What can you do about an irritating cough? Which home remedies are available?
You surely know it: the constricting, oppressive and burning sensation of an irritating or dry cough. It simply won’t let you go and limits you in all daily activities. You just have no strength or motivation. The fight against the dry cough is exhausting. You have to cough constantly. With each episode it hurts more and the burning persists. It is simply torture. Of course you could run to the pharmacy and get medication. However, there are also time-tested home remedies.
What is the recommended first step for a dry cough?
As a first step, it is definitely better if you rest at home. There are natural alternatives that benefit your body. We are talking about time-tested home remedies for dry cough. They are typically passed down from generation to generation in good faith. There are indeed many such remedies whose beneficial effects have been demonstrated and which you should consider before reaching for medication. These remedies have a decisive advantage: as the name suggests, they are usually available at home. So what natural remedies can you take for a dry cough? Which methods and remedies have proven effective over the years?
On the path to recovery from dry cough with grandma’s home remedies
Home remedy: honey and onion
First is a somewhat acquired-taste combination: with honey and onions you can prepare your own cough syrup. The effect of the onion and the honey is simple: the two substances soothe your inflamed bronchi. It’s straightforward: the onion’s active compounds are, chemically speaking, sulfur-containing chains of substances. These act as antioxidants and at the same time as expectorants, which is highly beneficial for your bronchi. It is widely known that honey is particularly effective for sore throats and also for dry cough. Honey comparatively forms a protective layer over the affected and inflamed areas, coating them so that your throat can regenerate more effectively.
Preparation: honey and onion syrup
First, honey and a finely chopped onion are boiled together with a little brown rock sugar. Then press the mixture through a sieve into a bowl. Let this liquid steep in the refrigerator overnight. Tip: preferably with a closed lid.
The homemade syrup is taken during the day in small spoonfuls with a teaspoon. Make sure not to take too much at once. Acclimatize yourself gradually to the taste.
Home remedy: classic chicken soup
Another proven home remedy is the classic chicken soup. No home remedy in the world is as well known. The soup supplies your body with sufficient fluid and also many vitamins such as vitamin E and A. This fluid intake is essential for an irritating dry cough. It ensures that your mucous membranes are moisturized and therefore do not dry out. Drying would promote the dry cough and make the symptoms worse. That is precisely what this prevents.
Zubereitung Hühnersuppe
The preparation of the chicken soup is basically quite simple. You take a soup hen and place it in a pot with water. The chicken should have been washed thoroughly beforehand. Then add salt and pepper to the pot. The amount of seasoning always depends on the quantity of soup and the size of the chicken. Please make sure not to use too much salt, as it removes the vital fluid from the body. Now add some soup greens and sliced carrots. Let the whole thing cook for about 2 hours. Then remove the chicken from the soup. Let it cool slightly. Remove the meat and return it to the soup in pieces. Finally, depending on preference, add noodles or rice, and the classic chicken soup is ready. Enjoy your meal and above all: get well soon!
Home remedy: Inhalation
Furthermore, inhalation is a good method to counteract an irritating dry cough. Pour hot water into a bowl and let it cool slightly. Then, with a towel over your head, inhale the steam above the bowl. This also helps to sufficiently moisturize your mucous membranes. If you have herbs at home, such as fresh sage, feel free to add them. This helps to further soothe the mucous membranes. The aromatic scent helps the body relax. Important during inhalation is that you breathe in and out very slowly and deeply. A few breaths are sufficient and you can briefly remove the towel to take a breath of fresh air, because it becomes very hot under the towel over time. Repeat the inhalation 3–4 times per day and you will notice a tangible improvement in the cough. However, be careful not to burn yourself!
Home remedy: warm potato poultice
Also a proven home remedy: the warm potato poultice. For this, cook 4 medium-sized potatoes until they are completely soft. Then put them into a dish towel and mash them thoroughly. Let the mixture cool slightly so you do not burn yourself. Then place it on your chest and let the warmth radiate into your body. Caution: if you have a fever, the poultice must be avoided!
The poultice acts as an antispasmodic and soothes the bronchial muscles with its warmth. This promotes relaxation and relieves pain. In addition, expectoration becomes easier to tolerate due to the comforting warmth.
However, the simplest and still best home remedy remains: drink, drink a lot! Whether herbal teas, unsweetened fruit teas or water, the important thing is that you take in plenty of fluids! On the one hand, as mentioned above, your mucous membranes are protected from drying out, because when you are ill you lose a lot of fluid, also through sweating. On the other hand, it loosens the mucus and flushes it out. You should therefore take sufficient fluids at all times of the day. Even if you then need to go to the toilet more often, drinking is indispensable — do not forget that!
Conclusion
There are plenty of home remedies that support you in the fight against dry cough. The methods are varied, yet they are all beneficial to your recovery. If you follow the tips above and rest thoroughly, you will soon be rid of the dry cough and your throat will feel like new; grandma’s home remedies will help you with that, trust them!