Natural cough suppressants are remedies that can help reduce coughing without using over-the-counter medicines. Coughing is a reflex action that helps remove allergens from your airways. Allergens, illnesses, drug side effects, and other irritants can excite the nerves in the airways, which causes the lungs to forcefully expel air. The causes can include allergies, irritants, medical conditions, and medications. Depending on the underlying reason, there are things you may take to relieve your cough, such as natural cough suppressants like mullein.
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How Cough Suppressants Work
A cough suppressant helps you cough less by blocking your cough reflex. A few natural remedies, including honey and warm beverages like tea, can help reduce nasal congestion, comfort sore throats, and lessen the symptoms of a typical cold.
Types of Cough Suppressants
Antitussives aim to reduce coughing by relieving the reflex in your throat, whereas synthetic and natural expectorants act as decongestants by thinning out your mucus.
What Are Natural Cough Suppressants?
A natural cough suppressant is a remedy that can help cure a cough without using over-the-counter drugs. A few common remedies, like honey, herbal teas, and salt water gargles, can help provide relief from your cough naturally.
Synthetic vs. Natural Cough Suppressants
A synthetic cough suppressant is different from a natural cough suppressant because it is a solution created in a lab. An example of this would be an over-the-counter medication or a prescription from a doctor. If necessary, these may also have antibiotics that treat bacterial infections or other issues.
Common Home Remedies for Cough
Honey
On its own, honey works wonders for soothing the irritation in the back of your throat. In fact, one study found that honey relieves coughing at night just as well as over-the-counter drugs. As needed, carry one tablespoon with you and/or stir it into a heated beverage. Only give honey to babies no younger than one-year-old.
Steam
To alleviate coughing, take a warm bath or shower. To inhale steam without a shower, boil water, pour it in a bowl, face it, place a towel on your head, and inhale. If you feel uncomfortable, stop inhaling at any time. Remember to breathe slowly and carefully to avoid causing further congestion.
Salt Water Gargle
Gargling warm salt water can help break up mucus, relieve sore throats, soothe inflammation, hydrate the throat, eliminate bacteria and allergies, and soothe coughing. To gargle, add half a teaspoon of salt to warm water, stir, and spit out in the sink after finishing.
Herbal Teas
Warm drinks, like herbal teas, can aid in the removal of nasal and chest mucus. This may help reduce congestion and provide a little reprieve from your discomfort.
Ginger
One prominent method of treatment is ginger. It's commonly used to alleviate nausea and upset stomachs, but it can also help with coughing by dissolving mucus. Ginger tea might be a wonderful option if you have a cough. Your throat's discomfort, dryness, and mucus can all be lessened by the heated drink. Overindulgence in ginger may result in unpleasant side effects such as heartburn, stomach pain, and throat irritation.
To use it, cut a one-inch piece of fresh ginger root to brew ginger tea. Depending on how strong you want your tea, boil it in one cup of water for ten to fifteen minutes. Additionally, ginger tea packets are available online and in stores.
Marshmallow Root
Due to its high mucilage content, marshmallow root is a plant that is used to heal sore throats and coughs. A small study discovered that coughs caused by respiratory tract infections and ordinary colds may be efficiently treated with an herbal cough syrup that contains marshmallow root, thyme, and ivy. Ninety percent of participants said it was very good or good after 12 days.
Researchers discovered that marshmallow root extract had anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities in an in vitro study conducted in 2020, offering relief comparable to that of diclofenac. You may buy dried marshmallow root or tea in a bag that you can either drink right away or let cool. Stomach distress is one of the possible side effects but it may be avoided by drinking more water. You may buy marshmallow root online or at health shops.
Mullein
There are potential qualities in the mullein plant that function as a natural expectorant and cough suppressor, which may provide relief from coughing and other respiratory problems.
How to Use Natural Cough Suppressants
A variety of natural cough suppressants are out there. They take the form of teas, syrups, essential oils, and lozenges, among other options. Now that you are aware of the benefits of mullein for lungs and cough relief, you should learn how to include it in your health regimen in three efficient methods. Take a look at our suggestions below.
Mullein Tea
Everyone enjoys a hot cup of tea, particularly when their throat is irritated. Making mullein tea is a simple method to maximize the benefits of this super flower. To make, just soak ten to fifteen minutes of dried mullein leaves in hot water, filter, and drink.
BetterLungs® Mullein Tea is formulated by pharmacists, is high in antioxidants, and contains natural components like elderberry, thyme, and mullein leaf to improve lung health and soothe coughing and sore throats.
Mullein Tincture
More of a fan of tinctures? The leaves and blossoms of the plant are used to make our potent liquid extracts, known as mullein tinctures. One way to take them orally is to mix a few drops with juice or water.
All the advantages of BetterLungs® Mullein Leaf Extract are available in two full droppers of our tincture. To enhance respiratory health and offer cough relief, its main ingredients are chlorophyll and mullein leaf extract.
Mullein Supplements
BetterLungs® is the top-selling lung support product on the market. It allows anyone who wants to conveniently get the benefits of mullein into their system to help in relieving coughs to do so.
Available as capsules or mullein gummies, BetterLungs® offers a complete dosage of active substances. To soothe coughs and sore throats and promote lung health all year long, these supplements are made with premium components including vitamin D, mullein leaf, pine bark, elderberry, ginseng, and Reishi mushroom.
Tips to Support Your Respiratory Health
- Hydration: Drinking enough water lessens the possibility that it may irritate your throat and induce a cough. This also makes it easier for air to exit your lungs. If your body is dehydrated, your immune system could produce more histamines. These things make your nose swell up and secrete more mucus, which might lead to a cough.
- Humidifiers: Moisture is added to the air using a humidifier. It might lessen coughing and assist in clearing the mucus in your chest. To stop germs and mold from growing, it's critical to clean the humidifier on a regular basis.
- Maintain good air quality and reduce allergens: Some people are allergic to the fragrances and odors included in laundry detergents and air fresheners. They can start coughing as a result of it irritating their sinuses and producing more mucus. It could help if you have allergies to get rid of mold, dust, and pollen. To get rid of these allergens, you might need to wash your bedding in hot water, vacuum your floors with a HEPA filter, and scrub your windows with a bleach solution. You should also make sure you regularly check the air filters in your HVAC unit.
- Eating foods that support the immune system: Warm beverages, honey, and ginger are all beneficial foods that can help relieve your cough.
- Avoiding irritants that can trigger coughing: A cough can be caused by several things, including allergens, mold, dust, pollen, and animal dander. Additional irritants include chemicals, smoke, air fresheners, perfumes, smog, secondhand smoke, citrus fruits, spicy foods, sweet and sugary foods, caffeine, and alcohol.
If you are looking for a natural approach to your health, then you might benefit from trying a natural cough suppressant. However, it's necessary to keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not constantly keep a close watch on supplements, herbs, and other natural remedies, therefore someone can run the chance of using contaminated products. If someone wants to attempt treating their cough with natural medicines, they should look into brands and sources. In addition, some vitamins and botanicals may conflict with prescription drugs, and this can lead to unfavorable side effects. It's recommended to consult with a physician before taking any supplements.
FAQ
How can I reduce coughing naturally?
Natural cough remedies like mullein, honey, ginger, mullein, and steam inhalation are commonly recommended options that you can try that may help soothe your cough and stop coughing naturally.
What is the best natural cough suppressant?
There is no single best natural cough suppressant, as effectiveness can vary based on individual factors like the causes of coughing and your condition.
What are the best natural remedies for nighttime cough?
Here are some helpful tips you can use for relieving nighttime coughing:
- Use extra pillows for postnasal drip or acid reflux to relieve throat irritation.
- Use a humidifier for moist air relief, but avoid dampness for allergies like dust mites or mold.
- Keep bedding clean to prevent dust mites.
- Drink decaffeinated tea with honey or herbal teas with ginger, peppermint, or licorice root.
- Use a vapor rub with menthol to open the airways.
- Keep cough medicine, lozenges, or water on your nightstand for immediate relief.
- Avoid smoking and avoid using perfume or irritants in the bedroom.
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