A dry cough is a problem we all face at some point or another, and while it’s exceptionally common and typically not serious, it can be tenacious in nature. It’s important to take it seriously before it gets more severe, because it could be the sign of a viral infection or allergic reaction. There are many home remedies you can try to relieve your pain and discomfort.
What is a Cough?
Coughing is actually a pretty important bodily function, because it keeps our throat and airways clear of clogs. Still, it’s an illness we want to cure due to the pain and irritation it causes. Continuous coughing could be a sign of an ailment.
Some coughs are dry, meaning nothing is in the throat for you to cough out. This makes them hard to overcome and irritating to the throat. A dry cough that yields little to no mucus may be triggered by an inflammation of the chest or throat, as well as various allergies or viral infections. Because it doesn’t yield any mucus, it is sometimes called a ‘non-productive’ cough.
What Causes Coughing?
While it’s common to get a cough, you shouldn’t spend a lot of time having one. The majority of coughs are caused by viruses and infections that we get simply by going about our daily lives and coming into contact with people or infected surfaces. While most coughs are no cause for concern, they should be taken seriously, because they are also the first sign of respiratory disease.
Home Remedies for a Dry Cough
Treating a dry cough can be a hard thing to do, but there are remedies that we use at home. The following remedies are suitable for protecting the mucous membrane from the harmful germs and viruses that can cause continuous coughing.
Honey and Pepper
Brew some fresh honey and pepper tea or make a mixture of the two to relieve the tickly feeling and discomfort from your throat. The two ingredients are both very effective in curing a cough. You can drink this mixture daily for 3-4 days.
Mix honey into a warm tea with lemon. The honey in this special cough treatment helps coat your irritated throat and stops your coughing.
This is actually the simplest way to remove a lasting cough. This old remedy can heal your chest congestion or troubled throat. Do this throughout your days for up to a week to see the effect.
Steaming
Add a few drops of essential oils to a pot of hot water and inhale the steam that rises. YOu can do this 2-3 times a day.
This has antimicrobial and antibacterial mechanisms that are essential in treating dry coughs.
Marshmallow Tea
The age-old marshmallow tea is actually a traditional remedy for a dry cough. Drink it every day for a week.
Since turmeric has strong antimicrobial properties, it is effective in curing coughs. Research shows that the antimicrobial properties of turmeric tea can effectively combat germs and bacteria in the throat and chest.
Ginger Tea
A cup of ginger tea can effectively get rid of persistent coughing.
This is one of the simplest home remedies for a dry cough. Breathing in strong vapors from onions helps ease your pain and discomfort.
Warm Liquids
Soups and other warm liquids can help soothe a continuous dry cough. These can calm the mucous membrane and save it from any further damage.
Conclusion
Even though sometimes we think that dry coughs are not serious, it’s still important to cure it. You don’t need to go to the doctor, though. There are a lot of home remedies you can try. Whatever you choose to do, it’s bound to help. If your dry cough is accompanied by other upper respiratory infections, check out the following articles for help:
- How to Get Rid of a Stuffy Nose
- 12 Remedies for a Sore Throat
- Top Five Home Remedies for Sinus Infections
