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Cough Home Remedy
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Signs and Symptoms of a Cough
A cough occurs when there is inflammation or irritation in the lungs, throat, larynx, or bronchial tubes. There are two main types of coughs: congested and dry. A congested cough typically occurs when you have a cold, and is often accompanied by a stuffy nose or sore throat. A dry cough, however, will have a more raspy feel to it without any phlegm.
Causes of a Cough
A congested cough often occurs due to a cold, flu, or sinus/bronchial infection and is often called bronchitis. In this situation, you must usually wait at least 7 to 10 days until your body fights off the infection. However, a number of home remedies listed below can help boost your immune system to shorten an episode of bronchitis, while others can help to thin the mucus so that it is easier to cough up.A dry cough often occurs due to smoking, asthma, dust, or pollution. Rapid temperature changes can also lead to a dry cough. In this case, the best solution is to moisturize your throat by drinking warm fluids, which helps sooth your mucus membranes.
Note that if your cough persists for more than a week, or if you are coughing up blood, you should see your doctor immediately.
Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Coughing or Bronchitis
Treat a Cough With Fluids
Drinking lots of fluids is a great way to help relieve a cough, since fluids make the mucus easier to cough up.
Warm liquids or water at room temperature work best.
However, caffeine or alcohol should be avoided since they are diuretics, which cause you to urinate more often and actually lose more fluids than you gain.
Inhale Steam and Aromatherapy to Treat Bronchitis
A simple home remedy to help moisten your throat and loosen the mucus is to inhale steam.
An effective way to do this is to fill your bathroom sink with hot water, and then drape a towel over your head while you lean above the sink.
Inhale the steam from the sink for 5 to 10 minutes every few hours throughout the day.
Adding 5 to 10 drops of certain essential oils to the hot water can also help stimulate your lungs to expel phlegm. Some effective oils are Thyme Essential Oil and Peppermint Oil
Adding 5 to 10 drops of certain essential oils to the hot water can also help stimulate your lungs to expel phlegm. Some effective oils are Thyme Essential Oil and Peppermint Oil
Use a Humidifier to Treat a Cough
During the winter, a cool-mist vaporizer or humidier is a great way to help thin the mucus that leads to coughing.
The best time to use a humidifier is during the night while you sleep. Be sure to clean the vaporizer/humidifier often to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria.
Foods to Help Soothe a Cough
Some people have found that eating hot chili peppers, horse-radish, or other spicy foods can help loosen the mucus that leads to congested coughing.
It is also important to avoid foods that lead to extra mucus production, such as meat, dairy products, and fried foods.
Increasing your intake of Vitamins A, C and E is also beneficial, since they help to boost your immune system and fight off infections that lead to coughing/bronchitis.
For dry coughs, a teaspoon of honey has been found to be very beneficial in soothing the lining of your throat.
Increasing your intake of Vitamins A, C and E is also beneficial, since they help to boost your immune system and fight off infections that lead to coughing/bronchitis.
For dry coughs, a teaspoon of honey has been found to be very beneficial in soothing the lining of your throat.
Garlic and Honey to Relieve a Cough
Garlic and honey are effective natural foods which can help relieve coughing.
Therefore, a simple cough remedy using these everyday items is the following:
- Take 3 or 4 cloves of garlic.
- Peel the cloves and then chop them into small pieces.
- Mix the cloves in a cup of honey and let the mixture sit overnight.
- Take one teaspoon of this honey and garlic mixture twice daily.
More Cough Home Remedies and Treatments
Reader Comments
Posted by ANOYMOUS on Oct 29 2009 16:38:30
TO LAURA WHAT DID YOU USE TO CONTROL YOUR COUGH NY SYSTEM AR THE SAME AS YOURS
AFTER A SUGERY AFTE THE TUBES CAME OUT OFF AND ON I ALSO HAVE A COUGH FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW
Posted by Laurie on Oct 27 2009 01:23:59
i have had a cough for about the last 15 years or so and it only seems to be getting worse, i have been told i have acid reflux and also told that my cough is due to the tubes the doctors have to put down my throat during surgeries, my cough has gotten so bad that sometimes i will cough so hard my throat starts to bleed, what can i do?
Posted by jacquie on Oct 18 2009 01:33:34
It might also help to mix honey, lemon, and garlic squeezed from a softgel together and drink the mixture straight. I used this remedy several times last night and today for sinus congestion, with postnasal drip that was turning into a bronchial infection. My throat was extremely sore from coughing. I'm about 80% better.
Posted by Anonymous on Oct 15 2009 17:29:49
3-4 drops of Oil of Oregano works great for cough and sinus infections! Start taking oregano oil before flu and cough gets severe.
Posted by Anonymous on Oct 15 2009 17:25:57
Re:How much honey and garlic for throat irritation and cough?
Making garlic part of your diet is a good idea. It has many health benefits. I believe this site also has good information on benefits of garlic.
For sinus issues, 4 crushed garlic cloves can be mixed in a cup of organic honey.Take a total of 2teaspoons of this mix through out the day whenever you feel discomfort. I've also found that a mixture of 1tsp of ground black-pepper in a cup of honey works great for cough. Take no more than 2tsp of this mix during the day/night whenever you get a cough attack. Hope it helps!
Posted by shailaja on Oct 15 2009 04:53:54
we can use daily garlic is it good for health.
i have sinus problem & throat pain so what should i do..
i having mostly headache,nasal block & throat pain or irriration so what should i do...how much i take garlic & honey.how to take please advice.....
Posted by julia segura on Apr 13 2009 10:56:24
If you drink honey with natural fresh squeezed lemon juice in it, helps a congested cough alot!
Posted by B R SANKHLA on Mar 19 2009 02:44:59
i m also suffering from cough. i found it useful & will follow the advices given above. thanx 4 this article