Do you have a cough? It can be terribly annoying, although it's not usually dangerous; in fact, sometimes it's beneficial to cough, because coughing helps expel mucus. It's, after all, a defense mechanism, like sneezing. There are many remedies for coughs, but the first thing we should do is distinguish between a productive cough and a dry cough, because they aren't treated the same way, and natural remedies for a dry cough can be counterproductive for a productive one.
Dry cough
Taking into account that each type of cough is different, the question you are probably asking yourself is how to know what type of cough you are suffering from, in order to choose the appropriate remedy.
A dry cough is one where you cough but don't expel mucus or phlegm. In these cases, we say we have a non-productive cough, or a dry cough. If, on the other hand, you do expel mucus or notice phlegm when you cough, that cough is precisely what it's doing: clearing the mucus that's stuck in your chest or throat.
When the cough is productive we should not do anything to eliminate it, because it is important to clear the mucus so that the lungs are clean and you can breathe well again. The only thing you can do here is take something that relieves the pain and irritation in your throat from the effort you make when coughing, but cough syrups are not recommended, for example, especially if you are taking mucolytics, because then by eliminating the cough, those mucus will not be able to be expelled.
Causes of dry cough
A dry cough can be caused by allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when digestive issues are present, environmental pollution, or even as a lingering effect of a cold that's already clearing up but left your throat sore. The good news when you've had a cold is that in these cases, the cough usually signals its end, but the bad news is that this cough can last for weeks. And yes, we know, coughing is really annoying.
Have you confirmed you have a dry cough ? Then try some of these 7 natural remedies and you'll see how quickly you feel better.
Bahos or hot baths
You can take steam baths or hot baths whether you have a dry cough or a productive cough, because in the latter case, it will help soften the phlegm so that you can expel it better and clear your bronchial tubes.
Put water to boil, much better if you add some herb that helps open the airways, such as eucalyptus or bay leaf. Close the door so the steam can concentrate, or even get close to the container, being careful not to burn yourself, and cover your head with a towel to breathe that steam as deeply as you can for a while.
Gargle
Gargle with warm water in which you've dissolved a little salt . You can also gargle with an infusion of honey and herbs such as thyme, oregano, or chamomile.
It's also a good idea to gargle with an alcohol-free mouthwash containing chlorhexidine, because it's a disinfectant.
Get vitaminized with lemon juice and honey
Prepare lemon juice and add honey. Better if you take it warm or even a little hot (so it doesn't burn). To do this, bring water to a boil and when it is boiling, pour it into a cup or glass. Squeeze half a lemon into the hot water. Sweeten with a tablespoon of honey.
Lemon has vitamin C that will help you strengthen your immune system. Honey, in addition to softening your throat and sweetening the juice, which is already acidic, has antibiotic and antimicrobial properties.
Drink a lot of water
You need to drink water to soothe a dry cough . Water hydrates the throat and helps thin mucus. Keep in mind that a dry throat is more prone to irritation, so the more hydrated it is, the better.
Take infusions of sage, oregano or eucalyptus
Sage , oregano, or eucalyptus infusions are excellent for relieving coughs and help us recover from colds and flu. Experts say that drinking two cups a day of these infusions helps us get rid of a cough more quickly because these herbs also have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger, licorice, and eucalyptus infusions are also good options . In any case, and whichever infusion you choose, sweetening it with honey will add a touch of warmth that your throat will appreciate.
Candies to soothe the throat
Sucking on lozenges will also help soothe your throat and get you out of a bind when you have a dry cough. Opt for honey and lemon lozenges, eucalyptus, licorice, or, even better, propolis lozenges. The latter don't have the most pleasant taste, let's be honest, but they're very good for healing throat problems caused by a cold and relieving irritation.
You can order sweets to suck at your pharmacy that also contain vitamins and minerals and help reduce throat inflammation. There is a great variety, with different prices and qualities and, since most of them are natural (we are talking about candies, be careful, not pills), they do not usually have contraindications.
Gargle with baking soda
If we previously mentioned gargling with salt water or chlorhexidine and even infusions, we cannot leave out another old and effective remedy to soothe a dry cough: gargling with bicarbonate of soda.
When you cough, you can force your throat and even get an injury. Baking soda will heal these wounds and thus heal your throat. To do it, mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water, preferably if the water is warm. And gargle three times a day.
In addition, baking soda prevents infections and lubricates the throat and mouth. So it is very effective.
We trust that these 7 remedies for dry cough will get rid of that annoying cough once and for all.