A cough, whether temporary or persistent, is often a miserable thing to deal with — even painful at times, depending on the severity of the cough and the underlying condition causing it. Many people suffering from a cough have a difficult time sleeping, as coughing throughout the night keeps them awake and interrupts the rest their bodies so desperately need to heal.
As winter approaches, so does flu season, along with the many colds and viruses that are passed around in schools and workplaces. That means someone in your family is likely to come down with a nasty cough over the next few months, if not all of you. The problem is that opinions are mixed on the effectiveness of traditional over-the-counter cough remedies, and these medications are generally not indicated for children under six years of age. Plus, it’s not always convenient to take medications that may make you drowsy, particularly if you have to go to school or work during the day.
The solution? As it turns out, there are many natural remedies that are quite effective at soothing coughs. We rounded up 50 natural cough remedies you can use at home for some much-needed relief next time you’re suffering through a seemingly endless cold with a nasty cough. Keep in mind that these tips are not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional, and a cough can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, particularly if it persists beyond a few weeks. When in doubt, always consult the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner. However, if you are bothered by a nagging or persistent cough that’s keeping you up at night, these tips provide easy, natural ways to get some quick relief.
* Salt-water gargles to the rescueDo gargle thoroughly at regular intervals if you catch a cold or develop a sore throat.
This age-old therapy helps soothe sore throat, clears germs, and cleanses your mouth.
Additionally, it can also help improve bad breath, treat dry-cough, and help with tonsil inflammation.
With these many benefits, gargling makes for one of the most-effective yet simple home remedies for cough and cold.
* Ginger TeaApart from its amazingly refreshing taste, Ginger tea also acts as a great home remedy for treating cold and cough.
It fights running nose, and eliminates the phlegm from the respiratory tract.
It also helps deal with a sore throat, and hastens recovery from common cold.
Apart from fighting cold and cough, it is also great for improving your digestion.
* Hot Turmeric milk to ease cold and coughTurmeric is an easily-available spice in any Indian kitchen.
Fortunately, it's good for your health and has amazing healing properties.
It has a powerful antioxidant which is known to cure cough and cold.
So, if you're afflicted, you could drink a glass of warm turmeric milk to get rid of it as soon as possible.
* Cinnamon-Honey-Lemon SyrupAnother tired-and-tested home remedy for dealing with cold and cough is a homemade mixture of cinnamon, honey, and lemon.
The syrup works because of the great healing properties of all the three ingredients.
Making it requires half-a-spoon of honey, a pinch of cinnamon, and a couple of drops of lemon juice.
Take the syrup twice a day when you have cold.