Before knowing home remedy of dry cough, let’s see what dry cough is and how it happens. Coughing is simply your body’s protective mechanism to eliminate blockages from the airways. Mucus is not produced with a dry cough. Nothing comes out of your cough since there is no mucus obstructing your airways or lungs. It is an unproductive cough due to the absence of mucus (phlegm). (1)

Dry cough can also be brought on by other conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, sinusitis, tuberculosis, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and interstitial lung diseases in addition to environmental factors like smoke, dust, pollution, mold, pollen, and other allergies. Home remedy of dry cough has been used ever since humans used medicine. Most dry coughs clear up when you treat the underlying cause. Over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines aren’t usually that helpful. And children younger than 4 years of age shouldn’t take any cough medicine because of the risk of serious side effects. Since humans first began using medication, home remedy of dry cough has been in use. When the underlying cause is treated, the majority of dry coughs disappear. Cough medications sold over the counter (OTC) are typically not very effective. Additionally, due to the possibility of serious side effects, children under the age of 4 shouldn’t use any cough medications.

Home Remedy of Dry Cough

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dry cough home remedies. Before settling on the one that works for you, you might have to try out a few. These DIY solutions can assist:

Drink plenty of liquids

To stay hydrated, drink plenty of liquids. Try hot herbal tea, decaffeinated black tea, warm water with honey and lemon, and warm fruit juices to calm irritated airways. They aid in relieving the symptoms of cough and sore throat.

Raw honey

One of nature’s greatest gifts and one of the most traditional home remedies for a dry cough is honey. In addition to having anti-inflammatory characteristics, it also has antibacterial effects that can reduce mild viral or bacterial infections. It effectively treats daytime and night-time dry coughing in both adults and kids (over 2 years old). Honey stimulates the salivary glands to create more saliva, lubricating your airways and making coughing less irritating on your throat. To treat your dry cough, take one to three tablespoons of honey each day. Alternatively, you can ingest it by mixing it into a cup of hot water or herbal tea. Tip: Never feed honey to a youngster who is younger than one year old. Honey can cause botulism in babies.

Ginger

Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties help to strengthen the immune system and lessen cough-related irritation. It is an expectorant that will assist remove mucus and lower the intensity of your coughing episodes, making it one of the most effective home remedies for dry cough. Tip: Choosing teas with ginger as an ingredient is a good idea. You can also take half a teaspoon of ginger powder mixed with a cup of hot water three times per day. As an alternative, combine a spoonful of raw honey and ginger juice and consume it twice daily. Nevertheless, consuming too much ginger may cause heartburn or stomach discomfort.

Turmeric

Turmeric, which contains curcumin, has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Since ancient times, Ayurveda has employed turmeric to treat respiratory conditions. When consumed with black pepper, curcumin is most effectively absorbed into the bloodstream. Tip: To drink, combine 1 teaspoon turmeric and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in a beverage such as cold orange juice. It can also be prepared into a warm cup of tea. A teaspoon of turmeric can be added to hot milk or any other hot beverage and consumed right before bed to prevent throat irritation. You can also directly consume 500 mg of turmeric powder twice daily.

Steam

One of the best natural treatments for a dry cough that also aids in clearing mucus is steam inhalation. Warm steam will assist to moisturize dry and irritated nasal passages, relieving throat pain, and lessening the severity of your cough. To increase the effectiveness of steam inhalation, just add a few drops of essential oils, such as Nilgiri oil (eucalyptus oil), rosemary oil, or tea tree oil, to a large bowl of boiling water to create steam. These might ease congestion. Put a towel over your head and lean over the bowl to breathe in the vapors for 10 to 15 minutes.

Salt water gargles

Since saltwater is osmotic, it reverses the flow of fluids and draws moisture away from the sore area which helps to reduce swelling and also the irritation produced by dry coughing. Take a glass of warm water and add a half tablespoon of salt to it. Prior to gargling, let it cool. You must let the saltwater sit at the back of your throat for a few seconds before spitting it out. Repeat for several days to get the best results. Advice: Gargle with salt water several times each day till your condition gets better. Don’t give small toddlers salt water to gargle with since they might swallow it and get sick.

Peppermint

Menthol, which is present in peppermint, helps to numb throat nerve endings that become irritated by coughing. This might lessen the urge to cough and relieve pain. In addition to its antibacterial and antiviral properties, peppermint also aids in clearing congestion. Peppermint can be consumed in a variety of ways. Several of these include consuming peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint lozenges. Before going to bed, try sipping peppermint tea to help with nighttime coughing.

Suck on cough drops or hard candies

The production of saliva that calms the throat is stimulated by sucking on hard candy. However, children under the age of four should not be given cough drops or hard sweets since they can choke.

Use a humidifier

A cool-mist humidifier adds moisture to the air. This added moisture relieves dry coughs, sore throats, and nasal passages. Taking a hot bath or steamy shower is another way to increase your moisture levels. Humidifiers are helpful for persistent postnasal drip because they facilitate sinus opening.

Diet

Food allergies can cause a dry cough in certain people. Avoid eating specific foods if you find that they cause you to cough.

Sometimes certain health issues can increase your risk of coughing:

If you frequently experience respiratory allergy symptoms, avoiding some foods that are high in histamines will help alleviate your symptoms, particularly if you’re coughing. Mushrooms, avocados, dry fruits, alcohol, mature cheese, pickled foods, seafood, smoked meat, chocolate, and strawberries are histamine-rich foods.
Acid reflux can also produce a chronic cough. Avoid high-fat foods, acidic foods (particularly tomatoes), chocolate, coffee, and spicy foods if you have acid reflux, as they can all aggravate your symptoms.
Dairy products
Caffeine-rich beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks
Fried foods
High-sugar foods

Marshmallow root

Marshmallow root is a herb that has been used for centuries to heal coughs and sore throats. Due to the herb’s high mucilage content, coughing-related irritation can be relieved. The mucilage that coats the throat is a thick, glue-like substance. Additionally, dried herbs and bagged teas made from marshmallow root are readily accessible. Either drink it right away after adding hot water, or wait until it cools down first. The amount of mucilage in the beverage increases with the amount of time the marshmallow root steeps in the water.

Stomach distress is one of the potential side effects, but this may be managed by consuming more fluids. (2)

Preventive Measures

Maintain proper hygiene and wash your hands frequently to prevent respiratory diseases.
Avoid irritants and allergens including chemicals, mold and perfumes.
Give up smoking and stay away from passive smoking.

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Home Remedy of Dry Cough

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