Generally speaking, coughing is perfectly normal.
A cough can help keep your throat clear from phlegm and other irritants.
However, sustained coughing can also be symptomatic of a number of conditions.
- Allergy.
- A viral infection.
- A bacterial infection.
Sometimes a cough isn’t due to anything related to your lungs. Gastroesophageal reflux disease can also cause a cough.
You can treat coughs due to colds, allergies, and sinus infections with a number of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Bacterial infections require antibiotics.
Along with medication treatment, you can ask your doctor about other options to help your cough. Here we’ve listed a few home remedies to consider.
Honey is a time-honored remedy for a sore throat. According to one source, it can also relieve coughs more effectively than OTC medications that contain dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant.
You can create your own remedy at home by mixing up to 2 teaspoons of honey with herbal tea or warm water and lemon.
The honey does the soothing, while the lemon juice can help with congestion.
You can also simply eat the 2 teaspoons of honey or create a spread on bread for a snack.
Probiotics are microorganisms that can provide a host of health benefits. While they don’t relieve a cough directly, they do help to balance your gastrointestinal flora. Gastrointestinal flora are the bacteria that live in your intestines.
This balance can support immune system function throughout the body. A study showed a decrease in the number of people contracting upper respiratory infections after being given various strains of probiotics, though the evidence is still inconclusive.
Each supplement manufacturer may have different daily recommended intakes.
Probiotics are also added to some yogurt types and are present in miso soup and sourdough breads.
Given the variations of probiotics available, you should talk with your doctor about which probiotic is right for you and your condition. The most natural way to get probiotics is through fermented foods, including:
- miso.
- sauerkraut.
- yogurt.
- kefir.
- kombucha.
- tempeh.
- kimchi.
- sourdough.
You don’t usually think of pineapple as a cough remedy, but that might be because you’ve never heard of bromelain.
There’s slight evidence to suggest that bromelain — an enzyme found only in the stem and fruit of pineapples — can help suppress coughs as well as loosen the mucus in your throat.
To enjoy the most benefits of pineapple and bromelain, eat a slice of pineapple or drink 3.5 ounces of fresh pineapple juice three times a day.
There are also claims that it can help relieve sinusitis and allergy-based sinus issues, which can contribute to coughs and mucus. However, there’s insufficient evidence to support this.
It’s also sometimes used to treat inflammation and swelling.
Children or adults who take blood thinners should not take bromelain supplements.
Also, if you’re taking antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, be careful using bromelain as it can increase the absorption of the antibiotic.
Always speak with your doctor before taking new or unfamiliar supplements.
Peppermint leaves are well known for their healing properties.
Menthol in peppermint can help soothe the throat and may make breathing seem easier.
You can benefit by drinking peppermint tea or inhaling peppermint vapors from a steam treatment.
To make a steam treatment, add 7 or 8 drops of peppermint essential oil to about a cup of water that’s just boiled. Drape a towel over your head and take deep breaths directly above the water.
Marshmallow root is made from a perennial that flowers in summer. It’s not the same as the squishy marshmallow that you roast over a fire.
The leaves and roots of the marshmallow plant have been used since ancient times to treat sore throats and suppress coughs.
A 2020 study, that was done in a lab, found that the marshmallow plant was effective at reducing a cough due to its soothing effect on the irritated tissues of the throat and sinuses.
This could be due to the plant’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.
The marshmallow root also contains mucilage, which coats the throat and soothes irritation.
Today, you can get marshmallow root as a tea or in capsule form.
The warm tea can be soothing to a cough that’s accompanied by a sore throat.
Although the herb is generally considered safe, both marshmallow root and leaves are not recommended for children.
Thyme is used by some for respiratory illnesses. One small study Source involving 361 people with acute bronchitis suggested that the essence extracted from thyme leaves mixed with ivy can help relieve coughing as well as short-term bronchitis.
The leaves contain compounds called flavonoids that relax the throat muscles involved in coughing and lessen inflammation.
You can make thyme tea at home using 2 teaspoons of crushed thyme leaves and 1 cup of boiling water. Cover the cup, steep for 10 minutes, and strain.
While the remedy may seem relatively simple, a salt and water gargle can help soothe a scratchy throat that causes you to cough. Mixing 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water can help to relieve irritation.
Note that since children under 6 years old are not especially good at gargling, it’s best to try other remedies for this age group.
Ginger is a popular traditional remedy. It’s often used to treat nausea and stomach upset, but it may also soothe coughing.
One lab study suggests that ginger can relax the airway muscles.
This might be beneficial for asthma symptoms, including coughing.
Ginger also has anti-inflammatory compounds that may reduce inflammation and swelling in the throat.
If you have a cough, ginger tea is the best choice.
The hot liquid can reduce irritation, dryness, and mucus in your throat.
To make ginger tea, slice a 1-inch segment of fresh ginger root. Boil in 1 cup water for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how strong you’d like the tea.
You can also buy ginger tea bags at the store or online.
Slippery elm is an ancient remedy for coughing and sore throat. It’s said to reduce inflammation and soothe the lining of your throat.
There’s no hard evidence to confirm this benefit. However, slippery elm is not associated with serious side effects.
Slippery elm is available as capsules, tablets, lozenges, and tea. Lozenges and tea are ideal for easing throat irritation.
Turmeric has been used traditionally for many ailments over the years, including coughing. Its active compound, curcumin, has potent anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s recommended to consume turmeric with black pepper. That’s because piperine, the major compound in black pepper, increases the bioavailability of turmeric. This supports your body’s absorption of turmeric.
Try sipping warm turmeric tea or golden milk. Add a dash of black pepper and some honey for sweetness.
GERD, or acid reflux, occurs when your stomach contents flow back into your throat. This can cause irritation, resulting in coughing.
In fact, about 40 percent of chronic coughs are caused by acid reflux.
If you think GERD is causing your symptoms, avoiding common trigger foods can help.
This includes foods like:
- Caffeine.
- Alcohol.
- Chocolate.
- Carbonated drinks.
- Acidic foods, like citrus juice.
One of the best ways to ease a cough is to drink plenty of fluids.
Drinking fluids can help relieve dryness in your throat, a common cause of coughing. It also helps to thin out mucus, which can ease coughing and congestion.
Hot liquids like broth or tea are ideal for coughing. If you prefer a cold drink, opt for a non-carbonated beverage like water or unsweetened tea. Sucking on ice cubes may also help.
In addition to learning how to treat a cough, you might want to learn how to prevent them in the first place.
To help protect against flu, make sure you get your annual flu shot, usually starting in October. Other steps you can take include the following:
- Avoid coming in contact with others who are sick. If you know you are sick, avoid going to work, school, or other places where you’ll be in contact with others, so you won’t get others sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth whenever you cough or sneeze, preferably by using a tissue (that you throw away immediately after use) or coughing into your elbow.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Clean the common areas of your home, work, or school frequently. This is especially important for countertops, toys, or mobile phones.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing, eating, going to the bathroom, or caring for someone who’s sick.
With allergies, you can help reduce flare-ups by identifying the allergens that affect you and avoiding exposure to them. Common allergens include:
- Trees.
- Pollen.
- Dust mites.
- Animal fur.
- Mold.
- Insects.
Allergy shots are helpful as well and can reduce your sensitivity to allergens. Talk with your doctor about what plan is right for you.
Seek emergency medical treatment if your cough is affecting your ability to breathe or if you’re coughing up blood.
Respiratory tract infections involve body aches and fever, while allergies do not.
See your doctor if you experience the following symptoms in addition to your cough:
- Dhills.
- Dehydration.
- Fever is high.
- Malaise, or a general feeling of being unwell.
- Productive cough that has foul-smelling, thick, green- or yellow-tinted phlegm.
- Weakness.
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