Dry cough or unproductive cough is called because it does not bring any mucous as it depends on its cause. These causes can be asthma, acid reflux, any allergy or infection, etc. Our kitchens have had several home remedies for dry cough for centuries and have been widely used.

This article focuses on easy and possible home remedies for dry cough. These include:

Herbs and Supplements as home remedies for dry cough

Herbs are used as a dry cough remedy for several decades. They are used to treat different types of coughs like sore throat, whooping cough, or dry cough. They are present in kitchens for several centuries and can still be consumed for treating cough. These include:

Peppermint

Peppermints are rich in menthol that helps to calm irritated nerves, present in our throats. Menthol has antibacterial and antiviral properties, that help in reducing congestion.

Ways to take peppermints for cough:

• Drinking Peppermint tea
• Peppermint Lozenges

Menthol cough drops

These are medicated lozenges for the throat. They provide a soothing and cooling effect.

On taking them, menthol vapors form that shrink the mucosal lining of the throat that stops mucus production.

Caution: Don’t take these cough drops while lying down as they can cause a choking hazard.

Honey

Honey is a natural cough suppressant and can be consumed at any age, either for adults, children, or children of age 1. It is the oldest home remedy for treating any type of cough. Honey has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties in it. 

Some research suggests that honey is more effective as a cough suppressant in children than any over-the-counter cough medication.

Ways to take honey for dry cough:

• Take a teaspoon of raw honey in warm water and drink it
• Honey tea
• Honey lozenges

Ginger

There is evidence that ginger can be used for coughs apart from nausea and upset stomach. Ginger can be used as a dry cough remedy as it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger relaxes the smooth muscles of the airways resulting in suppressing the cough. Fresh Ginger contains gingerol that suppresses the symptoms of asthma and cough.

Ways to take ginger for dry cough:

• Ginger Tea
• Ginger and Honey in warm water
• Ginger root
• Ginger lozenges

However, consuming too much ginger can cause diarrhea, heartburn, or stomach discomfort.

Turmeric

In Ayurvedic medicines, turmeric has been used for centuries to treat upper respiratory conditions like Asthma, Bronchitis, and mild arthritis. It is also beneficial for several different infections, including dry cough.

Curcumin, a chemical compound in turmeric has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Taking turmeric with black pepper makes it easily absorbable in the bloodstream.

Ways to take turmeric for dry cough:

• Turmeric tea
• Turmeric capsules
• Turmeric in its spice form
• 1 Teaspoon turmeric and 1/8 Teaspoon of black pepper in warm water

Garlic

Regular intake of garlic help to lower blood pressure and boost the immune system. Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that are associated to relieve dry cough and the common cold.

Ways to take garlic for dry cough:

• Raw garlic with water
• Garlic and honey with warm water
• Heat sesame oil and garlic cloves and rub this oil on your chest

Marshmallow root

It is a type of herb that has been used since ancient times to relieve throat pain and sore throat. These herbs contain flavonoids that reduce inflammation in the throat.

Marshmallow root reduces the irritation and provides a coat to the sore throat.

Ways to take marshmallow root for dry cough:

• Marshmallow root tea
• Cough syrup
• Lozenges

Other Home Remedies for Dry Cough

Air Purifier: Home remedies for dry cough

Irritants present in dust and smoke cause majority of the cough diseases. Air purifiers reduce these irritants and allergens like pollen. Whether you have a cough or not breathing in clean and toxins-free air is very healthy.

Humidifier: Home remedies for dry cough

Moisture-free or dry air causes a dry cough. Humidifiers provide moisture to the air that helps in reducing dry cough during the night.

Placing a humidifier during the night while you sleep helps in getting a moist throat, which reduces the urge to cough at a repeated level.

Saltwater gargle: Home remedies for dry cough

Discomfort and irritation caused by dry cough can easily be cured by salt water gargle. This saline water kills the bacteria in your throat and mouth and provides relief.

Mix a tablespoon of salt in water and gargle twice a day. This remedy is suggested for adults and not for children as they can swallow the salty water.

If you are suffering from coughing during the night then in the morning just after brushing your teeth do a gargle.

Proper Hydration: Home remedies for dry cough

Maintaining proper fluid balance and a healthy diet is very important for the human body. It increases the healing process caused by irritants.

Proper hydration moist the throat and protect the throat from irritants resulting in less cough.

Best fluids for dry cough include lemon water, herbal teas, and warm water.