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Herbs to Help You Stop Coughing

Most of us make a quick run to the drugstore to stock up on cough medicine when we experience a cough. Instead of filling up on chemically ridden cough medicine, consider going the natural route and treating your cough with herbal remedies.

  1. Peppermint

    • Peppermint is a cure-all for colds. The main active ingredient in peppermint is menthol. Menthol is also the main active ingredient in various cold and cough medications; including over-the-counter cold and flu medicine, cough drops and natural cough syrup. Menthol is responsible for the decongesting, throat soothing, mucus thinning and most importantly, cough calming effects of peppermint. For an easy, at-home remedy featuring peppermint, simply drink peppermint tea at least twice per day and drizzle some peppermint oil into a hot, relaxing bath.

    Thyme

    • Aside from the fresh taste and fragrance it lends to dishes, thyme is most notorious for being an effective treatment for respiratory ailments. Thyme has long been trusted as a remedy for respiratory ailments like bronchitis and the common cold. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "Two preliminary studies indicate that thyme may help treat acute bronchitis and relieve cough. Thyme has been approved by the German Commission E to treat those conditions." To cure a cough using thyme, boil one cup of water and infuse it with 1 tbsp. of thyme oil; transfer the thyme water into a bowl. Next, place your face a few inches from the top of the bowl and place a towel over your head to secure the steam; stand over the steam bowl for five minutes then discard the water.

    Eucalyptus

    • The revitalizing scent and taste of eucalyptus is responsible for soothing sore throats, calming a cough and decongestion. The traditional home remedy for a strong cough and congestion in many American families has long been Vicks VapoRub. According to the Official Vicks website, one of the leading active ingredients in the topical ointment is eucalyptus. Eucalyptus oil is used as a cough suppressant and accounts for 1.2 percent of the total ointment. To cure your cough using eucalyptus, brew a cup of eucalyptus tea, apply Vicks VapoRub to your chest and nasal area and cuddle up under the covers for the rest of the day.

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