Get Rid of Cough Fast Through These 5 Natural Remedies!

Everyone experiences cough at least once in a year. Coughing is a common reflex action that helps in clearing phlegm or mucous that is blocking the way inside the throat. It basically protects your lungs and windpipe from foreign substances.

It is not uncommon when you cough to clear your throat from time to time. Be it to remove your hoarse voice after waking up from a short nap, or even before singing. Coughing is the most common way to remove the blockage from your throat.

The best treatment of a cough is dependent on the underlying cause which includes infections, allergies and, acid reflux.

Generally, the most common cause of cough is the Common cold which is caused due to viruses and many take antibiotics to get rid of it. But, to burst your bubble, the truth is Antibiotics do not work on the virus.

Source : Antibiotics – Are you misusing them?

Causes of Cough

1. Virus and Bacteria – Cold and Flu
2. Allergies
3. Asthma
4. Bronchitis
5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
6. Sinusitis
7. Irritants like smoke, dust or chemicals

What is Cold?

The common cold is a viral infection affecting your nose and throat.   It is generally transmitted by virus-infected airborne droplets or by direct contact with infected person.

Symptoms of Cold

1. Cough
2. Sore Throat
3. Sneeze
4. Runny Nose
5. Nasal Congestion
6. Low-grade fever

Top 6 Natural Remedies for treating Cough at Home

1.Ginger

Studies have shown that ginger is loaded with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. They contain bioactive compounds called gingerols and shogaols.

Indians have been using this as a flavoring agent long before history was formally recorded. It is used in various forms including fresh, dried, pickled, crystallized, candied, powdered, or grounded. It has powerful therapeutic and preventive effects for treatments related to cold and even cancer!

Remedy 1: Ginger Concoction Recipe

Ingredients:

1. Fresh Ginger (1 inch 2 pieces)
2. Water (2 to 3 cups of drinking water)

Directions:

1. Boil water and add the grated ginger or the 2 pieces of ginger listed in the ingredients section.
2. Strain it off using a sieve and drink this water.
3. You can add honey or sugar to it if you want to enhance the flavour.

Note: If adding honey, wait for the water to come to a lukewarm temperature and then add honey since according to Ayurveda, honey becomes toxic when added to boiling hot water!

2. Licorice Root Tea (Athimadhuram)

Licorice root candies are a trend in the European countries and have been long used as a traditional medicine for a variety of conditions including cough and infections.

It is well known for the property of clearing hoarse voice and are generally used to cure cough and respiratory disorders.

For more benefits of this herb, check out our article here!

Source: Top 5 Surprising Health benefits of Licorice

Remedy 2: Licorice with Honey Recipe

Ingredients:

1. Licorice
2. Honey

Directions:

1. Mix honey with licorice powder and have it. It’s the most popular ayurvedic solution for kids.

Remedy 3 : Licorice Tea

Ingredients:

1. 1 tablespoon of Licorice powder
2. 1 cup water

Directions:

1. Boil water and add the powder to it.
2. Let it cool down. Strain before serving.

Caution: If you are pregnant or having any underlying medical condition, do not consume Licorice. It is best to take advice from a certified health professional

3. Peppermint

Peppermint is a popular ingredient in many decongestant oils. The main active ingredient in peppermint is Menthol which may also help with thinning out the gunk in your chest.

It is a well known expectorant. Expectorant is something which help loosen mucus so you can cough it up.

Peppermint also has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal , antispasmodic and carminative properties.

Remedy 4: Peppermint / Pudina Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

1. 15 Peppermint leaves
2. 2 cups water

Directions:

1. Boil 2 cups of water and add the peppermint leaves to it.
2. Wait for 5 minutes. Strain and drink this tea.

Remedy 5: Peppermint Concoction Recipe

Ingredients:

1. Ginger (1 piece grated)
2. Lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
3. Honey (1/2 tablespoon)
4. Mint (10 leaves)
5. Water (2 cups)

Directions:

1. Boil the water and add in ginger and mint.
2. Let it boil for a minimum of 10 minutes so that both the ingredients seep well
3. Strain the water and let it cool down until it feels lukewarm. Add honey and squeeze a little bit of honey over it.
4. You can drink this tea twice a day for good results.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is a common ingredient used in almost every Indian household. It has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, science has found out what Indians have known the medicinal benefits of this wonder herb from so long and have been using them in their cooking.

The active compounds in turmeric is called curcumin which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

It is also a well-known fact that curcumin is poorly absorbed in the bloodstream and needs an additional compound to aid with the absorption. Black peppers help with that. They contain piperine, that helps with the absorption of curcumin into the body.

Remedy 5 : Turmeric Ginger Concoction for Cough Recipe

Ingredients:

1. 1 tablespoon Grated Ginger
2. 2 tablespoon turmeric
3. 1 tablespoon black pepper (crushed)
4. Water
5. 1 tablespoon organic honey

Directions:

1. Boil 2 cups of water and add grated ginger, turmeric, and black pepper. Let is boil for 5 minutes.
2. The water must have reduced to half by now.
3. Strain the contents and let it sit down for a while so that it becomes lukewarm.
4. Add a little bit of honey and squeeze a dash of lemon juice to it.

5. Honey

Honey is a powerhouse of vital nutrients such as potassium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper which is required for the healthy functioning of the body. There are many studies that prove the efficiency of Honey. According to the guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)  and Public Health England (PHE), honey is recommended over antibiotics for cough!

The evidence showed that honey could be effective at reducing symptoms of acute cough caused due to viruses. India has long been using Honey as a part of Indian Traditional medicine Ayurveda for treating cough. The reason why Honey is an effective cure has not been found yet. Although, some researchers say that the possibility is the presence of antimicrobial ingredients that fight pathogens causing cold.

Remedy 6 : Lemon + Honey for Cough Recipe

Ingredients:

1. 2 tablespoons of Lemon Juice
2. 2 tablespoons Honey
3. 2 cups of water

Directions:

1. Boil the water until it reduces to half its size
2. Let it cool down.
3. Add honey and a dash of lime juice.
4. You may also add a tinge of pepper corn (crushed) for additional benefits.

Some people prefer tablets instead of home remedies. This tablet is completely ayurvedic and is composed of many cough relieving herbs.

My mother personally recommends this product for the incessant cough she faces when she catches a cold or sinus infection!

Best Ayurvedic Cough Tablet To Buy

Charak Pharma PVT. LTD Kofol Chewable Tablets Pck Of 2 (60 tab.)

Precautions to take when having a Cold

1. Avoid dairy products
2. Stay away from caffeine
3. Stay hydrated as your body tends to dehydrate quickly during these times
4. Take rest
5. Eat warming foods made at home like soup etc.
6. Avoid processed and spicy food
7. Inhale steam

Finally, these are some effective home remedies that can be used when suffering from cold. Have you tried any of the above before?

Let us know your views in the comments below!