Honey, ginger, ivy, and thyme can help reduce coughs, support symptom control, and speed up recovery.
The body reacts to irritants by clearing the airways through coughing. However, a loud, phlegmy, and prolonged cough can cause fatigue and affect work and life. Coughs often resolve on their own without treatment. Some natural remedies below can help improve symptoms.
Honey: Drinking one or two teaspoons of honey mixed with warm water can reduce mucus production and kill germs. Honey can be toxic to infants, so adults should not give it to children under one year old. Drinking warm honey before bed soothes the throat, reduces nighttime coughing, and improves sleep.
Herbs : Mixing herbs like ivy, thyme, and perilla into syrup or warm water can help relieve coughs. Patients can also take 2-3 herbal lozenges daily to increase saliva production and soothe coughs.
Drink plenty of fluids: Warm water, soup, and fruit juices prevent dehydration. Fluids thin the mucus in the throat, helping the immune system fight off infections or viruses and reducing coughing. Sip warm tea several times a day to soothe your throat.
Gargling with salt water: A safe and economical method to improve sore throats and coughs. The moisture in salt water thins mucus and cleanses irritants from the throat. The anti-inflammatory properties of salt also help improve respiratory infections and reduce coughing duration. Mix one teaspoon of salt with 230 ml of warm water, hold in your mouth, tilt your head back, gargle, and then spit out the mixture.
Ginger: Contains many compounds such as β-zingiberene, β-farnesene, β-curcuminene, essential oils, geraniol, linalol, and borneol. These can help relax muscles that constrict the airways, reducing coughing. Eating raw ginger, adding it to dishes, or brewing it with warm water and a little honey are all beneficial.
Ginger is considered a natural cough remedy. Photo: Freepik
Humidity and steam: These can help reduce coughing by soothing and moisturizing the airways. Adults can use a bowl of warm water, cover their head with a towel, and inhale the steam. If using a humidifier, remember to clean the machine and use clean filtered water to minimize dust, mold, and allergens from accumulating inside.
Nasal irrigation : One of the most common reasons for coughing is upper respiratory tract infection. Nasal irrigation with saline solution helps to cleanse the nose, contributing to reduced inflammation by removing irritants and expelling mucus.
Menthol balm : Contains the natural compound menthol, which promotes airway dilation, making breathing easier and preventing coughs. Patients can inhale, rub menthol balm on their chest, or use it in an essential oil diffuser.
( According to WebMD )
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