Coughing is a common health issue experienced by everyone. We cough to clear our airways or due to irritants present in the air. Whenever the throat or upper airways feel congested, the brain perceives it as the presence of a foreign element and tries to expel it through coughing. Coughing can occur due to various reasons such as viral infections, colds, flu, smoking, and other health problems like asthma, tuberculosis, lung cancer, etc.
One of the symptoms of coughing is itching in the throat, chest pain, nasal discomfort, and so on. Instead of using cough syrups and pills, you can try treating cough with home remedies using some readily available ingredients from your kitchen.
Here are 10 best home remedies for cough:
Garlic
Garlic is used in the treatment of cough with home remedies. It possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which help in treating cough. Take two cloves of garlic and boil them in a glass of water, then add a tablespoon of oregano. When this herbal preparation cools down to room temperature, add honey and drink it. This will help in your breathing and alleviate other cough symptoms. Additionally, if you eat a clove of minced garlic mixed with a few drops of clove oil and honey, it will help improve throat condition. If you enjoy the taste of garlic, you can use garlic in cooking.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most popular natural remedies in treating cough with home remedies. Take fresh ginger, slice it into small pieces, put it in a cup of water, and bring it to a boil. Drinking this ginger decoction will help alleviate throat pain and stop coughing. You should drink this decoction three to four times a day. Additionally, chewing fresh ginger is recommended for cough symptoms.
Lemon
Lemons can also be used to treat cough by reducing inflammation during infections, thanks to their high vitamin C content. You can prepare a very simple cough syrup by mixing two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. Take this syrup several times a day in warm form. You can prepare your favorite tea by adding ginger, honey, and lemon, and drink it as often as you want. Another way to use lemon: mix lemon juice with a small amount of honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper, then swallow it.
Hot Milk with Honey
Drinking hot milk with honey provides relief for dry cough. The combination of warm milk and honey also helps alleviate chest pain associated with constant coughing. For better results, try drinking hot milk with honey before bedtime. To reduce throat pain, use the pain-relieving properties of honey. Eat one teaspoon of honey on an empty stomach. This will help clear mucus and soothe the throat.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most widely used spices available in the kitchen, and it has a therapeutic effect on dry cough. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of carom seeds to a cup of water and boil until the volume of water reduces by half. Add a little honey, and drink this herbal decoction twice a day. This is the simplest way to use turmeric to alleviate cough. Another way to use turmeric: fry turmeric root and then grind it into powder. Mix the powder with water and honey, and take it twice a day.
Grapes
Grapes can help improve the condition of your lungs and provide relief from cough. The effective expectorant properties of grapes help in clearing mucus from the affected respiratory organs. You can eat grapes as they are or prepare fresh grape juice. Try making grape juice at home and drink it, adding a little honey. Grape juice with a spoonful of honey is an effective remedy for cough.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper helps reduce chest pain, which mainly occurs due to continuous coughing. At the same time, cayenne pepper provides a warming effect and is a good remedy for those suffering from colds and coughs. You can prepare a cough syrup. To do this, mix a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper, a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger, a tablespoon of honey, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and two tablespoons of water. Drink this syrup twice a day.
Carrot Juice
Carrots contain many vitamins and nutrients that help with various cough symptoms. Prepare fresh carrot juice, dilute it with water, and drink it three to four times a day to alleviate coughing. You can also add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of carrot juice and drink it several times a day.
Almonds
Almonds play an active role in treating cough due to their nutritional properties. Soak five almonds in water for eight to ten hours. After soaking, crush the almonds soaked in water into a paste and add a teaspoon of clarified butter. Eat three to four times a day to relieve various cough symptoms.
Onion
Onion is the most popular home remedy in treating cough. It is one of the simplest home remedies that can help stop coughing. You can make a cough syrup from the juice of roasted onions, comfrey tea, and honey, and drink this remedy daily to alleviate dry cough. Another home remedy for cough: mix half a teaspoon of onion juice with a teaspoon of honey, and take it twice a day for cough relief and throat soothing.
In conclusion, the above-mentioned home remedies will provide relief from various cough symptoms without the unpleasant side effects that come with taking cough tablets and syrups. However, if persistent coughing lasts for more than two weeks, you should consult a doctor immediately.