Cough is a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing is an action performed by the body to throw out or to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages in their way. A cough is usually initiated to clear the phlegm that is been caught in the trachea or its neighboring areas. Coughing is also triggered when a bolus of food goes down the trachea instead of the esophagus because of the failure of the epiglottis, how ever this may result in choking rather. Frequent or continuous chronic coughing usually is seen when there is some presence of a disease. If the patient is a non-smoker and has a normal chest X-ray, the cause of chronic cough in most of all the patients is due to asthma, reflux ( heartburn) or post-nasal drip.(almost about 93%). Some other causes that contribute to chronic cough include chronic bronchitis and medications like as ACE inhibitors. Coughing occurs both voluntarily as well as involuntarily.

We can say that cough is a forceful release of air from the lungs that can be heard. Coughing is one of the ways of protecting the respiratory system by clearing it of irritants and secretions. Coughs are of two types either dry or productive. Dry cough usually does not bring up a mixture of mucus, irritants, and other substances from the lungs ( sputum), while a productive cough brings up all. If the cough is due to infection caused by bacteria then it may be grey, greenish or brown due to the presence of sputum in it. In the case of an allergy or viral infection the cough produced appears white. In the extremely serious conditions, it may happen that the sputum contains blood (cancer condition).

Environmental pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, dust, or smog, are also assumed to trigger of cough. In the case of cigarette smokers, the nicotine present in the smoke is proved to paralyze the hairs of the nose (cilia) that perform the activity of regularly flushing of the mucus from the respiratory system. Since the mucus now gets builds up, it forces the body for its removal by coughing or some other way (mostly it is coughing or sometimes with vomiting). Post-nasal drip, or the irritating trickle of mucus from the nasal passages into the throat which is caused by allergies or sinusitis, can also be one of the contributing factors for generating cough. Some of the common chronic disease like, as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis, are mostly characterized in part by a cough. A condition in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus (gastro esophageal reflux) can cause coughing, especially when a person is lying down, this should not be mistaken as cough caused by disease. Sometimes cough can also be a side-effect of medications that are administered via an inhaler. Many a times drugs used for treating high blood pressure can also cause side effects of cough, like the beta blockers and some ACE inhibitors

It is important to identify and treat the origin of the cough, along with the disease that resulted to it. Avoid smoking and coming in direct contact with people who smoke or who suffer from cold or flu symptoms. Wash hands at frequent times and especially during episodes of upper-respiratory illnesses.

Home Remedies for Cough

The following are some traditionally prescribed remedies for cough.

Take one tea spoon of pure honey and to it add a pinch of grounded white pepper. Regular usage of this 2-3 times a day for about 4-5 days will cure your cough. This is one of the important home remedies for cough.

Honey when taken with black pepper will loosen the mucous and make you spit the mucus. This will be helpful in throwing the irritating substances of the trachea and help you in treating cough. This is one of the effective cough home remedies.

Another effective natural remedy for cough is that if you have cough due to cold then just drink tea made of ginger 3-4 times a day or just eat raw ginger, this will subside your cough.

Drinking red raspberry, honey suckle, or liquor ice tea with honey is helpful in treating cough in 2-3 days. This is one of the effective cough treatment.

Take 2 tablespoons of honey and mix it in one cup of orange juice and drink it. This is a good cough remedy.

Prepare a cough syrup from baked onion juice, comfrey tea, and honey. Drink it daily and your cough will subside.

Another effective cough treatment is to before going to bed just take a spoonful of honey with few drops of vodka or brandy in it.

Mix 1-2 tsp of pure home made turmeric powder in warm milk and drink it twice a day for coughs of a bacterial origin. Within 2 days your cough will be gone by using this method. This is one of the useful home remedies for cough.

You may also gargle with warm water to which lot of salt is added as many times as possible during the day. This will help you to clear phlegm caught in the throat.

Mix 5 ml of onion juice with 10 ml of pure honey. Take this mixture at least twice a day. This will relieve your cough and will also help in soothing throat. This is one of the best cough cure.

Take 5ml of fresh tulsi (Ocimum sanctum, Holy Basil) and mix it in 10 ml of pure honey. Consume this daily at least twice a day.

Add turmeric to a vessel filled with boiling water and inhale the fumes. It is also beneficial for controlling cough. This is a good natural remedies for cough.

Prepare a paste using ¼ teaspoon of red pepper, ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 table spoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 table spoon of honey, and 2 tablespoon of water. Mix them well and take 1 teaspoon of this mixture whenever you have cough. This is one of the simplest home remedy for cough.

In case of severe and chronic cough, crush 2-3 garlic and some cloves. Add this to a glass of milk or water. Then boil the mixture till it reduces to half the original content. Filter this and add a little sugar to it for improving the taste. Drink this twice a day and continue this treatment for at least a week to see visible results.

In a large vessel just simply take plain water and boil it. Now inhale these vapors of steam by covering your head region with the towel. Taking deep breaths in between is advisable. You may cough in the beginning and every thing will be fine in 10 minutes, it will help you later to throw out the waste (phlegm).

One of the useful home remedies for cough is to take 1-2 gm powder of black pepper, long pepper, and dry ginger in equal ratios. Take this mixture of powder with honey, 2-3 times a day.

Cough cure - Take some garlic and boil them in water, and drink it. You can add sugar to improve the taste.

Crush some black pepper and eat them with honey.

Chop up an onion, and pour honey over it. Let it be on a sauce pan on low flame for few minutes. Now take some honey from it and allow it to be in your throat. Do not drink water for at least half an hour of this treatment.

For dry and frequent cough take 1-2 gm powder of fried turmeric with honey, thrice a day. This is one of the useful cough treatment.

Take 2-3 cloves and fry them in butter or ghee, and chew them.

Take half a gram of powder of long pepper and mix it with rock salt, twice a day, with hot water. This is one of the simplest cough remedy.

Take some garlic pieces and then boil it in water, add some sugar, lemon and honey to it and drink it.

Take equal parts of black pepper, dry ginger, and sugar mixed in ghee or butter two times a day.

This home remedy for cough is one of the most useful ones. Take some water in the pot and put it to boil, after the water boils, put three cloves of garlic, one spoon of oregano and leave water for boiling around 4 -5 minutes. Take this water in cup and drink directly or add it in milk and then drink it.

Take little water say ¼ cup , to this add 2 teaspoons of honey, half a lemon, cinnamon and one eucalyptus leaf and drink it.

Take some eucalyptus and mint leaves and boil them in water. Now inhale its vapors while the water cools. It will help you in curing your cough. This is an another natural remedy for cough.

Controlling Coughs

Coughs are involuntary spasms of the respiratory tract, but adults can learn to control them. There are also some things you can do so that cough will not happen at all. The following are some preventive measures:-

(i) As the exact reason for cough is not certain we have to be very careful in selecting foods as some of them can aggravate coughs. Avoid sour substances if they are not suitable like curd, pickles, lemon etc.

(ii) Intake of cold water and other chilled products like ice creams soft drinks should be avoided. If not completely but at least they can be restricted.

(iii) Be away from allergens like dust, smoke. Fumes, gases, etc as much as you can. Cover your face with a handkerchief if possible. If you are riding vehicle frequently than make use of mask or other such products to cover your self.

(iv) Certain aroma is not suitable to you so be far from them.

(v) Daily if possible consume one tea spoon of honey.

(vi) If any member in your house has cough problem, keep children away from them and follow hygienic conditions.

(vii) Quit smoking as this is the major reason for cough.

(viii) Stop consumption of alcohol as they reduce blood sugar level and causes pain in head.

(ix) Avoid crowded places as cough is infectious, keep handkerchief in front of your mouth whenever you cough or sneeze

(x) Wash your hands properly before eating, and take a bath if possible after coming from outside.

Add your Home Remedy below..

Comments

tea

take fresh tulsi leaves,2-3 cloves,ginger,add them in tea and take it as black tea in 2 times in a day for 3 days with your cough fever also cure

#1 - rashmi - 12/28/2007 - 04:50

I drank lots of chamomile tea with 1/8 teaspoon of honey it really helped and in no time I was feeling better

#2 - zack - 04/08/2008 - 22:53

boil 2 cinnamon sticks the big thick ones and 1 tablespoon of oregano in a large pot of water approximately 10 cups of water let it boil and then after it boils for about 15 minutes let it stand for 30 minutes and drink it 3 times a day this will help loosen up phlem and make you cough it all up

#3 - rosa gallardo - 08/04/2008 - 19:33

Boil,turmeric powder and carraway seeds and dried ginger in a cup of milk and drink with sugar added to taste.cures sore throat and cough

#4 - Monica - 08/14/2008 - 01:13

boil coca cola and a red onion together; boil until onion loses color;
strain and let stand until warm. Add honey for taste.
This remedy is for those who either get the: flu, bronchitis or chest cold.

I will definately help you sleep at night.

#5 - deboah - 01/18/2009 - 19:28

2 cups grapefruit juice (unsweetned), lemon cut into wedges, and 1 teaspoon of honey bring to a broil sip while hot

#6 - Tsa - 03/29/2009 - 14:55

Oregano oil (pure) and lots of water.

#7 - Patrick - 08/24/2009 - 13:44

Mix cayenne pepper, ginger, honey, apple cider vinegar and garlic and drink twice a day, for a couple of days.

#8 - daldal - 09/13/2009 - 19:33

mix honey, ghee. lemon, pepper, tulsi, betel, ginger. and drink 2 to 3 times a day. This will cure the cough a litte. but please see a doctor.

#9 - shalini - 10/14/2009 - 02:47

To help with cough, put a good amount of Vicks Vapor Rub on the bottom of both feet get a pair of larger socks on or wrap them with any Cloth just so it won't get all over the bed and covers, and stays on feet longer. Please do try this on little children.

#10 - Lisa - 10/15/2009 - 21:14

I just posted the home remedy regarding vicks vapor rub, I meant to say DO NOT try this on children.

#11 - Lisa - 10/15/2009 - 21:19

Take abt 2 gms of Black Pepper, 1 gm of Raw rice and 1 gram of jaggery. Gind to powder and swallow. A perfect medicine for COUGH.

#12 - Malli - 11/23/2009 - 08:36

take some lemon and honend mix them together and take at least 3 teaspoons every 2 hours

#13 - ali - 11/27/2009 - 20:41

take chop ginger and honey mix it and take it 5 times a day

#14 - re - 11/29/2009 - 13:40

i just drink hot pepper soup and it really helps!!

#15 - yang - 12/16/2009 - 22:57

make kada of tulsi,ginger and black pepper with one gl[@] of water and boil till it goes half have 2 times a day. it is for both children and adults.

#16 - anita - 12/22/2009 - 00:06

soak fenugreek overnite ,grind and drink it to get relive from chest cold.

#17 - pranav - 01/05/2010 - 03:18

i am suffering from cough sor last 6 months. i am 21 years old man. please help me.

#18 - sajeshdude@rocketmail.com - 01/07/2010 - 07:07

Do You have some home remedies which can be used along with levodopa tablet for parkinson patient?

#19 - Sunil Pandya - 01/13/2010 - 22:52

mix black pepper,ginger,onion, honey with hot clear chicken soup, take it twice with your meal.

#20 - rehanhere@gmail.com - 01/29/2010 - 04:57

hi

#21 - aneet tuli - 02/25/2010 - 11:24

boil water with fresh oregano 2 to 3 cloves of garlic add pure honey. Turn the heat off and let it sit for about 5 minutes then add the juice of a lemon and drink all day.

#22 - negrinskys - 03/03/2010 - 10:14

for cough u should keep some chruna with u eg vyoshadi churna and try the yoga asans and mudras like mahabandh.

#23 - tarun - 03/27/2010 - 13:14

ya try kapalbharti(exhale air forcefully)thats very usefull

#24 - ruchi - 04/13/2010 - 09:48

take mulethi twice a day

#25 - Deep - 05/05/2010 - 04:49

look for a south african tea available worldwide called 'rooibos tea' or 'red bush tea'. If you cannot find rooibos, replace it with chamomile... make a strong cup of the rooibos tea, no sugar, no milk... add 3 squirts of UNSWEETENED lemon juice with no preservatives, then a tea spoon and a half of honey... this is a traditional south african remedy... its been working for 100s of years... instant relief!!

#26 - buzz - 06/06/2010 - 16:18

boil, water, tea leaves, ginger and black pepper. this is really helpfull for cold and bad cough.

#27 - payal - 06/14/2010 - 04:51

Take 2 Tbs of Worster sauce and mix with ground black peper. Instant relief for a nagging cough.

#28 - Sumaya Khan - 06/30/2010 - 15:15

l like u suggestion and i had try at my home for my hasband and he had really contol his badly cough in 2 day.

#29 - Aditi - 09/04/2010 - 06:41

Take one cup milik, turmaric powder, ginger and small quantity in sugar just for test. All thik are boil for 5min. Then drink it use can control your cough.

#30 - Dipika - 09/04/2010 - 06:49

I am suffering from cough for 15 days. (age 22 yrs)taking cough syrups, and drinking hot water, no positives till now. Any remedies? please get back on ruchirkhanna88@gmail.com

#31 - Ruchir Khanna - 09/11/2010 - 11:34

Take 1 spoon of honey every 10-15 min's mixed with some warm water.

#32 - Nick - 09/15/2010 - 03:41

boil pepper, onion, garlic, chili, a pinch of salt and lemon. this will loosen your cough if ts dry.

#33 - mercury drug - 09/18/2010 - 22:30

Boil half a cup of water and add garlic, black pepper and orange juice. Slap your face twice then turn around in an anti clock-wise direction once only. Pour the half cup of boiled water over your left shoulder while whistling

#34 - steven - 09/24/2010 - 09:36

Lisa - you can use Vicks on little kids feet, i do it all the time wiht my chidren they are 5 and 3, works VERY well with them and helps them get rid of their colds/coughs in 2 days

Garlic, vitamin c, fenegreek & marshmallow also work wonders to ward off colds and help rid chests of bacteria and cold/flu symptoms

#35 - Kathy - 10/09/2010 - 17:07

pls help me i have consecutive coughing like every minute and can't get a break i have tried 2 remedies on this list still nothing :(

#36 - lisa - 10/11/2010 - 05:02

Nothing used to cure cough
boile one lt. water and add some salt in, put water in you neck close your mouth and out some voice............. Twice or three time daily

#37 - Manmohan Tripathi - 11/09/2010 - 01:52

I get sick VERY often. It starts out only as a sinus infection then goes into an annoying cough. I just tried the salt and pepper thing and I'm praying it will work. I'm also putting some tumoric in some tea w/honey. hope this works!!

#38 - Katie - 11/17/2010 - 18:15

i have had a nagging cough for 8months can anyone tell me what to do.

#39 - shanny - 11/19/2010 - 10:20

i tried the onion and honey mixture but i kicked mine up a knotch by adding dill seed an boy my cough hasnt come back since yesterday.so i am going 2 keep this up 4 aweek and c what happens.

#40 - shanny - 11/20/2010 - 07:51

raw chopped ginger with black salt twice minimum in a day for 3 to 5 days....

#41 - anindita - 11/28/2010 - 09:23

I have found this mixture to work for a dry cough. It was recommended to me a friend from Mexico. Mullein(Gordolobo) stalks and flowers(NOT THE LEAVES).I buy it at Mexican stores but I am sure it can be found elsewhere. bring a lot of Mullein to a boil in water and let steep. strain out the flowers(use a very fine strainer). Put the liquid in a cup and add fresh lemon juice(just enough that it coats your throat but should not taste strongly of lemon) add honey to taste and drink. I mainly drank it right before bed to help with night coughing. It seemed to work well. Once again this was for a "dry cough". It was a chronic cough too. It did not stop me from having to go to the doctor but it did relieve symptoms of night coughing. Before trying this you should make sure you do not have an allergy to it. It is important to use wise judgement when using any home remedy.

#42 - HCS - 11/29/2010 - 12:41

I have a children of age 2 yrs he is often affected with cold and cough give the solution for me? plz

#43 - yoga - 11/30/2010 - 04:16

Teaspoon of ginger juice,teaspoon of ginger powder,a tablespoon of honey works good.Take before sleeping,& don't drink water on this.

#44 - Manju - 12/15/2010 - 23:57

MY WIFE HAS PROBLEM OF THROWING LOT WHITE FLAME(MUCUAS) WHEN SHE COUGH
CAN ANY BODY HELP HOW TO SLOVE THIS PROBLEM
I WILL BE HIGHLY OBLIGED
MY EMAIL is gptradeagency@hotmail.com
THANKS
BIRINDER SINGH

#45 - BIRINDER SINGH - 12/22/2010 - 02:02

try one boiled rootabega (turnip) with some parsley flakes- Boil for 30 minutes and serve over some warm honey drenched spinach leaves after you microwave the leaves to offset impurities...

#46 - Big Flip - 12/24/2010 - 00:18

Try cough drops and cough syrup!

#47 - Triaminic - 12/31/2010 - 10:49

Whiskey Cough Remedy:

1x part Whiskey
1x part Honey
A few drops of lemon juice
Sugar for taste...

Mix Whiskey & Honey in equal amounts.
Add sugar for taste and let it disolve in mixture.
Add a few drops of Lemon Juice... (Jar it) for storage...

Take 1-2 tsps of mixture (acts like a cough syrup), 3-4 times daily...

#48 - Siorai - 01/01/2011 - 15:50

i have a really bad cough, i have tried cough drops and meds, i been taking the honey but it only works for a few minutes and i cant take honey and a spoon with me at work and sometimes it makes me throw up, what is a easy remedy i can do, my email is hawgboy1987@yahoo.com please help me i am miserable

#49 - Joshua Crabtree - 01/04/2011 - 22:04

Early in the morning after you brush your teeth, without having anything you should take a slice of Ginger dipped in salt, chew and swallow it followed by this A cut lemon dipped in Jeera (cumin Seeds) and salt squeeze the lemon into your mouth and for best results chew the whole lemon. This will be highly effective for getting rid of mucus followed by wet cough.

#50 - Sheik - 01/08/2011 - 05:33

I solve your problem birender singh
First of all check from highly official doctor. If doctor have no solution of this problem then you come to me.

#51 - surajkumarhyfy - 01/10/2011 - 19:51

dont have honey cough hurts have to go to school and it interupts my teacher what to do

#52 - bob - 01/22/2011 - 19:45

Like many of you I suffered from persistant cough. One of the web sites suggested two drops of Oil of Oregano each day. I tried it in a smallgl[@] of orange juice and it works for me. A little stinging of the lips and tongue for about 10 minutes afterward the only side effects. Apparently the oil attacks infection in the throat they may be centered with the toncels.

#53 - Ken - 02/25/2011 - 08:35

i am suffering from cough,almost 1 week,pls help me to cure this cough...i keep dringking luke warm water w/ calamansi but still did not work...i cant sleep well too...pls help me..tnx much...

#54 - cel - 03/04/2011 - 20:14

for allergic coughs try a good quality nettle herb.anise or yansoon as they call in arabic,tea bags are also available.just put some anise in a cup of boiling water,leave it at least for 1 hour,or better add a little more in a flask add boiling hot water 3 or 4 cups drink throughout the day.it really helps.

#55 - concerned - 03/11/2011 - 06:32

Hot Totti

1 shot of whiskey
black tea
honey to taste
1tsp sugar
1tbsp lemon juice

boil all together and drink while hot. it's magic!!

#56 - annie - 03/16/2011 - 05:24

wow thank u, the brandy+honey made my throat feel a lot better almost instantly. even though i feel the irritation again right now, it's a lot less and my cough isn't as wild

#57 - Teg Sandhu - 03/17/2011 - 07:03

take mulethi

#58 - mandira - 07/18/2011 - 11:20

I am suffering from allergic cough from 7-8 years, i have taken several medician but still problem persist only temporary reliefe getting from medician......i want permanent cure please advise me good treatment and send me at lakhan_done@yahoo.com

#59 - lakhan - 09/03/2011 - 13:45

Have had this cough for a few days...just boiled a cup of milk, ginger and tumeric. Hopefully it works !

#60 - Aradhna - 09/25/2011 - 05:33

Have had a cold for 9 days. Feel fine now aside from a persistant nagging cough. Very phlemy and my nose is constantly running. Been drinking lots of green tea with honey and drinking water with 3 drops oil of oregano in it all day, every day. No relief. Tried Buckley's cough syrup but the taste made me throw up. Fun times.

#61 - Lynz - 10/04/2011 - 16:25

FRY CLOVE CHEWING 3 TO 4 TIMES IN A DAY IT IS A GOOD HOME
REMEDY FOR DRY COUGH&NIGHT COUGH.

#62 - GOVINDA - 10/13/2011 - 10:10

i would suggest first eating some kind of protien based food plant or animal along with two or three cloves of garlic plus if can beef liver mornings only. always rinse mouth out first with plain tap water,in order that cleaning your tongue flossing,brushing teeth gargA iling two table spoons warm table salt water.

#63 - john duprat - 10/21/2011 - 03:55

Honey+Lemon+Tea=Quick 1-2 Day Remedy (tea preferably chamomile)

#64 - Advice - 11/03/2011 - 21:34

I'm trying to remember a natural remedy that I used long ago. Goes something like this: Boil water in a saucepan. Bring temp down to simmer with green onion stalks, fresh ginger slices and fresh lemon slices (about 7 minutes, I think). Then remove from heat and let rest for about ten minutes. Remove ginger, onion, and lemon. Reheat to desired temp. and sip slowly.

#65 - hilomoon - 11/04/2011 - 01:35

The Onion juice mix with honey is a great one!

#66 - Robert F - 11/09/2011 - 07:09

Very helpful info

#67 - Priyanka - 12/05/2011 - 00:38

This is great information that everyone is sharing. However, I just wanted to put out there that anyone that has said to drink "warm milk" is giving out false information. Dairy, such as milk, will make mucus congestion ten times worse that before you drank the milk. I would try something along the lines as black coffee or tea. If you can not stomach these things, you could use Hot Chocolate as an alternative, but Tea is the best option, preferably peppermint tea is great. I would then take an over the counter cough medicene, like Robitusine, and consult your local doctor.

#68 - Meghan - 01/23/2012 - 08:34

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