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Effective Natural Remedies for Cough Relief

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.
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Ginger
Posted by Maypeacebewithall (Singapore) on 04/13/2012
 ★★★★★

I have tried "ginger tea" many times successfully to heal my coughs. The coughs range from mild to severe. I cut a few slices of ginger and add to water. Then I bring it to boil and drink it when warm. Do remember to take it in the day time as there's a saying that ginger when taken in the morning is as good as ginseng but it's not good to take it during the night. I find the ginger tea especially good for coughs due to "exposure to wind".

Also, I just heard from my mum yesterday after she paid a visit to her best friend that she had used peppermint tea to cure her daughter, grandson and neighbour's long standing cough. Not even doctors' medicine could cure their cough and they have been coughing for months. After just 1 to 2 cups of peppermint tea, they are completely cured! She said to take 7 peppermint leaves and make into tea. Hope this helps.

Colloidal Silver
Posted by Nai (Atlanta, Ga) on 02/07/2012
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had a very bad dry and tickly cough that didn't seem to go away (for more than a week). I tried every natural remedies possible, ACV with honey, ACV gargle, inhalation, eucalyptus etc... and nothing worked.

The only thing that did finally work was a deep gargle with Colloidal Silver. I did gargle with the solution then laid on the bed with my head on the edge of the bed so that the solution can reach the back of my throat. I kept the solution in my mouth for 6 minutes and then I slowly swallowed the solution.

I repeated the treatment 3 times since last night and after 12 hours only, I am already feeling extremely better. I just learned that dry coughs that last are usually caused by bacteria so unless you kill the bacteria, you are going to cough forever. Colloidal Silver kills them in just minutes. I pray this will help someone feel better.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Robert (Manila, Luzon, Philippines) on 01/11/2012
 ★★★★★

I started ACV with Sodium Bicarbonate yesterday at ten am. I took a dose in the middle of the afternoon and then before I dined. I am happy to report that last night was the first night that I slept most of the night in years. Only woke one time with a minor cough, a shot of water and I was off to sleep again. I am glad I found this site. Thanks Ted.

I contionued this regime today and hopefully will sleep well tonight. Had a few coughing spells today but not as bad as before the ACV.

I did not have the courage to drop the other meds my doctor has me on. I will eventually drop them if I keep having this level of energy and the reduction in coughing. Thanks Ted for your write up.

Almonds
Posted by Carly (Duluth, Mn, Usa) on 12/27/2011

The almonds are high in magnesium which helps lung function. :)

Chocolate
Posted by Vetta (Northeast, Usa) on 12/14/2011
 ★★★★★

Faster than anything I've ever tried: One glass water (8-10 oz. ) drunk all at once. This thins the phlegm. Then one small plain chocolate bar, about 2-3 inches, like a "fun size" for halloween. Cough disappeared instantly for 3 hours. Had to repeat during the night, but fell back asleep right away with no coughing!

I suggest using plain chocolate (like Hersheys) without anything added to it.

The British have been researching this since 2004. Lots on Google. Works so well!

Homeopathic Remedy for Bronchitis
Posted by Arnika (Berlin, Germany) on 09/27/2011
 ★★★★★

Homeopathic remedy (Spongia Tosta) worked very good both for me and my boyfriend. We had dry cough.

Saline Nasal Rinse
Posted by Granny Laura (Waco, Tx, Usa) on 03/30/2011
 ★★★★★

The cough response is usually from sinus dripping down your throat and you need to clear your breathing passage.

One teaspoon of salt for canning and baking or pure sea salt in a quart of distilled water is the recipe for relief! You can sniff it up your nose over the sink, use a neti pot, or an eye dropper to get it to the targeted area, sinuses.

This usually stops a bad cough in its tracks, and can actually cure a sinus infection faster and better than antibiotics, without the nasty side effects of antibiotics.

This would be the number one remedy for coughs and colds in the world if it was fun to do! But, it has zero side effects and the only thing that could possibly go wrong is if you accidentally drowned yourself! Lol For you and the baby, give this a try.

When I tell a doctor that is what I use for my sinus and cough problems, they always get a smile on their faces and tell me how good it is for the problem, my lung specialist for my asthma was genuinely enthusiastic! They are always surprised at patients that don't want a quick fix antibiotic for the sniffles and hangnails, or worse yet (if possible), steroids. They don't take that stuff themselves but they didn't know they had a patient somewhere that was as smart as they are about safe cures for common problems!

Vicks on Feet
Posted by Emilyr (Portland, Or, United States) on 03/30/2011
 ★★★★★

I was really hoping ACV could be a simple cure for the horrible cough I've had for over 2 weeks following a sinus infection, but it has not helped. I am 36 and pregnant, saw my doctor last week, he thinks it is a random virus and not a flu, cold, or anything bacterial. I tried Robetussin at his suggestion but that did not help a bit. I alternate between mucousy coughs, and dry spasm-like coughs and feel like it is moving into my lungs...

For the last 2 days I have taken 2T raw organic ACV w/ 1T honey and a wedge of lemon in 8oz hot water, 2 doses during the day, with very little temporary relief.

The Vick's on my feet remedy DID, however, work to provide me with a blissful 8 hour break from coughing - enough relief to get a good night's rest finally. Still searching for a cure though. I have a sensitivity to Aspergillus Niger mold and suspect that might be the cause, it is prime mold season here in Portland, OR. Working up the courage to try inhaling hydrogen peroxide... Any advice is welcomed. Thanks, emily

Ginger
Posted by Chuck (Cypress, California) on 03/15/2011
 ★★★★★

Have miserable chronic dry cough when catching cold, almost caused hernia once. One night can't sleep cause of cough, so look up remedies on Line & find ginger root. Cut piece size three quarters stuck together & stop cough immediately & lasted 4 while b4 having 2 pop some more .

Recently found more pleasant remedy. Cut ginger into McDonald french fry sized pieces about 1&1/2 inch long & squeeze bead of honey onto same. The honey kills harsh ginger taste & ginger keeps honey from being 2 sweet. All that's left is that hot healing feeling. Love it.

Vitamin A
Posted by John H (Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, Uk) on 01/18/2011
 ★★★★★

For years I had a cough without apparent reason (no infection). I then noticed if I ate liver the cough completely disappeared within 24 hours. Further investigation showed that I just has a Vitamin A deficiency and the problem was resolved eating liver once a week or taking a Vitamin A supplement. I have found that Vitamin A retinol works much better the carrots (carotin) but be aware not to have too much retinol. I have tested this by stopping the Vitamin A and the cough returns. This is worth a try for anyone having a chronic cough or any mucus membrane problems.

Flaxseed Tea
Posted by Janet (Phoenix, Az, Usa) on 01/08/2011
 ★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

My husband used it once & slept all night without coughing. BUT, the cough was back next day & flax tea didn't do as much good. Just how much should one drink each time? A tbsp? A cup? He is 83 and it is wearing him down.

Mullein
Posted by Lilyelectrolux (Twentynine Palms, Ca, Usa) on 12/11/2010
 ★★★★★

Common mullein flowers, brewed as a tea, make a powerful cure for cough or upper respiratory disease, among other things. There are no side effects, and it tastes wonderful.

Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Michael (Indianapolis, In/usa) on 10/13/2010
 ★★★★★

I wrote about this about 6 years ago and once again I have found it to be an awesome remedy for a cough following a bad cold that doesn't seem to go away. I am a dental hygienist, so I can usually get a doc to write me a script for an anti-biotic. I tried a couple different types of them to try and get rid of the rest of whatever was still living in my bronchial passages causing my nagging cough. In conjunction I went on a ACV stint for about a week. Nothing rid me of the cough. Yesterday I decided to try the GSE approach again. About 7-8 drops in some juice, 2x yesterday. The juice does little to hide the bitterness; you just need to endure it and drink it down. Today I feel the best I have felt in weeks.

Steam Inhalation
Posted by Annsmeal (Bailey, Colorado) on 09/21/2010
 ★★★★★

When anyone in my home, (including guests)have a cough, I get out my largest pot fill it with water Add 1 tablespoon of Oregano and 1 tablespoon of Thyme, turn to a simmer once it comes to a boil. Have a person stand over the steam and breath deep, this will make them cough up anything in the lungs. Breath in the steam until coughing is eased. Leaving the pot on simmer, adding water and more of the herbs if needed. I find that at least two days is the time frame to illuminate a bad cough. This combination takes care of both viral and bacterial causing coughs. Can be used with other remedies. I put this in a crock pot on low in sick rooms if the aroma doesn't reach from the kitchen.

Flaxseed Tea
Posted by Grannyguru (Oro Valley, Az) on 09/01/2010

You do not drink the seeds. You strain the seeds out of the mixture after it has boiled and begun to thicken. Discard the seeds. Pour the liquid into a thermos and add the honey and vitamin c, or freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice and maple syrup or whatever you want to use to sweeten it to taste. Tighten the lid on the thermos and shake it to mix it. Then just take drinks of it as needed.

Chocolate
Posted by Cleoppa (Cleburne, Tx) on 08/28/2010
 ★★★★★

Chocolate is amazing for coughs. Research has shown it's even better than cough syrup. Not so good is sugar. When I'm getting sick, I take pure chocolate. I don't think it necessarily helps me recover from my cold or flu quicker in itself. However, having a peaceful night where I can breathe easily definitely helps me recover quicker. I have tried many types of unsugared chocolate. All are gross. Sometimes I use baking squares. Sometimes I mix chocolate powder in water. Sometimes I eat cacao nibs. I think perhaps the most effective (and this may have to do with how much I can stand) is the baking squares.

Flaxseed Tea
Posted by Peter (Chicago, Il) on 04/22/2010

Do you drink the flaxseeds also ? or Just the liquid ?

Flaxseed Tea
Posted by Grannyguru (Oro Valley, Az, Usa) on 03/21/2010
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Flaxseed tea cures those awful coughing spasms that won't stop until you gag. It stops them whether they are from a bad cold, or from other reasons, including the cough that comes from taking medicines for high blood pressure.

I got this from my doctor many years ago when I was pregnant and got a bad cold with a cough that wouldn't go away and would make me cough so hard my doctor was afraid I was going to lose the baby.

He was emphatic that I should only use whole flaxseed. Why, I have no idea. But he said it was something I could use as much as I wanted, because it had no bad side effects.

I gave this recipe to a friend who was coughing continuously from taking medicine for high blood pressure and then developed bronchitis where the cough just hung on and would not stop until she gagged, then would start again. Before she got the cold she complained about the constant hacking cough from the medicine to both her doctor and her pharmacist and both insisted there was NOTHING that could get rid of it, and she'd just have to learn to live with it.

She tried the flaxseed tea and the cough was almost immediately stopped, so she could get some sleep. She used it to stop the coughing for a day or two, and it COMPLETELY GOT RID OF THE COUGH. Even the cough that she had had from the high blood pressure medicine.

I've discovered that for the cough from the medicine you have to take it for a couple of days or so, and then the cough is gone...for months. If you keep taking the blood pressure medicine, then the cough will gradually come back (people describe an itch or tickle in their throat that starts it).. but once you again take the flax seed tea the cough goes away again... again for months.

With colds it works best with coughs after you have had the cold for a couple of days. That dry hacking cough that makes you cough and cough and cough until finally you gag.

Of course if you take vitamin c and other remedies when the cold starts, you may never need flaxseed tea.

But if you've ever had a cough like that, the tea is amazing.

You put about a tablespoon or so of whole dark brown flaxseeds (for some reason golden seeds do not work anywhere near as well) into 2 cups of water and boil it until it just begins to thicken. It will seem to take forever, then suddenly it thickens quickly, so the minute you notice it thickening, remove it from the heat.

Add lemon juice or vitamin c and sweetener, like grade b maple syrup, or even just sugar. Drink. I found I did not like it when it was thickened, but I could put it in a thermos and keep it by my bed, and it would break down into just a soothing liquid, but would work just as good as the thick syrup I didn't like.

And of course if you add honey and vitamin c it tastes like apple juice.

I put it out here because I realized a lot of people are being told there is NOTHING that can help the cough they get from taking high blood pressure medicine. Seems to me just the constant coughing is going to raise your blood pressure. In any case, it is not true that nothing can help that cough. Cough drops may seem to help but in the end they just make it worse and pretty soon you are always sucking on a cough drop, but coughing more and more. Flaxseed tea works immediately to stop the coughing, and then works to take the cough away...for months. Plus my doctor said back then that there was nothing that could hurt me ...or my unborn child.

So I thought I'd mention it here.

Magnesium
Posted by Selah (Ny, Ny, Us) on 03/20/2010

Conclusion:

The cough is almost completely gone now. I had a post-nasal drip for years. I also would have to start clearing my throat if I would talk alot. I now realize that the flu just increased a problem that I've had for a long time.

The n-acetyl cysteine seemed to be the main thing that got rid of the cough. The dosage would vary according to need. If I started coughing I would take it - between 300 and 600 mgs. - and would cut down when my stomach started to feel irritated.

Oral vitamin C and cayenne were also helpful. I would take about 150 mgs of sodium ascorbate along with the NAC. I was taking between an 1/8 and 1/4 tsp of the cayenne and also putting it on food.

Ginger
Posted by Tena (Champaign, Illinois) on 03/15/2010
 ★★★★★

This is what worked for my family:

Cough remedy: 1/2 cup of warm milk, 1/2 Tbsp Honey, 1 tsp Ginger. Works great, especially if you drink it before bedtime, helps to sleep without coughing. Hope this helps.

Magnesium
Posted by Selah (Ny, Ny, Us) on 03/10/2010

Update: It seems I had the flu. The 1st thing I did was to get intravenous vitamin C (35 grams in 1 liter of water). This cleared up the congestion immediately (1/2 way thru the drip) and made it possible to sleep without breathing thru my mouth. After that I cut down on sodium and switched to oral magnesium ascorbate plus n-acetyl cysteine. This cut down on the coughing. I eventually increased the NAC to 600 mgs 3 times a day. These things didn't completely get rid of the cough. I'm now trying cayenne gargle and taking cayenne capsules and it seems pretty effective although I haven't found the right level yet to completely eliminate the cough.

Magnesium
Posted by Selah (Ny, Ny, Us) on 03/03/2010
 ★★★★★

Cutting down on sodium and increasing magnesium, cured my cough. I cut down on the amount of salt I was using. I had also been taking sodium ascorbate (vitamin C)~175mgs 5 or 6 times daily. I switched to magnesium ascorbate. The magnesium seems to help relax the muscles. I had been having an unrelenting dry cough that was causing sore stomach muscles. Switching to magnesium ascorbate and cutting out the sodium helped to loosen the mucous but didn't produce a runny nose. I had to take calcium along with the magnesium to prevent muscle cramping. Just eating milk products like cheese seems to be good enough.

I also started taking N-acetyl cysteine to help get rid of the wheezing. I took 1/2 a tablet (300 mgs) twice a day.

I think asthma could be helped by this method.


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