What Cures a Cough?

While all of the symptoms of a cold or flu are irritating, a cough can be especially so when it aggravates a sore throat or keeps you awake at night. Over-the-counter medicines sometimes help alleviate the coughing, but these medicines can take a toll on your liver and may cause side effects. In some cases, the best methods for curing a cough may be the home remedies that have passed down through the generations.

Honey

• Honey can be used in several ways to help cure a cough. Probably the most well-known method is adding a spoonful of honey to hot tea to soothe a dry throat and cough. If that doesn't do the trick, take 1/2 teaspoon of honey mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to soothe a cough. If you have a taste for ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey is another remedy to try. According to MayoClinic.com, taking 2 teaspoons of honey right before bedtime has been shown to reduce coughing during the night; just be sure not to give honey to children under age 1 because of the risk of botulism.

Steam Treatments

• Simply breathing in steam from hot water alleviates a dry cough through inhaling warm moisture and also helps loosen mucus to make coughs more productive. This can be done by running hot water in the shower or tub with the bathroom door closed to retain the steam, or you can pour boiling water in a large bowl and inhale the steam from it. Placing a towel over your head and the bowl will keep the water hot longer and direct all of the steam toward you. For additional benefits from the steam, add a few drops of eucalyptus or Vicks VapoRub to the water.

Peppermint

• You've probably noticed that minty things tend to make your nose feel more open and clear. Peppermint can be an effective herbal remedy for all sorts of ailments, including a cough. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends brewing a tea from fresh peppermint leaves to make your cough subside, or taking 1 or 2 drops of a peppermint tincture -- but don't give peppermint to babies or young children, or to women who are pregnant or nursing. If you don't have access to a peppermint tincture, menthol, the active ingredient in peppermint, is used in Vicks VapoRub. Apply this to the bottom of your feet and cover with socks before you go to bed at night. This remedy works very well with children.

Cautions

• WebMd advises that you see your doctor if your cough lasts for several weeks or brings up bloody or colored mucus. If your cough is accompanied by squeezing or crushing pain in your chest, difficulty breathing, an irregular heartbeat, dizziness or pain that spreads from your chest to your neck, jaw, back, shoulders or arms, immediately see your doctor or call 911.