10 BEST HOME REMEDIES FOR COUGH

Coughing is a prevalent complaint in every Indian home. Here are some home remedies for coughs to alleviate the discomfort.

 What is Cough?

A cough is an involuntary response triggered by particles that irritate the lungs. It helps unblock the nasal and breathing passage from unwanted foreign particles or irritants, like food and fluids, mucus, allergies, smoke, perfume, dust, or even cold air. Generally, cough occurs as a defence mechanism to protect the lungs, but in some cases, excessive coughing can be chronic as well. It is one of the most prevailing complaints among Indians (30%) for visiting physicians, even before Covid-19. 

There are many home remedies for cough; however, upon experiencing severe infection, it is best advised to seek professional help.

Causes:

•  Flu or viruses:  It leads to a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever. 
•  Post Nasal drip: the dripping of mucus from the nose into the throat can result in coughing.
• Pneumonia: This is a contagious disease caused by bacteria or fungi in one or both lungs and causes coughing
• COPD: This is an inflammatory lung disease that leads to clogged airflow from the lungs.
• Asthma or allergies: The airways get narrowed due to swelling, triggering difficulty in breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or cough. 
• Acid Reflux: Acidity in the stomach can flow into the food pipe overnight, causing one to cough painfully. 

Below are the 10 Best Natural Remedies for Cough:

Honey: The cold can cause the body to generate excessive mucus, making it very difficult to get through the night. We all have experienced this several times, so you are not alone. Honey is renowned for being one of the most relaxing home remedies for dry cough. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a natural cough suppressant. As per a study, honey is an excellent remedy for dextromethorphan in alleviating cough and enhancing sleep for children. Anybody above the age of 1 can consume it, either raw multiple times of a day or with warm tea or water. 

Turmeric: Turmeric has been a popular home remedy for ages. You can drink the famous “turmeric milk” when you’re sick or mix it with water with other spices like black pepper. If that’s not suitable, add a small spoon to your juice. Turmeric is recognised for its medicinal use as it consists of curcumin, a natural antioxidant agent. Modern studies indicate that turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer agent. It can treat respiratory conditions (asthma, allergies) and be beneficial for sore throat, cold, cough and sinuses. Ergo, in ayurvedic practices across cultures, turmeric is deployed for the prevention of diseases. 

Ginger: The benefits of ginger are underrated in calming the irritants in the lungs and throat. Researchers confirm that ginger is an antibacterial agent, making it a great home remedy for cough. It is known for treating clogging in the chest and drying or eliminating excessive mucus. It’s a popular remedy for phlegm. Chewing fresh ginger has anti-viral properties that cease the reproduction of the virus and reduce inflammation. If chewing is a pain, then add it to your smoothies, grate it with lemon and drink it with warm water or tea of your liking. Another way to consume it is by pairing it with honey for a stronger effect. Ginger, peppermint and rosemary tea work wonders for anyone. 

Chicken soup: Soup is a best friend in sickness and health. There are not many existing studies emphasising the medicinal properties of chicken soup or whether it can save you from trips to the pharmacy, but it’s worth trying, right? Theoretically, it’s regarded as a remedy for respiratory tract infections. But join the debate and beat that cough with the comfort of chicken soup before bedtime. The question of whether it’s the soup particles that reduce inflammation or the very scent that clears sinuses and betters the condition is yet to be answered. In the end, it’s a bowl of nutrients that comes in handy if you’re struggling with a poor appetite. 

Steam: A steam-filled bathroom for 15-30 minutes is exactly what the body needs to cope up with persistent wet or dry coughs. Inhaling steam is an excellent cough remedy that can clear the nasal passage and relieve sinus infection. Steam therapy is just an inhalation of water vapour and a perfect dry cough remedy. It may not cure the flu but is promising in providing temporary relief from allergies, bronchitis, influenza and cold. You can either use a steam machine or heat the water until it’s boiling. Pour the water into a bowl, drape your head with the towel for a relaxing effect and inhale deeply through the nose till you feel better. 

Marshmallow: Marshmallow root is believed to be an effective natural remedy for cough. Herbal cough syrups or capsules containing the extracts (Althaea Officinalis) have proven to be a successful remedy for rapidly treating dry cough, cold and bronchitis. It’s a pain reliever and reduces irritation in sore throats. You can consume a teaspoon of syrup every day or with warm tea throughout your day to provide you relief. This remedy is normally well tolerated and does not have side effects unless you are allergic or diabetic. If you experience an upset stomach, then drink the syrup with 8 ounces of water to feel better. 

Salt Water Gargle: This is a known natural remedy for dry cough. We have been advised to perform a saltwater gargle to kill the bacteria in the throat. It may not be the best remedy for young children who are bound to swallow the salt. But for others, if you are experiencing irritation in your mouth or throat, dissolve half a spoon of salt in your warm water and gargle during the night or post-brushing. This will reduce the need to cough and just do the trick for you! It is highly effective in mitigating phlegm and mucus. 

Probiotics: Probiotics are currently gaining attention from researchers for enhancing the immune system. They are proving to be efficient in preventing allergies, common cold, respiratory diseases and viral infections. Some food items are naturally rich in probiotics, such as yoghurt, cucumber pickles, cheese (mozzarella, cheddar), kombucha, tempeh, kefir, miso, and kimchi. You can also consume it in the form of a supplement found at the local pharmacy or drug stores.

Masala Chai: We don’t need a reason to consume the widely popular Indian masala chai. However, when down with flu, there’s no better remedy than this immunity booster. This particular tea is full of aroma and spices that have proven to be effective cough remedies. It is loaded with antioxidants such as clove, black pepper and cinnamon that help your body fight allergies and cure a cold. If you’re sensitive to weather change, this hot beverage is guaranteed to keep you warm and energetic.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus oil is multifaceted and can be used in several ways to cure cough by working as a decongestant. Additionally, it is also associated with respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and sinusitis. Using this can be highly effective in getting the mucus out of the chest, relieving pain and reducing muscle tension. It is one of the best home remedies for dry cough. You can dilute a few drops of oil into your boiling water and inhale the steam. You can also choose to mix it with another oil of your preference and rub it on your chest and throat to feel warm and suppress the cough. It is crucial to keep in mind that essential oil is more beneficial when diluted rather than consumed raw.

References: 

https://www.japi.org/q29464b4/indian-consensus-on-diagnosis-of-cough-at-primary-care-setting

https://www.healthline.com/health/pneumonia

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18056558/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Imad-Hameed/publication/303531356_Antibacterial_Effect_of_Ginger_Zingiber_officinale_Roscoe_and_Bioactive_Chemical_Analysis_using_Gas_Chromatography_Mass_Spectrum/links/574a87ca08ae2e0dd3018b3c/Antibacterial-Effect-of-Ginger-Zingiber-officinale-Roscoe-and-Bioactive-Chemical-Analysis-using-Gas-Chromatography-Mass-Spectrum.pdf

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ginger-for-colds#properties

https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(15)37721-7/fulltext

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30064132/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3560336/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-super-healthy-probiotic-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5