SEVEN BEST NATURAL COUGH REMEDIES AND PREVENTION

Have you ever experienced a bad bout of cough and wanted it to go away because you just cannot get sleep? Well, nothing can get worse than a nagging cough ruining your whole nights sleep!

Here are some natural remedies to help soothe the cough and hep you have a quicker recovery:

1. Cinnamon milk with honey:

Cinnamon milk with honey can help relieve the symptoms of cold, cough and sore throat as it is rich in antioxidant polyphenols and proanthocyanidins which can help boost body immunity.

How to make:

Ingredients:

1 cup milk
½ tsp cinnamon powder
Dash of nutmeg
1 tsp honey

Method:

In a heating pot, add in the milk and bring it to a boil. Then, add in the cinnamon powder and stir well and let it simmer for some time. Turn of the flame, add in honey to taste, stir well and it is ready to consume.

2. Warm salt water gargling:

This method is effective for soothing, relieving and curing of a cough because saltwater acts as a lubricant that moisturizes the throat. While gargling the saltwater brings the bacteria to the surface and it gets flushed out when the person spits out the water. It can also reduce pain and inflammation in the throat.

Ingredients:

1 glass of warm water
(around 250 ml)
1 teaspoon of sea salt
(Or Himalayan rock salt)

Method:

Boil one glass of water (around 250 ml) and add the sea salt and let it dissolve completely. Let the water become warm, check the temperature before gargling as you can burn your throat.

Then for the gargle, once the water has become warm enough to put in your mouth, take a big sip of the salt water in your mouth, tilt your head backwards and gargle for around 30 to 40 seconds each time and spit it out (do not swallow), until you’ve finished all the water in the glass.

Caution:

• Do not overdo, as excessive salt content can make the tissues of your throat and mouth go dry.
• Do not swallow the salt water after gargling; make sure you spit it out.
• Be careful with younger children, as they can get choked if they cannot gargle effectively. So parental supervision is required for younger children and gargling should be advised to only those children old enough to gargle in the right manner.
• Those with high blood pressure should be watchful of their sodium intake and can opt for other methods of relief from cough.

3. Ginger tea:

Ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can provide relief and soothe the cough.

How to make:

Ingredients:

1 cup water
2 tsp tea leaves/tea powder of your choice
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp honey

Method:

Into a heating pot add in the water, tea leaves and grated ginger. Let it come to a boil and then cover it with a lid and let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes on low flame. Turn off the flame, strain into a cup, add in the honey and it is ready to consume. Do not drink or eat anything else after this for 15 minutes to 30 minutes for the best effect.

4. Turmeric and honey mix:

Turmeric has antibacterial properties that increase mucus production that helps flush out microbes from the respiratory tract. Honey is an effective cough suppressant as it has antibacterial properties that can soothe the throat. The black pepper powder helps activate the curcumin (the compound responsible for the benefits in turmeric) in the turmeric. Cinnamon liquifies the mucus and serves as an expectorant to expel the mucus from the body.

How to make:

Ingredients:

4 tbsp organic honey
1 tbsp organic turmeric (haldi) powder
½ to 1 tsp black pepper powder

Method:

In a mixing bowl, add in the honey, turmeric powder and pepper powder and mix into a fine paste. You can consume half a spoon of this mixture even twice a day to provide relief from cough and cold. Do not immediately swallow, but keep it in your mouth for a few minutes and then do not drink or eat anything for 15 to 20 minutes after having this mixture.

Tip: You can also add in 1½ tsp of this turmeric and honey mix into a glass of warm milk, with ¼ tsp of cinnamon powder and drink this as a remedy to soothe your cough before you go to bed, in case you do not wish to consume it plain. READ MORE – ADD THIS TO YOUR WATER FOR CLEAR GLOWING SKIN

5. Steam inhalation:

Steam inhalation is useful for treating a cough by helping the phlegm or the thick secretion from the throat and lungs to be released and provide an expectorant effect and also relieve chest congestion.

How to steam inhale: Cover your head with a large towel and lean over a bowl of hot water and see to it that the bowl too is covered with the towel, creating a tent like seal around you, so that the steam remains within and doesn’t escape. Maintain a safe space between the bowl and your head, as you do not want to get burnt or scalded because of the heat. If it is too hot, wait for it to cool down a little and after a few seconds you can start your steam inhalation process. Breathe in through your nose and mouth and continue this for around 5 to 8 minutes. Soon you will find your throat getting lubricated and it will soothe your cough.

6. Pineapple juice:

Pineapples contain an enzyme called ‘bromelain’ which can help suppress a cough and loosen the mucus in the throat. READ MORE – Pineapple Cold and Cough Syrup

7. Peppermint:

A lot of over-the-counter cough drops or cough lozenges are peppermint flavoured. This is because mint or peppermint contains a compound called ‘menthol’ that helps cool the airways and soothe the throat. Peppermint contains antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help reduce chest congestion. The menthol in the peppermint helps to numb the nerve endings in the throat which get irritated by constant coughing.

To consume peppermint, you can either drink mint or peppermint tea or suck on chewable peppermint cough drops or lozenges.

How to make mint/peppermint tea:

Ingredients:

1 cup water
2 tsp tea leaves/tea powder of your choice
8 – 10 mint/peppermint leaves
1 tsp honey

Method:

Into a heating pot add in the water, tea leaves/tea powder and mint/peppermint leaves (wash it properly before using it). Let it come to a boil and then cover it with a lid and let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes on low flame. Turn off the flame, strain into a cup, add in the honey and it is ready to consume. Do not drink or eat anything else after this for 15 minutes to 30 minutes for the best effect.