Cough is a common problem in the cold season and winters. The normal routine of life can stop due to cough. The body eliminates irritants that block the lung passages or airways through the cough. In dry cough, the mucus is not eliminated and in wet cough, the body eliminates and releases phlegm along with mucus. If you have cough for eight weeks and more, the cough is chronic. If you have chronic cough, it is shows that there is an underlying disease which is causing the cough.
Cold and flu causes chronic cough and chest pain. Allergy and asthma can cause chronic cough. It can also be due to acid reflux, sinus and other respiratory infections. Smoking and high blood pressure medicines can cause cough. Usually, people take help of cough syrups and lozenges for treating cough. If you have chronic cough, home remedies can help in curing it. Try the following home remedies for chronic cough.
12 Best Home Remedies For Chronic Cough
Hot ShowerÂ
If you have chronic cough, you must take hot shower. The steam produced by the shower will loosen the nose secretions. Use a humidifier as it prevents cough by supplying moisture to the air.
LicoriceÂ
Licorice root is a very good remedy for chronic cough. It reduces inflammation and irritation in the throat. Licorice is a very good expectorant. You can use licorice in the form of candy.
You can take licorice tea. Steep licorice sticks in boiling water for one day. Add honey to this tea and drink at different times in a day.
Herbal Cough Syrup
If you have chronic cough, you must take herbal cough syrup made with herbs such as thyme, licorice and peppermint. The herbs help in opening the congested airways and decreases irritation and inflammation. You can make herbal cough syrup by mixing and steeping dry herbs and licorice root in boiling water for thirty minutes. Strain the drink to remove the herbs and solid material. Add honey to the strained drink. You can cover and store this syrup for 3 months in a refrigerator. When you have cough, just take one teaspoon of the syrup.
Mustard SeedsÂ
Mustard seeds can help in curing wet cough. Mustard seeds contain sulfur compounds, which help in increasing mucus flow. To use mustard seeds as an expectorant, you have to let the broken seeds to soak in water for some time.
Grind some mustard seeds and steep in boiling water for ten minutes. Drink one fourth cup of this liquid many times in a day.
GarlicÂ
Garlic is a good expectorant and can help in curing chronic cough. Garlic can make you cough, with which bacteria and mucus is eliminated from the lungs. You must eat garlic in the raw form. The recommended dose is four to eight cloves daily. If you have problem in eating raw garlic, you can mix the garlic with yogurt or soup. You can also add garlic to pasta sauce, chicken soup and salad.
Another method of taking garlic is by drinking garlic broth. You can make the broth by boiling garlic cloves in water for one hour. Cook the broth on low heat. Strain the broth and drink it. You can also make garlic soup by mixing garlic to boiling water. Add some onions and boil for some time. Add pepper powder and salt. Drink the soup.
HoneyÂ
Honey is a wonderful expectorant and helps in releasing the mucus from the lungs. Add honey to hot water, mix lemon juice and drink it. Adults can add little brandy to this drink and take it at night before sleeping. You can also add whiskey to the drink. Another remedy is to make a mixture of honey, cinnamon powder and lemon juice. Mix well and take this mixture. You can add honey to Aloe Vera and take it twice or thrice daily.
Black PepperÂ
If you have thick mucus due to cough, you must use pepper. Pepper increases the mucus circulation in the respiratory system.
Mix pepper and honey and let it steep in boiling water for fifteen minutes. Drink this liquid. You can also make a paste of black pepper powder and honey. Eat this paste at night before sleeping.
GingerÂ
Ginger is antiviral and helps in curing chronic cough. Take equal amount of ginger root pieces and aniseed. Add half amount of licorice root. Steep this mixture in boiling water for 10 minutes. Cover the drink while steeping. Strain and add little honey to it. Drink half cup of this drink after every two hour. Drink maximum 3 cups of this drink in a day.
TurmericÂ
Turmeric has antiseptic properties. Mix little turmeric powder to milk. Boil the milk. Add sugar. Let it cool a bit so that it becomes lukewarm. Drink this milk. It is an effective remedy for chronic cough.
Cumin SoupÂ
You can take cumin soup for chronic cough. Grind cumin seeds. Also, grind some split pigeon peas. Boil water. Mix turmeric powder, add tamarind juice. Add little salt to it. Boil the liquid. Add the ground cumin and pigeon peas. Boil for eight minutes. Add three cups water.
Boil and remove the vessel from heat. To make the tempering of the soup, put clarified butter in a pan. Add mustard seeds. Add one pinch asafetida powder. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Mix this tempering to the soup. Cover the vessel with a lid. Drink this soup with meals.
Saltwater GargleÂ
If you have chronic cough, you must gargle with saltwater. The water should be warm. Do gargling after 1-2 hours again and repeat this process throughout the day. Salt functions as an astringent and cures the inflammation and irritation in the throat. This remedy helps in loosening the mucus.
Steam InhalationÂ
Steam inhalation is one of the best home remedies for chronic cough. It helps in removing the mucus. It helps in moisturizing the dry airways. To take steam, you have to fill a vessel with boiling water. You can add little eucalyptus essential oil or eucalyptus leaves to the water.
You can add Vicks VapoRub. You can also add mint leaves to the water. Wrap your head with a towel. Bend above the vessel and breathe in slowly. Inhale the steam for ten minutes. Keep the face away from the hot vessel or the steam can burn the skin of the face.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
