The cough, although not very serious in most cases, is quite annoying . It occurs because the nerve endings of the respiratory tract between the throat and the lungs are irritated for different reasons: dust, bacteria, viruses…

The body reacts with the cough to try to expel these substances from these pathways and thus clean them. In this article we give you some tips to treat coughs naturally, without medication.

Differences between dry cough and productive cough

Coughs can be classified in two ways, into dry coughs and productive coughs . A productive cough is one in which mucus or phlegm is expelled through the action of coughing. This cough should not be suppressed, as it has a beneficial effect on the body. However, it is possible to take something to produce an expectorant effect and thus loosen the mucus. The result is that it is easier for the body to get rid of the phlegm.

A dry cough is different from a productive cough, so it is beneficial to try to suppress it. It can be caused by different reasons, for example, a dusty environment, allergies, dry air, etc. The medicines that are commonly used for this type of cough usually contain dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine.

A series of studies published in 2004 found no significant difference between taking these medications or a placebo, indicating that, instead of resorting to chemicals, it is almost better to take natural remedies .

Home remedies to treat coughs

So, what natural remedies can we take to reduce the symptoms of cough?

In the following lines you will find a list of 11 natural remedies that will come in handy:

1. A spoonful of honey

Honey is a delicious food, and it’s also good for treating coughs. A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (USA) concludes that honey may be more effective than cough medicines. Since it is a demulcent, its viscosity and its sticky properties are perfect for this one to fight this phenomenon, since it covers and calms the irritated area. If the cough is the result of a bacterial disease, honey can shorten the duration of its symptoms and improve recovery. The ideal is to take three spoonfuls of honey a day .

However, although it is ideal for children and adults, it should not be applied to children under two years of age, as it can cause botulism, a fatal disease. Care should also be taken when buying packaged honey, as according to Food Safety News, 76% of all honeys in supermarkets may have been treated and do not contain natural honey.

  • If you want to go deeper into this subject, you can read our article: “10 foods that are not what they seem”

2. Pepper tea with honey

Infusions can be a good alternative for coughs, with the incentive that they are made with natural products. If you have a wet cough, it is advisable to drink pepper tea with honey. Apparently this helps stimulate circulation, works as a relief and enhances the flow of phlegm .

The recipe is simple, so you can have the ingredients at home without having to go shopping. Just add to a cup of boiling water a spoonful of fresh pepper (coarse grain) and two spoons of honey. Then let it stand for 15 minutes. Finally, the mixture must be strained and the infusion is ready to drink.

3. Steam

Steam is one of the best remedies for either a cough, a cold or congestion . The use of this old practice helps to release mucus and phlegm almost immediately. It is also possible to add oils that facilitate this task and stimulate the positive effect.

To benefit from this you can take a bowl of boiled water. Then you should stand at a safe distance, where you don’t feel the heat too much and can breathe in the steam. Then place a towel over your head so that the steam does not escape. Breathe in and out as you feel the benefits. Do this for 5-10 minutes, twice a day. You can also take a hot bath with the windows closed and enjoy the steam while you relax.

4. Ginger-mint syrup

Ginger syrup is a homemade medicine that has been used for a long time to treat coughs . It is a natural expectorant, which also stops irritability and pain in the upper throat. It is ideal for dry coughs. To increase its effect it is possible to add mint to definitely relieve that irritating tickle.

The recipe for this syrup is simple to make. You only need to use 3 tablespoons of chopped ginger, 1 tablespoon of dried mint, 4 cups of water and 1 cup of honey. First, chop the ginger and add it together with the mint to 4 cups of water. This mixture is brought to a boil and left to simmer for 15 minutes. The next step is to let it cool down slightly. Then add the honey and stir until the mixture has dissolved. It takes a spoonful every few hours. It is possible to keep the syrup in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

5. Sleeping with your head elevated

In some individuals, a productive cough occurs when mucus passes from the back of the nose into the throat . This usually occurs mainly at night, as the lying down position of the body causes this phenomenon. Sometimes the effect this can have includes headache and shortness of breath.

Changing this position and sleeping with your head higher helps prevent this from happening, so there is a better chance of improvement and saying goodbye to the cough.

6. Salt water gargles

Just when the sore throat appears, it is advisable to gargle with salt water because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This procedure can help drain excess fluid from the inflamed areas of the throat, thus reducing the symptoms. The gargle also makes the mucus thinner. Half a glass of cold water with two tablespoons of salt will be sufficient for this method to take effect.

7. Vaporub

For several decades Vaporub has been used by many people as a home remedy against cough . A study from the University of Pennsylvania confirms this. Although it remains a mystery why this product works so well, the ingredients it contains seem to help prevent congestion and reduce coughing, since air circulates more freely from the outside to the lungs.

8. Garlic

Garlic is also a natural remedy that works very well to calm a phlegmy cough , and contains several properties that make it act as a natural antibiotic. For garlic to be effective, it can be consumed in two ways. One is by eating it raw, preferably on an empty stomach. However, this is not a viable option for everyone, because it can cause stomach upset.

Another way to benefit from garlic is to split it in two halves and leave each half in the cheeks of the mouth. It should be left in that position for 15-20 minutes, as long as pain is present.