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Home Remedies Index
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Natural Home Remedies for Cough
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The air passages of the lungs are lined with cells
secreting mucus, which normally traps particles of dust
When the membranes get infected and inflamed, the
secretion of mucus increases and the lining of the air
passages is irritated. Coughing is the action by which
excess mucus is driven out.
A person who is going to cough first draws a deep breath
in. This action causes his glottis to dose and his muscles
to contract, thus building up pressure in the chest Then
suddenly, the glottis opens, an explosive discharge of air
sweeps through the air passages and carries with it the
excess secretions or, in some cases, foreign matter, which
has irritated the larynx, trachea, or bronchi.
A cough may be caused by inflammation of the larynx or
the pharynx.
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A cough can develop in the chest due to change in weather or seasonal changes.
The real cause of this disorder, however, is clogging of the bronchial tubes with waste matter. This is due to
wrong feeding habits. The reason for higher incidence of cough during winter than in other seasons is that an
average person usually eats more of catarrh-forming foods such as white bread, meat, sugar, porridge,
puddings, and pies during the colder months of the year. Being over clothed with heavy undergarments and
other garments during this period also prevents proper aeration of the skin.
Aniseed Cough Treatment:
Aniseed is another effective remedy for a hard dry cough with difficult expectoration. It breaks up the mucus. A
tea made from this spice should be taken regularly for treating this condition.
Parsley Cough Treatment:
This is good to use for a persistent, stubborn cough. Pour 2 1/2 cups of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dried
agrimony flowers or leaves, and 1 tablespoon dried parsley. Cover and steep until the mixture is cool. Strain. Use
as a gargle to soothe sore throats. To stop persistent coughs, take 2-3 tablespoons of the infusion morning and
evening.
Grapes Cough Treatment:
Grapes are one of the most effective home remedies for the treatment of a cough. Grapes tone up the lungs and
act as an expectorant, relieving a simple cold and cough in a couple of days. A cup of grape juice mixed with a
teaspoon of honey is advised for cough relief.
Almonds Cough Treatment:
Almonds are useful for dry coughs. Seven kernels should be soaked in water overnight and the brown skin
removed. They should then be ground well to form a fine paste. A quantity of twenty grams each of butter and
sugar should men be added to the paste. This paste should be taken in the morning and evening.
Onion Cough Treatment:
The use of raw onion is valuable in a cough. This vegetable should be chopped fine and the juice extracted from
it. One teaspoon of the juice should then be mixed with one teaspoon of honey and kept for four or five hours—it
will make an excellent cough syrup and should be taken twice daily. Onions are also useful in removing phlegm. A
medium-sized onion should be crushed, the juice of one lemon added to it, and then one cup of boiling water
poured on it A teaspoon of honey can be added for taste. This remedy should be taken two or three times a day.
Turmeric:
The root of the turmeric plant is useful in a dry cough. The root should be roasted and powdered. This powder
should be taken in three gram doses twice daily, in the morning and evening.
Raisins:
A sauce prepared from raisins is also useful in a cough. This sauce is prepared by grinding 100 gm of raisins with
water. About 100 gm of sugar should be mixed with it and the mixture heated. When the mixture acquires a
sauce-like consistency, it should be preserved. Twenty grams should be taken at bedtime daily.
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Cough Syrup Recipes
Garlic Cough Syrup
This is a remedy for bronchial complaints ranging from bronchitis
to asthma. Slice 2 1/2 cups of fresh garlic into 4 cups of water.
Bruise 2 tablespoons each of caraway and fennel seeds. Add to
garlic water. Boil this mixture until garlic is soft. Let stand 12-14
hours in a very tightly closed container. Measure the mixture at
the end of 14 hours and add an equal amount of cider vinegar.
Bring again to a boil, adding enough sugar to make a syrup. For
coughing, take 1 teaspoon every morning or when necessary.
Cough Syrup with Elecampane
Put 1 tablespoon each of elecampane, coltsfoot, Irish moss,
lobelia, and 3 tablespoons boneset in a pint of water. Boil down
to half the liquid. Strain well and add 2 cups of honey.
Refrigerate and take by the tablespoon as needed for cough.
Borage Cough Syrup
Place 1/2 cup of borage leaves in blender along with 1/2 cup of
water. Blend until mixture is of a smooth consistency. Place in
an enamel pan and add 2 cups of honey. Bring to a boil, stirring
constantly. Remove from heat and add the juice from 2 lemons.
Take 1-2 tablespoons as needed for coughs.
Cough Syrup with Slippery Elm Bark
Put 1 tablespoon each of boneset, Irish moss, white yarrow;
slippery elm bark, thyme, peppermint, horehound, and lemon
balm in 4 cups of boiling water. Steep for 30 minutes. Strain well
and add 4 cups of honey. Drink several cups of this liquid a day
for coughs.
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Cherry Cough Syrup
Place 2 cups of cherries in a pan and add just enough water to cover. Add several lemon slices and 2 cups of honey. Simmer
the mixture until cherries are soft. Remove from heat. Remove the lemon slices and the cherry pits from the mixture.
Refrigerate and take several tablespoons as needed for coughing.
Expectorant for Coughs
Mix 1/4 cup each of mullein and mallow flowers. (Either the mullein leaves or flowers can be used.) Add 1 tablespoon of herb
mixture to 1 cup of boiling water. Strain and add several cloves and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Sweeten with honey.
Loosens chest congestion and promotes discharge of mucus.
Thyme Cough Syrup
Pour 2 cups boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dried thyme. Cool to room temperature. Strain and add 1 cup of honey.
Shake to mix well. Keep refrigerated. Take 1 tablespoon several times a day for sore throats, colds, and coughing.
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