You can have coughing spells at any time of the year due to many different reasons, especially allergies, viral infections and bacterial infections. This is perfectly normal and common. However, when it increases and comes with other symptoms, you should definitely go to the nearest health institution and be examined by a specialist physician and follow a treatment method suitable for the cause of cough.
Of course, one does not go to the doctor for every cough complaint. There are many natural remedies you can use at home to reduce the effects of some mild coughs. Since you do not need to use any medication in these methods and the side effects are almost zero, you can easily apply it yourself at home. Let’s take a closer look at the natural methods that are good for cough and how to apply these methods.
Foods good for cough:
Honey:
Honey, one of the greatest miracles of nature, offers one of the best natural remedies for cough. When you mix two teaspoons of honey and a little lemon in your tea, herbal tea or warm water, your cough will quickly lighten and the mucus causing the cough will begin to be removed. It is recommended to eat two teaspoons of honey every day, as it also strengthens the immune system.
Natural probiotics:
Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria living in the gut, both strengthen your immune system and accelerate the healing process of upper respiratory tract infections. Some of the foods you can naturally take probiotics from are as follows;
- Pickles
- Pickle juice
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Sourdough products
The most important point to consider when consuming foods containing natural probiotics is whether these foods increase your stomach acid. Although not everyone, such foods increase stomach acid in some people. You should be extremely careful when consuming such foods, as coughing may increase when stomach acid increases.
Mint:
Adding flavor to every dish it is served, mint also offers one of the most effective natural solutions against cough. Drinking mint tea or breathing the steam of mint added water will quickly reduce the effect of your cough. You can also use the steam method using peppermint essential oils. Pay attention to the amount you use during both consumption and steam extraction because it can be a bit caustic.
Pineapple:
Not many people know, but there is an enzyme called bromelain found only in pineapple. This enzyme loosens the mucus in your throat that causes coughing and relieves your cough. It has also been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling. Eating a few slices of pineapple or drinking squeezed pineapple juice a day is one of the most effective natural remedies for cough.
Marshmallow flower:
Marshmallow flower, also known as marshmallow root, is a plant that is good for both sore throat and cough. Known to have been used for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years, marshmallow flower has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. When you drink a beverage that you prepared by throwing a few marshmallow flowers into hot water or a ready-made tea, your cough will be relieved quickly.
Tea prepared with marshmallow flower can be consumed alone or different herbs can be added to it. However, you should pay attention to this ratio because some herbs may lose their effectiveness when used together. Adding honey and lemon to all cough good drinks will increase the healing effect and flavor of these drinks.
Thyme:
The indispensable spice of meat dishes, thyme is also a powerful herb that can fight even acute bronchitis. Compounds called flavonoids found in thyme relax sore muscles and reduce inflammation. You can alleviate your cough by sipping the tea you will create by adding two teaspoons of thyme to a glass of hot water. You can also add honey and lemon to the tea you prepared.
Salt water gargle:
Gargling with a salt water mixture is one of the most effective natural treatment methods you can apply on both sore throat and cough. Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and mix. Make a thorough mouthwash with this mixture. Especially try to keep it on the sore spots of your throat. It will reduce inflammation and prevent cough-causing bacteria from spreading throughout the body.
Ginger:
Although generally used for stomach problems, ginger is also good for cough and sore throat. Ginger relaxes the respiratory tract muscles; It has been shown to reduce inflammation, swelling, irritation, dryness and mucus in the throat. You can prepare a tea that is good for your cough by boiling a small piece of fresh ginger or a pinch of powdered ginger in a glass of water. You can also use instant ginger tea instead.
Turmeric:
Curcumin, the active compound of turmeric, has a strong anti-inflammatory property. Turmeric, which has a much stronger effect when combined with the piperine compound in black pepper, is one of the best natural remedies for cough. You can alleviate your cough by adding a little turmeric and a little black pepper to a teaspoon of honey and consuming the mixture you have created several times a day.
Drinking plenty of fluids:
All the fluids that will pass through your throat will moisten the dryness in your throat and thin the mucus that causes coughing. Especially hot liquids are extremely effective for coughing, but you can also consume cold liquids or even suck on ice instead. Even if the effect changes depending on the cause of the cough, passing plenty of hot or cold liquids down your throat is among the most effective cough-reducing methods.
Avoiding foods that produce stomach acid:
We have said that there are many different causes of cough. One of them is reflux and similar disorders that cause stomach acid to rise upwards. In this process, you can reduce your stomach acid by paying attention to the foods you eat. Some of the foods that produce stomach acid and that you should stay away from are as follows;
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Fizzy drinks
- Fruit juices
- Citrus and similar acidic foods
We talked about natural methods that are good for cough by answering the question of what is good for cough, which can occur due to many different reasons and reduces the quality of life of the person. In cases of intense coughing that lasts for a long time, you should definitely go to the nearest health institution and be examined by a specialist doctor.
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