Dry cough remedies, like ginger and lemon tea, mint tea and thyme tea, have soothing, anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce throat irritation. They can be prepared to get rid of a dry cough naturally
A dry cough can be caused by allergies, asthma, bronchitis, respiratory infections (like the flu, cold, sinusitis, COVID-19 or whooping cough), or even GERD. Typically, by treating the underling condition, the dry cough will also resolve. However, you can prepare a dry cough remedy at home to help reduce coughing frequency and intensity.
Also recommended: Dry Cough: 6 Common Causes (& How to Treat) tuasaude.com/en/dry-coughIf your dry cough persists for more than 2 weeks, you are advised to consult a lung or ENT specialist, as this symptoms may be related to allergies or a lung condition. By identifying what is causing the dry cough, the doctor can provide a more targeted treatment to speed up recovery.
Home remedies for a dry cough
Some natural remedies for a dry cough include:
1. Mint tea
Mint has antiseptic, analgesic and mild sedative properties that are particularly effective when this herb is applied locally. By consuming mint as a tea, these properties can be effective on the mucus membranes of the digestive system.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dried or fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Directions:
Boil the water and then add the chopped mint leaves to the cup. Allow to infuse for 5 minutes. Strain and add the honey to sweeten, then drink.
2. Marshmallow root tea
Marshmallow root has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties that can help to soothe dry coughs.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of marshmallow root;
- 1 cup of water.
Directions:
Add the marshmallow root to the cup of boiling water and allow it to infuse for 10 minutes. Strain and drink while warm, for a maximum of 2 cups per day.
Marshmallow root tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Furthermore, people with diabetes should only consume this tea with medical advice, as it can increase the effect of antidiabetic medications and lead to abnormal blood sugar levels.
4. Pansy leaf tea
Another great dry cough remedy for dry cough is pansy tea, as this medicinal plant contains soothing properties that help soothe the cough and also strengthen the immune system.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of pansy leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
Directions:
Add the pansy leaves to the boiling water and soak for 5 minutes. Strain and drink this tea while warm, sweetened with honey as desired.
4. Ginger tea with lemon
Ginger tea with lemon has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce throat and lung irritation. It also helps to decongest the airways and relieve dry coughs.
This tea can also be offered to children as a home remedy, as it does not contain any side effects.
Ingredients:
- 1 cm of ginger root or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger;
- Juice of 2 lemons;
- 1 teaspoon of honey;
- ½ liter of water.
Directions:
Boil the ginger and water over low heat until the mixture is reduced to half its initial volume and then remove from heat. Strain and add lemon juice.
To sweeten this tea, 1 teaspoon of honey can be added. Honey can additionally help to moisturize the throat and relieve dry coughs and a sore throat.
You can consume 1 tablespoon of this tea every 4 hours, while the cough persists.
Ginger should not be consumed by people using anticoagulants, and therefore should be removed from the tea if necessary. Honey should not be added to this tea if it is prepared for a baby under 2 years of age.
5. Mallow tea
Mallow tea has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the bronchi and can be used to relieve dry coughs caused by bronchitis.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried mallow flowers or leaves
- 1 cup of water.
Directions:
Boil the water, remove from heat, add the mallow and let it infuse for 10 minutes. Strain and drink while warm up to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor or medicinal plant specialist.
6. Licorice tea
Licorice tea contains glycyrrhizin, a substance with anti-inflammatory and soothing action that can be effective for treating a dry cough remedy.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of licorice root
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Honey to sweeten to taste
Directions:
Add the licorice to the cup of boiling water, cover and let it infuse for 10 minutes. Strain, and sweeten with honey if desired. Drink this tea up to 2 times a day.
Licorice tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with heart problems.
7. Thyme tea
Thyme tea is rich in thymol, carvacrol and γ-terpinene, which have anti-inflammatory and expectorant action. It also helps to relax throat muscles and relieve dry coughs.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dried or dehydrated thyme
- 1 cup of water
Directions:
Boil the water, remove from heat and add the thyme leaves. Cover, allow it to infuse for 10 minutes, strain and then drink while warm. you can drink up to 3 cups of this tea per day.
Thyme tea should not be used by children under 12 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor by people who have a history of estrogen-dependent diseases, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer or endometriosis.