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7 Natural Cough Remedies Forpersistent & Dry Coughs - Health - Nairaland

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7 Natural Cough Remedies Forpersistent & Dry Coughs by Dotunblaze(m): 12:43am On Jan 11, 2015
We're still in the harmattan season and it’s never a fun situation when you have a
persistent cough. You don’t want to be that
person in a quiet room during a lecture that
can’t stop breaking the silence with your
hacking, or that person at the restaurant that
makes people fling themselves over their
plates to protect their food while you cough
away. Or that person on the plane that
everyone throws disgusted looks at. Coughs
are just terribly uncomfortable all around,
both physically and otherwise.

There are two primary types of coughs, dry
and productive. A productive cough is one in
which you are coughing up phlegm or
mucous-this is not a cough that should be
suppressed, as your body needs to rid itself
of the gunk that’s in your chest/lungs. While
it shouldn’t be suppressed, some of these
remedies will address a productive cough by
including an expectorant, or something that
loosens mucous and makes it easier for the
body to get rid of.

A dry, hacking, cough is another story. This
is one we do want to stop. It can be caused
by allergies , dry air, a random tickle at the
back of your throat that won’t go away, the
aftermath of a cold, being in a dusty
environment, etc. etc. For these we turn to
demulcents, ingredients that soothe irritated
mucous membranes and remove the irritant
triggering the cough. Studies conducted in
2004 found that the main ingredients in
cough syrup (dextromethorphan and
diphenhydramine) have the same
effectiveness in treating coughs as a placebo
ingredient. Instead of turning to chemical
solutions for every minor ailment, try some
home remedies instead. They are not only
better for you, but they taste a whole lot
better than most cough syrup too!


1. A Spoonful of Honey

Studies, such as one conducted at Penn
State College of Medicine, have found that
honey can work more efficiently to calm a
cough than over-the-counter drugs. It is a
rich demulcent, with a high viscosity and
stickiness that does an incredible job of
coating and soothing those irritated mucous
membranes. Thanks to an enzyme added by
bees when they harvest honey, it also has
antibacterial properties as well, which may
help shorten how long you have the cough if
it is due to bacterial illness.
Note: This is an excellent alternative remedy
for both kids and adults, but should never be
given to children under the age of 2 years due
to the risk of botulism.
You will need…
-1 tablespoon of organic, raw, honey
Directions
Take 1 tablespoon of honey 1-3 times daily
as needed to control coughing. Take
immediately before bed if cough is disrupting
your sleep. For children, you can adjust the
dosing to 1 teaspoon up to one tablespoon.


2. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root is both an expectorant and
demulcent, simultaneously soothing your
airways while loosening and thinning mucous,
easing congestion. It can also ease any
inflammation that may be irritating your
throat. Its main constituent, glycyrrhizin, is
responsible for most of its effects. 30-50
times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), it
inhibits an enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid
dehydrogenase (how would like you to write
that on a name tag?) This enzyme regulates
access of glucocorticoid (a steroid hormone)
to steroid receptors, ultimately slowing the
conversion of cortisol to cortisone. This
increases the effect of cortisol and reducing
inflammation. If you are on steroids, or have
any problems with your kidneys, it is best to
steer clear of licorice root.
You will need…
-2 tablespoons of dried licorice root
-8 ounces of fresh water
Directions
Bring water to a boil and place the licorice
root in a mug. Cover with water and steep for
10-15 minutes. Drink the entire cup up to 2
times daily.



3. Gargle Salt Water

Also a popular remedy for sore throats, salt
water can ease the discomfort caused by a
cough the same way it helps a sore throat-
through osmosis. When the concentration of
salt is higher outside of the cells in your
mucous membranes, water flows out of the
cells to balance everything out. When water
leaves the cells, swelling goes down, and
discomfort is decreased. If you have a cough
that happens to come along with inflamed
tissue, this is a good route to take. It can
also help dislodge any phlegm that’s hanging
out and allow you to expel it easily.
You will need…
-1 teaspoon of salt
-8 ounces of warm water
Directions
Stir salt into water until it is thoroughly
dissolved. Gargle for 15 seconds, spit, and
repeat with the remaining water. Rinse with
plain water afterwards.



4. Steam, Steam, Steam!

I can’t say how underrated steam is when it
comes to anything dealing with a cough,
cold, or congestion. Not only does the steam
quite literally loosen mucous and phlegm,
almost immediately, but you can add
numerous essential oils that will impart
wonderful healing benefits. These benefits
(anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory
etc.) do become airborne, so you inhale them
while you breathe in the steam. For this
particular blend I’ve included both tea tree oil
and eucalyptus oil, which can help soothe
and open your airways as well as help fight
off bacteria or a virus.
You will need…
-3 drops of tea tree oil
-1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil
-A bowl of water
-A soft, clean, towel
Directions
Bring enough water to a boil to halfway fill a
medium size-heat proof bowl. Pour the water
into it, let it cool slightly for 30-60 seconds,
and add the essential oils, giving it a quick
stir to release the vapors. Lean over the bowl
and get as close as you can while still being
comfortable. Remember that steam can
seriously burn! Use the towel to cover your
head like a tent, trapping the steam, and
breathe deeply. Ideally, do this for 5-10
minutes 2-3 times a day.



5. Tea Thyme

Thyme has been used for centuries, and was
even used during one of the most devastating
pandemics to take place in human history.
The Black Death was a plague that peaked in
Europe from 1346-1353. During that time,
and in other incidents of the plague
thereafter, townspeople would gather to burn
large bundles of thyme to ward off the
disease, or carry pockets of thyme on them.
Indeed, thyme does have anti-microbial
properties, but we’re not warding off any
plague here-just your cough. Thyme relaxes
the muscles of the trachea and bronchi, and
also opens up airways. The result is less
coughing, and increased comfort.
You will need…
-a handful of fresh thyme sprigs OR 2
tablespoons dried thyme
-8 ounces of fresh water
-Honey or lemon (optional)
Directions
Lightly bruise the thyme, e.g. with a mortar
and pestle, and then place in a mug. Cover
with 8 ounces of boiling water, cover, and let
it steep for 10-15 minutes. Add some lemon
or honey to taste, and drink the whole thing.
Repeat 2-3 times daily as needed. It’s
absolutely delightful just before bedtime
(unless you aren’t a fan of thyme. But drink
some anyways.)



6. Pepper & Honey

Black pepper is the world’s most traded
spice, but most of its use is limited to the
culinary world. What people don’t know is
that it can make a great remedy for coughs
that are accompanied by a lot of mucous or
chest congestion. If you’ve accidently leaned
too close to black pepper while it’s being
grinded, you know it can make you cough or
tickle your nose. This may not be fun on a
regular basis, but it’s a plus if you need to
expel all the nasty stuff that’s gunking up
your lungs. The honey adds its antibacterial
properties, and it makes it so the pepper
isn’t too irritating. You can make black
pepper “syrup” with honey, or a tea, as
below. If possible, use freshly ground black
pepper, as the pre-ground pepper simply
seems to lose some of its punch.
You will need…
-1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-1 tablespoon of honey
-8 ounces of fresh water
Directions
Place the pepper and honey in a mug and
then cover with boiling water. Give it stir to
disperse the pepper flakes and melt in the
honey. Steep for 10 minutes, stir once more,
and drink in its entirety. Repeat 1-2 times a
day as needed to loosen mucous.


7. Ginger Peppermint Syrup

Here you get the soothing qualities of
warming ginger, all wrapped up in a delicious
easy to swallow cough syrup. Spicy ginger
works as an expectorant, helping loosen and
expel mucous from the lungs. It can also
stop the painful tickle at the back of throat
that can trigger a cough if the first place, if
you are experiencing a dry cough. The
peppermint will also help relieve the irritating
tickle of a cough.
You will need…
-3 tablespoons of chopped ginger
-1 tablespoon of dried peppermint
-4 cups of water
-1 cup of honey
Directions
Chop the ginger and add it along with the
peppermint to 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil
and then lower the heat so that the liquid
simmer. Simmer until the liquid has been
reduced by half, than strain. Let it cool
slightly, and then stir in 1 cup of honey until
it has been dissolved completely. Bottle and
take 1 tablespoon every few hours as needed
to ease your cough. Keep refrigerated for up
to 3 weeks.

Re: 7 Natural Cough Remedies Forpersistent & Dry Coughs by Gigihealth: 12:16am On Jul 16, 2016
Chronic cough can be prevented by not smoking, managing medical problems such as asthma, GERD, postnasal drips and also getting vaccinated against whooping cough. Click on the link below to know more about cough, their causes, preventions and treatments.
http://www.gigihealth.com/chronic-cough-some-facts-about-cough-you-dont-know-about/
Re: 7 Natural Cough Remedies Forpersistent & Dry Coughs by TheActionase(m): 11:15pm On Aug 16, 2020
Gigihealth:
Chronic cough can be prevented by not smoking, managing medical problems such as asthma, GERD, postnasal drips and also getting vaccinated against whooping cough. Click on the link below to know more about cough, their causes, preventions and treatments.
http://www.gigihealth.com/chronic-cough-some-facts-about-cough-you-dont-know-about/
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