Coughing is the body's way of expelling phlegm or mucus, but in the case of a dry cough it is unable to produce such secretions. It can be frustrating, but there are several natural remedies to get rid of it; you can make a soothing syrup with honey and lemon yourself, try various natural solutions or just take care of yourself. Be sure to contact your doctor if your dry cough does not improve within two weeks, if it is particularly severe, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, weight loss, or bloody discharge. if you have these latter symptoms, it is best to seek medical attention immediately.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Make a Natural Honey and Lemon Syrup
Step 1. Get the materials
Some people have found honey to be a more effective remedy than antitussive drugs; a sedative syrup that contains it can therefore alleviate the problem. This is simple to prepare and you probably already have the ingredients you need in the kitchen. To make it you need:
- 250 ml of honey;
- 3-4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice;
- 2-3 cloves of garlic (optional);
- 4 cm of ginger root (optional);
- 60 ml of water;
- Small saucepan;
- Wooden spoon;
- Glass jar with lid.
Step 2. Mix the honey with the lemon
Heat 250 ml of honey and add 3 or 4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice; if you only have ready-made juice, use 5 tablespoons.
- If you want to use only these two ingredients, simply add the 60ml of water into the mixture and stir while heating it over low heat for about 10 minutes.
- If you want to improve the syrup's healing properties, you can avoid adding water and heating it, but you can instead incorporate other ingredients, such as garlic and ginger.
Step 3. Add the garlic
This plant has antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal properties; therefore it helps fight any factor responsible for coughing. Peel 2-3 cloves, chop them as finely as possible and add them to the honey and lemon mixture.
Step 4. Combine some ginger
This root is often used to improve digestion and control nausea and vomiting, but it can also loosen mucus, thereby reducing the cough reflex.
Cut and peel about 4 cm of fresh root, grate it and add it to the soothing syrup
Step 5. Pour in 60ml of water and heat the mixture
Measure the exact amount and add it to the honey and lemon solution; then heat it over low heat for about 10 minutes, taking care to mix so as to mix and heat the ingredients evenly.
Step 6. Transfer the syrup to a glass jar
Once finished heating it, pour it into the jar; proceed slowly and scrape the edges of the saucepan with a spoon so as not to leave out any ingredients. Finally cover the jar with the lid.
Step 7. Keep it cool
Put it in the refrigerator to prevent it from deteriorating; after a month you have to eliminate what you have not consumed. Take 1-2 tablespoons of this natural syrup as needed.
Never give honey to children under one year old
Part 2 of 3: Natural Home Remedies
Step 1. Sip a cup of mint tea
This plant can relieve dry cough, it also helps clear the nasal passages and loosen mucus. Drink a few cups throughout the day to soothe the ailment; you can find this type of herbal tea in all supermarkets.
To prepare it, put the sachet in the cup and pour 250 ml of boiling water; leave to infuse about 5 minutes and wait for it to cool down a bit, so that you can drink it at a pleasant temperature
Step 2. Get the common marshmallow root
The scientific name is "Althaea officinalis" and is traditionally used to quell coughs; it produces a film that covers the throat and this coating is believed to relieve the ailment. You can find it in the form of herbal tea, tablets, and drops in health food stores.
- You can drink several cups of herbal tea, take 30-40 drops of tincture in a glass of water, or take 6g tablets of root powder every day.
- Regardless of the formulation you choose, be sure to read and follow the directions on the package regarding dosage and method of use.
- Before taking marshmallow, however, you must ask your doctor for confirmation, especially if you are following a drug treatment.
Step 3. Try red elm
It is a plant that can relieve dry cough by increasing the production of mucus and lining the walls of the throat. It comes in several formats, but ask your doctor first if it's safe for you and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- You can drink a few cups of herbal tea a day, take 5ml of tincture three times a day, take 400-500mg tablets 3 to 8 times a day, or suck on red elm balsamic candies throughout the day.
- If you are pregnant or taking other medications, ask your doctor for confirmation before using this remedy.
Step 4. Make thyme tea
It is another traditional medicinal plant for dry cough. You can drink infusions as an antitussive; to prepare them, put a teaspoon of dried thyme leaves in a cup and cover them with boiling water; leave to infuse for about 5 minutes, filter the leaves and drink the infusion once it has cooled down a bit.
- Keep in mind that thyme oil is toxic if swallowed, so don't take it by mouth.
- This plant can interact with some drugs, including thinners and hormones; if you are pregnant or taking other medicines, talk to your doctor before choosing this remedy.
Step 5. Chew a piece of ginger root
It helps people with asthma because it promotes bronchodilation (opens the airways); as it helps to relax the muscles and respiratory passages, it also helps to reduce dry cough. Chew about 2 cm of peeled root and see if it helps with your discomfort.
You can also take it in the form of herbal tea; put a teaspoon of chopped ginger in a cup and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Let the root steep for about 5 to 10 minutes and drink the infusion once it has cooled down a bit
Step 6. Make a mixture of turmeric and milk
It is a traditional cough remedy and some studies have found that turmeric is actually useful for this ailment; add some to a cup of warm milk to manage a dry cough.
Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of warm cow's milk, alternatively you can use soy, coconut or almond
Step 7. Gargle with a saline solution
A mixture of warm water and salt helps soothe a sore throat or the irritation and edema caused by a dry cough. Pour half a teaspoon of sea salt into about 250ml of water and mix to dissolve it; then proceed with the gargle.
Repeat every 2 hours or so throughout the day
Step 8. Take advantage of the steam
Maintaining a humid environment helps relieve this ailment; use a vaporizer or take a very hot shower, with a lot of steam, to moisturize your throat and control a dry cough.
If you have a vaporizer, you can also add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to get additional relief from discomfort. these fragrances help open the airways and reduce sore throat
Part 3 of 3: Take care of yourself
Step 1. Drink lots of water
Proper hydration is key to staying healthy, but it's even more important when you're sick. Water helps relieve dry cough by moistening the throat; try to drink 8 glasses of 250 ml (2 liters in total) a day to ensure good hydration.
Hot liquids are also useful; drink tea, herbal teas, broths, clear soups to soothe your cough and avoid dehydration
Step 2. Get plenty of rest
When you are sick, rest supports the body during the healing process; make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. If you have a cold or other contagious illness, you should take a day off from work and rest to heal well.
Step 3. Eat nutrient-rich foods
A good diet is also important for recovering health, so choose healthy foods. Avoid junk food and instead opt for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins to guarantee you essential nutrients.
Have one meal a day with chicken and noodle soup; is a traditional remedy known to reduce inflammation and loosen mucus
Step 4. Stop smoking
Sometimes a dry cough can be caused by smoking or can be aggravated by this habit; if you are a smoker, you should quit. Talk to your doctor to find medications or treatment programs that can make the detox process easier.
Be aware that you may experience a dry cough after you quit smoking. this is a normal phenomenon, which indicates that the body is healing by expelling the accumulated mucus, but be aware that it reduces over time
Step 5. Suck on hard or balsamic cough candies
They can help control coughs, because they increase saliva production and help moisturize a dry throat. The other ingredients present in balsamic candies also have a sedative action for coughs.
Step 6. See your doctor if the problem is persistent or severe
Many times, the dry cough disappears within a week or two; however, if it does not improve or gets worse, you should call your doctor. Contact them as soon as you experience the following symptoms:
- Thick and / or yellow / greenish phlegm;
- Dyspnea (difficulty breathing);
- A whistle at the beginning and end of the breath;
- Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath;
- Fever over 38 ° C;
- Traces of blood in the phlegm or mucus when you cough
- Abdominal swelling
- Sudden violent coughs.
