8 Natural remedies for Cough
We’ve all been there—coughing in public, trying to stifle it like we’re auditioning for a mime troupe. Or worse, coughing uncontrollably in the dead of night, wondering if the neighbors are now convinced you’re hiding a pet seal.
And who can forget the pain. The deep agonizing discomfort of your chest muscles buckling under the pressure of the unwanted work-out. Luckily, with the right tools you can minimize this pain and suffering and get back to sounding normal in no time.
Classifying cough
Cough is first classified by duration. Acute cough is anything that lasts less than 3 weeks. This is typical of infections. Cold/flu/covid are common offenders for this.
A sub-acute cough is one that lasts between 3-8 weeks. This is typical of a post-infectious cough syndrome.
Chronic cough is anything beyond 8 weeks. This almost always needs imaging.
A little science
The cough reflex is a pretty complex one. There are cough receptors in the upper and lower airways.
There are also receptors around the heart, the esophagus and stomach. Receptors can be mechanical in nature. Meaning if something touches the receptor, it triggers a cough.
Receptors can also be chemical in nature. These can activate when exposed to heat/cold. They can also trigger with pH changes. This is why foods can sometimes trigger a cough.
These receptors tend to become more sensitive with age. They also seem to be more responsive in women. This seems to explain why chronic cough is more common in women.
Determining the cause of chronic cough
Roughly 90% of chronic cough will fall under one of four possible causes. The first category is medication induced cough. The most famous example of this is lisinopril. Lisinopril is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for blood pressure. It’s a very good medicine that can also protect your heart and kidneys.
However, roughly 10% of those taking it will develop a cough. It’s usually a dry, nagging cough.
The second group is post nasal cough. Sometimes also referred to as upper airway cough syndrome. This is common in allergy sufferers. These patients will often find themselves clearing their throat a lot, especially in the mornings.
Flonase can be a very useful for this, although it’s worth noting that it takes 3-4 days of continuous use for flonase to be effective.
Another culprit for chronic cough is reflux cough. These patients may find that they cough often after eating. They may also complain of heartburn. Although it’s not always obvious as many of these patients can experience silent reflux symptoms in which no heartburn is noted. A trial of an acid reducing medication, such as prilosec can be informative for this.
The last category is reactive airway syndrome. This seems to be an ever increasing phenomenon. There also seems to be some debate on whether or not reactive airway syndrome and cough variant asthma are the same thing. When I was in training, one of my mentors was a pediatric pulmonologist. He was adamant that there was no difference in these 2 phenomenon.
As my own experience has grown, I’m not so sure I agree. Cough variant asthma responds very well to albuterol inhalers, which is what we would expect. I have found that reactive airway cough does not respond well to albuterol. It does however seem to respond to inhaled corticosteroids. These would include inhalers like flovent, pulmicort or asmanex to name a few. I will typically trial one of these with my own patients when reactive airway is suspected.
Coughing is always frustrating. Determining the cause doesn’t have to be. I definitely recommend consulting with your doctor. If you’re looking for some natural remedies, I got you covered. Consider one of these 8 natural treatments to help soothe that airway.
- Honey
- Honey has antimicrobial properties and can soothe a sore throat. And reduce cough. Consider eating a teaspoon of honey on its own or mixed with warm water, tea, or lemon juice can provide relief. Its worth noting that that honey should be avoided in children under one year due to the risk of botulism.
- Ginger
- Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can relax the airway muscles and reduce coughing. Make ginger tea by boiling fresh ginger slices in water, or mix ginger powder into tea or honey.
- Peppermint
- Peppermint contains menthol, which can soothe the throat and act as a decongestant. Drinking peppermint tea or inhaling steam with peppermint essential oil can help.
- Thyme
- Thyme has antitussive (cough-suppressing) and antimicrobial properties. Consider making thyme tea by steeping 2 teaspoons of dried thyme in hot water for 10 minutes.
- Marshmallow Root
- Marshmallow root It has mucilage that coats and soothes the throat, reducing irritation that causes coughing. Marshmallow root tea or syrup can be used to soothe the throat.
- Saltwater Gargle
- Gargling with salt water helps reduce inflammation and irritation in the throat. Consider mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for relief.
- Licorice Root
- Licorice root acts as an expectorant, helping to clear mucus and soothe irritation. You can make a tea by steeping licorice root in hot water, or use licorice lozenges.
- Steam Inhalation
- Inhaling steam helps to loosen mucus and clear the airways. You could try adding a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil to boiling water, then carefully inhale the steam.
A Special Note From the Doctor:
“If that cough’s been sticking around like an uninvited houseguest, it might be time to try a few natural remedies to show it the door. Remember, a little TLC can go a long way—and so can a bit of honey and tea! Here’s to clearer throats and quieter days ahead.”
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on this blog.
- If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. Reliance on any information provided by this blog is solely at your own risk. The author(s) of this blog do not assume any liability for the information contained herein, be it direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages.
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