Home Remedies for Dry Cough

Just like sneezing, cough can happen anytime. A cough can be either dry or productive, which means accompanied by mucus. It is a mechanism to clean your throat and airways.

A dry cough or unproductive cough is the result of a viral infection. Triggers that bring on dry cough are pollution, smoking, perfumes, chemical fumes, and inhaling second-hand smoke.

The back of the throat gets irritated or inflamed, leading to dryness and coughing. However, persistent coughing can cause headaches, exhaustion, sleeplessness, and dizziness. The dry cough becomes severe in air-conditioned rooms and places with dry air.

Causes of dry cough

● Common cold

● Viral infection

● Flu 

● Allergies

● Exposure to irritants

● Asthma

● Post-nasal drip

● Bronchitis

● Cigarette smoking

Symptoms of dry cough

● Itchy and dry throat

● Absence of phlegm

● Exhaustion

● Irritability

● Fatigue

● Weak immune system

● Shakiness

● Shortness of breath

Home remedies for dry cough

When illnesses are viral, medicines can’t kill the infection. Instead, an individual can use home remedies to relieve the cough and till the virus subsides.

Following are some home remedies for dry cough:

Basil leaves and Gingers paste

Take one tablespoon of basil leaves (also known as Tulsi) and one tablespoon of ginger paste. Extract its juice in a bowl. Now add three tablespoons of honey in it. Mix it well. Have it three times a day till the cough is relieved.

Almonds, Butter, and Sugar

Soak about seven almonds in water overnight. In the morning, peel of their skin and crush them to make a paste. Add a tablespoon of butter, two tablespoons of sugar in the paste and mix it well. Eat it every morning and evening till the cough persisted.

Water, Turmeric powder and Carom seeds

Take a glass of lukewarm water. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder (also known as Haldi Powder) and one teaspoon of carom seed powder (also known as Ajwain). Mix it well and drink two times a day.

Water, Pepper, and Honey

Take half glass of water in a boiling pot. Add one teaspoon turmeric powder, one teaspoon black pepper, and one teaspoon honey. You may so add cinnamon sticks (also known as Dalchini). Boil water about 2-3 minutes on medium flame. Drink it daily at least two times a day until the condition is improved.

Lemon and Honey

Take two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. Now heat this mixture in the microwave until it becomes warm. Drink this syrup several times a day.

Pepper, Cumin seeds and Ginger

Take peppercorns half teaspoon, cumin seeds half teaspoon, and a small piece of ginger. Crush them into a coarse mixture. Now take three glass of water and add a coarsely crushed mixture.

Allow it to boil well. Add salt as required. Once boiled well, turn off the flame. Then cover with the lid and set aside for 20 min. Strain water in a cup and add lemon half. Drink it 2-3 times a day till cough is relieved.

Water and Ginger

Take a cup of water in a boiling pot. Take small ginger, peel, slice, and crush it lightly. Then add it to the boiling water and strain the solution. Drink it 2-3 times a day for better results.

Ginger and Salt

Take ginger. Peel it and cut in small pieces. Put a pan on medium flame. Add ginger and salt. Properly coat ginger with salt. Keep stirring. Dry roast it for 10-15 minutes on medium flame. Turn off the flame when ginger turns white in color and salt in black. 

The best thing about this remedy is that you can store it for one year in an air-tight container or zip lock bag. Take it whenever you have a dry cough or sore throat.

Water, Cumin seeds, Cloves and Cardamom

Take two glass of water in a boiling pot. Add some cumin seeds, 3-5 cloves, and peeled cardamom. Start boiling till it reduces to 1 glass of water. Keep it aside for some time to cool down, then strain the solution. Before consuming, add one tablespoon of honey and mix it well.

Drink it 2-3 times a day.

Ginger and Honey

Take a peel grated ginger. Extract the juice of ginger and add the same amount of honey to it. Mix it well. Take it half teaspoon 4-5 times a day till cough persists. 

Remember, after taking it, don’t drink water at least for half an hour.

Ginger Tea

Take half-litre water in a boiling pot, add pounded ginger, one cinnamon piece, one cardamom, two gloves, 4-5 peppercorns, and 1/8 turmeric powder. Boil it for 3-4 minutes on medium flame. Once boiled, turn off the flame and keep aside for 10 minutes. 

Take a cup. Add one tablespoon honey and ½ lemon juice to it. Next pour the strained solution to the cup and stir. You can drink it 2-3 times a day.

Coconut milk and Poppy seeds

In a bowl take 10 tablespoons of coconut milk. Add one tablespoon of poppy seeds (also know as khuskhus) to the coconut milk. Also, add one tablespoon of honey. Mix it well and take this mixture at night before going to sleep.

Jaggery balls

Take 2 tablespoon jaggery, ½ tablespoon turmeric, ½ ghee, ¼ salt, and ¼ pepper powder.

Mix it well and make a dough. Make small balls and have them 2-3 times a day.

Tips for instant relief from Dry Cough

1. Drink plenty of funnel water.

2. Drink green coconut water.

3. Take small pieces of dry ginger.

4. Inhale steam.

5. Take honey with warm water.

6. Suck hard candy to ease a dry cough.

7. Salt and water gargle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which one is the best natural remedy for dry cough?

Honey is the natural home remedy for dry cough. Depending upon the severity of the cough, take one spoon honey and swallow it, you don’t have to taste it at all.

When you put honey on your tongue, it becomes thin with your saliva due to which it is unable to stay in the throat, and your throat does not get rest.

Q2. What to do if we have a cough for a long time?

First, you need to ask yourself how long you had this cough? 

Is it for a week or two weeks? 

If you have it for three weeks or more then always speak to your health care professional, whether it is a doctor, their advice nurse practitioner, or their advanced pharmacy practitioner.

Q3. What to do when the coughing starts at night?

When you are lying down, it is easier for irritants to trigger coughing by making their way to your throat.

So try to raise your head using some extra pillows. Stay in an allergy-proof bedroom and use a humidifier.

When dealing with a persistent cough, apply some vapour rub on your feet before going to sleep.

Q4. What is the best medicine for dry cough?

Robitussin Maximum Strength, Mucinex, and Sudafed are some best medicines for dry cough. However, dosage may vary depending upon health conditions. Must consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication because it may have some side effects.

Q5. What is the best home remedy for babies having dry cough?

If your baby is more than 6 months old, then give them milk with a little bit of turmeric. Give them chicken soup, if you are vegetarian then provide them with vegetable soup. Also, give them warm water from time to time.

These are some of the best ways to moisten the baby’s throat and reduce irritation.

Q6. Is warm milk good or not for dry cough?

Yes. Off course. Warm milk is beneficial in dry cough. If you have it with a tablespoon of honey, then it will provide smoothness to your throat and give relief in irritation.

Q7. Is lemon good or bad for dry cough?

Lemon is excellent for dry cough. It is a good source of vitamin C, just like orange, lime, grapes, and vegetables. It improves your immune system. Drinking lemonade can reduce phlegm, and adding lemon juice to hot tea may also help in reducing pain.

Q8. What food should be avoided during dry cough?

When you have a dry cough, then you should avoid dairy products, fried foods, alcohol, sugar, and caffeine loaded products like coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Q9. Is egg good during dry cough?

Yes. An egg is good during dry cough.

An egg is a rich source of high-quality protein. When your immune system weakens due to cough or cold, then you will need more protein to recover rapidly. Then the egg will be helpful to provide you with enough protein, which is also very easy to cook and digest.

Q10. What to do when we can’t stop coughing?

When you can’t stop coughing then drink plenty of water or sip mild-warm water with honey. You can also take over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines if you have one.

Final Words

You must be feeling better now.

If cough causes shortness of breath and persists for several weeks, consult a doctor.

Wash your hands frequently with soap or use sanitizer and avoid touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.

Don’t forget to cover your mouth with tissue or handkerchief while sneezing; otherwise, others may catch a cold. Quarantine yourself if you have flu or cold and maintain social distancing if you are in a public place. 

You must have heard, “Prevention is better than cure”. So keep it in mind and try to be healthier instead of taking a lot of medicines or home remedies. If you are going through preventive measures, you will be healthier, and more than that, you will feel healthier.

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