Home remedies have been used for hundreds of years to relieve coughs—soothing the throat and chest and opening congested airways. Coughing can be concomitant to an acute illness, or to a chronic disease such as asthma or allergy. Although home remedies may not cure a cough, many will help speed recovery. Some herbal remedies may have side effects or interact with other medications, so consult a practitioner familiar with herbal medicine before using herbs.
Honey
Research indicates that honey is better for soothing a cough than cough medicines sold over the counter, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Honey is soothing and relieves pain as well as itching and tickling in the throat. Combine honey in tea or with lemon juice for a soothing cough tonic. Alternatively, a spoonful of honey taken straight is also effective for relieving coughing.
Homeopathic Spongia Tosta
The homeopathic remedy Spongia tosta is helpful for coughs originating from a variety of causes, including asthma and croup, according to the University of Michigan Health System website. The cough is dry, hard, loud and painful. Some homeopaths describe the Spongia cough as sounding like a saw being drawn through a piece of wood. Spongia is helpful for coughs that come on at night before midnight and just after the patient lies down. There is little mucous and the cough makes the patient want to sit up and lean the head backward for relief.
Mullein
The herb mullein is a well-known cough remedy in herbal circles. Mullein acts like an expectorant, helping to loosen congestion and phlegm in the airways and lungs, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is included in many herbal cough preparations. It can be used alone as a tea or with other herbs in tonic form. Mullein may cause side effects, so speak to an herbalist or health care practitioner familiar with herbs before using this remedy.
Homeopathic Bryonia Alba
Homeopathic Bryonia works well to stop coughs that are dry, painful and worse with every little movement, explains the University of Michigan website. The person needing Bryonia will be in terrible pain every time he coughs from the motion of the chest wall and lungs. She often wraps her arms around her chest to attempt to stop the movement. Additionally, he will most likely be excessively thirsty and irritable during the cough.
Red Onion and Brown Sugar
A traditional folk remedy for coughs uses red onions and brown sugar or another sweetener, such as stevia or honey, to make a potent but soothing cough syrup. To make the syrup, wash and peel a large red onion. Slice the onion horizontally across the grain into slices starting at the base of the onion. Starting with the base of the onion, layer it in a bowl with alternating layers of brown sugar or the other sweetener. Continue until the entire onion is reconstructed in a bowl with layers of sweetener. Allow the sweetened onion to rest in the bowl overnight for about 12 to 15 hours. On the following day, you will have about a cup or more of sweetened syrup in the bowl. It makes an excellent cough syrup and does not taste onion-y.
