No one is a stranger to word ‘cough’ in this universe of ours except maybe an alien!

Coughing is indeed one of the most common health issue that frequently affects both adults and children.

A cough is a voluntary or involuntary act, which assists your breathing passage and throat get rid of foreign bodies, mucus, irritants, microbes, etc. It involves rapid air expulsion from the lungs.^[1]

You begin coughing coughing when there is a blockage or irritant in your throat or upper air passages and the brain tells your body to cough out the foreign element.

There are basically two types of coughs: productive and nonproductive.

Productive cough: A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus, clearing it from the lungs.
Nonproductive cough: In a nonproductive cough (dry cough), there is no sign of phlegm or mucus.

What Causes a Cough?

A cough can be caused by a bunch of reasons. According to a 2015 research published in Lung India, coughing may serve as a warning sign of several respiratory and non-respiratory diseases and is one of the most common reasons for adults seeking medical treatment.^[2]

Basically, coughing can be caused by:

• Common cold
• Allergies
• Flu
• Smoking
• Health issues such as tuberculosis, asthma, and even lung cancer.
  Environmental causes
• Viral infection
• In some cases, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also cause a cough^[2]

Symptoms of a Cough

Some of the most common symptoms of a cough are:

• Itchy throat
• Chest pain
• Congestion

Prolonged, vigorous coughing is exhausting and can cause:

• Sleeplessness
• Headaches
• Urinary incontinence
• Broken ribs (in extreme cases)

Prevention

Coughing is a means for the body to rid itself of unwanted substances such as phlegm and other irritants. Sometimes, it can be sign of some other problem such as an allergy, asthma, and GERD as well as bacterial or viral infections. Thus, however debilitating a cough may be, it’s not a health condition itself and should not be treated as such. Nevertheless, here are a few preventive tips to save you from a coughing spell:

• Have a healthy and nutritious diet to help your body fight diseases and infections.
• Quit smoking.
• Stay away from irritants and asthma/allergy triggers.
• Maintain proper hygiene and wash your hands regularly to prevent transmission of germs.
• Take proper measure when coming in contact with people suffering from an infection.
• Keep your house and work area well ventilated.

When to See a Doctor

Since coughing often show itself as a symptom of some underlying health issue, which may or may not be serious, it’s wise to seek medical help if you experience steady cough for over 3 weeks without any improvement. Your doctor will in turn help you get to the root of the problem and offer the appropriate treatment strategy. This is especially important since, in rare cases, a persistent cough can be a sign of a serious underlying ailment.

Additionally, the following symptoms should also alert you to seek professional medical assistance:Advertisements

• Severe coughing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain in the chest
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever that doesn’t go away
• Lumps or swelling in the neck area

There are some effective home remedies that can be used to treat cough naturally.

An expectorant can be useful to relieve cough as it helps in thinning and loosening the mucus by increasing its water content. As a result, your cough becomes more productive.

A number of ingredients that can easily be found in your kitchen cabinet boast of expectorant properties and can help you get rid of this condition.

1. Peppermint

Peppermint encourages the body to eliminate mucus from the airways, which in turn aids in the treatment of a cough.^[3]

Peppermint contains a compound known as menthol that helps in thinning the mucus and loosening the phlegm.

In addition, this ingredient has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that take care of the infection responsible for the cough.

• Add a drop of peppermint oil to a pot of hot water and inhale the steam.
• Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with coconut oil. Rub it on your chest, neck, and nose to unclog your sinuses and enjoy relaxed breathing.
• You can also enjoy a few cups of peppermint tea daily to get rid of cough symptoms.

2. Licorice

Licorice root comes with amazing expectorant qualities. It can also help soothe an irritated and inflamed throat as well as suppress coughing.

A 2018 study published in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry highlights the antitussive and expectorant activities of licorice and its major compounds.^[4]

• The best way to take licorice for cough is in the form of a tea. To make licorice tea, simply add ½ teaspoon of licorice root to a cup of hot water, let it steep for ten minutes, and then drink it. Have this tea 2-3 times a day.
• You can also mix about ½ teaspoon of licorice powder with a little honey and consume this mixture two times a day for a few days.
• To soothe throat irritation, suck on some licorice candies.

Note: Licorice should not be used by people with high blood pressure.^[9]

3. Garlic

Garlic is an efficient cough remedy as it works as a natural expectorant. It can be useful in clearing respiratory issues and curing coughs.^[11]

A 2010 study published in Pharmacognosy Review highlights the expectorant as well as other medicinal properties of garlic.^[12]

Garlic also offers antibacterial and antiviral benefits that make it effective for clearing infection, which can be the reason behind the cough.

Garlic can be used as a steam inhalant or a chest rub. It can also be taken internally.

• Consume a clove of crushed garlic mixed with a little honey about 2 or 3 times daily.
• Boil two to three cloves of garlic in a cup of water and add 1 teaspoon oregano to it. Allow it to cool to room temperature, add some honey, and drink the solution twice daily.
• Alternatively, add 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic to a pot of boiling water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapor. This remedy is not suitable for very small children.
• You can also mix garlic oil with some warm olive oil and use the mixture as a chest rub.

4. Honey

Honey is another natural expectorant that can provide quick relief from a cough.

It has highly effective antibacterial, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties that help ease coughing and its associated symptoms.

A 2007 study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reports that honey is more effective for cough and sleep difficulty associated with childhood upper respiratory tract infections than over-the-counter medicines that contain dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant.^[4]

Another 2014 study published in the Canadian Family Physician recommends honey for the treatment of cough in children. Honey can be recommended as a single dose of 2.5 ml before bedtime for children (older than 1 year of age) suffering from this condition.^[5]

• Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey to a glass of warm water and drink it slowly. Repeat this remedy a few times a day. This solution will have a soothing effect on the throat.
• Mix 2 teaspoons of raw honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Consume the mixture every few hours for symptom relief.
• Before going to bed, consume 1 teaspoon of raw honey with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder. This will help you sleep better.

Note: Never give honey to babies younger than 1 year as it contains bacteria that can cause infantile botulism.^[6]

5. Ginger

Ginger is another popular natural expectorant that you can easily find in your kitchen.

It is packed with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antitussive (cough-suppressant) properties that can help you in getting rid of cough. In addition, it boosts the immune system to help speed up the recovery.

A 2013 study published in Ancient Science of Life reports that ginger has expectorant as well as stimulant, revulsive, carminative, stomachic, disinfectant, bronchodilator, antifungal, febrifuge, and anti-inflammatory properties.^[7]

• Cut some fresh ginger into small pieces. Slightly crush the pieces. Put them in a cup of water and bring to a boil. Drink this herbal remedy about 3-4 times a day.
• Mix together 1 tablespoon of freshly extracted ginger juice and 1 tablespoon of raw honey. Drink this mixture twice daily for a few days.
• Another option is to mix equal amounts of ginger juice, lemon juice, and onion juice and take 1 tablespoon of this mixture 2-3 times a day.

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