Cough medicines and Remedies:. Menthol This natural cooling ingredient is found in plants such as mint. View Sources. Was this article helpful? YES NO. The best treatment for you based on your tastes and lifestyle.
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Read article. Lean over the bowl and place a towel over the head. This traps the steam.
Inhale the vapors for 5 minutes. If the steam feels hot on the skin, discontinue until the skin cools down. People with a wet cough or chest congestion may also wish to follow the recommendations of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute NHLBI and use a cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer in their home.
Marshmallow root is an herb that has a long history of use as a treatment for coughs and sore throats. The herb can ease irritation resulting from coughing because of its high mucilage content. Mucilage is a thick, gluey substance that coats the throat. One small study revealed that an herbal cough syrup containing marshmallow root, along with thyme and ivy, effectively relieved coughs resulting from common colds and respiratory tract infections.
After 12 days of taking the syrup, 90 percent of the participants rated its effectiveness as good or very good. Marshmallow root is also available as a dried herb or a bagged tea. Add hot water to either and then drink it immediately or allow it to cool first.
The longer the marshmallow root steeps in the water, the more mucilage will be in the drink. Side effects can include stomach upset, but it may be possible to counter this by drinking extra fluids.
Marshmallow root is available to purchase in health stores or online. This simple remedy is one of the most effective for treating a sore throat and wet cough. Salt water reduces phlegm and mucus in the back of the throat which can lessen the need to cough.
Stir half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it dissolves. Allow the solution to cool slightly before using it to gargle. Let the mixture sit at the back of the throat for a few moments before spitting it out. Gargle with salt water several times each day until the cough improves. Avoid giving salt water to younger children as they may not be able to gargle properly, and swallowing salt water can be dangerous. Bromelain is an enzyme that comes from pineapples. It is most plentiful in the core of the fruit.
Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and may also have mucolytic properties, which means that it can break down mucus and remove it from the body. Some people drink pineapple juice daily to reduce mucus in the throat and suppress coughing. However, there may not be enough bromelain in the juice to relieve symptoms. Bromelain supplements are available and may be more effective at relieving a cough.
However, it is best to speak with a doctor before trying any new supplements. It is possible to be allergic to bromelain , and this herb can also cause side effects and interact with medications.
People who take blood thinners or specific antibiotics should not take bromelain. Thyme has both culinary and medicinal uses and is a common remedy for a cough, a sore throat, bronchitis , and digestive issues.
One study found that a cough syrup consisting of thyme and ivy leaves relieved coughing more effectively and more rapidly than a placebo syrup in people with acute bronchitis. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Relieving A Cough. Top of the page. Topic Overview Coughing is your body's way of getting foreign substances and mucus out of your lungs and upper airway passages.
Drink fluids to keep from getting dehydrated. Water may help loosen mucus and soothe an irritated throat. Dry, hacking coughs may respond to honey in hot water, tea, or lemon juice. Do not give honey to children younger than 1 year of age. Elevate your head with extra pillows at night to ease a dry cough.
Try a cough drop to soothe an irritated throat. Expensive medicine-flavored cough drops are not any better than inexpensive candy-flavored ones or hard candy.
Shop for peppermint oil. Marshmallow is made from Althaea officinalis , a perennial that flowers in summer. The leaves and roots of the herb have been used since ancient times to treat sore throats and suppress coughs. There are no well-controlled studies to support these claims, but the herb is generally considered safe.
Today, you can get marshmallow root as tea or in capsule form. Get marshmallow root tea or capsules here. Thyme is used by some for respiratory illnesses. One study suggested that the essence extracted from thyme leaves mixed with ivy can help relieve coughing as well as short-term bronchitis.
The leaves contain compounds called flavonoids that relax the throat muscles involved in coughing and lessen inflammation. You can make thyme tea at home using 2 teaspoons of crushed thyme leaves and 1 cup of boiling water.
Cover the cup, steep for 10 minutes, and strain. Find thyme tea. While the remedy may seem relatively simple, a salt and water gargle can help soothe a scratchy throat that causes you to cough.
In addition to learning how to treat a cough, you might want to learn how to prevent them in the first place. To protect against flu, make sure you get your annual flu shot , usually starting in October. Other steps you can take include the following:.
With allergies, you can reduce flare-ups by identifying the allergens that affect you and avoiding exposure to them. Common allergens include trees, pollen, dust mites, animal fur, mold, and insects.
Allergy shots are helpful as well and can reduce your sensitivity to allergens. Talk to your doctor about what plan is right for you.
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