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How to Stop an Itching Cough

An itchy cough in the back of your throa can cause you to lose sleep and not be as productive, and it can affect the people around you, as well. Many remedies designed to stop a cough in its tracks do not work as well as they say they do, and they can be expensive. A great way to stop a cough in its tracks, and save money in the process, is to use everyday food items.

Things You'll Need

  • Chamomile tea
  • Water
  • Mug
  • Honey
  • Milk
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Instructions

  1. Chamomile Tea

    • 1

      Heat water in a tea kettle on the stove or in a mug in the microwave. You want to get the water as hot as possible so it extracts much of the tea's nutrients.

    • 2

      Use a chamomile teabag or loose tea with a tea strainer. Place the teabag or strainer in the mug and pour in the hot water. Allow the tea to steep for one minute and remove the tea from the water.

    • 3

      Drink the tea slowly when it is still hot, and your cough will melt away as the hot water travels down your throat to the source of the cough. Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, an internist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, states that herbal tea is a great alternative to using medicine as it is packed with antioxidants that, when mixed with a heat source, soothe a painful throat and cough.

    Milk and Honey

    • 4

      Heat a mug of milk in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove. When the milk is steaming, pour it into a heat-resistant mug.

    • 5

      Mix a tablespoon of honey into the hot milk and stir it until it dissolves completely. Any type of honey will do here, so use your favorite comb, floral, liquid or granulated honey--all work. The honey will coat the throat and heal the inflammation, stopping the pain.

    • 6

      Drink the milk slowly at night before bed. This will not only help you get rid of your cough just before bed, but the hot milk will relax your body, allowing you to sleep better.
      Kristie Leong M.D. a family practitioner, writing for the website Health Mad, states that steaming milk mixed with honey can stop an embarrassing cough and even help a person suffering from insomnia get to sleep easier.

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