A cough can linger for weeks after an illness. Coughing can also be triggered by smoking, acid reflux or allergens. Whether your cough is dry or productive, it may get in the way of your everyday activities. Many natural home remedies exist to help reduce or eliminate coughing. Coughing is a sign of irritation as well a method for your body to clear mucus from the air passages. These simple steps are designed to help your throat heal naturally.
Step 1
Diagnose the cause of your cough. If you do not know why you have been coughing, it will be more difficult to zero in on the cures that work.
Step 2
Drink hot tea. Fluids are important for treating many illnesses and the heat will help with irritation. If you are not a fan of tea, try drinking hot water with lemon instead.
Step 3
Take honey, either on its own or in the tea. A 2007 study has suggested that taking honey before bed can help reduce nighttime coughing.
Step 4
Use a humidifier in your room. Dry air can exacerbate a cough, so increase the humidity to help soothe your throat.
Step 5
Gargle with warm salt water. Gargling several times a day can help the throat heal and reduce coughing.
Tips and Warnings
- Stop smoking. Though a smoker's cough can continue for some time after you quit, a chronic cough is worsened by smoking.
- See your doctor if your cough continues for longer than 10 days or if you start to notice other symptoms.
Things You'll Need
- Tea
- Honey
- Humidifier
- Salt water
