You can deal with the cough that comes from the congestion and phlegm of a common cold with household cures. If your cough lasts after other cold symptoms have ended or if you have a fever, you should see your doctor. But the annoying cough that brings up mucus from the upper respiratory viral infection of a cold can be dealt with by using things you already have around the house.
Liquid Relief
Drink plenty of fluids to help soothe your throat. Mayo Clinic staff say juices, soup broth and tea can help make mucus and phlegm diluted enough to keep flowing. The more you can liquefy your congestion, the easier it will be to cough it up. And the faster you move germs and bacteria from a cold out of your system, the sooner your cough should end.
Steam and Water Vapor
Ease your sore throat from coughing with steam or cool mist vapor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website advises breathing in the hot steam from a bowl of hot water or steaming shower. You can also set up a cool water vaporizer or humidifier. Just be sure the filter is clean so you won't spread more germs or cause a secondary infection.
Gargle
Soothe your throat with gargle. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) website states a warm saline water gargle will soothe a throat irritated from coughing. Mayo Clinic staff say you can gargle several times per day with saline or warm liquids like green tea. The astringent tannin in green tea helps soothe your sore throat.
Rest
Rest as much as possible when trying to recover from a cough and cold. The CDC website advises resting from stress and activity that might further irritate your sore throat and cause more coughing. Also, keep the air you breath free of irritants by not smoking nor allowing others to smoke where you rest. Don't return to normal activity until you are fully recovered or you may relapse or invite a secondary infection.
Vitamin C
Take vitamin C tablets as well as fruit juices high in the vitamin. Mayo Clinic staff say vitamin C can't necessarily prevent a cough and cold, but it could shorten how long you are ill. The website recommends taking up to 6 grams per day of vitamin C to help get over cough and cold symptoms.
