Chronic Cough Remedies

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Chronic Cough Causes

Posted by Crew Chief (Texas) on 04/27/2016

Beware of Lisinopril!! For blood pressure. Been fighting a cough for years and a new doctor took me off of Lisinopril and it went away quickly. My energy level went up and I feel better than ever. Just Google Lisinopril and you will see tons of horror stories. Good Luck!

Replied by Daryl
(Florida)
06/28/2018

Yes, but not everyone has horror stories or the side effects you are speaking of. You can google any drug and find horror stories if you look hard enough. Lisinopril has helped me greatly with my blood pressure without side effects. I am thankful my doctor put me on it. Speaking about your own experience is fine, but generalizing I don't appreciate.


Echinacea and Goldenseal

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Posted by Cat (New Mexico) on 08/03/2021 2 posts
★★★★★

Had a horrible sinus infection then a chronic cough that would not stop!

I took one capsule of echinacea/golden seal in the evening after a hot bath of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and in the morning had minimal coughing. I also took a zinc lozenge and another echinacea/ goldenseal in the morning...I have hardly even coughed today. Pretty sure it was the echinacea/goldenseal that did it for me!


Echinacea and Goldenseal
Posted by Kathy (Fort Lauderdale) on 07/03/2018
★★★★★

Echinacea & Goldenseal is a miraculous healer for chronic coughs. I had a chronic cough for over 3 months tried every natural remedy I could find only this brought healing.

Thank you Ted for earthclinic.com.


Eliminate Artificial Sweeteners

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Posted by Jennie (Fort Wayne, IN) on 04/20/2008
★★★★★

I had a recurring dry cough for over fifteen years until I read that it may be a side effect of artificial sweeteners. I cut way back on Diet Coke (1-2 small glasses per week) and within a couple weeks it disappeared.


Essential Oils, Colloidal Silver

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Posted by Granny J. (Seattle, Wa) on 04/06/2015
★★★★★

I am 82 years old and recovering from a bout of pneumonia. I have had a lingering cough for the past few weeks. What finally cured my cough and gave me my energy back is steaming 3 times a day with 2 drops each of eucalyptus, oregano, and tea tree oils added to a bowl of just boiled water. I put a towel over my head and inhaled the steam for 15 minutes each time.

I also sniffed a teaspoon full of diluted colloidal silver up each nostril twice a day.

These two things helped me recover quickly. I hope this helps someone else!


Hydrogen Peroxide Inhalation, Water and Sea Salt

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Posted by Artcloud (Kentucky) on 05/17/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Coughing, bronchitis, pneumonia:

I thought would share with you what I did to cure myself of a terrible cough I got last fall.

My history

I have had pneumonia 3 times in the past years and it was very scary. I was diagnosed w/ adult onset asthma 15 or so years ago and used inhalers for a few months and then the asthma mysteriously went away. I used to have really bad allergies so you can see I have had a few lung congestion issues. I am a woman aged 62 and in good health.

What happened-

Last year after a trip to Colorado where I spent a lot of time above 10, 000 ft elevation in cold, dry air I came home with the most severe cough I have ever had. I was concerned that I might break a rib I was coughing so hard. I was never sick on this trip, never even had a fever so I couldn't figure out why I had this cough, what it was or where it came from. Not only that but I was very healthy and in good shape when I began the trip.

After 2 exhausting weeks with no let up and being nearly unable to talk or go anywhere because of the coughing fits I went to an urgent treatment center and was told by the Dr. that he didn't know what it was but he sent me off with antibiotics and an inhaler. I also took prednisone. NOTHING helped. I was the same. Coughing up stuff and coughing so badly I could hardly breathe.

What I discovered

At this point I knew I had to help myself so I began looking online. I found out about mountain climbers cough due to cold, dry air. It is called HAC (High Altitude Cough) or khumbu cough after some mountain peak somewhere. I read TWO very important pieces of information about our lungs. I found out about this by researching bronchitis, pneumonia and coughing as there is very little info online about HAC.

BTW, This how I found Earthclinic.com.

The FIRST important thing I learned was about inhaling Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)
There is a video of a man named Bill Munro and the link is here
https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/hydrogen_peroxide_inhalation.html

He inhaled hydrogen peroxide and it cured him of all kinds of things. He used it straight from the drugstore bottle. You can see how he did this by watching his video.

The SECOND thing I learned was about how important being consistently well hydrated and eating sea salt is.

NOW, and this is important, I read on Earthclinic one comment about a book called The Bodies Many Cries for Water by F. Batmanghelidj M.D. which explains how our bodies miraculously direct the available water in our system to keep us alive. I got the book and also several other books by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj M.D. one in particular called ABC of Asthma, Allergies and Lupus: Eradicate Asthma Now!

(FYI-I have no connection whatsoever to these books, that is to say I don't sell them or anything. They just helped me get well.) This book explains that we die if our blood isn't hydrated so water must go there first. That means water is diverted from other parts of our bodies like our lungs. Water is also diverted from our joints, our brains and all other parts of our bodies but that is something to consider if you have any other ailments.

Our lungs MUST be moist or 1. worst case they dry up (desiccate), and fall apart and we can't breathe so we die, best case it we find it really hard to breathe with dried up lungs 2. Aren't able to shed or cough up bacteria, pollution and other toxins, 3. the mucus becomes thick, difficult to cough up and is more susceptible to bacteria and viruses (Hello pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma etc).

The book also explains that salt is absolutely essential to our being alive. We are made of salt water. Think about it - saline solution is used in many cures including re-hydration, tissue flushes, eye flushes etc.. Our medical community directing us to cut back on salt is a death directive. If you have ever had horses or cows you know that a salt block in the field is essential to the health of the animals just as eating salt is to humans. Salt was once used as currency because it is so valuable to our very being alive.

How I recovered

At that point three weeks had gone by and I was desperate and had nothing to lose. I was fighting for my life. So I began inhaling H2O2 and within a a day I saw relief (ONE day) and within a week I was markedly better. I stopped inhaling at that point as I began to think maybe I would have gotten better on my own which I actually thought was going to happen anyway. BUT after I stopped inhaling H2O2 I stayed at exactly the same place with my cough about half as bad as it had been when I started the H2O2. My cough stopped getting better. It stayed the same miserable hack.

That is when I KNEW it was the H2O2 that helped cure my cough so I started inhaling again and got steadily better. Some days I would forget and only inhale once or twice but the days I would do it 3 or 4 or 5 times I could tell I was better faster. It took me a while to get this inhaling down pat but basically I just jumped in and went for it. I can't remember exactly how long it took but I think 3 weeks or so. I kept after it. I practiced a couple of quick sharp inhales and then sprayed the H2O2.

The other absolutely essential thing I began doing was drinking water and eating good healthy sea salt or Himalayan salt, (not table salt which has evidently been stripped of minerals and has toxic additives).

Our lungs LOVE salt. Mucus contains of salt. I started putting a pinch of salt on my tongue after drinking a glass of water, letting the salt mostly dissolve and then drinking another glass of water. It really helps clean the lungs, cause a most amazing and satisfying release and coughing up of stuff. The salt also greatly facilitates re-hydration.(think sports drinks, with sodium). 1/4 teaspoon a day is recommended to be ingested throughout the day on food or whatever.
SO I would drink half my body weight in ounces (ie if you weigh 140 pounds drink 70 oz of water ) at the very least 8 cups (think measuring CUP) of water a day. Drink 2 cups in the AM when you get up to begin re-hydrating. Dr. Batmanhelidj's book explains it all. The water helps everything feel better from your mood and outlook to your digestion, skin, breathing, sinuses, joints, back, heart, thinking and on and on. I could tell the water/salt was the factor that went hand in hand with the H2O2 to allow my body to recover. I needed both.

Follow up

I am so thankful for the internet, for Dr. Batmanheldj, for Earthclinic, Bill Munro and for the people who took the time to comment so I could figure out how to get better. I am well. Not only that but I have an arsenal of weapons for good health.

Other info and my thoughts
1. I ignored everything I read about "food grade H2O2". What I used came from the drugstore in a brown bottle just like Bill Munro.
2. I did not dilute the H2O2 I used.
3. Inhaling H2O2 did not hurt me at all. The back of my throat might sting a tiny bit but frankly felt rather cleansing.
4. I got a tiny bit dizzy when inhaling sometimes but I would just sit down for a couple of seconds and it would go away. I really think it was the quick, rapid breathing that caused that.

5. I bought a tiny brown glass spray bottle at a health food store and used that but I have seen H2O2 in squirt bottle at the drugstore. that might work.

6. This is just my story and what worked for me. You may want to read some of the comments regarding H2O2. Amazing stuff.

7. I add a pinch of salt to my coffee in the AM and you can't taste it, in fact the coffee is delicious and it really helped my lungs release stuff.

8. Stop consuming ALL soft drinks. Fruit juice is better if you need a dose of sugar but still isn't so great for you. Sugar feeds fungus.

9. Sugar and aspartame are as debilitating and as addictive as heroin. They are also dehydrating.

10. Sodium and salt are 2 different things somehow/kind of. Read the books for a good explanation or do the research.

11. Coffee and caffeine are also dehydrating so I only drink one cup in the AM.

12. I am not recommending or advising anyone to do what I did. I just wanted to share in case anyone could be helped. And since I am only sharing my experience I am not interested in anyone's critical comments. Helpful comments yes.

13. Watch Bill Munro's video and if you have any questions watch it 5 more times or until you have no more questions.

14. Same with the books.

15. Last (unless I think of something else) and MOST importantly, drink water every day even when you travel. I cut back during my trip to Colorado to keep from having to stop and find a bathroom etc. and I think that absolutely contributed to the onset of the cough.

Replied by Timh
(Kentucky)
05/17/2016
2043 posts

Good post Artcloud and congrats on your recovery.

If I may add a few items to further improve on this condition & solution.

As for Salt, yes Sea Salt (Iodized) and Pink Himalayan Salt are many times preferred over processed salt. Only drawback to these is an out-of-balance ratio of Sodium to all the other major & minor Minerals needed by the body. Check out Dr Joel Wallach "Dead Doctors Don't Lie". If I am not mistaken there are now "low sodium" Pink Himalayan Salt products which helps correct the imbalance. For the single best source of Minerals look no further than Ionic Trace Minerals. Next time you go to Colorado, keep heading west destination Utah Great Salt Lake (or go there on YouTube vids), one of planet Earth's greatest deposits of Major & Trace Minerals. Also very important in the Mineral Category is Iodine. Kelp supplement is a good start or preventive, but Iodine supplements are best.

Now, for the lungs. You may wish to research & consider these nutrients for healthy respiratory. Glucosamine Sulfate, has a very beneficial effect on mucus membranes in the gut & lungs. Calcium 2 AEP, also has beneficial effects on lung function and helps the entire body transport minerals in & out of cells. The herb Mullein is beneficial for lungs and grows all about Kentucky.

Back to minerals. Research & consider BlackStrapMolasses (BSM) a big favorite here on E.C. BSM is a great addition to Coffee as a natural sweetener and a big Mineral booster with substantial amounts of Iron & Magnesium among others.

For whole body oxygenation research & consider Sodium Chlorite or Oxygen Supplement. SC boost Oxygen in the blood & body naturally or you can go strait to oral drops of H2O2. With a little research you will find that many Mountain Climbers use these nutrients to increase performance in high altitudes.

You may also consider improving your indoor air with Negative Ion and/or Ozone purifiers. Many retailers label or promote their products with words like "Alpine Air" because that once low oxygen indoor air now smells & feels "fresh" like an Alpine environment or your outdoors after a rainstorm or May shower. This is air with high concentrations of Negative and low concentration of positive Ions. This relieves a huge burden off the lungs and brings back the body's Main endogenous antioxidant Glutathione.

Lastly, back to Lung health. A few yrs back someone discovered and produced a device that physically "strengthens" the lungs. It's called "PowerLung" and it has big benefits on lungs and overall body performance especially in athletics or mountain climbing, as it increases the volume of air going in and air going out of the lungs.

Replied by Joy
(Thailand)
05/17/2016

Thankyou to Artcloud for a very comprehensive and informative post. (Editors Choice) I'm happy you are now well again .Earth Clinic has some excellent posters on the site, (there are a couple of trolls) and so long as posts like this one appear which is from your own experience this site will remain tops.

Replied by Artcloud
(Kentucky)
05/18/2016

Timh

I agree with you. I take iodine everyday. I will check into the other things you mentioned.

I am very interested in Mullein and other natural healing herbs. I think I have id'ed some but not exactly sure plus the stuff I found is near a road and probably not so fresh.

Thanks for the info.

Joy, Thank you!

Editors, Thank you!


Irish Sea Moss +

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Posted by Pierric (France) on 01/16/2024
★★★★☆

Irish sea moss + burdock root & bladderwrack extract for chronic cough

I took a supplements on amazon with Sea moss + burdock root & bladderwrack extract all in one, and It worked for me, but in the same day I also took melatonin and SAM-e supplement, so it maybe that also


Lecithin

1 User Review
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Posted by Ann (Campbell, California) on 02/21/2016
★★★★★

After trying the gargles and remedy 'shots' suggested for my dry, irritating cough, I did not experience any relief. Just to be clear, I had already detoxed to the point that my body had no more phlegm or any actual bad stuff I had to get rid of.

It was just this nagging, dry cough that kept persisting and kept me from sleeping or even relaxing. Seeing no other remedies suggested for this, I stopped to think what was happening, and realized that if I could just coat that spot in my throat with something soothing that would stay put (and not just disappear when I swallowed), that might help. I did not want to use honey because the sugar could make the condition worse. So I thought of trying liquid lecithin. I happened to have a silicone head toothbrush, and used that to apply the lecithin.

Method: Place a small amount of liquid lecithin on the tip of the clean silicone toothbrush. Gently reach the toothbrush into the back of my throat (on and around the irritated spot) and lightly dab the lecithin where needed. The relief was instant. Eventually, the lecithin washes away and may need to be reapplied.


MSM

1 User Review
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Posted by Rae (Calgary, Alberta) on 05/25/2018
★★★★☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have had a chronic cough for several years now, that the doctors tell me is asthma. Which I believe it is but after seeing a Naturopath, I now know that I also have an inflamed digestive system that also makes me cough. I initially took the supplements that the Naturopath gave me but decided that I was spending too much money. So now I'm following the Naturopath's food guideline (not strickly) and taking MSM. I started about a month ago at 1/4 tsp in a glass of water each morning before I eat. I am currently up to 1 tsp and I have been experiencing light nose bleeding when I lay down at night. My cough is not gone, but it is greatly diminished so I don't want to stop taking the MSM. Is the slight nose bleeding a problem? I do not have any other side effects that I'm aware of.


Mullein Leaf Extract

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Posted by April F (Michigan) on 09/19/2022
★★★★★

Mullein Leaf Extract for chronic cough, chest congestion

I found Mullein Leaf Extract on Amazon, and tried it when I couldn't get rid of the ever lasting cough after Covid. It was the only thing that finally got rid of the chest congestion and coughing. I take it anytime I get a cough now, and it's been a lifesaver. I consider this a MUST HAVE in your medicine cabinet. It doesn't taste great, but it's doable. I put about 30 drops in a little bit of water, stir it, and chug it down. It's pretty amazing.

Replied by Allison
(Connecticut)
09/22/2022
★★★★★

I had the same experience with a chronic cough after Covid. I collected and dried my own Mullein leaves and made a tea. I drank 1 mug in the morning, again at night, and again the next morning. That is all I needed. The cough was gone!

KS
(Glenview, IL)
09/22/2022
★★★★★

I also used mullein tincture for post covid congestion. I didn't have a cough but, extreme fatigue. Overnight my energy improved, literally day and night difference. (BTW, I didn't have the vax.) Recently, I had gone for my checkup and my doctor and a chest-xray confirmed my lungs were clear. (And I had been a smoker for decades, quit 12 years ago.)

Replied by Rob
(Kentucky)
09/30/2024
★★★★★

Smoking dried mullein leaves in a pipe not having been used for tobacco, is said to have cured many cases of Laryngitis. And I find in my last Eclectic Medical Journal so strong a corroboration, taken from the Medical and Surgical Reporter, of this fact that I cannot refrain from giving the quotation. It says: "In that form of disease in which there is dryness of the trachea, with a constant desire to clear the throat, attended with little expectoration, and considerable pain in the part affected, the mullein smoked through a pipe acts like a charm and affords instant relief. It seems to act as an anodyne in allaying irritation, while it promotes expectoration and removes that gelatinous mucus which gathers in the larynx, and, at the same time, by some unknown power, completely changes the nature of the disease, and, if persevered in, will produce a radical cure.”

Since the publication of the foregoing, in the ninth edition, I have been smoking the dried mullein, and recommending it to others. It has given general satisfaction for coughs and as a substitute for tobacco in smoking, exhilarating the nerves and allaying the hacking coughs from recent colds, by breathing the smoke into the lungs. In one instance, after retiring, I could not rest from an irritation in the upper portion of the lungs and throat, frequently hacking without relief only for a moment. I arose, filled my pipe with mullein, returning to bed, I smoked the pipeful, drawing it into the lungs, and did not cough again during the night.

An old gentleman, an inveterate smoker, from my suggestion, began to mix the mullein with his tobacco, one-fourth at first, for a while; then half, and finally three-fourths; at this point he rested. It satisfied in place of the full amount of tobacco, and cured a cough which had been left upon him after inflammation of the lungs. The flavor can hardly be distinguished from the flavor of tobacco smoke, in rooms. It can be made into cigars by using a tobacco leaf wrapper.

Book - Dr. Chase's New Receipt Book and Medical Advisor or Information for Everbody by A.W. Chase M.D. page 90,1920


Multiple Remedies

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1 star (1) 
  33%

Posted by Jsmom (North Carolina) on 12/25/2018
★☆☆☆☆

I happen to love ACV for high glucose issues because it absolutely works for me. But I'm here looking for a remedy for my daughter's cough. It's been bad for maybe a year (that she hasn't lived at home).

I've seen all the ACV and honey reviews so I'm praying that this will work for her. I know it's her decision but I really don't want her taking any prescription Rxs or even over the counter because she's already taking a medication for another issue.

We tried straight honey; turmeric and honey in warm water; honey, lemon juice, and red pepper in warm water. So far none of those has stopped the coughing. She said I'm so afraid that she's damaging her lungs.

I also put some vapor rub on her feet. Fingers crossed that something works. She's an adult but she's still my baby and I don't like to see her ill.

Replied by Anon
(Usa)
12/26/2018

Jsmom, to get rid of a chronic cough, try mullein tincture in a little water. Use this two to three times per day. Also, try Rumex Crispus homeopathic pellets at night before bed, 15 minutes away from food or toothpaste. Good luck!

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
12/27/2018

Jsmom, look into h2o2 inhalation. It clears coughs for me.

Replied by Tom
(Los Angeles)
12/27/2018

Hi,

I would highly recommend Celery Juice first thing in the morning. My daughter was diagnosed with silent re-flux due to which she had cough. Celery juice cured the problem and her cough too.

Susan
(Citrus Heights, CA)
09/23/2022

I have coughing asthma and have been drinking celery juice for almost 2 years now and taking mullein and I still have my coughing asthma at times. How much celery juice does she drink.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mary (Toronto, Canada) on 04/08/2015
★★★★★

Lucky me I did not caught flu this winter, but spring came with tonsillitis, high fever and excessive dry cough, no phlegm, no chest pain but I could not sleep at nights for a week because of the cough.

I knew I can get rid of the tonsillitis in two three days just with cayenne, I did not know the lungs are affected and I panicked when the tonsillitis past and the cough was still there and was getting worse, so I went and I bought dry garlic, ginger, oregano, more cayenne and apple cider vinegar, all together under ten dollars, do not buy them in pill form, they are way more expensive, I buy them by pound from Bulk Barn in Canada, or even better if you can buy them fresh at your local grocery store.

I took for three days one cup of mint tea mixes with two-three spoons of apple cider vinegar,

and one or two cups a day of water mixed with half to one teaspoon of garlic, ginger, oregano and cayenne. Start with half a teaspoon of each, it's quite strong the mixture, if it's making you nauseous have some apple or peach handy, that will help. it did not made me nauseous, but I can't tolerate very well the hotness of cayenne, I will recommend the mixture on regular basis to flavor veggies and, or meat when you are cooking.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jane (Fordingbridge, England) on 01/15/2015
★★★★★

Pertaining to the problem of coughs and colds that tend to undermine our equilibrium at this time of the year, there are steps one can take that mitigate these annoyances! Here are some of the ways with which I have experimented over the years and found to be most helpful:

Fresh ginger root made into a tea, likewise pieces of garlic. (The latter should be allowed to sit after slicing for a few minutes to allow the beneficial chemistry to take effect). Other remedies that I have found to be extremely good include Echinacea, Elderberry, and the herb Mullein for coughs. I have sliced onion and put it beside my bed! Why not? If it works, well and good! An old remedy is to slice an onion and dip a piece into boiling water for a second or two only (apparently), then sipping the water throughout the day. This seems to me to be a homeopathic idea! Eating fresh oranges or grapefruit with some lemon juice squeezed over the slices and a touch of raw honey.

Using steam very carefully has helped me quite often with coughs. The heat of the steam is said to kill viruses which might be somewhat useful. Chicken soup with garlic, onions and lots of vegetables can be most welcome when one is not feeling up to par. Having some in the freezer comes in handy at these times. Having used the twelve tissue cell-salts for years, I can suggest them also.


Pickle Juice Brine

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Posted by Sarah (Montana, US) on 02/09/2015
★★★★★

I've had this cough now for 17 weeks. When I tried the pickle juice, it was like wow! I feel a lot better. But I still cough once in a while. But it works!

Replied by Dawné
(Indiana)
08/15/2016

Did you drink straight or mix it with something...?? I actually like pickle juice mixed with V8. Any suggestions for the above question would be greatly appreciated. On my 9th day of constant hacking. Thank you.


Pulmonary Cupping or Back Whacking

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Posted by Littlewing (Boston) on 06/26/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Hello everyone – I see lots of things to "take" for a cough, especially a wheezing phlegmy cough - and those are great if they work. But if you can find someone to do what I call "back whacking" and what the professionals call "pulmonary cupping" I highly recommend it.

Years ago I had pneumonia and even though after one week I felt better I was actually worse as all the crap in my lungs had sunk to the bottom. They put me on a new antibiotic that in the end did the trick, but when I asked my doctor "what else can I do?" she said "find someone to slap your back". I didn't then, but in the past few years I have had many many simple colds that turn into chest colds (I'm a smoker, have to quit that I know) and as everything else improves, my cough is persistent for a long time after. Unless I call my nurse friends over to whack my back that is. They can tell by the sound when they're cupping where the congestion is. Sort of like knocking on a wall to find the stud, the sound density is different. Once they find the spot or spots where the mucus is, they go to town and I hack it up. I can't recommend it enough, it always works and gets rid of the cough in 48 hours or less. You have to do it a few times, but it always works.

Replied by Earthling
(Usa)
06/27/2016
★★★★★

I can second this. When my son was a toddler, (he's 38 now) he would get bronchitis quite often. Even way back then, pre-internet, I'd read that tapping his back would help loosen congestion.

Using my fingertips, I would firmly tap, moving my hands around both lung areas of the back several times a day/night and it helped break up the mucous every time! He was then able to cough up the mucous and got better much quicker.

Also, in addition to using a warm mist humidifier overnight while he slept, I would take him into the bathroom with a book to read him, turn the shower water on hot, full blast and have him inhale the steam. Between the back tapping and the steam, he would be good as new in no time! :)



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