Many people suffer from coughs, especially during the cold season, and coughs often affect children. Coughing is the rapid expulsion of air through the glottis caused by a stimulus. Causes of coughing are either obstructions of the respiratory tract (e.g.
by phlegm) or irritation of the mucous membranes (e.g. by smoke or dust). As a concomitant symptom of a cold or similar illness, coughing often becomes a torture. It hurts, disturbs sleep and puts strain on the respiratory tract.
Medicines against cough (antitussives) are therefore among the most frequently prescribed drugs. But coughing is not only a harmless cold, it can also be a symptom of serious illness. If the cough lasts for a long time, becomes worse, or if coughing up blood (sputum of bloody secretion) occurs, a doctor should be consulted.
Active ingredients
Drugs for coughing exist in almost every dosage form. The best known variant is cough syrup, which is either administered by the spoon or via a drinking cup integrated in the bottle lid. Another liquid form of medication for cough is cough syrup.
This has a more viscous consistency than cough syrup and is dosed with a spoon. Other dosage forms such as effervescent tablets to dissolve in water or lozenges are used, as are teas with an antitussive (against cough) effect. In nature there are many plants and herbs that are said to have medicinal effects.
Medicines against coughs are therefore also found in nature. They are then often used as “household remedies”. The “classics” among the household remedies are: Cocoa is said to have a cough-relieving effect because it contains theobromine.
This stimulating substance (stimulant) not only relieves coughs but also dilates blood vessels. It relaxes the smooth muscles that are found in the bronchi and can thus widen the airways. In high doses some side effects occur, such as palpitations and headaches.
You can find out how helpful cocoa is for coughing at Chocolate against cough The tuber plant ginger also has the reputation of having a cough-relieving effect. Many people suffering from coughs therefore resort to ginger tea or ginger infusions to improve their symptoms. Essential oils and pungent substances of ginger have a liberating effect on the respiratory tract, the pungency causes increased salivation and thus reduces the coughing irritation.
However, ginger not only helps with coughs, but also with inflammations and relieves pain. By far the most frequently used medicine for coughs from the medicine chest is the inhalation of salt water vapour. To do this, water is boiled and salt is added, then one bends over the pot of steaming water, covers the head with a towel and inhales the steam through the nose.
Be careful, however, because you can easily burn yourself on the hot water or steam. In case of doubt, let the water cool down a little before you start inhaling. Salt water keeps the affected mucous membrane in the nasopharyngeal cavity moist, and also loosens stuck mucus.
Another common household remedy, the juice of an onion mixed with honey, also promises to relieve coughs, since onions, like honey, are said to have an expectorant and antimicrobial effect. To prepare the mixture, cut an onion into small pieces and cook it with a few spoons of honey until the juice comes out of the onion, then pour the mixture through a sieve to separate the juice from the onion pieces. If you have a cough or irritation, take one teaspoon of the onion-honey mixture at a time. Generally, household remedies are useful and often helpful, especially for light coughs, but they do not always replace drug therapy.
- Cocoa
- Ginger
- Inhalation of salt water vapor
- Infusions of onions and honey
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