10 Natural Remedies for Your Cough

It's that time of year when sniffles and sneezes spread like wildfire, and coughs seem to linger longer than we'd like.

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural remedies you can try at home to help ease your cough and congestion.

Here, we'll explore 10 effective remedies to speed up your recovery and get you back to feeling your best.

Sip A Cup of Soothing Tea

A warm cup of tea can work wonders to ease cold symptoms.

The gentle steam from a hot drink provides a soothing effect for the throat and respiratory passages, relieving the irritated muscles that cause frequent coughing.

For even more benefits, try infusing the tea with honey, ginger, and lemon — all known for their therapeutic properties.

Infuse Recipes With Honey, Ginger, and Lemon

Honey, ginger, and lemon are three simple yet powerful ingredients. You can easily add them into a warm cup of tea or mix them into any other drinks and dishes.

Honey boasts natural antioxidant properties, and studies show that just a single dose can help reduce mucus production and coughing.

Ginger, an age-old herbal remedy, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory healing benefits, providing powerful relief for the cold and flu.

Lemon, which goes great with honey, is an excellent source of Vitamin C as well other immune-boosting nutrients such as potassium and Vitamin B.

Whether combined or used separately, these everyday ingredients provide a natural way to ease a persistent cough.

Enjoy Probiotic-Rich Foods

While probiotics won't directly suppress your cough, they play an important role in balancing gut bacteria to boost the immune system and speed up recovery.

Recent studies have shown that probiotics are effective in preventing and treating respiratory infections.

Common foods that contain these beneficial bacteria include yogurt, miso soup, kombucha tea, and cottage cheese.

Cozy Up With Chicken Soup

One timeless remedy for the common cold is a comforting chicken broth.

Beyond its delicious flavor, chicken soup has long been known for its healing properties.

Chicken broth contains a natural amino acid called N-acetyl cysteine, a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen immunity and clear up coughs.

Additionally, the warmth from the soup helps to soothe and moisten an irritated throat.

Bonus tip: try adding some herbal ingredients such as thyme and turmeric, which are also known for helping to relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Take a Hot Shower

Taking a hot shower or bath is a quick and easy cough remedy. The steam helps to soothe irritated airways by breaking up mucus and making breathing much easier.

It also helps to moisturize the throat and nasal passages, soothing the scratchiness that triggers coughing.

On top of that, the warmth from the hot water promotes blood circulation and simply provides a relaxing feeling — an instant comfort for when you’re feeling under the weather.

Prop Up the Pillows

Another simple trick to ease your cough is to prop up your pillows.

Slightly elevating the upper body allows gravity to work its magic, preventing mucus and post-nasal drip from accumulating in the throat, which triggers cough symptoms.

Additionally, raising the head and chest promotes better airflow and breathing throughout the night, allowing you to sleep soundly instead of waking up with fits of coughing.

Try a Saltwater Gargle

It's easy — just mix a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, and gargle for a few seconds before spitting it out.

The tried-and-true remedy of a saltwater gargle is a proven way to  provide relief for cold and flu symptoms and soothe a nasty cough.

A saline solution works to soothe irritation and reduce inflammation in the throat, helping prevent coughing episodes and alleviating other common symptoms.

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is the simplest and most effective way to support the body's natural defenses against illness.

Make sure you're consuming plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water helps to soothe the scratch of a cough and loosen up mucus in the back of the throat.

Drinking lots of water also supports your immune system by delivering essential nutrients throughout the body and supporting healthy kidney function, which helps to flush out toxins and harmful germs.

Hydrate With a Cool-Mist Humidifier

It's important to stay hydrated when coming down with an illness, but that doesn't just stop at drinking water.

Dry indoor air can irritate your throat and nasal passages, making cold and flu symptoms even worse.

A cool-mist humidifier can be a great help in soothing a cough and making you feel better overall. This device adds moisture into the surrounding air to soothe irritated airways, loosen up nasal congestion, and reduce coughing, allowing you to breathe more easily.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Lastly, don't underestimate the power of a good night's sleep.

It gives your body the time it needs to rest and recover. When you're sleeping, your immune system gets busy fighting off germs and nursing you back to good health. And when you're in a deep slumber, you're less likely to cough through the night, giving you a well-needed break. So, ensure you get plenty of rest in a comfortable and cozy environment to wake up feeling healthy and refreshed.

By incorporating these natural remedies into your routine, you can find relief from your cough and boost your overall well-being. Stay healthy and take care!