Thursday, 6 June 2013

Most Effective Home Remedies for Dry Cough

Coughing is a natural defense reflex which helps to clear mucous or any other irritants from the air passage. When there is a cough that is repetitive and does not produce any phlegm or mucus, it is
considered to be a dry cough. A dry cough may be associated with illness such as allergies, bronchitis or other irritants. Home remedies can be used to effectively treat a dry cough.

Remedies for Coughing

1. Hardened Sugar
The worst part about that dry cough? The dryness that ensues. You cough and you only end up hurting the throat with every jerky action. The throat feels like there is someone in there drilling with a machine or something similar. The first thing you do is bring this into control. Suck on hardened sugar. It will lubricate your throat by producing more saliva and getting you to swallow it. This is a great substitute for candy and lozenges and one of the best ways of getting rid of a scratchy throat.

2. Steaming
One of the best remedy for a sore throat and dry cough is to carry through a steaming session. Boil a vessel of water and add 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil in it. Then cover the vessel with a towel and go on to take a steam. Come up for fresh air every time the steam gets too much for you. Continue doing this till the water has cooled down. Steaming dislodges the built mucus and pushes it down to the throat. This then helps in speeding the healing process. The other alternative is to draw a hot bath, add the eucalyptus oil in it and soak for 20 minutes.

3. Gargling with Salt Water
Gargling with salt water is one of the most effective home remedies for curing a dry cough and sore throat. Take a glass of water and heat it to a temperature that is comfortable enough for you to take into the mouth without burning yourself. To this water, add 2 tsp of salt and stir well. If the water is too hot, you can add some room temperature water to balance the temperature out. Take a swig of the water, look towards the ceiling and start gargling.

4. Herbal Teas
Ginger is one of the most powerful ingredients that can be used for curing these ailments. Since ginger is too spicy and pungent to be had just as it is, you need to add some in the tea that you make. Have the tea when steaming hot and you'll find much relief for the throat. Other ingredients that are known to provide relief also include chamomile and lemon grass.

5. Hot Water
Seems too simple? Good, that's basically the idea. Hot water when sipped throughout the day will keep the throat from drying up, thus preventing the painful bouts of dry cough. Other than that it will also act as a means of killing the bacterial growth and providing relief from the pain and inflammation in the throat.

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