Dry cough is a common complaint experienced by many people including kids. Sometimes it may be an indication of an underlying problem and may need medical treatment. However, most of the times it is a result of throat irritation and can be relieved by home remedies. Want to know what to take for dry cough? Know some home remedies for dry cough that can help you deal with it in a better way.
What To Do For Dry Cough?
Each time allergens or dust enters the throat, lungs or airways, the body coughs to expel the irritants. Coughing is the body’s way of eliminating mucus and foreign substances from the upper airway passages and lungs. Productive cough is often useful, and one should try not to eliminate them. While dry cough is a natural reflex, which is designed to protect the body, constant dry coughing can be quite bothersome and at times can be severe enough to disturb normal breathing and resting.
The commonest causes of dry cough are sinusitis, infection in the respiratory tract, pneumonia, allergy from pollen, dust, etc. Common symptoms of dry cough are dry and sore throat, absence of phlegm, weakened immunity, irritability and fatigue. Wondering what to do for dry cough?
Here are some of the best things you can do for dry cough:
Hydration: Stay well hydrated to keep dry cough at bay. Fluids, like honey in hot water, lemon juice or tea, can help in thinning secretions, soothing an irritated throat and relieving dry cough.
Avoid Pollution: Avoid exposure to inhaled irritants like dust, smoke and other pollutants; wear the right type of face mask.
Keep Head Elevated: Elevate the head with extra pillows at night to ease dry cough.
Treat the Cause: Treat dry cough that may be related to heart burn and acidity.
Humidifier: Use a humidifier for adding moisture to the air. Only water should be used in the humidifier.
Cough Syrup: Try a cough drop to soothe the irritated throat. It should however be remembered that most cough drops do not have any effect on the cough-producing process.
Avoid Smoking: Avoid the use of all forms of tobacco, like smoking, can help to relieve dry cough.
When you wonder what to do for dry cough, there are a variety of options, mainly depending on the causes and symptoms of dry cough. Medicines are definitely effective, but must be taken only with prescription. Particularly cough syrups and other anti-allergic medications. Along with medicines, certain home treatments also prove effective in bringing comfort and relief to individuals suffering from dry cough. Know the most effective home remedies for dry cough.
6 Home Remedies For Dry Cough
Wondering what to take for dry cough from throat irritation or minor causes? Home remedies can be a great option. Home remedies for dry cough are easy-to-follow, natural cough remedies prove extremely effective in boosting the immune system. These remedies are made of all-natural ingredients and are safe to use for kids too.
Here are some of the most popular home remedies for dry cough, made from simple kitchen ingredients.
Spiced Tea
Spiced tea or herbal tea is one of the most effective home remedies for dry cough. A cup of hot tea can bring considerable relief to constant coughing. Adding warm spices to the regular cup of tea can prove helpful in curing dry cough naturally. A spoonful of aniseeds, few thin slices of ginger or a stick of cinnamon can be added to the tea for best results.
Turmeric Milk
Turmeric, the golden spice, is an excellent natural antibiotic which has been hailed for its curative benefits since ages. Turmeric milk has been one of the most popular home remedies for dry cough since ancient times. Adding a pinch of powdered turmeric to a glass of warm milk and drinking this milk before going to bed at night has proven effective in relieving dry cough. This milk helps to calm the throat and improves sleep as well.
Basil Leaves
Holy basil or Tulsi is a powerful antioxidant which displays excellent anti-bacterial properties and helps in curing cough instantly. Chewing some fresh basil leaves or steeping them in boiling water and then drinking it up proves to be an effective home remedy for dry cough. Adding some drops of basil essential oil to a pot of hot water and inhaling its steam can help in getting rid of a tickly throat.
Homemade Honey Cough Syrup
One can instantly relieve dry cough with a natural cough syrup made by mixing 2 tbsp. of coconut oil, 5 tbsp. of honey and 1 tbsp. of lemon juice. This syrup helps to boost immunity and offers excellent benefits for children with cough. Honey has great medicinal properties and also helps soothes the throat, making it an important home remedy for dry cough.
Aloe Juice
With its excellent anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera proves to be an effective home remedy for scratchy and dry cough. Mixing some honey in a glass of aloe juice, and drinking this juice once a day can help cure dry cough right away!
Onion Remedy
The presence of healing sulfur in onion makes it an excellent remedy for dry, chronic cough. A powerful curative syrup for dry cough can be made by mixing 1 tsp of honey and 1 tsp of raw onion juice and letting this mix stand for about 4 hours. Taking this syrup three times a day can help in getting rid of this chronic problem. Dry cough can also be cured by drinking warm onion broth.
The above home remedies for dry cough can surely offer great relief. However, for persistent cough and presence of other symptoms or fever, it is best to seek medical opinion.