Dry coughs are often the result of viral illness, such as cold or flu. This is a type of cough wherein no phlegm or mucus is produced. It causes you to lose sleep while straining all the muscles in your chest, back, and neck. It’s like a dry itch at the back of your throat that you can’t just get rid of.
Causes Of Dry Cough
A dry cough can be the result of the following:
- Viral infection
- Post nasal drip
- asthma
- habit cough
- obstructive sleep apnea and snoring
- gastro-esophageal reflux
- smoking;
- allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- laryngitis
- a side effect from a medicine
- certain types of lung disease known as interstitial lung disease
- whooping cough
- an inhaled foreign body
Here Are Some Of The Home Remedies You Can Try To Get Rid Of Your Dry Cough
Lemon
Lemons can help reduce inflammation and offer infection-fighting vitamin C. It offers just the prescription to fight a cough.
Have your homemade cough syrup ready by combining two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. This can be taken several times a day. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the above mixture.
Salt Water
Gargle with salt water three times a day. It will help draw away moisture from your swollen throat, thus causing swelling to go away. Just add 1 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water and use it the way you would use mouthwash.
Raw Honey
Honey has been used in traditional medicine to treat coughs. It was found to contain antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. Just make sure that your honey is raw and gathered from local bees.
Steam
This can help loosen the phlegm. Simply boil some water and put it in a bowl. Drape a towel over your head in the bowl and breathe in the steam.
Turmeric
Turmeric is rich in anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, thus making it an effective remedy for dry cough. Mix same amounts of ground turmeric and carom seeds to 4 cups of water. Boil the mixture until such time that only half of the mixture remains. Add some honey and drink up the mixture.
Garlic
Regular consumption of garlic can help boost your immune system. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Add a few cloves of garlic in a glass of boiling water. Add a pinch of marjoram while it’s boiling.
Peppermint
The menthol in peppermint acts as a soothing agent for a sore throat and is also a decongestant, helping to break down mucus. You can inhale peppermint vapors from a steam bath or drink peppermint tea.
Ginger
Ginger can greatly help with the viral infections causing your dry cough. Take a chunk of ginger root, chop it up, place in boiling water (about 4 cups), and let it cool. Drink it up.
Tea Made from Thyme
Thyme has antimicrobial properties and can help relax the muscles in your throat. Boil an ounce of water and add 2 tablespoons of dried thyme to it. Filter it and drink.
Tea Made from Licorice Root
This tea gives a soothing effect on your throat and can help loosen congestion. All you have to do is to boil 8 ounces of water and add the licorice root (about two dry tablespoons).
