Magical Home Remedies for Cough

No medical condition is as annoying as a common cough. Both because it is common and can become socially embarrassing, common cough is a health condition we all hate. Though it is not life-threatening, we all want to be rid of it as it can lead to further complications if left untreated.

It is important to first understand that the best way to deal with a cough is to relieve its symptoms while the body will naturally deal with the underlying cause.

Let’s get started:

1. Buckwheat Honey

The first and one of the most effective ways of relieving oneself as long as effects like cough are to consume a spoonful of buckwheat honey. The simple remedy has been proven to be the most effective against cough as long as the patient is over one year old and is one of the most popular remedies traditionally given for relieving cough in India.

2. Use essential oils by diffusion

Another effective way of dealing with a cough is to use some essential oils to loosen the mucus through diffusion. One can easily get a diffuser at a drugstore. Another excellent option is just to add a few drops of essential oil to the hot bath.

The most effective way is to add it to a bowl of hot water and then lean over a bowl while covering the head with a towel. That should trap the stream, making it easy to inhale it. It can be done for between five to ten minutes.

3. Using essential oils topically

One can also use an essential oil on the chest itself. However, it is important to note here that essential oil should not be applied on irritated, injured, or inflamed skin. One should also keep it away from oils. Also one needs to ensure that the oil will not irritate. To ensure that one can just use a couple of drops of the essential oil along with six times that of carrier oil on one’s forearm – if one doesn’t feel any irritation within the next twenty-four hours, then one can feel safe using it.

Also, check out our article on what foods to eat when you have a running nose in detail here!

4. Drink plenty of fluids

Cough is often accompanied by dehydration. That is because the cough is a result of mucus formation – which means that the liquids you are consuming are now being used by the mucus glands instead of the rest of the body. That may result in problems like dehydration, weakness, etc. Water and hot beverages can best serve the purpose in this case. Decaffeinated and hot tea, especially green or black tea, taken without or with little sugar can be ideal for the purpose. Coffee might not be best in this regard. Some other fluids one may go for include apple juice or chicken soup. Drinking liquids can also supply enough fluids to mucus to empower a faster recovery. Inhaling the steam from warm fluids can avail of bonus benefits.

5. Using a humidifier

Using humidifiers is another home remedy for cough. They are easily purchasable from any local drug store but one can also create one’s little stream room at home. Most humidifiers use stream however they may not be the best special in Indian summers, cool must humidifiers can be good alternatives in such cases. While building stream rooms with or without humidifiers, the rooms should be kept close – both doors and windows to avoid any loss of humidity. They are best used at night when one is sure to spend hours in the room undisturbed and humidifiers can do their job.

The humidity can help loosen the congestion and let mucus come out. The method explained above for using essential oils using diffusion and hot water also serves as a natural DIY humidifier.

6. Hot showers

One of the best ways is to use showers. Let the hot water run till the bathroom is filled with steam and it will make a perfect steam room. While doing so, one should stay away from the shower head to avoid any injuries.

The above remedies should help relieve the cough. In most cases, the worst caught lasts only 4 to 7 days and recovery can be expected in ten days. Besides home remedies, some Over The Counter (OTC) remedies may also be used like decongests and vapor rubs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are several questions people ask that relate to common cough and its home remedies. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:

Question; How is cough caused?

Answer: Cough in most cases is not so much caused by pathogens but rather by human bodies trying to fight it. It is a result of building up mucus in the throat and chest. Mucus is a sticky substance released by glands present in air passages that keep pathogens from entering the body further. Let’s discuss some of the best home remedies for this problem.

Question: What are some of the things to be kept in mind while dealing with cough?

Answer: The following are some of the cautionary notes that must be kept in mind while dealing with cough:

1. Honey should not be given to children with age under one year as it can lead to botulism.
2. People that have preexisting health conditions or have sensitive health should consult a medical expert before taking any remedies.
3. Always drink a glass of water or fluids quickly after using a stream or using humidifiers.
4. If while using a stream in any way, it becomes overwhelming or uncomfortable, one should quickly remove oneself away from the stream.
5. It must be noted that the above remedies are generic only and maybe not apply to specific cases.
6. If mucus turned into green or yellow color, it may indicate an infection and one should see a physician immediately.
7. If the symptoms persist, one should see a physician.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that though common cough may be an annoying medical problem, the various remedies mentioned above can be effective in relieving it.