Cough is a common reflex, and it is the body’s mechanism to clear the airways of irritants. Cough may be acute, lasting less than three weeks, or chronic, lasting for more than eight weeks.
There are different types of cough: dry, wet, or whooping. The treatment for cough, of course, depends on its nature and causes.
A wet or productive cough, i.e., cough that produces phlegm, indicates that your body is producing more mucus than normal.
A cough often begins with a dry hacking cough that causes heaviness in the chest and ultimately leads to coughing up phlegm as the illness progresses. It may feel like you have something stuck in your chest or a tickle at the back of your throat.
# Salt Water Gargle
Gargling with salt water several times a day provides significant relief from cough. Salt helps remove mucus from the respiratory tract, while the warm water reduces irritation in the throat.
Plus, the antiseptic property of salt may help fight any infection that may have caused the illness.
- Add ¼-½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.
- Mix well until the salt is thoroughly dissolved.
- Gargle with this 2-3 times daily until your congestion clears.
# Steam Inhalation
Inhaling steam is another effective way to get quick relief from a cough. The heat and moisture from the steam help break up and dissolve mucus. Moreover, inhaling steam infused with tulsi leaves-extract can help relieve cough and cold even better.
- Fill a bowl with very hot water. Add the equivalent of 6-8 tulsi leaves (also known as Holy or Sacred Basil). Put a towel over your head and position your face over the bowl. Inhale the steam for as long as you can and breathe deeply. Do this 2-3 times a day.
- You can also take a hot shower and breathe in the steam for 5 minutes. Try this twice daily until the cough is resolved.
# HoneyHoney is another well-known home remedy for cough.
It helps reduce the thickness of the mucus and promotes its easy removal from the respiratory tract. Also, being high in antiviral and antibacterial properties, honey helps fight infection.
- Put 1 large organic onion (halved and thinly sliced) and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme (or 3 teaspoons of fresh thyme) in a glass, ceramic, or nonstick saucepan, and add enough honey to fully cover the ingredients (preferably 2 cups of raw local honey).
- Simmer over low heat for 1 hour, until the onion becomes juicy and soft.
- Pour the mixture into a glass jar, cover with lid, and label. You can store this in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Consume 1 tablespoon of this honey-thyme elixir daily during cold season to prevent or treat a cold.
# GingerWhether you are suffering from productive or non-productive cough, ginger is a good remedy.
As an expectorant, ginger helps in thinning and expelling mucus. It even reduces the intensity and duration of coughing bouts characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.
Moreover, ginger has immune-boosting properties that help promote quick recovery.
- Cut an inch of fresh ginger root into small slices and crush them a little. Put the ginger and 1½ cups of water in a pan and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes. then strain it. Drink this up to 3 times a day.
- Alternatively, mix together 1 tablespoon of freshly extracted ginger juice and 1 tablespoon of raw honey. Take this twice daily for a few days.
- You can also chew fresh raw ginger throughout the day.
# GarlicGarlic is also a good remedy for chesty cough. It acts as a natural expectorant, which helps provide quick relief from coughing.
Garlic also has immune-enhancing, antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it effective for clearing infection that may be the reason behind the cough.
- Eat a clove of crushed garlic mixed with some honey 2-3 times a day.
- Also, add 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic to a pot of boiling water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapor.
- You can also mix garlic oil with a little warm olive oil and use it as a chest rub.