Natural Home Remedies for Dry Cough without Medicine

Home remedies such as honey and garlic are simple, easy to prepare and can be used as effective home remedies for dry cough as this is known to soothe the throat and remove irritation. Besides taking the over the counter drugs, natural treatment may also provide you with a ready and efficient remedy to alleviate your symptoms at home.

Raw Honey

Raw honey is a time-tested remedy of coughs. It coats your throat and could possess natural anti-inflammatory actions in order to relieve irritation. Its antimicrobial action may be useful in small-scale bacterial or viral infections.

One review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that honey was as effective as diphenhydramine (benadryl) but not as effective as dextromethorphan (dextromethorphan, in medicines such as Delsym Cough) in treating coughs in children.

Honey can be used with a young child but must never be administered to infants who are below the age of  year old because of botulism. The honey may interfere with the glucose levels, so you should find alternatives in case you have to control your sugar levels.

Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is commonly used to treat nausea and stomach ache but it has been shown to be effective in a cough as well. The one is thought to inhibit the cough reflex through relaxation of airways smooth muscles.

Ginger is a natural expectorant and this implies that it can help in clearing phlegm. Coughs, colds and sore throats can also be prevented or relieved with drinking of ginger tea. Also, ginger possesses anti-inflammatory effect that is able to decrease inflammation.

Nevertheless, do not go with too much ginger. Excessive intake of ginger can lead to stomach upsets, heartburn, or diarrhea.

Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) exhibits weak antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Consumption of garlic on a regular basis also has been reported to reduce blood pressure and improve the immune system. Garlic has been claimed to alleviate the symptoms of common cold such as coughs, but research has been inconclusive.

In a review of Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no effect was found in the use of garlic as a preventive or treatment of colds in any of the eight reviewed studies.

That being said, garlic is considered to be normally safe.

Turmeric

Curcumin in Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is said to possess low-level antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Ayurvedic medicine has been applied in the treatment of arthritis and respiratory problems using it, but most of the assertions are not supported by research.

Other researchers have proposed that oral turmeric can relieve asthma symptoms such as cough. It has not been demonstrated to work in treating an acute cough.

That being said, turmeric tea is sold in most grocery stores and can be well tolerated. The same cannot be said about turmeric capsules, and excessive intake of the supplement would most probably result in stomachache, diarrhea, and nausea.

Capsaicin

Natural capsaicin (chili) contains certain strong effects on cough particularly environmental irritant triggered cough. By mouth (orally), Capsaicin can suppress the cough reflex and enhance unexplained coughing.

In case you are planning to use capsaicin as a dry cough medicine, you will consider adding chili peppers in your meal slowly as you are able to bear them. Capsaicin has unpleasant side effects on some people such as stinging and irritation of the mouth and throat.

Salt Water

Something that will be frequently recommended by healthcare providers is the gargling with saltwater to relieve the sore throat and cough associated with the common cold. Saltwater attracts moisture in the region of soreness to aid in the process of diminishing swelling and irritation.

In a randomized controlled trial of 20 gargles of saltwater in Scientific Reports, gargling cut cough duration due to a cold by 2 days and vocal hoarseness by days.

Hydration

The cough can be aggravated by a dry throat. Think about drinking such fluids as water, tea with honey and lemon, and herbal tea.

The herbal teas which can assist in the case of a dry cough include:

1. Ginger

2.  Licorice root

3. Marjoram

4. Marshmallow root

5. Masala chai

6. Peppermint

7. Thyme

8. Turmeric

Cough Drops

Frequently, taking cough drops is sufficient to feel better, particularly in case you have a sore throat as well. Find lozenges that have menthol that will cool and also as an analgesic that is mild.

To have some added effect to your steam inhalation, you can add a mentholated product such as Vicks VapoRub.

Cough Medicine

Dextromethorphan is an over-the-counter drug most commonly used to treat a dry cough.

A generic version is possible, and the most popular brands are:

1. Swasani Ayurvedic Cough Syrup

2. Delsym Cough

3. Robitussin Cough

Remember that also a large number of OTC cough medicines are decongestants and you may not need that effect when you have a dry cough.

You can make a phone call to the office of your healthcare provider and report what is happening to you, and they can recommend what to do. Your pharmacist can also probably advise you about OTC medications.

Steam Treatments

Inhaling steam can be used to treat an arid cough. Warm steam has the capacity to humidify the passages of the nose, alleviate pains in the throat and decrease the severity of coughs in case of smaller infections or allergies.

When you inhale the steam, wrap some of your towel on top of your head so as to absorb more moisture. Do not lay your face directly on a pan of boiling water as it can burn it badly.

You can purchase a steam inhaler either online or in a pharmacy in case you do not want to make it yourself.

Suffering a Dry Cough that keeps you up at Night?

To have the rest and relief you desire, try:

1. Taking a little of fluid like warm tea before sleeping.

2. Raising your head on additional pillows which can help decrease acid reflux and dripping nasal mucus in the throat.

3. Use of a cool-mist humidifier when you sleep when the air appears dry.

Licorice Root

Taking tea with licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been included in claims to the soothing power on the throat. Licorice root, also known as gancao in the traditional Chinese medicine, was used since 20 B.C and is claimed to ease pain, clear phlegm and cough.

Most of the grocery stores and health food stores stock licorice root tea. Online, dried licorice root may be bought and consumed in the form of tea in which 2 tablespoons of the shaved root are steeped in ounces of boiling water between five and  minutes.

Licorice root tea is said to be safe but when taken in long periods of time, this can cause serious rises in blood pressure and cause menstrual abnormalities, fatigue, headaches, water retention, and erectile dysfunction.

Marjoram

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a form of oregano which has been traditionally used to treat a vast array of health issues. It has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory, vegetal substances (phytochemicals) that can be used to relieve cough related with asthma, bronchitis, colds, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Marjoram tea can be made by using 3 to  teaspoons of dried marjoram to a quantity of the ounces of hot water and drinking three times a day.

Marjoram is usually safe, but may slow the effect of clotting the blood and raises the possibility of blood bruising and nosebleed in individuals using anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications.

Marshmallow Root

As the name suggests, marshmallow root is the root of the marshmallow plant (Althea officinalis), a kind of flowering hollyhock.

Since ancient times, marshmallow root has been used as a remedy against sore throats, usually in a sweetened meringue form. Its somewhat sticky texture has been known to apply the sore and irritated throats and flavonoids in the root are claimed to eliminate inflammation.

A study published in Complementary Medicine Research also found syrups and lozenges prepared with marshmallow root extract to be effective relievers of mild dry cough, most of the time in a few minutes.

Marshmallow root tea is available over the internet and in certain health food specialty shops. It is said to be mostly safe, but there is not much research done to determine its safety over the long term. The plant has the potential to disrupt blood clotting and influence blood sugar.

Thyme

Since the black plague in Europe, Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) has been utilized as a medicine. It also contains one compound known as thymol which is considered to possess an antispasmodic effect that may relax the smooth muscles of the throat.

Thyme is safe when taken as a tea in occasional and small to moderate doses. A tea of thyme may be made by pouring 3 to  teaspoons of the dried herb into ounces of boiling water. Add honey as a desired cough remedy.

Thyme essential oil, which is mostly used in aromatherapy, is not supposed to be taken in a capsule because it may lead to a probable severe drop in blood pressure.

Holy Basil

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also referred to as tulsi, is an Indian green leafy plant. It has thousands of years of history of application in various purposes including the treatment of a dry cough.

Not much scientific studies exist on the effectiveness of holy basil, although it is not harmful to the majority of the population. It may be consumed in the form of tea or taken in extract of holy basil to steam.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy refers to the act of inhaling the essential oils, or a plant extract, to achieve a health advantage. They can be applied directly onto the body, an aroma stick can be used, or an essential oil diffuser can be used to diffuse them into the air.

The following essential oils could be used to ease a dry cough:

1. Eucalyptus

2. Holy basil

3. Peppermint

4. Thyme

Essential oils are potent and can have different effects on people; hence, one has to use them safely. A medical worker may assist you in making choices that perhaps may be optimal to you.

What Causes a Dry Cough?

The things that can irritate the throat and lead to a cough lasting long, which is difficult to end, can be of various things including the air in your house, medical conditions, etc.

Indoor Air Quality

Cold air is drier and dry air is what causes a dry cough. Dust, dander, pollen, and smoke are also some of the irritants in the air that may cause you to develop a dry cough.

You can do a number of things at home to make sure that the things around you do not trigger your cough or make it worse:

1. Install cool-mist humidifier: In dry conditions, pneumonia is likely to develop, in this case, a humidifier can be used to provide moisture to the air to prevent your dry cough. Wear one when you have time, particularly at night.

2. Turn on an air purifier: It may be used to clean the air of allergens and irritants, such as dust, dander, and pollen. This may be helpful in the case of asthma.

3. No smoking: Cigarette, vaping and marijuana smoke exposure worsens irritation of the throat.

Medical Causes

The cause of dry cough may be any of the things such as allergies, environmental irritations, infection, and even a few drugs (ACE inhibitors etc.).

One of the early symptoms of a health condition is a chronic cough: sleep apnea or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Other disorders that can bring about a dry cough include:

1. Allergies: Indoor allergies and seasonal hay fever are some of the causes of the dry cough. When the pollen and mould counts start to increase, allergies can be prevented by taking an antihistamine on a daily basis.

2. Asthma: Asthma particularly, cough-variant asthma, has the ability to cause a dry cough. Attack incidence can be reduced by following your asthma drugs (both long-acting bronchodilators and inhasted corticosteroids).

3. Acid reflux: Acid reflux may result in a dry cough. An acid blocker may be useful and avoiding high fat foods, acidic food, chocolate, caffeine and spicy food may aggravate your symptoms.

Medication side effects: Some of the drugs have a side effect of a dry cough. Coughing can be caused by ACE inhibitors, Zocor (simvastatin), Coreg (carvedilol), Actonel (risedronate) and also fluticasone nasal sprays. Request your health service provider. In others, it might be all that is required to overcome this side effect that is common in most cases to just reduce the dosage or switch to other types of medication.

When to See Your Healthcare Provider

Never ignore a dry cough if it persists, even if it is just mildly noticeable. It might mean that you already have an infection like pneumonia. Your health provider can diagnose the issue, which may require prescription medication depending on the reason for the cough.

Make sure to visit your healthcare provider if you have any of the following situations:

1. A cough for more than  to  days

2. Cough that is aggravates

3. Productive cough with phlegm and mucus

4. Coughing up pinkish sputum or blood

5. Coughing with chest pain or pressing

6. Shortness of breath or wheezing

7. Coughing that keeps you up at night.

8. Coughing leading to hoarseness of voice.

Conclusion

Homemade remedies can provide relief for a dry cough by reducing irritation in the throat as well as by assisting in the body’s recovery. Household remedies include honey, ginger, steam treatment, and drinking teas. While these remedies make it relatively easy to alleviate dry cough symptoms, it is still vital to seek professional advice when experiencing this symptom, especially in cases involving an aliment.