Having a cough is one of the most irritating parts of any sickness. Plus, no one wants to around that coworker that can’t stop hacking it up. Use these 8 tricks to help soothe your cough at home.
Homemade Cough Syrup
Depending upon age, you can administer a homemade cough syrup. For children who are from 3 months to one year of age, giving them warm, clear fluids can help clear up any blockages in their sinuses that are causing a cough. For those who are over one year of age, use honey, preferably local honey, to help loosen mucus. Mix one tablespoon of honey with two tablespoons of warm water.
A Spicy Alternative
An alternative to just honey is a recipe from an old herbal cookbook titled Herbally Yours by Penny C. Royal. This recipe may be more suitable for adults because it uses strong spices to calm your throat and ease chest congestion. The cayenne pepper in this recipe is proven to reduce pain and ginger is an all-natural anti-inflammatory.
Mix the following ingredients and take by the teaspoon as you feel is needed:
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp water
Make it Steamy
M.D. and pediatrician William Sears recommends using steam to loosen phlegm. Turn on the shower so a good amount of steam is produced, close the doors, and sit for about 15 minutes to feel the effects. You can also hop in if you can stand the heat.
Get Your 8 Glasses Daily
Staying hydrated by drinking water can help thin phlegm. If you are hydrated, your body will be able to expel the mucus more easily.
Use Probiotics
Recent studies have shown there are several benefits to a bacterium found in dairy products. This bacterium is known as Lactobacillus and can help reduce the risk of getting a cold or flu. Drinking milk or eating yogurt is beneficial to obtaining this helpful bacterium, but if you are lactose intolerant, you can instead take a natural probiotic supplement.
Peppermint
When you have a cold, a cough is typically caused by run-off from your mucus which can make your throat itch. One way to loosen the mucus is to drink hot tea. Peppermint tea is good for coughs because it contains a natural menthol which can help break down mucus.
Saltwater Gargle
Soothing a scratchy throat is as simple as mixing some warm water (8 oz) with salt (1/4 to 1/2 tsp) until it dissolves, then gargling the mixture. This remedy may not be the best for young children as they may be more susceptible to drinking instead of gargling.
Eat Pineapple
Inside pineapple is an enzyme called bromelain, which can help digest certain proteins. Central and South American cultures have used pineapple to help treat various ailments. Eating pineapple may help reduce your cough and inflammation of the sinuses.
Of course, you can also get cough drops, cough syrup or over-the-counter cough medicine to soothe your sore throat, but these household remedies may do the trick without spending a bunch of money. Try these methods out to kick your cough to the curb.
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