An unproductive cough is also called a dry cough. Dry coughs cannot expel mucus, phlegm, or irritants from your lungs or nasal passages, unlike productive, wet coughs. After you’ve had a cold or flu, dry coughs can last for weeks. A variety of conditions can also cause them, such as postnasal drip asthma acid reflux, or GERD acid reflux. In cases of mild and uncomplicated dry cough (meaning without fever, chest pain, or any other symptoms), treatment with a home remedy can be reasonable rather than over-the-counter cough medicine. Raw honey, licorice root, and saltwater gargling are some home remedies commonly used for dry cough. Many of these have been transmitted from one generation to another. There is often nothing more than anecdotal evidence to support their use, despite this and claims of efficacy. However, for a few home remedies for dry cough, there is some clinical support, and these options are usually considered safe for short-term use.
Honey right from the spoon is one of the most effective home remedies for a cough with proven advantages. One of the oldest home remedies for treating any type of cough is raw honey. Honey also has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve inflammation of the throat. Its antimicrobial effects can also potentially minimize minor infections of bacteria or viruses
In a research published in the journal Pediatric Clinics of North America, up to 2 teaspoons of honey were administered at bedtime to children aged 2 and older with upper respiratory tract infections resulting in cough. The honey not only reduced nighttime coughing but also improved sleep.
As you enjoy a hot bath or shower, if you have ever noticed your cough or congestion easing up, then you know the importance of moisture to relieve cold symptoms. Steam breathing is one of the popular home remedies for a cough with which most people are familiar (often with the addition of a mentholated product like Vicks Vapo-Rub). Warm steam can help moisturize dry and irritated nasal passages, alleviate pain in the throat, and reduce the severity of cough induced by mild infections or allergies, even without an additive. Drape a towel over your head while you breathe in the steam to increase the intake of moisture.
*As it can cause a serious burn, avoid putting your face over a pot of boiling water.
For the treatment of a sore throat, this simple remedy is one of the most effective. Saltwater is osmotic, which means the fluid flows in the direction it switches. Saltwater pulls moisture away from the region of soreness in the throat and therefore tends to decrease swelling and inflammation. In a cup of warm water, whisk half a teaspoon of salt until it dissolves. Before using it, allow the solution to cool slightly to gargle. Before spitting it out, let the mixture sit on the back of your throat for a few moments. Several times per day, gargle with salt water before the cough improves.
*Stop offering younger kids saltwater, since they may not be able to gargle properly, and it can be risky to drink salt water.
Curcumin, a compound that may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects, is found in Turmeric. It is one of the prime home remedies for dry cough. For some conditions, including a dry cough, it may also be helpful. Some researchers have indicated that turmeric can relieve coughing and other asthma symptoms. If taken with black pepper, curcumin is better absorbed into the bloodstream. To drink a drink, you can add 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper, such as cold orange juice. You can turn it into a warm tea as well.
Thyme is a popular treatment for a cough, sore throat, bronchitis, and digestive problems and has both culinary and medicinal uses. Since the Black Plague in Europe, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has been used medicinally. It contains a thymol compound that is thought to have antispasmodic effects that can help calm the throat’s smooth muscles. Thyme may be healthy for occasional use when consumed as a tea. By infusing 3 to 4 teaspoons of the dried herb into 8 ounces of boiling water, you may make thyme tea. For added cough-relieving advantage, sweeten with honey.
*Usually used in aromatherapy, thyme essential oil should not be taken internally, as it can cause a potentially significant drop in blood pressure.
Ginger is one of the best home remedies for dry cough because it has properties that are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used to treat nausea and sore stomach for a long time, but there is evidence that calming the smooth muscles of the airways, can also suppress the cough reflex. As an ingredient, ginger can be used in many teas. By steeping the peeled or cut root in warm water, you can also produce ginger tea from ginger root. For a dry cough, adding honey will make it even more beneficial. Ginger may also be taken in capsule form or chewed on the ginger root to relieve dry cough.
Garlic (Allium sativum) also has moderate antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, much like turmeric. It is also said that taking garlic daily will lower blood pressure and improve the immune system. While most research investigating the effect has been mixed, garlic is purported to alleviate cough linked to the common cold.
Marshmallow root is a herb used as a remedy for coughs and sore throats with a long history of use. Due to its high mucilage content, the herb can relieve discomfort resulting from coughing. A dense, gluey material that covers the throat is mucilage. One small study showed that, along with thyme and ivy, a herbal cough syrup containing marshmallow root effectively relieved coughs arising from common colds and infections of the respiratory tract. 90 percent of the participants graded its efficacy as good or very good after 12 days of taking the syrup.
Because of its calming effect on the throat, sipping tea made of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has long been touted. Since 2100 B.C., licorice root has been used as Gancao in traditional Chinese medicine and is said to relieve pain, clear phlegm, and ease cough. In several grocery stores and health food stores, root tea can be found. You can buy dried licorice root online and use it for making tea by steeping 2 tablespoons of shaved root for five to 10 minutes in 8 ounces of boiling water.
Menthol is present in peppermint, which helps numb the nerve endings in the throat that are irritated by coughing. This can provide relief from pain and decrease the urge to cough. Peppermint also tends to minimize congestion and has been discovered to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. There are a lot of ways to eat peppermint. These involve drinking tea with peppermint or sucking on lozenges with peppermint. To help relieve nighttime coughs, try drinking peppermint tea right before bed. You can also use the essential oil of peppermint as an aromatherapy remedy.
Recommended Read: Top 10 surprising benefits of drinking water on an empty stomach.
Keep a healthy distance from people with a fever, flu, or cough.
To kill bacteria and viruses from the skin, use soap and warm water. Teach kids how to properly wash their faces. When required, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer outside the house.
Clean the kitchen and bathroom regularly with a disinfectant while a family member is sick. Wash your bedding, sheets, and hot-wash soft toys.
To prevent dehydration, drink enough water, herbal teas, and other drinks.
Stress impacts the immune system and raises the likelihood that you will get sick. An individual can exercise regularly, meditate, do deep breathing, and try progressive techniques of muscle relaxation to relieve stress.
To keep fit and safe, try to sleep for 7-9 hours each night.
Natural cough remedies are meant to alleviate dry cough in the short term, which may occur with a mild infection, allergies, asthma, and reflux. They should not be used to postpone the treatment or diagnosis of mild to serious coughs or coughs that will just not go away. A doctor will determine the cause of chronic coughing more often than not and provide a treatment plan to improve the condition.
Disclaimer: Content from Vedicsources.com is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Expert advice is for educational use and general information only and should not be substituted for the medical advice of your own doctor or any health care professional.
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