How can i soothe a cough

They may also be caused by a number of conditions, such as:. They may also be a long-lasting side effect from exposure to environmental toxins, such as cigarette smoke. Dry coughs can be very uncomfortable and may occur in both children and adults. There are a number of clinical treatments you can use to alleviate them, but there are also at-home remedies which can be just as effective in many cases.

You may have to experiment with several before you find the ones that work for you. In addition, not all of these remedies have been fully researched and proven to be effective. Some treatments are also inappropriate for babies or children. For adults and children ages 1 and up, honey can be used to treat day and nighttime dry coughing. One study in found that honey was more successful than dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant ingredient, for reducing nagging bouts of nighttime coughing in children.

You can try taking honey by the teaspoon several times daily, or add it to tea or warm water to drink. To avoid infant botulism , a rare complication which can occur in infants, never give honey to a child under 1 year old. Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound which may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.

It may also be beneficial for several conditions, including a dry cough. Curcumin is best absorbed into the blood stream when taken with black pepper. You can also make it into a warm tea.

Turmeric has been used to treat upper respiratory conditions, bronchitis, and asthma in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been shown to boost the immune system and relieve pain and discomfort.

Ginger can be found in many teas as an ingredient. You can also make ginger tea from ginger root by steeping the peeled or cut root in warm water. Adding honey may make it even more beneficial for dry cough. Marshmallow root is a type of herb. Peppermint contains menthol, which helps to numb nerve endings in the throat that become irritated by coughing. This may provide pain relief and reduce the urge to cough.

There are a number of ways to take peppermint. These include drinking peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint lozenges. Try drinking peppermint tea right before bed to help alleviate nighttime coughs. You can also use peppermint essential oil as an aromatherapy treatment.

Zap your cough with a vaporizer. Using a vaporizer or a humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can moisten your airway passages, potentially reducing the likelihood that a dry, hacking cough will wake you up.

This can also provide daytime cough relief; set it up wherever you spend the most time, such as in your office or family room. Elevate your head while you rest. Sleeping with your head elevated can reduce coughing from postnasal drip. Sleeping this way also helps alleviate GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease , which can cause coughing.

Apply vapor rub. The same menthol-scented balm your mother or grandmother rubbed on your chest when you were a kid can help clear nasal passages, which can help relieve nighttime coughing. It still works great on your kids as well. It's also important to regularly clean purifiers to ensure the filters work properly. Marshmallow root is an herbal supplement thought to soothe irritated mucous membranes located in the throat and mouth.

The roots and leaves of marshmallow contain a thick substance called mucilage. When mixed with water, mucilage forms a gel-like texture that can coat the throat, much like honey. A study published in Complementary Medicine Research with over participants found that both lozenges and marshmallow root extract helped treat dry coughs. Most participants saw their symptoms improve within 10 minutes of taking the extract. Thyme is an herb thought to soothe smooth muscle spasms, including those caused by coughing.

A study published in the German journal, Drug Research, found that a combined treatment of thyme and ivy improved coughing and other symptoms of acute bronchitis. One of the easiest and safest ways to improve your cough is to stay hydrated.

Drinking water helps thin mucus , allowing it to leave the body through your mouth or nose. It can also help those who are sick replace lost fluids from sweating or having a runny nose.

Although some home remedies like drinking tea with honey or gargling warm salt water may help you stop coughing, they won't treat an underlying illness. That's why Roberman advises you to first address any illness or condition that may be causing the cough before working on alleviating the symptoms. Likewise, she says if your cough is the result of allergies, asthma, or an infection, you should try to take medication for the underlying condition before relying on these home remedies.

World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Women's Health. Primary Care. Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots. 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. See your primary care physician if you experience the following symptoms in addition to your cough:. A dry cough can hang around for a long time, sometimes months.

But there are many ways you can try to relieve dry cough with home remedies. We rounded up….