper
• Take 2 tablespoons of honey
• Now add 1 teaspoon of the freshly ground black pepper to the honey
• Take this mixture for instant relief from cough

Garlic :

 
Garlic has many health benefits. As Garlic has very strong antibacterial and pain relieving properties. Making it an awesome home remedy to cure stubborn cough.

Steps to use Garlic as a home remedy for cough :

 

• Add a glass full of milk in a bowl
• Add 2 cloves of garlic to the milk and bring it to boil
• Drink this milk to cure the toughest of cough

Thyme :

Thyme is a delicate herb which is used as a home remedy for many ailments. One of the ailment it is said to cure is cough. Thyme is rich in flavonoids which relaxes the tracheal and ileal muscles, which are involved in coughing, and also reduce inflammation.

Steps to use Thyme as a home remedy for cough :

 

• Crush thyme leaves
• Take 1 cup boiling water
• Add 2 teaspoons of crushed thyme leaves to it
• Cover and steep the mixture for 10 minutes and strain
• Sip on this mixture to get instant soothing relief from cough

Maple Syrup :

Maple syrup also has similar soothing properties like honey, it can also be used to get relief from cough. 

Steps to use Maple Syrup as a home remedy for cough :

•  Take a pinch of baking soda
• Mix it in 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
• Take this syrup twice daily for relief from cough 

Licorice :

Licorice is used as a pain reliever and relaxant. You will be surprised to know that how just keeping Licorice in your mouth for 10 minutes helps you to get relief from cough. One important thing,  do not use Licorice if you are pregnant.

Steps to use Licorice as a home remedy for cough :

• Just keep a bit of licorice in your mouth for about 10 minutes and ingest its sweet juice that's it
• This is sure to make your cough run away

Redstone Sugar :

This is a specific kind of sugar which helps to soothe sore throat caused due to excessive coughing. 

Steps to use Redstone Sugar as a home remedy for cough :

• Take a hot glass of milk
• To the hot milk add powdered Redstone Sugar
• Drink this milk to get a soothing feel to your throat

Honey :

Honey is one of the most used home remedy for cough. Honey has many health benefits. Honey is a natural cough suppressant. 

Steps to use Honey as a home remedy for cough :

• Take a spoonful of honey
• Add a pinch of black pepper to the honey
• This is a sure remedy to get rid of cough

Eucalyptus Oil :

Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil easily available in the market, and is an age oil home remedy for cough and cold. Eucalyptus oils expectorant and antibacterial action will relieve your cough, headache, body ache and a blocked nose in a jiffy. 

Steps to use Eucalyptus Oil as a home remedy for cough :

• Put a few drops on a handkerchief or tissue and inhale it
• You can also add a few drops of Eucalyptus oil in hot water and take its steam

Basil :

Basil is a medicinal plant which has many health benefits. In India basil plant is worshipped. 

Steps to use Basil as a home remedy for cough :

• Wash a few basil leaves under running water
• Chew on these leaves for instant relief from cough

Ginger :

Ginger used as a home remedy for many ailments. Ginger is a natural cough reliever as it has strong antibiotic properties. 

Steps to use Ginger as a home remedy for cough :

• Ginger can be taken with honey to soothe the throat
• Ginger can also be taken with black tea to relieve cough

Cloves :

Clove is a wonder spice as it has many health benefits. Cloves acts as expectorant and loosens phlegm in the throat. 

Steps to use Cloves as a home remedy for cough :

• Just suck on a few pods of clove to get relief from coughing
• Keep it there for as long as you can.

Common Salt :

The antibacterial properties of common salt helps in providing relief from cough.

Using common salt for gargling also provides humidity to your sore throat and soothes it. 

Steps to use Common Salt as a home remedy for cough :

• Take half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water
• Use this water to gargle and clear your throat

Lemon Juice :

The vitamin c and the antimicrobial properties present in lemon helps in fighting cough forming bacteria and soothing the throat. 

Steps for using Lemon juice as a home remedy for cough :

• Gently warm one cup of honey over low heat
• Add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to the warm honey
• Add 1/4 cup water to the honey-lemon mixture and stir
• Take this mixture twice a day

Water :

The universal solvent, water has so many unknown health benefits. Drinking warm water is a perfect home remedy for cough as it will relieve your cough and keep your body hydrated.

Milk Cream :

Taking a spoonful of milk cream at bedtime will let you have a peaceful sleep as ut soithes the irritation in the throat. But make sure you dont eat or drink anything after that or it will reverse the effect of it, and worsen your cough.