Ever have one of those fall or winter mornings, days, or WEEKS when you just can't stop coughing your brains out? When almost no amount of cough drops under the sun are helping, and you feel like crawling under the covers? Yeah, we've all been sick as THAT dog at some point, and it's just awful.
Thankfully, there are some tricks you can pull from up your sleeve should the Worst Cough in the World strike! Here, six surprising ways to stop a nasty cough in its tracks.
- Get hydrated. Fluids can help get all that nasty phlegm and secretions thinned out (I know, totally gross) and also soothe an irritated throat. If your cough is dry and hacking, you could try honey in hot water, tea, or lemon juice.
- Inhale. It's not just an old wives' tale that inhaling steam for several minutes (in a hot shower, over a sink, etc.) can clear up congestion and curb a persistent cough. It loosens up secretions and makes coughs more productive, hopefully shortening the duration with which you're saddled with said coughs!
- Go Down Under. There are tons of herbs out there said to help relieve colds and the flu, of course, but the Aussie plant, eucalyptus, goes way back as a cough and congestion reliever. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a your steamy bath (see #2). Or try rubbing an ointment containing eucalyptus on your chest. The oil is said to help loosen phlegm.
- Have the soup that isn't only good for the soul. Chicken soup -- which like #2 is one of those things you think your grandma is cute for suggesting but probably only has a placebo effect -- is actually study-proven to work! Research at the University of Nebraska concluded that it's anti-inflammatory, and speeds up the discharge of mucus to ease the symptoms of cold-related coughs. It may be the combo of all the goodies in the broth that have this effect.
- Go koo-koo for cocoa. YES, I know, this has to be the best advice ever, right? Apparently, theobromine -- an ingredient in chocolate -- suppresses vagus nerve activity involved in coughing. And get this! Research shows chocolate is nearly a third more effective in stopping persistent coughs than the narcotic codeine. Sweet!
- Head to Sesame Street. No, not the show! University of Beirut researchers showed that sesame oil actually reduced cough symptoms more than a placebo, and it was more effective in kids!
What's your go-to trick for curing a persistent cough?
Image via boo lee/Flickr
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Comments 53
My mom also used to make a honey/lemon mixture for me when I was a kid. I'm now making it for my son. I don't know how well it works, or if it's psychosomatic, but it seems to help.
Just wanted to add that: The cacoa is best as raw cocao. If raw isn't available to you, and you must use cooked or processed chocolate, then it's best to use a dark chocolate. Processed milk chocolate will do nothing.
I'm sick too. I've had congestion and a cough that won't quit for about 4 days now. Hot tea with honey, Ludens throat drops, cough medicine and chicken soup definately make me feel better temporarily. But what can I do long term to get rid of this cough (without going to the dr)?
My inhaler. My allergies end up giving me a hacking cough that goes away with a few puffs on an inhaler..
My son has bronchitius right now so we will try this
I take an extra shake of my nutritional supplement and feel good in no time. I am not sure when I had cold or flu last.
To your health!
drinking juices like orange juice actually causes more mucus when you are sick, drink them before you are coughing, drink plenty of water everyday and more when you are already sick...The chocolate thing, when I eat chocolate when sick, it chokes me, and causes more mucus, or the chocolate possibly gets stuck in my throat by the mucus. Coughing is very important when you are congested the important thing is to thin it out with hot fluids, steam, water so that it is productive!
when my kids are coughing their heads off i give them some honey supplements stuff from little colds little remedies.. the best thing out there.. we have tried cough syrups nothing helped honey elixer stuff helped instantly and it has no meds in it so its way better for them.. i myself when i have a bad sore throat and its late at night and i cough a lot i make a whiskey sling.. its a shot of whiskey, a tablespoon of honey and a glass of hot tea.. it tastes good makes my throat not hurt and it relaxes me enough to get some sleep in.. and i dont get drunk off the shot so its helpfull.. but i only do that at night cuz of the shot i wont drive at all if i even have a sip.