Remedy for Cold & Cough

In the United States, over 1 billion cases of the common cold occur every year, according to the University of Maryland. This symptoms of this viral infection, which is also known as upper respiratory infection, mainly include runny nose, coughs and a general feeling of sickness. Colds and coughs are more common during the winter and rainy seasons; however, they can occur any time throughout the year. While there is no cure for the common cold and cough, there are remedies that can help shorten their duration and intensity.

Chicken Soup

• Chicken soup has been a staple in easing the intensity of a cold and cough for generations. While this remedy was long believed to be popular in tradition but lacking in scientific evidence, the Mayo Clinic states that chicken soup helps to relieve cold symptoms, which includes coughing, in two distinct ways. Foremost, chicken soup inhibits the mobility of neutrophils, which are the immune system's inflammation response. That means this home remedy can help reduce inflammation within the respiratory system.

  Secondly, the compounds within chicken soup activate the movement of phlegm and mucus. Cold viruses, which are mainly stored in the mucus within the nose, according to the University of Maryland, are secreted from the nose. By promoting the flow of mucus through the nasal cavities, congestion is reduced and the cold virus has less time to inflame the nasal tissue. Colds that are accompanied with coughing tend to lead to an irritated throat. By consuming a warm liquid, such as chicken soup, this irritation can be soothed, thus reducing throat irritation.

  While traditional suggests that homemade chicken soup works best, a study outlined by the Mayo Clinic showcased that most canned chicken soups provided equal medicinal benefits as soups that were homemade. Consume a cup, or 8 oz., of chicken soup up to two times per day for cold and cough relief.

Buckwheat Honey Cough Treatment

• The University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that treating a cough with honey may provide the same relief of coughing symptoms as dextromethorphan, or DM. Dextromethorphan is a common ingredient within cough medication for both children and adults because of its ability to soothe coughing symptoms. Some of the negative side effects DM can produce include severe muscular spasms and dystonic reactions, which is irregular muscle tone within a group of muscles, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center.

  Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine found that treating a cough with buckwheat honey greatly improved coughing symptoms without the dangers that are associated with DM. It is believed that honey helps to soothe coughing by introducing a high level of antioxidants into the body, which ultimately kills the microbes that cause coughing and sore throat irritation. Consume 1 tbsp. of buckwheat honey directly before bedtime for nighttime relief, or throughout the day to suppress coughing.