Home Remedies for Cough

Turmeric has been used in India as an ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It has been used as an ingredient to fight with respiratory conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, asthma and bronchitis. Curcumin in turmeric is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties which relieve cough.

How to use:

• Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric in your regular tea and boil it.
• You may add 2-3 black pepper seeds in that tea for better results.

Many studies have compared ginger to potent painkiller ibuprofen. Another study, done to find out the effects of various herbs like ginger, ginseng, mulberry and others for the treatment of chronic cough, showed that ginger has the ability to suppress the symptoms of cough. Ginger is also known to prevent the entry of respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause various respiratory tract infections.

How to use:

• Boil around 4 cups of water and add 2 teaspoons full of grated ginger in it. 
• Add 1 teaspoon of honey for sweetness and strain the water.
• You can also add half a teaspoon of ginger to your regular cup of tea.

Lemon has the ability to cut down congestion and helps in the removal of phlegm from the back of the throat.

How to use: 

• Add a few drops of lemon in black tea (tea without milk).
• You can also add lemon juice in a glass full of warm water.

Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties which can help in relieving the symptoms of cough and cold. 

How to use: 

• Add 2-5 folds of garlic in boiling water (4 cups of water).
• Add half a teaspoon of carom seeds in it and let the water boil for around 10 minutes.
• Let the water cool down a bit and then drink it throughout the day.

Multiple studies have confirmed that almonds help in improving the ability of white blood cells of the body to detect and kill viruses including those causing cold and flu. Almonds are also known to relieve respiratory problems including cough. 

How to use:

• Grind 10-15 almonds into a fine, powdered form.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the powder into a glass of orange juice.

Honey has the ability to relieve upper respiratory tract infections like nasal obstruction, sore throat, tonsilitis and others. Studies have also concluded that to treat cough, one should use honey and not antibiotics.

How to use it:

• Add 1-2 spoons of honey to a glass full of warm water.
• You can also add one tablespoon of honey instead of sugar in your regular tea.

Cayenne is a type of chilli pepper that contains capsaicin. Studies conclude that if taken orally, capsaicin can help in relieving the symptoms of cough. 

How to use:

• Cayenne is available in capsule forms and is available over-the-counter.
• You can also make tea with cayenne sauce and warm water. Make sure you put the sauce according to your threshold for spice tolerance.

Experts say that grapes are non-citrusy fibrous fruits which have the ability to reduce cough with phlegm.

How to use:

• You can directly eat a small bowl full of grapes.
• You can also make fresh juice from grapes.