Cough

Everyone knows there are many causes for a cough, and an equally long list of home cures and natural remedies to calm those coughs. 

It is important to state that any chronic or prolonged cough, or cough producing green, brown, or bloody sputum, especially when combined with a fever, is cause for concern, and a physician should be consulted.

There is a lot of talk in the medical community concerning productive and non-productive coughs. 

It is my contention that, while productive coughs are the body’s ways of ridding themselves of something they do not need, even productive coughs need to be quieted just a bit at night, since rest is also a great restorative and natural remedy.

Home Remedies for a Cough

Hydration:

It is important to remain hydrated when you are plagued by a cough. This helps your body perform in an optimum manner to help you get well.

Drinking water also keeps your throat moist as well as tending to thin and loosen the mucus your body is seeking to expel. 

Good choices are warm teas, sweetened with honey. Mint tea and green tea are especially effective choices.

 The age-old natural remedy for coughs is chicken soup. 

Chicken soup is not just a comfort food; it really is a wonderful home cure for a cough.

Specific Home Cures:

Hot toddies or hot buttered rum works well as a home remedy for a cough*. My grandmother bought a bottle of rum every year.

Through the year; every day, she added a peppermint candy to the bottle, and by the end of the year, the rum had dissolved the peppermint, and it was given in tablespoons to ease night time coughing.

Ginger has long been thought to have medicinal qualities and warm honey and ginger, taken by sips or spoonfuls tends to quiet an annoying cough.

Recipe for Home Made Cough Syrup:

• 1/2 C. Honey
• 2/3 T. Vinegar
• 1 T. Butter
• Dash Pepper
• 1/2 t. Alum

*This recipe, or any recipe with alcohol, is not intended for children.

Heat ingredients to a boil. Take one teaspoon as needed for coughs.

This may be taken cold, but works better hot.