Natural Remedies for Coughs
The primary causes of coughs are colds, flu, allergies and irritation to the bronchial tubes. Coughs that bring up mucus should not be suppressed because the body is trying to rid itself of bacteria from the lungs. Dry coughs, on the other hand, are not beneficial and usually irritate the bronchi further. Try some of these natural remedies to treat these types of coughs.
Natural Remedies for Coughs - Herbal Cough Syrup
This herbal cough syrup made with thyme, licorice root and aniseed loosen congestion and relax the respiratory cough. It’s one of the best natural remedies for coughs.
Ingredients:
2 cups water
1 tablespoon aniseed
1 tablespoon dried licorice root
1 tablespoon dried wild black cherry bark
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 cup honey
Directions:
Simmer the aniseed, licorice root and wild cherry bark in a pan with the water for fifteen minutes.
Add the dried thyme and remove from heat.
Cover and allow the mixture to steep until it has reached room temperature.
Strain and add the honey to the remaining liquid, warming on the stove gently to dissolve honey.
Store in a covered glass jar in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to three months.
Take one tablespoon as often as needed to relieve coughs.
Natural Remedies for Coughs - Quick Cough Relief
This simple recipe is one of the best natural remedies for relief from coughs in a hurry.
Ingredients:
½ teaspoon honey
1 lemon
Directions:
Add a squeeze of lemon to the honey. Let it dissolve in your moth slowly before swallowing. Repeat as needed. Don’t give unpasteurized honey to children under age 2.
Natural Remedies for Coughs - Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is one of the best natural remedies for coughs. Its strong menthol scent breaks up congestion and helps ease coughing.
Ingredients:
1 part peppermint essential oil
1 part vegetable oil
Directions:
Combine the ingredients and apply under your nose.
For young children, apply the oil to a pillow or collar instead of the skin.
Natural Remedies for Coughs - Flax Seed Cough Remedy
Flax seeds are another of the greatest natural remedies for coughs. Boiled, these seeds make a thick demulcent that soothes the throat and bronchial tract.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons flax seeds
1 cup water
1 tablespoon each honey and lemon juice
Directions:
Boil the flax seeds in the water for a few minutes until the water turns gooey. Strain and add the honey and lemon juice. Take one tablespoon as needed to relieve coughs.
Natural Remedies for Coughs - Horehound Tea
Horehound is one of the best natural remedies for coughs and has been used since the time of the ancient Greeks to treat coughs of all kinds.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried horehound
1 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons honey
Directions:
Pour boiling water over the dried horehound. Cover and let the mixture steep for fifteen minutes. Add the honey and drink in ½ cup doses, as needed.
Natural Remedies for Coughs - Links
Getting Rid of Dry Cough
This article suggests several natural remedies for coughs, specifically dry coughs.
Smokable Home Remedies for Coughs
This article details several natural remedies for coughs that can be smoked.
The Health Benefits of Coltsfoot
This article explains the use of coltsfoot as one of the natural remedies for coughs.
