Coughing is a common symptom, often in connection with a cold. However, there are other reasons for coughing, such as a dry throat or allergy. Diseases of the lungs, such as bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are also associated with a recurring cough.
It does not have to be a serious illness behind it, but coughing can be stressful for all those affected. In order to relieve the acute irritation of the cough, there are therefore various home remedies that can be used. In the case of a long-term and recurring cough, a doctor should nevertheless be consulted for clarification if necessary.
These household remedies are used
There are various home remedies that can help against coughing:
- Inhalation
- Onion juice
- Honey
- Potato wrap
- Drink a lot
- Tea
- Chest wrap
application: For inhalation it is best to use an inhaler, which can be purchased for example in a pharmacy. Hot water is filled into the inhaler and the vapors are then inhaled and exhaled through the attachment with slow breaths. Sage or chamomile can be used as additives.
Effect: Inhaling has a moisturizing effect on the respiratory tract and thus relieves the coughing irritation of the initially dry mucous membranes. A sage additive has an additional soothing effect on the irritated mucous membranes and loosens the mucus. What must be taken into account?
As an alternative to an inhaler, a cooking pot can be used if a towel is placed over the head when inhaling. However, there is an increased risk of scalding. For what other illnesses does it help?
Inhalation is also used for inflammation of the sinuses. How to use it: To make onion juice, cut an onion into small pieces and boil it in water with a little sugar. Then the mixture is filtered and the juice is drunk at a lukewarm temperature.
Effect: The onion juice has a soothing effect against cough by moistening the mucous membranes and the heat. The juice also contains some substances that have an anti-inflammatory and cleansing effect. What do you need to know?
The onion juice should be drunk at least once a day to relieve the cough. For what other illnesses does it help? The use of onion juice is also recommended for sore throat.
Usage: There are different kinds of honey that can be used for coughing. A tablespoon before going to bed is a good idea in any case, fennel honey is said to be particularly effective. Effect: Honey has a calming effect on the mucous membranes of the throat and relieves the coughing irritation.
Therefore it is also very often used before going to bed to ensure a cough-free sleep. What do you have to consider? Additionally, a teaspoon of honey can be added to the tea to soothe the cough.
For which other illnesses does it help? The use of honey is also recommended for colds. Application: For a potato wrap, boil some potatoes until they are soft.
After the potatoes have cooled down to lukewarm temperatures, they can be pressed small and placed in a tea towel. The whole thing can then be put on the chest as a compress. Effect: The potato wrap works well against coughing caused by the heat.
This calms the irritated mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes and soothes the cough. Since potatoes store heat for a long time, they are particularly suitable for this purpose. What do you need to consider?
The potatoes must not be too hot, otherwise burns can occur. For which other diseases does it help? A potato wrap can also be used for earaches.
Application: You should make sure you drink a sufficient amount of liquid every day. Suitable in any case are water and different kinds of tea, like camomile or fennel. Effect: Liquid is elementary important, so that the mucous membranes can be sufficiently moistened.
This reduces the coughing irritation. In addition, there are different individual effects, depending on the type of tea. What do you have to consider?
If possible, excessive consumption of sugared beverages should be avoided. For which other diseases does it help? Drinking a lot is also very important for diarrhoea or vomiting.
Application: Tea can be drunk several times a day to relieve coughs. For optimum effect, fresh preparation of the individual tea varieties is recommended, such as ginger tea with finely chopped pieces of ginger or peppermint tea with fresh peppermint leaves. Effect: Tea has different effects depending on the ingredients.In addition to warming and moisturizing the mucous membranes, it can thus have an inhibiting effect on inflammatory processes, be antibacterial and strengthen the immune system and relieve coughs.
What do you have to consider? The time the tea has to steep differs according to the type of tea. For what other diseases does it help?
Tea can also help with sore throats and colds. How to use it: Potatoes can be used for breast wraps. These are boiled, mashed and placed in a tea towel.
Alternatively, a hot cotton towel can be wrapped in a towel and placed on the breast. Effect: Chest wraps work by the warmth, which provides for an increased blood circulation of the respiratory tract. As a result, the mucous membranes become less dry and the irritation caused by coughing can be reduced.
What must be taken into account? When applying a chest compress, always make sure the temperature is adequate to avoid burns. For which other illnesses does it help? Chest wraps can also help with sore throats or flu.
