Do you suffer from a dry, wet or persistent cough? This common winter symptom can be quite annoying. A wet cough clogs up the bronchial tubes while an irritating cough prevents sleep. To soothe it, we offer you to discover 10 grandmother's remedies against cough and easy homemade remedies recipes to prepare.
Traditionally used to calm dry cough, honey has scientifically proven efficacy against this symptom.
Just take a teaspoon for children (6-11 years old) or two teaspoons for adults, as is or diluted in tea or hot milk.
It is even possible to prepare homemade syrup based on honey:
=> by heating a tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
=> or by macerating 5 cloves in 1 cup of honey in the refrigerator overnight. Then simply remove the cloves and take spoonfuls of this honey.
To relieve dry cough, certain plants called mucilage plants such as mallow, marshmallow, poppy or mullein are recommended...
These plants have the particularity of releasing a viscous substance that softens the mucous membranes and lines the throat with a protective layer.
Simply infuse 2 teaspoons of dried plant in a cup of hot water.
If you suffer from annoying coughing fits, opt for plants that have an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect on the bronchi.
The remedies traditionally used in this case are climbing ivy, plantain, thyme, and Scots pine.
To prepare a thyme syrup, bring 30 cl of water to a boil. Off the heat, add 4 branches of thyme. Cover and let infuse for 1 hour. Strain the thyme infusion and add 5 tablespoons of sugar.
If you are suffering from a mixed or wet cough, rely on plants that contain essential oil such as thyme but also wild thyme or Scots pine.
These plants have anti-infectious and decongestant properties. Thyme is particularly recommended in this case because it has an expectorant effect.
Use 1 tablespoon of dried thyme per cup of hot water. Let infuse for about 10 minutes then sweeten your herbal tea with thyme honey, eucalyptus, lavender or fir. You can add a slice of lemon if you wish.
In Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), it is recommended to drink a cup of spice infusion every day.
In case of cold or other winter infections accompanied by cough, combine cinnamon with ginger and cloves (all three in powder).
Use half a teaspoon of ginger powder, a pinch of cinnamon, and a pinch of cloves per cup of boiling water.
You can also prepare a strengthening infusion based on ginger and lemon by combining a thin slice of lemon, half a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, and a heaping teaspoon of honey per cup of boiling water.
One of the most natural remedies for a productive cough is to drink plenty of fluids to help clear out the mucus.
During a cold, it is recommended to drink the equivalent of 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water per day.
To hydrate more easily, alternate water with beneficial hot drinks such as:
=> herbal and/or spiced teas (see tips above)
=> green tea
=> hot chocolate
=> warm milk with honey
=> chicken broth if possible seasoned with garlic for its anti-infectious properties.
Another simple and natural remedy to reduce mucus secretion and calm coughing is to clean and irrigate the nasal passages with salt water. Nasal irrigation with salt water indirectly relieves coughing by attacking the problem at its source (namely, mucus that travels from the nose to the bronchi).
You can either buy an over-the-counter nasal spray at the pharmacy or prepare your own homemade mixture.
Dissolve 2 teaspoons of coarse sea salt in a glass of warm mineral water, then instill this liquid into each nostril using a dropper.
Note: To breathe better, make sure the air in your home is sufficiently humid. Use a humidifier or place bowls of water near radiators.
Always with the aim of unclogging the nose and clearing the airways, you can diffuse a few drops of essential oils of pine, eucalyptus and/or thyme or peppermint in your home. You can also do inhalations with eucalyptus or thyme. Pour 3 drops of essential oil into a bowl of very hot water, then place a towel over your head and stay above the bowl for at least ten minutes, breathing deeply the vapors that emanate from the bowl.
The Mustard Plaster is one of grandma's remedies for coughs. To prepare it, mix Mustard flour with warm water, then spread the paste on a cloth and apply it to the chest (or back) for about 15 minutes. This plaster diffuses a beneficial sensation of warmth and decongests the bronchi, but be careful! Prolonged application can burn the skin. That's why you should never put this plaster in direct contact with the skin or keep it if the skin is red or irritated.
Finally, lozenges are a natural remedy for coughs and have the advantage of being practical to take with you.
Sucking on a lozenge or a simple candy is effective against coughing fits because the saliva we produce helps soothe the cough.
For greater effectiveness, however, prefer lozenges made from honey (with proven antitussive effects) and/or propolis (a natural antiseptic).
Note: Consult your doctor if the cough persists beyond 5 days.
Author Audrey on 19 April 2022
Health and Beauty : Medicine
Author Audrey on 08 January 2018
Health and Beauty : Alternative Medicine