What are the best ways to stop dry cough? Our guide outlines remedies to stop dry coughing attacks in adults and children, toddlers and night coughing.
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Do you have an annoying urge to cough? We’ll tell you which home remedies for coughs really help. This will stop your throat scratching.
No question: irritating cough is annoying. It likes to appear as a typical symptom of a cold when a sore throat and runny nose are slowly subsiding. In return, he often stays longer and more persistent. This is because it starts out dry and the mucus takes a few days to form. Only then does the cough become “productive”, that is, the mucus can be coughed up and the airways cleared.
Just that first dry coughcan be very uncomfortable and often leads to an urge to cough – during the day, but unfortunately also at night. On the other hand, in addition to various drugs such as cough suppressants, home remedies for dry coughs also help. They calm the stressed airways and let us breathe freely again.
The good thing about home remedies for dry coughs: They are all natural and in many cases suitable for adults and children alike.
How to make wraps to treat coughs
Important: If the cough is very persistent, you should make an appointment with the doctor. With children you should also go to the doctor if they have a fever of over 38.5 degrees, breathe faster or they have chest pain.
How to stop dry cough in adults
When you catch the next cold, just leave the cough syrup in the cupboard and first try the home remedies for the stubborn dry cough. As an adult, you can test the full range.
The effectiveness has not been scientifically proven as a way for how to stop dry cough, but there are some studies that show that onion juice and other natural home remedies relieve coughs. Many general practitioners therefore recommend them to relieve irritation and relieve coughs. These home remedies are particularly effective against dry coughs:
1. Herbal tea against dry coughs
One of the best home remedies for dry coughs is tea. In principle, every tea soothes the mucous membranes through the moist heat. However, in order to solve the cough and relieve the urge to cough, you should drink special herbal teas:
- Thyme tea is said to make it easier to cough up.
- Ribwort tea made from dried ribwort
- leaves is said to be particularly effective in relieving the urge to cough.
You can put together your own tea mixture from the dried herbs or you can get ready-made mixtures from the pharmacy or drugstore.
Tip: Drink at least one pot a day, as hot as possible and in small sips. If you like, you can sweeten the tea with honey, which should also be good for coughing.
2. Onion stock
- Simply cut an onion into cubes and bring to the boil together with rock sugar over low heat.
- Let the brew steep, then filter over a clean cloth.
- Swallow the brew teaspoon at a time as needed.
Good to know: The essential oils contained in the onion are said to be a great home remedy for dry coughs.
3. Honey drink to treat dry coughing
Another very good home remedy to relieve a stubborn cough: a hot drink made from milk, ginger and honey.
Tip: This home remedy is particularly effective if you use Manuka honey from New Zealand instead of normal honey . This particular honey has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. (Diabetics please consult their doctor or pharmacist). To quench the urge to cough on the go, candies with Manuka honey are recommended.
Supposed superfoods are a dime a dozen. But the hype is often not about valuable ingredients, but simple marketing. It is different with manuka honey.
Researchers at the University of Dresden have researched the effects of New Zealand’s manuka honey and found out what distinguishes it from other types of honey. In contrast to common types of honey, manuka honey contains a particularly large amount of methylglyoxal, or MGO for short. MGO is considered anti-inflammatory and is said to have an antibacterial effect.
The health-promoting MGO is also contained in “normal” honey, but in a much lower concentration. While meadow and forest honeys have around five milligrams of MGO for every kilo of honey, manuka honey has up to 700 milligrams. High-quality manuka honey has really earned the name “superfood”.
4. Chest wrap against dry coughs
Chest wraps of all kinds also help with a stubborn cough. If you like, you can make the wraps with potatoes, thyme or quark. Or just put a lukewarm, damp cloth on your chest. Potato wraps store heat for a particularly long time due to the starch they contain and release it continuously. They also soothe a sore throat.
5. Inhalation helps for treating dry cough
Inhalation can also be an effective home remedy for dry coughs and stubborn coughs. Ideally with a soothing additive such as thyme or chamomile in hot water. The hot steam moisturizes the airways and helps clear the stuck mucus.
Tip: Anyone who frequently struggles with coughs or other respiratory diseases such as colds or bronchitis could benefit from an inhaler. With the device, inhaling is quick, easy and safe. An inhaler is particularly suitable for children, as the common inhalation variant with a pot and hot water is simply too risky for them.
Home remedies to stop dry cough in children
If children are plagued by coughs, parents particularly like to use home remedies for the dry cough. They are considered the gentle, natural alternative to medication.
But be sure to pay attention to whether there are other symptoms and the cough really resolves. Especially in small children, the cough can quickly develop into bronchitis or even pneumonia. If it doesn’t get better after a few days, you should definitely see a doctor.
Not all home remedies for dry coughs are suitable for children
Most of the home remedies for dry coughs are also suitable for children. However, there are a few exceptions or things that you should be aware of.
Beware of these home remedies:
- Honey is only suitable for children from one year old.
- Menthol and eucalyptus should be avoided in children, as the sharp essential oils can cause shortness of breath.
These home remedies are allowed in children:
- Breast compresses and cough tea are home remedies for dry coughs that children – even babies – can tolerate.
- Gargle with table salt.
Home remedies to stop dry coughing at night
Dry permanent cough is most uncomfortable at night. You can’t sleep and you keep everyone around you awake. These home remedies have proven effective for coughing at night:
1. Tea with honey
In order to calm the mucous membranes, you should drink tea with honey or swallow a tablespoon of fennel honey before going to bed. You can also put the bottle next to the bed and take a spoon at night if necessary.
2. Chest wrap Sleeping
with a chest wrap also helps against dry coughs at night.
3. Put the pillow higher
Try to put your pillow a little higher, this often prevents the urge to cough.
4. Wet wipes or humidifiers
Since dry air promotes coughing, you should hang up damp cloths in the room to increase the humidity. This is particularly helpful for children who often suffer from dry coughing fits at night.
The “more professional” variant is a humidifier for the bedroom. Purchasing such a device is particularly worthwhile if you or your child suffers from chronic respiratory diseases or irritated mucous membranes. The humidifier increases the humidity of the room air, alleviates the nocturnal cough and thus promotes healthy sleep.
Heartburn cough: what helps?
Those who suffer from severe heartburn often have to struggle with a persistent cough because the rising stomach acid irritates the airways. In addition to drugs such as acid blockers, home remedies can also relieve heartburn and thus the urge to cough.
Important note: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis. If you are unsure, have urgent questions or have complaints, you should contact your doctor.
