We have all dealt with an annoying, nagging dry cough at some point of time in our lives. This exhausting illness often keeps you up all night, drastically reduces your overall productivity and makes you extremely cranky. Even with the help of modern medicine, this stubborn ailment sometimes takes forever to cure, and keeps you begging for a brief respite. Often what modern medicine takes several weeks to cure, home remedies ease off immediately. In this article, we have a list of simple home remedies to get rid of dry cough that will quickly reduce your discomfort.
Here’s a list of reasons why you are likely to develop a dry cough:
- As a side effect to certain kinds of medication, a dry cough can be formed. Particularly medicines that are consumed for the purpose of reduction of high blood pressure cause a dry cough.
- Asthma is another reason why you may develop a dry cough. A dry cough that has lasted for a very long period of time i.e. more than a period of eight weeks is often caused due to asthma.
- Hay fever is also known to cause dry coughs. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to tree pollen. In more serious allergic reactions, the tissue in the chest is effected which leads to a dry cough.
- Common colds that are usually viral in nature may bring along with them a dry cough.
- Whooping cough, which is an extremely contagious respiratory tract infection, may cause a dry cough.
- Tuberculosis is another reason why one can develop a persistent, long last dry cough.
- An obstruction in the airway may also be a reason for you to contract a dry cough.
- One of the deadlier causes of a persistent, long lasting cough could be lung cancer.
What are the symptoms of a dry cough?
The following symptoms often accompany a dry cough:
- Flu
- Weight lost
- Swollen neck lymph nodes
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Wheezing
A list of trusted home remedies to relief dry cough
1. Honey
Honey is one of the simplest and best cures for cough. This remedy is absolutely harmless, almost immediately effective and can be used in the treatment of both children as well as adults. One can mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 drops of lemon juice in a glass of warm water and drink for best results.
2. Salt-water gargle
Another popular household remedy to cure and ease the discomforts of a cough is gargling with salt water. Take 2 tablespoons of salt water and mix into a glass of lukewarm water; gargle at least two to three times a day with this mixture. It is an extremely efficient home remedy and gives you guaranteed results. This remedy can be prescribed for both children as well as adults, just ensure that the water gargled is spat out, do not drink the water.
3. Basil Leaves
Basil leaves (tulsi) are yet another extremely effective and excellent home remedy for coughs. Chewing 4-6 basil leaves every morning on waking up can help not only cure your cough but also prevent the chances of developing a cough in the future. Another way basil leaves can be consumed is to boil them in water and drink the mix. Regular consumption of basil leaves also have several other benefits for the body.
Read here 23 Awesome Health and Nutritional Benefits of Basil for Wholesome Health
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most useful home remedies to cure a cough. It is almost immediately effective and gradually eliminates the cough. One can take a tablespoon of turmeric and mix it with honey and consume it first thing in the morning to help cure a cough. Another popular way to consume turmeric is with a warm glass of milk at night. The anti septic properties in the turmeric when consumed at night prevent a postnasal drip, thus easing your cough and helping you slowly recover.
5. Ginger Juice
Though awful in taste, ginger juice has the ability to fight a cough and help you recovery instantly. A shot of ginger juice can be consumed, as it is 2-3 times a day to relieve the cough. If you plan to give it to your children as an effective form of treatment, it is recommended that you mix the ginger juice with 1.5 tablespoons of honey to make it bearable for them to drink. Grated ginger along with honey and a few drops of lemon juice can also be added to a glass of hot water and had as a warm beverage to cure your cough.
6. Peppermint Leaves
A very common cure for coughs in the east, Peppermint leaves having healing properties and the menthol content in it automatically soothe the throat and act as a decongestant. Peppermint tea can be made and had for instant relief from a cough. Also a steam or bath with peppermint leaves has proven to be highly effective.
7. Marshmallow
The leaves and roots of the fruit marshmallow have proven to be extremely effective in suppressing a cough and curing a painful sore throat. Drinking marshmallow root tea is a good way to get rid of the cough.
8. Black Pepper
Funnily enough black pepper has certain properties that can easily cure your cough. This spice that is found in almost every kitchen is an excellent home remedy to use for curing your cough. Add honey and one tablespoon of black pepper to a glass of warm water and drink the mixture for quick and instant relief.
9. Onions
Another highly effective home remedy to alleviate a cough is to breathe in the vapors of cut onions. These vapors have certain properties that can stop and cure the cough almost immediately. Another way to consume onions to heal your cough can be in the form of onion juice. A tablespoon of onion juice mixed with a tablespoon of honey is yet another way to get rid of your stubborn cough.
10. Steam
Recommended world over, a steam is one of the simplest and easiest ways to heal your cough and sinus pain. Adding essential oils to your steam such as eucalyptus oil can help in quick healing of your cough. The steam soothes the airways in your throat thereby giving relief.
11. Thyme
The essence of thyme leaves help in healing a bronchial cough. These leaves have certain anti-inflammatory properties that instantly ease your sore throat and reduce your cough.
12. Carrot Juice
Not just the favorite of Bugs Bunny, a lesser-known fact is that carrot juice has the ability to heal your cough. One can have the juice as it is or can even add a teaspoon of honey for flavoring.
13. Grapes
Grapes have in them expectorant properties. So grapes consumed as it is, or even grape juice can help cure your cough as well as ease your sore throat.
14. Kumquats
Yet another fruit that has the ability to cure your cough, Kumquats also have several other beneficial properties in them.
15. Strawberries
Known for their high amounts of vitamin C, strawberries are also an excellent cure to get rid of cough. This method can be used for both children as well as adults. The strawberries can either be consumed in the form of a juice or as it is.
16. Garlic
Garlic is another excellent home remedy to cure your cough. Due to its antibacterial properties, garlic can prove to be an effective treatment for your cough.
17. Pears
Pears are also known to help cure a cough.
18. Warm Milk and Honey
The combination of warm milk with 2 tablespoons of honey can help cure your cough
19. Oregano
Boiling some oregano in water and drinking the solution can funnily enough help in curing your cough. Oregano has in it certain expectorant properties that help relieve your cough.
20. Lozenges
Sucking on a lozenge helps ease your cough as well as suppress it. Buy a few lozenges at your local pharmacist and keep them handy when suffering from a cough. Be careful, as lozenges can be extremely addictive.
21. Pineapple
The pineapple fruit has an enzyme in it called Bromelain. Bromelain helps in suppressing coughs and is recommended as an effective home remedy.
22. Star Fruit
Yet another effective home remedy to cure your cough.
Precautions to prevent dry cough:
- Have warm water with honey, lemon and turmeric everyday
- Avoid smoking
- Eat healthy
- Keep yourself dry, avoid being in wet clothes for long periods of time
- Incorporate basil leaves into your diet
Thus the above-mentioned home remedies are best suited to help cure your cough. However if your cough persists for over 2 weeks please have it checked out by your general physician.
