[toc]Cough is a malady almost all of us experience now and then and know how irritating it can be even if it is only mild. When the cough is bad, one may experience difficulty in talking, have pain in the throat from coughing and difficulty in concentrating as well as sleeping. Coughing is the respiratory system’s way of clearing the throat of the blockages that disrupt the flow of air to and from the lungs to the nose.
It is when the mucus producing cells of the lungs get overactive due to infection from flu or seasonal virus and bacteria that we tend to experience coughing. But it is very easy to get rid of coughing with a host of natural remedies we mention below:
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Natural Cures For Cough
Drinking Warm Fluids
It is very effective to drink warm water if you have cough as it will help in soothing the mucus producing cells and killing the cough causing viruses that thrive in cold. You may even drink warm milk or soup for the same reason.
Honey
Indian and Chinese traditional medicine has long been using honey as an antidote to cough. There are a few ways in which you can use honey for your cough. Add a teaspoon of honey to a cup of hot water and sip it. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice in it. You can also add a spoonful of honey to carrot juice along with a pinch of cinnamon and drink it thrice daily for a fast recovery from cough. The great antibacterial, antiviral, pain relieving properties that honey possesses makes it fit to be consumed even directly without mixing anything else to it.
Mustard
Mustard contains sulphur compounds that can make the phlegm move easily and clear the throat. What you are required to do is take a spoonful of mustard seeds and crush them into powdered state and add it to a cup of boiling water. Heat it for 5 minutes and allow the mixture to cool thereafter. Drink it when it is lukewarm.
Garlic
Garlic is an excellent expectorant with high antibacterial and antiviral properties. If you do not mind the strong smell and flavour of it, chew 2 to 3 cloves of it thrice a day and you will get rid of your cough before long. You may also add garlic to different recipes of yours like in soups, as a salad dressing etc.
Basil
Basil or Tulsi is good for getting relief from respiratory infection as it kills the harmful bacteria and boosts immunity. You can chew 3-4 leaves of tulsi every few hours. You can also add about 10 basil leaves to a pan of boiling water along with a pinch of pepper, a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of aniseed and a one crushed root of ginger and heat them for 15 minutes, strain and drink the tea hot.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the best remedies for curing cough and cold. You can chew a small piece of ginger if you have a bad dry cough as it would promote free flow of mucus. A very effective remedy for curing all types of coughing problems would be to have ginger syrup. To prepare that take 1 or 2 cloves of ginger and crush them to take out the juice from them and to the ginger juice add a teaspoon of honey, a pinch of pepper powder and half a teaspoon of turmeric.
Turmeric
Turmeric has antibacterial properties which is why it is a favourite in several ayurvedic and home remedies. For relieving cough, you can add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk and drink it before going to sleep. You may also mix turmeric and honey in equal proportions and have the paste to alleviate cough.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a very good agent to relieve cough as its aroma is a good decongestant. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to boiling water and inhale the steam. Both the steam of water and eucalyptus oil would help unclog the respiratory tract and loosen the phlegm. Another way you may use eucalyptus oil is by mixing it in equal proportion with olive oil and applying the mixture on the inside of your nose at bedtime.
Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the essential ingredients in almost all herbal cough syrups. To use it at home take a teaspoon of crushed peppermint leaves and add it to a glass of water and heat for 15 minutes. Then strain and drink the liquid after few minutes. With the above mentioned remedies you can definitely get rid of your cough soon, but if your ailment persists it is advisable to consult a doctor as the underlying cause of the cough may be some other disease.