
A cough can be annoying and some are embarrassed when bouts start to occur while in public. A persistent cough remedy starts at home. It often goes away without any medication. Give these tips a try since most of them are surely in your pantry. If somebody at home starts coughing with or without phlegm, these might be an effective remedy.
Honey
Honey is often used to naturally sweeten food or drinks. Many families are also using this for cough. A spoonful or two of organic honey on its own can help with a cough. You can also add this to hot tea to help soothe a painful sore throat. Honey is safe for adults to use. It can also be used for coughing in children provided that you have their doctor’s supervision.
Salt Water Gargle
Having trouble with a scratch or itchy throat? Just gargle with salt water. A saltwater gargle is an effective remedy to soften the phlegm. This will make it easier to cough out. This can also help minimize coughing. You need a quarter teaspoon of salt and mix it in a cup of warm water. Use this to gargle for at least 15 seconds.
Hard Candy or Lozenge
A minty candy can help stop the urge to cough. This can be helpful when you are in a public place. It is best to get a lozenge since they are medicated. But if a lozenge is not available, a minty hard candy or citrus drops are great alternatives. Adults and children over 6 years old are safe to use hard candy for coughing.
Steam from Essential Oils
Some essential oils are good for coughing. You can directly sniff from a bottle of eucalyptus or peppermint to soothe your symptoms. Some prefer to add the drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam. This can minimize coughing and soothe chest irritation. Some people are taking a sniff out of an essential oil bottle to help give them comfort.
Turmeric Tea
This is often found in many home kitchens and used for cooking. But turmeric is a traditional cough remedy and has been part of an Organic Lifestyle. Add a spoonful of powder to your favorite hot tea. You can mix in some lemon juice and honey for taste. Adjust depending on your preference.
When to See a Doctor?
The body needs to get rid of the phlegm that is building up so it triggers a cough. It can just be due to the flu. But in children, parents must be observant because it can mean something else. Get them checked by a doctor and watch out for severe symptoms like blood on phlegm or difficulty breathing.
A cough sometimes goes away on its own, or with a home remedy. Many people do not need any cough medication. These are often easily treatable with the home remedies suggested above. However, not all people respond well to at-home treatments. Make sure to see a doctor when the cough is accompanied by other symptoms.