{"id":1919,"date":"2018-07-14T08:32:27","date_gmt":"2018-07-14T08:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=1919"},"modified":"2021-05-18T15:27:02","modified_gmt":"2021-05-18T15:27:02","slug":"16-powerful-home-remedies-for-cough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/16-powerful-home-remedies-for-cough\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Powerful Home Remedies for Cough"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are many reasons why you might want to choose a natural alternative to treat your cough: Sometimes you are too far away from a doctor to go for an overall check-up when you want to sort out the symptoms of your cough, and other times you might find that you want an alternative to pharmaceutical methods that will leave you feeling much better and have little to no contraindications. There are many natural alternatives you can use to take care of a cough before it turns into a more serious respiratory infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 16 powerful home remedies for a cough that we\u2019ve tried and can recommend to you. This is not meant to be a replacement to medical advice, and you should visit your doctor if your symptoms don\u2019t get better through some of the treatments you will see here. But before you call your doctor, here are some methods you can try at home for that nagging, dry or hacking cough first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Humidification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can buy a humidifier <\/a>for pretty cheaply from most health stores, or you can even find them at some pharmacies; if you don\u2019t find one there, then you can just order one from Amazon for much cheaper than you might think. Many coughs are caused by environmental factors, for example the air being dry or polluted; this can also aggravate conditions of the respiratory system such as asthma, and the conditions can send someone straight into a severe asthma attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, of course, is where a simple cough turns into a dangerous medical condition that could put someone\u2019s life at risk. Humidifying the environment can help take care of a wide assortment of coughs, including specifically dry coughs or ones that are caused by dry or dirty air in your immediate environment. If the cough doesn\u2019t stop, then make an appointment with your doctor to find the deeper cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Taking Ginger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ginger <\/a>has plenty of benefits for your health; if you add just a little bit of ginger to your everyday health routine, then you will see the difference in your health in several days to weeks of starting the treatment. Your overall health will improve, and ginger is also a great substance for curing an upset stomach, getting rid of nausea \u2013 or just adding flavour to food or desserts. What would ginger biscuits be if you didn\u2019t add some ginger to the recipe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, they\u2019d be just regular biscuits… Ginger can also help take care of a stubborn cough while sorting out most of the symptoms associated with flu at the same time; if you mix some ginger in with your tea or milk, then that\u2019s more than enough to take advantage of the benefits. Ginger can also be found in a supplement form, usually in capsules, for people who can\u2019t stomach the taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Drinking Chamomile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chamomile tea<\/a> is known for having plenty of benefits for your health, and it\u2019s often recommended to people who are in need of a detoxification routine for their system \u2013 or those who are having trouble sleeping. It can also be used to treat someone who is dealing with a lot of stress, feeling a lot of anxiety in their daily life or for people who have high blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chamomile tea\u2019s best aspect is the fact that it manages to relax tired muscles, and help you to sleep. These are two important benefits if you have a stubborn cough that you can\u2019t get rid of. The chamomile tea should do wonders to relax your tired lungs and throat, and when you are trying to recover from any kind of injury or illness you will need to get plenty of quality sleep: This is when your body recovers at its best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Peppermint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should know that there\u2019s a difference between peppermint <\/a>and spearmint: They are not the same thing, though we can say that both are very similar \u2013 and will help if you have a stubborn cough. You can find peppermint in many forms, from the flavouring that you find in throat sweets that might bring you some relief when you have a sore throat and a cough, to in drops, and to in its more pure form: Peppermint leaves right off the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should never take peppermint or spearmint in any form if you have a pre-existing heart condition. Some peppermint can easily be added to food to enhance the flavour, or you can add some peppermint to your tea \u2013 and this will help the symptoms of a cough to calm down. If the symptoms still do not stop after this home treatment, visit your doctor to find the root cause of your cough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Inhaling Steam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Steam <\/a>treatments have a proven benefit in many cases of irritated lungs, coughs and flu; all you have to do is fill a jug with boiling water and place your head over this, usually with a towel covering your head to ensure that the steam doesn\u2019t go past your head. There are a few things that you can add to the water to aid with the effect, including some eucalyptus oil which is well known for being able to aid the symptoms of a cough or flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might even relieve some of the other symptoms you might have at the same time, especially if you are struggling with something like a stuffed nose or other respiratory problems. Take care with steam treatments if you have existing problems with your lungs or with asthma: If you have an asthma attack as a result, stop with the treatment and consult your doctor as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Lemon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of benefits that you can get from adding a little bit of lemon <\/a>to your diet: The first, of course, is that your body will get some of the benefit of the vitamins that are contained in lemons; you should know that they are exceptionally high in especially vitamin C, which can give your immune system the necessary boost it needs to make it through the infection that you are struggling with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can easily drink some lemon juice, usually diluted, to relieve your symptoms and hydrate your body at the same time, though most people might find that it burns their throat \u2013 if you can\u2019t stomach that, instead add lemon to some warm tea where it doesn\u2019t have to be such a strong concentration of sourness. If your symptoms persist despite the treatments we\u2019ve mentioned on this list, consult your doctor so that alternative treatment methods can be found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Adding Honey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Honey <\/a>can be combined with many of the other treatment options that have been mentioned in the rest of this article, and it can usually only make whatever you are adding it to better \u2013 whether this is a recipe for baking, a little bit over your food or some mixed into milk or tea. Honey is great for boosting the immune system on a general level, and will also help you to recover sooner from the symptoms that are associated with colds and flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, honey is excellent for soothing a sore throat, and will also help to coat the insides in the same way that some thicker cough syrups will \u2013 and you don\u2019t have to worry about any contraindications, because honey is completely natural and good for you. Ensure that you source the most natural and responsibly sourced honey for your needs: After all, you\u2019re looking to get the most natural benefit out of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Drinking Milk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Milk <\/a>and other dairy products can be highly efficient for taking the edge of a stubborn, dry cough. Just drink a little bit of milk, either cold or warmed up, and give it a few minutes to take effect \u2013 this should hydrate the lungs in the case of a dry cough in no time, and usually the cough will stop for a while. You can also add other things to the milk to improve the effect and boost the immune system at the same time, including turmeric, cinnamon, honey or all three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some coughs for which milk and dairy products are not going to help \u2013 this is usually the cough with a lot of phlegm, where it\u2019s instead recommended to steer clear of any dairy products because they might make the condition worse. If conditions persist after following these treatments, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Turmeric Herb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ancient cultures and medicine men have for years known the health benefits that turmeric <\/a>might hold; many cultures have been making use of this herb for thousands of years, and science is only starting to catch up now with many of the health benefits of turmeric, confirming what people have already known about for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can add some turmeric to a drink of milk, or you can combine it with cinnamon and honey to make an all-round drink for boosting your immune system in a hurry. Also note that you should be careful when you\u2019re working with turmeric, the substance tends to cause extreme staining \u2013 and you\u2019ll never get turmeric out of a cloth or counter once it\u2019s really stuck. Wipe it off immediately after and never let it set for too long! There are very few contraindications for turmeric, and it is safe to take for most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Drinking Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hydration <\/a>is essential to your daily health and life, and it\u2019s recommended that you drink at least eight glasses of water per day to stay hydrated \u2013 though it\u2019s normal for this number to be a little less or a little more depending on the individual. You should stay especially hydrated when you have come down with any kind of illness, including colds and flu, as staying hydrated will help your body to stay healthy and recover from what has struck you down much quicker. Make sure that the water you\u2019re drinking is free of any toxins, and ensure that you are drinking enough of it at a time \u2013 but not too much. Yes, there is something like drinking too much water, and it\u2019s a serious health condition which can lead to water toxicity \u2013 and can even kill you if you don\u2019t take care of it as soon as you spot the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Boosting the Immune System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your body\u2019s immune system<\/a> is its first line of defence against any nasty infections that you might pick up, and if your immune system is in any way, shape or form compromised then you will be much more likely to get sick and pick up the flu of the season. There are plenty of ways in which you can boost the immune system, and it doesn\u2019t have to cost you thousands of dollars in pills. Start off by taking a general multivitamin \u2013 or one more specific if this is recommended by your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, combine this with some immune-boosters like Echinacea that will make you feel much better in the long run. You will also want to switch over to a healthier diet and will feel much better a few weeks to a few months within starting your treatment. If this is not enough, speak to your doctor about more ways in which you can help to boost your immune system to be healthier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Chicken Soup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chicken soup<\/a> is often recommended to people who are battling infections, and especially to people who are recovering from surgeries. You might have never wondered why before, but keep reading: There are actually scientific reasons why chicken soup is said to be good for you. Chicken contains natural antibiotics, and when this is boiled down to a soup or broth, the body can take advantage of some of the natural benefits that are contained in the chicken soup and make its way to a quicker recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking something warm like chicken soup will also likely help to take care of the other associated symptoms of flu, including the cough that you have been struggling with. Add coarse bread if you are looking to soothe a sore throat at the same time. Other soups can be substituted if you really can\u2019t stand chicken soup, but the benefit might not be as much as if it were chicken!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Consuming Chocolate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, chocolate <\/a>is a wonderful substance that can do a lot for you when you\u2019re sick \u2013 and you don\u2019t have to feel bad about it for a single second. Make sure that you source the real stuff \u2013 we\u2019re looking for the kind of chocolate that has real cocoa in it. There are a lot of health benefits that are associated with cocoa intake, and this includes improving your circulation, improving your overall heart health \u2013 and easing the symptoms of a cough or flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some coughs for which chocolate and other dairy products aren\u2019t going to work; these are the stereotypical wet or hacking coughs. For these, you will instead need something that has the opposite effect and manages to dry out the lungs. If you take any kind of dairy on a wet cough, then you will only be making the condition worse \u2013 and you\u2019ll feel worse as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Onions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot that can be said about onions and their health benefits. The first thing, of course, is that onions <\/a>have layers \u2013 but that has little or nothing to do with the real purpose of onions. First, did you know that the smell of onions makes people feel more at home, and is often a technique that\u2019s employed by estate agents when they have to take a bunch of guests through a house they might buy? This isn\u2019t all onions are good for!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should know that onions can also be used in many other ways when you\u2019re sick \u2013 added to a broth, soup or stew, they can take away most of the symptoms that go along with a cough or bout of flu. Sliced and put into a room, they can help to clear out the toxins from the air \u2013 yes, this is true, you can test it yourself if you don\u2019t believe us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Yoghurt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many types of coughs where taking in any dairy (such as milk, cheese or yoghurt) is not recommended at all and instead end up making the condition much worse: Usually, this is in the case of a \u201cwet\u201d cough that has plenty of phlegm <\/a>in the lungs and throat: Adding any dairy to this will only aid in the production of more phlegm, and could leave you feeling worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then there\u2019s the very characteristic dry cough, and for this you will look to hydrate the inside of the body as soon as possible, and phlegm production could bring the condition some quick relief. Your doctor might also recommend a course of yoghurt along with a prescribed antibiotic to take care of your infection; the yoghurt, of course, replacing the flora that the antibiotics removes. If you find that yoghurt and dairy makes it worse, you should immediately stop consuming dairy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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16. Drinking Anything Warm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it kind of goes without saying that you should take it easy on any warm or caffeinated drinks<\/a> if you have flu as this can place additional strain on the heart. Sometimes, a little bit of caffeine can go a long way when you are looking for something natural to help \u201copen up\u201d the lungs \u2013 but you don\u2019t want to drink too much of it, or it will put added stress on your heart, which can be exceptionally dangerous if you have both flu that\u2019s combined with an existing heart condition that you may or may not be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even substitute this for a variety of teas and warm drinks, but be careful that you don\u2019t drink it too warm \u2013 you don\u2019t want a throat injury added to what\u2019s already wrong with you! If your symptoms continue, make an appointment with your doctor for a course of antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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