Remedies for post nasal drip cough are needed when the protective mucus coating on the throat becomes red and irritated. The attempts to bring up phlegm along with throat tickle and irritation can be a frustrating cycle of dry coughing and thickened, infected phlegm that resists expulsion. Favorite home remedies and common sense can help assuage that cough caused by over active histamines producing a post nasal drip. Although you can't cure the common cold with antibiotics, the Cleveland Clinic notes, you can mitigate the effects with household remedies.
Hydrate
Drinking lots of fluids to keep hydrated is one remedy for a post nasal drip cough. Fruit juice, clear soup broth and hot tea with lemon and honey can all help soothe a sore throat. The MayoClinic.com website says fluids will help loosen phlegm so it can be spit out. The cough can break up as germs and bacteria are expelled from your throat. The faster the infected material is out of your system, the sooner your body can recover.
Vaporize
A sore throat from post nasal drip and the resulting cough can be soothed with either steam or a cool mist vapor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that inhaling the steam from a bowl of hot water or even a steaming shower can be helpful. Cool water vaporizers or humidifiers can also be set up with a similar impact. The filter should be antiseptically clean as well so you won't either spread more germs or complicate your illness with a secondary infection.
Gargle
You can soothe your post nasal drip cough and sore throat with gargle. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases states that warm saline water gargle can help soothe a cough irritated throat. MayoClinic.com says a benign gargle can be used several times per day with saline or warm liquids like green tea.
Relax to Recuperate
Resting so your body can gain strength and recuperate is a simple remedy for post nasal drip cough. Both stress and exertion can further compromise your weakened condition, further irritate a sore throat and continue the cycle of coughing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other stressors to avoid include smoking and allowing any secondhand smoke in your presence. And since returning to a regular activity level often invites a resurgence of the condition, stay rested until you are symptom free.
Vitamin C
Through tablets, juice and supplements, try taking extra vitamin C as you fight your post nasal drip cough. The MayoClinic.com states that vitamin C may not ward off a cold, but it appears to shorten the time period of a cough and cold. The site advises up to 6g per day of vitamin C either in tablet form or fruit juice in order to get rid of a cough and cold.
