You have a cough and it's not going away. Your throat feels dry, you're tired all the time, and it's hard to concentrate. You're probably suffering from a dry cough or wet cough.
Dry coughs are often caused by allergies or post-nasal drip, while wet coughs are usually related to asthma, fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), bronchitis, or pneumonia. And you’ll probably need syrup for dry cough most of the time.
Coughing can be uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful, but it's still one of the many ways to rid your body of unwanted invaders.
Yet, some coughs linger long into the bronchioles, refusing to release themselves in a timely manner. In these cases, your doctor might prescribe something like Robitussin DM or cough medicine for relief.
Yet what do you do when none of these remedies work? Fortunately, plenty of home remedies can help alleviate dry or wet coughs.
What Are The Differences Between Dry and Wet Coughs?
As mentioned above, there are two primary types of coughs, and each requires different treatments.
The first is a dry cough, common in people with respiratory issues such as the common cold or asthma.
In contrast to a dry cough, a wet cough is often the result of bronchitis or pneumonia and causes green mucus or phlegm to come up from the lungs.
Although there are some similarities between both coughing problems, they require unique solutions. For example, while a humidifier might help with a wet cough (see below), it will not alleviate symptoms of a dry one.
Here are some home remedies for relief:
Ginger:
Ginger is an excellent expectorant and antibiotic. It can be taken as 2-5 grams (1/2 teaspoon per day) in capsules or tea. Chewing ginger helps reduce mucus caused by many different conditions, especially cough and it is a useful ingredient in making a homemade syrup for dry cough.
Ginger has antibacterial properties and helps to reduce inflammation of the respiratory system caused by coughing, which also helps relieve dry coughs.
This can be chewed on or added to food or drink - one piece of raw ginger would be equivalent to about 1/4 teaspoon of dried ginger. It is also a great remedy for wet cough.
Herbal Tea:
Strawberry leaf tisane is a good favourite and can be used during the day and especially at night.
All other herbal teas can be taken twice daily—hot or cold teas.
Drink Water:
Of course, there’s no direct cure for any type of coughing, but drinking lots of water can help alleviate some symptoms because you get less dehydrated, and so need fewer fluids.
Also, drinking lots of water helps to keep your throat moist and, therefore, less dry.
Vitamin C:
It is often suggested that taking vitamins C and E will cure a dry cough, but they can be toxic if taken in high doses. However, these vitamins are not only safe but possibly effective in the treatment of chronic coughs and colds and it is an excellent ingredient in a cough syrup for wet cough.
Hot Tea:
Since hot tea has a cooling effect on the throat's tissues and skin, it is recommended for cough conditions caused by excessive mucous production by frequent coughing.
Hot tea can help relieve irritation of the throat and destroy any bacteria that might be present, causing infection or illness.
Avoid Dry Air:
Colds and coughs are more frequent during the winter months when heating and hot water systems raise indoor humidity levels.
Preventative measures include keeping temperatures low, increasing ventilation in the home, and adding moisture to the air by using a humidifier and cold air humidifiers.
Adding moisture to the air is essential since cold air tends to dry out mucous membranes in the respiratory system, causing coughs.
Keep Your Mouth, Moist:
Drink as much water as you can tolerate so that your mouth stays moist, which will help prevent dry throat conditions.
Gargle with Salt Water:
Gargling salt water numbs the throat and helps reduce coughing, this method seems not to be effective but it’s a very effective medicine for wet cough.
Drink Hot Tea or Suck on a Lemon Slice:
This may help to soothe your nervous system and reduce coughing and it is most times a useful ingredient in a cough syrup for dry cough.
Take Olbas Oil or Vicks Vapour Rub:
These are vapour rubs that can be used to soothe a dry cough, sinus pains, or blocked nose. Just put a little on a handkerchief and inhale deeply to breathe in the vapours.
Eat Garlic:
Although garlic is known for its powerful flavour, it is also helpful in reducing coughs. Some say it can be rubbed on the chest or taken as a tea or tincture.
However, there are safety concerns and possible negative side effects with garlic because it can cause bad breath and stomach problems but it is also a great remedy for wet cough.
Eat Almonds:
Almonds are known to help prevent chest congestion, and they relieve coughing when the chest is congested.
They are best eaten either raw or in their dried form.
Other home remedies include:
Honey tea:
Honey acts as a natural antiseptic that helps stop the spreading of bacteria and soothes the irritated membranes in your throat, which are the cause of a cough and it could also serve as a useful ingredient in your syrup for dry cough.
You can follow these steps to make your own honey tea.
• Crush a few small pieces of ginger, mix with honey and add to hot water.
• Add a squeeze or two of lemon or lime juice if desired.
• Drink in the evening when coughing is persistent but not dry and hacking - this regime can be continued over several days.
• You should drink as much water as possible during this time period, both with the drink and separately with meals.
• Follow the diet and exercise regime to clear the mucus from the lungs.
Cayenne:
1-2 teaspoons in water. It sometimes gives a sedating effect
Bee Pollen:
3-4 teaspoons in water, stimulating, if you are on thyroid medication, it will reduce its impact. Try with honey first if you are prone to hypothyroidism as this will not be beneficial.
Turmeric:
Dose: Dose: 3-6 grams (1 to scant 1/4 teaspoon) twice a day with food and drink.
French Quince:
Dose:
Duce is up to 30% quinic acid. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times daily with food and drink.
Baking Soda:
Baking soda can also kill bacteria and viruses from getting into your lungs and unclog your nasal passages which can bring on a coughing fit.
It also acts as an astringent, decreasing swelling from fluid retention within the chest cavity, where it's blocked by phlegm.
Diet:
In a study of 2000 patients who were given garlic supplements at the beginning of an upper respiratory tract infection, 90 per cent did not cough.
Although there's no evidence that eating garlic provides any benefits, many people claim that it helps them avoid coughing while they are sick.
The best thing to do is to try the remedies yourself and see whether you feel better after taking them.
There is some evidence that capsaicin, the active ingredient in chilli peppers and hot peppers, may help reduce lung irritation in people with chronic asthma or bronchitis; this may also help reduce coughing.
Conclusion
Treatment of a Dry Cough:
If you have a dry cough, first of all, you need to drink plenty of water to moisten your mouth and throat. Take some honey with lemon juice and drink it slowly over 10 minutes.
Take herbal tea that combines elderflower, peppermint, liquorice root, and lemon balm.
Having some ginger tea will also help relax your stomach and reduce any indigestion or heartburn symptoms that cause coughing.
For those with asthma, it is advisable to not use honey to treat a cough because it can worsen it.
Treatment of a Wet cough:
The primary treatment for a wet cough is to identify and treat the underlying cause or causes of the wet cough.
If no specific disease is identified, then treatment is supportive: symptomatic (e.g. antibiotic if bacterial infection), decongestant if needed, bronchodilator if needed, antitussive medication if needed, antipyretic (i.e. fever reducer) as necessary; treatments such as ulcer healing agents may be used in appropriate circumstances.
A series of allergy tests can be helpful for chronic persistent wet cough without an identifiable cause of origin.
Some useful tips are:
Healthy Lifestyle:
Some helpful lifestyle tips include proper hydrating of the body and not indulging in excessive caffeine.
Additionally, for children and adolescents, there are several measures that can be taken to keep them healthy including taking adequate amounts of sleep and eating nutritious meals through adequate food portions.
It is also important to reduce stress in the person's life so they can strenghten their immune system.
Medications:
Antibiotics are most often prescribed when an infection is present and prophylactic antibiotics are used when symptoms are present at the time of starting the antibiotic treatment but do not result from a specific infection.
And it is important that you take them consistently for them to be very effective.
FAQs:
How should I store this homemade syrup?
You should store the syrup in an airtight jar in order to keep it fresh and good for consumption.
Can healthy additions be mixed into the cough syrup to increase Its potential?
Yes, you can add any healthy ingredient to increase the potential of the syrup
What is the shelf life of the cough syrup?
The cough syrup is sure to last up to two months in proper storage conditions
Disclaimer:
It is always advisable to visit your medical doctor for their consultation before embarking on making your own cough syrup with the above suggested ideas and techniques.