Coughing is a common reflex action, often a combat strategy whenever your throat gets congested with mucus or other irritants.
[the_ad id=”6147″]For coughing that isn’t acute, here are some home remedies that are known to effectively treat coughs
1.Turmeric and garlic milk: Rich in volatile oils as well as curcumin (a chemical), turmeric has a protective and therapeutic action on people suffering from common cold and cough. It has strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that are very effective in treating several infections. Adding some garlic to it can further help you get relief from the congestion in the tonsils. Garlic also acts as a natural analgesic (pain-reliever). Adding both of them to hot milk can work wonders for your cough by clearing the mucus from the chest.
How to use : Boil 1-2 cloves of garlic along with the milk. Add half a teaspoon of turmeric in that milk. Have it twice on a regular basis to get your throat cleared and rid of the cough.
2. Honey: Studies have revealed that honey can work better than certain medications when it comes to treating cough. Known to be an effective demulcent, honey has a certain stickiness and high viscosity (semi-fluid consistency) that helps to coat and soothe the mucous membrane that is often irritated when you suffer from a cough. Apart from that, the anti-bacterial properties of honey can make short work of the illness if it’s a result of a bacterial infection.
How to use : You can take a tablespoon of organic, raw honey and have it once to thrice daily, depending on the severity of the cough. In case of children, the dosage should be 1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon.
3. Giloy (Heart-leaved moonseed) juice: Giloy works as an anti-allergic, promoting faster recovery from coughs that are caused due to certain allergic reactions by smoke, pollen, dust and/or pollution. In Ayurveda, Giloy is said to bring a balance between the three doshas; Pita, Vatta and Kapha. Giloy is also an effective immunity modulator, helping to build a strong immune system.
How to use : You can buy Giloy juice that is readily available in the market or take some Giloy leaves and boil it in some water to extract the juice. Add 2 spoons of the juice to a glass of water and drink it regularly in the morning till the time your cough gets better.
4. Ginger and Peppermint Syrup: Ginger has great soothing qualities that can help you get rid of that uncomfortable and persistent cough. Working like an expectorant, ginger helps in loosening and expelling the mucus from your lungs. Also, it stops the painful trickling sensation that you feel in your throat, something that’s normally known to trigger the cough, especially if you are suffering from a dry cough. Peppermint also works in the same way, easing the discomfort in your throat.
How to use : You will require chopped ginger – 3 tablespoons, dried peppermint – 1 tablespoon, water and some honey. Add the ginger and the peppermint to a pan of water and set it to boil. Once boiled, allow it to simmer until the solution is reduced to half. Strain it and let it cool. Put some honey in it and stir till it dissolves properly. Store the solution in a bottle and it can be refrigerated till 3 weeks. You can take a tablespoon at regular intervals in a day, or as required to treat your cough.
5. Black pepper: Black pepper is one of the most effective and simplest home remedies to treat a persistent cough. It is also known to provide you relief from nasal congestion. The expectorant property present in black pepper helps in the breakdown of mucus as well as phlegm deposits in your respiratory tract. The irritant quality of black pepper further allows you to get rid of the loosened mucus by way of coughing/sneezing, thus eliminating it from your body and promoting faster healing.
How to use: You can take 2-3 seeds of black pepper and chew it. In case you do not like the bitter taste of it, you can add them in a glass of boiled milk and drink it regularly until your condition improves. Another way to have it is by making black pepper tea. Put some black pepper powder and honey in a cup and then add boiling water to it. Let it stay for about 15 minutes, strain it and have it.
6. Licorice Root: Both demulcent and an expectorant, Licorice root can soothe the airways as well as loosen the mucus, easing the congestion in your throat. Apart from that, it also helps in curing any kind of inflammation that may cause irritation in the throat.
How to use: Boil some water in a pan and empty it in a mug. Add 2 tablespoons of the Licorice root (dried) in it and allow it to steep for around 10-15 minutes. Drink this solution at least twice regularly.
Most episodes of coughing will clear up in a day or two, however, if it is a persistent cough, get in touch with a doctor without delay.
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