10 Home Remedies For Dry Cough
A cough is a protective reflex of the body. It is repetitive, sudden, and aims to clear the airways from irritants, foreign particles, microbes, and fluids. While it can be a normal physiological reflex, repetitive coughing can indicate that there is an underlying disease. From an evolutionary perspective, coughing benefits the pathogens as the hosts helps spread the microbes to other potential hosts.
Coughing can occur due to an underlying infection, choking, smoking, air pollution, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, lung tumors, and bronchitis. While coughing does not usually cause pain, it can be a debilitating symptom as it can interrupt sleep and affect work and school performance. Severe cases of coughing can cause a sore throat, chest pain, and rib pain.
Coughs can generally be divided into wet and dry coughs. Wet coughs occur when the cough is productive or brings up mucus. Dry coughs refer to coughs that do not bring up mucus. Patients with a dry cough often describe a tickle in the back of the throat. Some causes of dry coughs include upper respiratory infections, croup, sinusitis, asthma, and laryngitis. Although there are medications available, there are also some home remedies that can be beneficial for a dry cough.
Home Remedy #1: Honey
Honey is a sweet and viscous substance produced by bees through the collection of flower nectar. Through other additional processes such as enzymatic activity, water evaporation, and regurgitation, honey is made and stored in honeycombs, which can be collected for human consumption. The sweetness of honey can be attributed to the presence of fructose and glucose.
Honey is thought to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties as most microorganisms are unable to grow in honey. Honey that is sealed keeps well, even after many years. Traditionally, honey has been used to treat burns and wounds. For a cough, it helps soothe the irritated and inflamed throat, which reduces coughing.
Home Remedy #2: Salt Water Gargle
Salt water gargle is a well-known remedy for a sore throat and cough. It has been around for many years and is often one of those remedies passed on from generation to generation. Easily available and accessible to all, it has been found to not only provide relief but also has preventative benefits.
Studies have found that salt water gargle creates a high salt barrier in the area of the throat and pulls out fluids from the surrounding tissues. The gargle also helps to wash out infectious pathogens. To make a salt water gargle, mix a quarter to half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. It helps reduce phlegm in a wet cough and reduces irritation in a dry cough. Gargles are not recommended for young children as they may not know how to gargle.
Home Remedy #3: Zinc Lozenge
Zinc supplements were first reported to be possibly beneficial to help prevent colds by a study published in 1984. Since then, may studies have reported mixed results regarding the effectiveness of zinc for this purpose. An analysis of several studies found that study participants who were taking zinc supplements as a lozenge or syrup had a shorter duration of cold symptoms by a day. This is postulated to be due to zinc preventing the multiplication of pathogens, which shortens the course of the disease.
However, there are also other analyses who do not recommend the use of zinc due to lack of quality evidence. For those who would like to try zinc lozenge as a home remedy for a cough, it may help reduce dry cough as it decreases the tickling sensation in the throat.
Home Remedy #4: Discussing Medications
While it may not be technically a remedy, one of the most important steps to take for those who have a persistent dry cough and is taking medication is to discuss it with their doctor. This is especially true if they are taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for their high blood pressure. This occurs in about 5 to 35 percent of individuals who take ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure as the drug stops the breakdown of bradykinin, which results in the accumulation of it in the respiratory tract.
Those experiencing this issue can discuss alternatives with their doctor, such as angiotensin receptor blockers. Stopping the ACE inhibitors usually resolves the dry cough. It is important to not stop your medications without notifying your doctor.
Home Remedy #5: Ginger
Ginger is a plant that is widely used in various Asian dishes. It is also popular in folk medicine as it is believed to be beneficial for those who experience nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach. Despite having little to no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness, ginger has been used in traditional or folk medicine for many years.
It is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, helpful for those who have asthmatic or dry cough. One study has suggested the benefits of ginger in cough can be attributed to it helping the membranes in the airways to relax, thus reducing coughing. To use ginger as a home remedy for a dry cough, it can be made into ginger tea by adding fresh slices of ginger into hot water and allowing it to steep. To improve the taste, lemon or honey can also be added.
Home Remedy #6: Slippery Elm
Slippery elm is a tree that is used in traditional medicine. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree is mucilaginous. This means that it contains a gluey and thick substance that can be used as a demulcent. A demulcent can be beneficial as a home remedy for dry cough as it spreads over the mucous membranes to form a film that soothes the inflammation, pain, and irritation in the airways.
In the United States, it is easily available over the counter. The leaves can be ground into powder and made into a tea. It has been used by Native Americans as a home remedy for digestive issues, a sore throat, and to reduce coughing.
Home Remedy #7: Marjoram
Marjoram is an herb that has citrus and pine flavors. In traditional or folk medicine, marjoram is commonly used for the treatment of colds, runny nose, coughs, digestive issues, and more. It can be beneficial as a home remedy for asthmatic cough and dry cough.
Some research has shown that taking two drops of marjoram oil every day with asthma medication can improve lung function compared to taking asthma medication alone. It is thought that marjoram benefits individuals with a cough as it has anti-inflammatory properties or as an expectorant. To use marjoram as a home remedy for a cough, steep some fresh marjoram leaves in some hot water. Let it cool and drink it three times a day.
Home Remedy #8: Marshmallow Plant
The marshmallow plant is a plant that is native to western Asia, North Africa, and Europe. It is also known as Althaea officinalis. The name of the plant reflects its usefulness as the name of the genus originates from the Greek word “althainein,” which translates to “to heal.”
Traditionally used for various medical issues, the flowers and young leaves can be fried, boiled, or added to salads. The stem and roots can be used in skin-related issues and in cosmetics as it secretes mucilage. This plant was also used by the ancient Egyptians as a treatment for sore throat. Marshmallow plant can also be used as a home remedy for a cough as the mucilage coats the throat and reduces the irritation and urge to cough.
Home Remedy #9: Steam
Steam inhalation is an effective home remedy for sore throats and both a wet and dry cough. The affected person inhales the moist and warm water vapor, which reduces the irritation and dryness in the airways providing a relief for a cough. Steam may also decrease blood vessel inflammation in the airways.
While it does not fight the infection, steam is an effective home remedy to provide relief throughout the progression of the disease. Steam inhalation can be performed by bending over a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. It can be done two to three times a day. The addition of essential oils such as rosemary or eucalyptus can also be beneficial. Using a humidifier in the room can also be helpful.
Home Remedy #10: Turmeric
Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family. Turmeric has been studied in many clinical trials as a supplement or treatment in various conditions or diseases. However, the conclusions of the studies were mixed. It has been used in traditional medicine for arthritis, pain, and a cough, among others.
It is thought to be beneficial as it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. To use it as a home remedy for a cough, mix an equal amount of ground turmeric and carom seeds in 4 cups (32 oz) of water. Boil the mixture until half remains. Add honey to improve the taste and drink the mixture.
