Coughing is the body's way of expelling phlegm or mucus, but a dry cough doesn't "produce" either. This type of cough can be annoying, but there are some natural remedies that can help relieve it. You can make your own cough syrup with lemon and honey, try natural home remedies, or take good care of yourself to relieve a dry cough. Make sure you talk to your doctor if the cough doesn't go away after 2 weeks, is severe enough, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, weight loss, and vomiting blood. If the cough is accompanied by these symptoms, it's a good idea to get medical advice and treatment immediately.
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Method 1 of 3: Making a Natural Cough Remedy from Honey and Lemon
Step 1. Gather the required materials
Honey has been shown to be more effective than cough medicine for some people. This means that by making your own cough syrup or medicine, you can relieve your dry cough. Making cough drops from lemon and honey is quite easy to do and you may already have the ingredients you need in your kitchen. To make it, you need:
- 240 ml honey
- 3-4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 cloves of garlic (optional)
- One piece of ginger about 3-4 centimeters (optional)
- 60 ml water
- Small pot
- Wooden spoon
- Glass jars with lids
Step 2. Mix honey and lemon
Warm 240 ml of honey. After that, add 3-4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you have bottled lemon juice, use 4-5 tablespoons of juice.
- If you only want to use honey and lemon to make a cough syrup, you can add 60 ml of water to the mixture and stir while heating the mixture over low heat for about 10 minutes.
- If you want to increase the "power" of the drug in the mixture, do not add water immediately and heat the mixture at this stage. There are several additional ingredients that can be used, such as garlic and ginger.
Step 3. Add garlic to the mixture
Garlic contains antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal substances that can fight the causes of dry cough. Peel 2-3 cloves of garlic and chop them finely. Add the chopped garlic to the honey and lemon mixture afterwards.
Step 4. Add enough ginger
Ginger is often used to improve digestion and relieve nausea and vomiting. However, this ingredient can also thin mucus and reduce the cough reflex.
Cut and peel fresh ginger about 3-4 centimeters long. Grate the ginger, then add it to the honey and lemon mixture
Step 5. Pour 60 ml of water and heat the mixture
Measure out 60 ml of water and add it to the honey and lemon mixture. After that, heat the mixture over low heat for about 10 minutes. Stir the mixture as it heats to ensure the ingredients are mixed and heated evenly.
Step 6. Transfer the mixture to a glass jar
Once it's finished heating, the mixture needs to be transferred to a glass jar. Carefully pour in the mixture and scrape the walls of the pot with a spoon to allow all the ingredients to fit into the jar. After that, put the lid on the jar.
Step 7. Cool the honey and lemon mixture
You need to store this mixture in the refrigerator so it doesn't go stale. Discard any remaining mixture after 1 month. Take 1-2 tablespoons of honey and lemon syrup or cough suppressants as needed.
Never give ginger to children under 1 year of age
Method 2 of 3: Using Natural Home Remedies
Step 1. Drink a cup of peppermint tea
Peppermint tea can relieve a dry cough, clear the airways, and loosen mucus or phlegm. Try drinking a few cups of peppermint tea a day to relieve a dry cough. You can get this tea product in supermarkets.
To make a cup of peppermint tea, put a tea bag in a mug and pour 240 ml of hot water into it. Brew the tea for about 5 minutes. Wait for the water temperature to drop to a more comfortable temperature before drinking the tea
Step 2. Consume marshmallow root
This plant is also known by the Latin name Althaea officinalis and is a traditional cough suppressant. The marshmallow root produces a thin layer that protects the throat so that it can relieve dry coughs. You can find marshmallow root products (eg tea, candy, and capsules) at health food stores.
- You can consume a few cups of marshmallow root tea, dissolve 30-40 tablets of marshmallow root in a glass of water, or take capsules of marshmallow root powder with a maximum dose of 6 grams per day.
- For each product you are going to use, make sure you read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.
- Make sure you discuss using a marshmallow root product with your doctor first, especially if you are taking other medications.
Step 3. Take slippery elm products
Slippery elm can relieve a dry cough by increasing mucus production and lining the walls of the throat. You can consume this plant in various product forms, but make sure you discuss its use with your doctor first and follow the instructions for use from the manufacturer or product manufacturer.
- You can take a few cups of slippery elm tea daily, take 5 ml of slippery elm syrup three times a day, take slippery elm capsules 400-500 mg three times a day for up to 8 weeks, or suck on slippery elm tablets/gum for as long as possible. day.
- If you are pregnant or on medication, ask your doctor about using slippery elm first.
Step 4. Brew thyme tea
This herb is another traditional remedy for dry cough. You can brew thyme tea as a cough suppressant or reliever. To make thyme tea, put 1 teaspoon of dried thyme in a mug and pour boiling water. Brew the herbs for about 5 minutes, strain the leaves, and drink the tea once the temperature has cooled down.
- Thyme oil is toxic if swallowed. Do not take this oil orally.
- Thyme may interact with several types of medications, including blood thinners and hormone medications. Talk to your doctor before taking thyme if you are taking medication or are pregnant.
Step 5. Chew a piece of ginger
This plant is beneficial for asthmatics because it contains a bronchodilation effect (smooths the respiratory tract). In addition, because it can soothe muscles and open the respiratory tract, ginger is also useful for relieving dry coughs. Try chewing a piece of ginger that has been peeled about 2-3 centimeters long to relieve coughing.
You can also make ginger tea. To make it, put a teaspoon of ground ginger in a mug and pour 240 ml of boiling water. Steep the ginger for about 5-10 minutes. Drink the tea after it cools down
Step 6. Mix milk and turmeric
Turmeric milk is a traditional treatment for coughs. Several studies have shown that consuming turmeric helps relieve coughs. Try adding a little turmeric to warm milk to relieve a dry cough.
Add teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm cow's milk. If you don't like cow's milk, you can use soy milk, coconut milk, or almond milk
Step 7. Gargle with warm salt water
Warm salt water is useful when you have a sore throat or if a cough with phlegm makes your throat feel swollen or irritated. Add teaspoon of sea salt to 240 ml of water. Stir the mixture to dissolve the salt, then gargle with the mixture.
Repeat this process every few hours throughout the day
Step 8. Use steam to relieve cough
Humidifying the air in the room can also relieve your cough. Use a vaporizer or take a hot shower to moisten your throat and relieve a dry cough.
If you have a vaporizer, try adding a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to increase the relief of dry coughs. The aroma produced by the oil also not only relieves dry coughs, but also improves the respiratory tract
Method 3 of 3: Taking Care of Yourself
Step 1. Drink plenty of water
Maintaining fluids is important for health, and becomes even more important when you are sick. By drinking plenty of water, you can also relieve a dry cough by keeping your throat moisturised. Try to drink 8 glasses of water every day (about 2 liters) to maintain body fluids.
Warm drinks also help maintain body fluids. Try drinking tea, broth, or clear soup to soothe a cough and help keep your body hydrated
Step 2. Get enough rest
Adequate rest also helps the body in the recovery process. Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. If you're suffering from a cold or other contagious illness, try taking time off to rest and recover.
Step 3. Eat nutritious food
Adequate nutrition is important in the recovery process so make sure you eat a healthy diet. Stay away from low nutritious foods. Instead, choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy and protein products to nourish the body.
Choose chicken noodle soup as one of the daily meals. This traditional home remedy has been shown to reduce inflammation and loosen mucus
Step 4. Quit smoking
Sometimes, a dry cough is caused or made worse by smoking. If you smoke a lot, try to stop the habit. Talk to your doctor about medications and smoking cessation programs that can make it easier for you to quit the habit.
After quitting smoking, you may also experience a dry cough. This condition indicates that the body is recovering on its own. Over time, your condition will improve
Step 5. Suck a cough tablet or candy
Sucking on lozenges or lozenges can relieve a dry cough. Products like this will increase the production of saliva and moisten the throat. Other ingredients contained in candy or tablets like this can also suppress coughs.
Step 6. See a doctor if you still have a cough or if your condition worsens
Often a dry cough will subside within 1-2 weeks. If your condition does not improve or if it gets worse, contact your doctor. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Thick and/or greenish-yellow phlegm
- Shortness of breath (wheezing)
- A shrill sound at the beginning or end of the breath
- Difficulty breathing (or shortness of breath)
- High fever above 38 degrees Celsius
- Blood in the phlegm or mucus that is released
- Swelling in the stomach
- Sudden severe cough
