How to Treat a Cough with Natural Home Remedies

There are natural, effective remedies for cough without the unpleasant side effects of over-the-counter drugs. These traditional cures can be made at home with a few simple ingredients. Some items are readily available in your kitchen, garden or grocery store, while others may be bought from organic or specialty shops.

Homemade Concoctions

• Nature offers herbs and spices that have proven efficacious as expectorants, decongestants and cough relievers. Make your own tea or hot beverage from these potent nutrients. They will help clear out mucus and phlegm, soothe an irritated throat and calm a coughing fit.

  Online posts from people around the world claim that a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar combined with other ingredients have cured their cough. Many variations of the recipe abound, some more palatable than others. Depending on the tolerance level of your taste buds, try apple cider vinegar with a tablespoon or two each of lemon juice, honey, crushed garlic, cayenne pepper or crushed ginger dissolved in a cup of hot water or green tea. Other people prefer ginger tea with cinnamon, honey and lemon juice because it tastes better. The mentioned ingredients are known for their medicinal properties. For example, vitamin C in lemon fights off infection, as does garlic. Honey is an antibacterial agent, while ginger can relieve chest congestion.

Herbal Therapies

• Soak in a hot bath with eucalyptus essential oil mixed in the water. The warm bath relaxes the body, and the eucalyptus soothes the irritation and helps drain mucus from the chest and throat. Alternatively, boil eucalyptus and mint leaves in water. With your head covered by a towel, inhale the vapors from the boiled solution.

  Mix essential oils consisting of four drops each of eucalyptus, lavender and thyme with 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Massage the oil mixture on your neck and chest area in the morning and at bedtime.

Other Remedial Measures

• Use a cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture, ease breathing and help relieve coughing. Turn it on for a short term, and throw out the water after use. Clean and disinfect the machine, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

  Sleep on your side to help keep mucus away from your throat. Stop self-medication and consult your doctor if symptoms persist, such as if the cough lingers more than a week, yields thick yellow or green mucus, and is accompanied by headache or fever.

Cough Relief for Kids

• It’s best to take a coughing child to a pediatrician, particularly if the child suffers from fever, ear or chest pain, breathing difficulty, bloody mucus or dehydration. Signs of dehydration include a dry diaper after six to eight hours, or no urination for more than eight hours for older children, no tears when crying, sunken eyes and dry lips.

  Do not give honey to babies under 1 year old to avoid infant botulism. Elevate the resting child’s head to improve fluid drainage, but only at a slight incline to keep from sliding. For a baby, place a rolled-up towel under the crib mattress. Do not put soft bedding or pillows on the mattress, to prevent the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A folded towel inserted between the mattress and box springs can serve to raise an older child’s head and chest for a more comfortable position. A cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer used for a limited time also helps ease breathing and coughing.