Natural Ways to Stop that Cough

Occasionally, long after you have had a cold, the cough seems to linger. Dry coughs can be irritating and sometimes painful causing an ache in the chest muscles whether or not the cough has led to a chest infection. Irritation of the lining of the air passages will produce a cough to rid the body of this irritation, air pressure builds up in the lungs and is expelled through a reflex action: hence that frustrating cough.

It is not recommended that coughs and colds by treated by antibiotics. Coughs are a viral infection affecting the upper respiratory system. Antibiotics kill bacteria but not viral infections. A neglected cold can lead to ear infections, chest infections and problems with the throat and sinuses.

Early symptoms of a cough or cold include a mild sore throat and sneezing. Coughs can also be a sign of hay fever or other allergy, chest infections and emotional stress.

Coughs as symptoms of a cold actually have a purpose and that is to help clear thick mucus from lungs. Stopping the cough would not therefore clear the infection. Your aim should be to try to ease the discomfort and prevent the symptoms from getting worse.

To prevent a cough from getting worse and to try to ease the symptoms, avoid dusty, damp and smoky areas. Drink plenty fluids including warm water with fresh lemon juice mixed with a little honey. Get plenty rest and try the following natural remedies:

Take a hot bath or shower. The steam will help hydrate your nasal passages and ease your cough.

Add two or three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Vinegar can help ease the inflammation in your upper respiratory tract that causes you to cough.

Add three or four drops of ginger juice to a spoon full of honey and take this natural cough syrup three times a day.

Eat plenty fruit to boost your supply of vitamin C. Fruits that are rich in vitamin C include: satsumas, oranges and blueberries, blackcurrants, melons and mangos.

Add more zinc to your diet. Zinc can be found in nuts (avoid if you are allergic to nuts!), sesame seeds, dark chocolate and toasted wheat germ. Zinc lozengers will help ease a sore throat.

Hygiene is always important to stop the spread of coughs and other diseases. Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze to help prevent the cough spreading to others and throw away tissues immediately after use.

Also: have you checked for allergies? It may be dust or pollen that is aggravating your cough. Remove an allergen from your surroundings and your cough will be eased.