How to get rid of a cough: 14 home remedies
Coughing can be very annoying, but resorting to an over-the-counter cough suppressant is not a good option, because some of them can cause side effects. The natural solutions that we suggest help calm her down. One of the characteristics of the cough is that it can become tremendously persistent. After a catarrhal process or flu , an irritative cough may remain that behaves similarly to an allergic one and that does not just disappear, even after having followed a treatment. The reason is that coughing further irritates the throat and causes even more coughing, especially at night.Although the cough does not respond to any serious disorder, it is a real nuisance because it causes muscle pain in the rib cage, discomfort in the throat and does not let you sleep. It is at that moment when natural remedies such as the following can help stop it.
1. OREGANO INFUSIONS
Oregano is one of the best allies against colds because it relieves both dry cough (reduces the cough reflex) and productive cough (it is expectorant). It is a plant that also has antibacterial virtues. It can be prepared as a decoction (one tablespoon per glass of water) and taken one to three times a day.
2. HOMEMADE COUGH SYRUP
Boil for 5 minutes , in 3⁄4 of a liter of water, 1 tablespoon of mallow flower, another of sundew, another of thyme and another of fennel seeds together with 1⁄2 cm of ginger and 2 dried figs. Let stand 10 minutes and strain. Add the juice of one lemon and a little honey. Take a tablespoon of this syrup, 3 to 6 times a day (depending on the intensity of the cough).
3. HOT BROTHS, BUT DO NOT BURN
The Mayo Clinic recommends taking defatted broths, water with lemon or just water… but hot, but not excessively (because it would irritate the throat and injure the mucosa). The reason is that drinking promotes salivation and lubricates the throat. If, in addition, the drink is somewhat hot, you stimulate salivation even more and the sensory effect caused by the heat makes you release endorphins, making the pain less annoying.
4. HUMIDIFIER IN THE ROOM
When the cough is generated because a deposit of mucus has remained, it can improve if there is some humidity in the environment. Use humidifiers or place containers with water (especially in the bedroom or dining room). These will make the mucus not so thick and, as it is expelled better, the cough reflex will be reduced.
5. AVOID VERY HIGH HEATING
Very dry environments especially make irritative dry coughs worse because they dry out the throat even more. Therefore, if you usually have high heating, it is even more important to use humidifiers or water sources.
6. MIX OF PLANTS TO REDUCE IRRITATIVE COUGH
An infusion with a tablespoon of a mixture of calendula, elderberry, chamomile, and thyme will help soothe irritation in the throat and, therefore, reduce pain and cough.
7. HALVED ONION ON THE NIGHTSTAND
Cut an onion in half and leave it on the nightstand while you sleep or near you if you’re lounging on the couch. The volatile compounds in the onion that are released after cutting it, especially quercetin , have anti-inflammatory action and help reduce coughing.
8. PLANTAIN DECOCTION TO SOOTHE THE THROAT
Plantain is a good natural healing agent that helps repair irritated mucous membranes. Its mucilages also soften and reduce irritation and inflammation of the throat. Prepare a decoction with the whole plant. You can drink it or gargle (3 times a day).
9. GARGLE WITH SALT WATER
Salt helps reduce inflammation and, when gargling, it will work by softening the source of cough pain: the throat. Mix half a teaspoon of salt with a glass of lukewarm water. Take small sips and gargle for 20 seconds .
10. HONEY IN YOUR INFUSIONS OR HOT DRINKS
One of the best cough remedies is a warm drink (water, milk or infusion) with honey . We have already explained the benefit of drinking something hot: it increases salivation and comforts you . Also, if you sweeten this drink with honey, the production of endorphins increases and, therefore, pain relief is greater.