A cough attack can occur for any number of reasons, from choking on a piece of food caught in the windpipe to pneumonia or the flu. Both home remedies and conventional medicines may bring relief from different kinds of coughs. Because conventional drugs may produce unwanted side effects, some people prefer home remedies or alternative treatments. However, these can also cause side effects, so a health practitioner should be consulted before using a new herb or alternative treatment.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavanoid found in the pigment of red fruits and red onions that may be useful in place of antihistamines for preventing coughing resulting from allergies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Quercetin is available in health food stores. Individuals wanting to try this treatment to reduce coughing should consult their health practitioner or the specialist in the health food store for directions and dosing.
Licorice Root Tea
A tea made from licorice root may be soothing and help control coughing by producing mucilage, a thin film that coats the throat eliminating tickling and itching, according to "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." Licorice tea is available in prepared bags or as a loose dried herb. Because licorice root can raise blood pressure, people wishing to use it should first consult a health practitioner.
Homeopathic Spongia Toasta
The remedy Spongia toasta may offer relief for those suffering from croup and other ailments that cause a loud, hacking cough, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Spongia is indicated for people whose cough starts around midnight and after lying down to sleep. The individual may have to tilt his head backwards to get a deep breath and to stop the cough temporarily. The remedy is available over-the counter at health food stores and from online homeopathic pharmacies. A homeopath should be consulted before using this remedy.
Inhaled Beta-2 Bronchiodilators
Certain individuals who do not respond to home remedies or lesser treatments may need to use medicine to control their cough, especially in the case of some asthma patients. Bronchiodilators assist in opening airways in the chest and aid breathing during severe cough attacks of pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, asthma and other upper respiratory disorders, according to the University of Michigan Health System. The benefits of using this treatment should be weighed carefully against the risk of possible severe side effects. A physician should be consulted for treatment with a bronchiodilator, as a prescription is necessary.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Asthma-Homeopathic Remedies
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cough
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James Duke; 2002
- University of Michigan Health System: Acute Bronchitis
