Homeopathic treatments are popular with many people, and natural cough treatments are no exception. Some of the homeopathic cough remedies include lemon, honey, and thyme. Keeping the throat moist and avoiding irritants can also help soothe a cough.
For ages, lemon has been one of the most popular homeopathic cough remedies, especially during a common cold. This citrus fruit helps fight infections and relieve congestion naturally. Lemon can be taken straight or mixed with another fluid, such as water. One of the most popular methods of using lemon as a homeopathic cough remedy is to mix some of the juice with honey.
Like lemon juice, honey is also one of the most popular natural cough treatments, and it helps fight infection as well. A tablespoon of honey can be mixed with a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice to make a natural cough syrup. Homeopathic cough remedies made with honey can also be very soothing for a sore throat associated with a cold, since the honey can coat the throat, easing the irritation.
Honey and lemon can also be added to tea. Certain herbal teas work as homeopathic cough remedies. Thyme, in particular, is considered effective to remedy a cough, since it can help clear the respiratory system.
In the case of a dry, unproductive cough, steam can be used to soothe a cough. Breathing steam from a pot of hot water or a humidifier can be excellent homeopathic cough remedies. Some individuals choose to add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water, which helps open breathing passages. These methods, however, should be used with care. Getting too close to the steam or parts of the humidifier or pan can result in serious burns.
Many doctors also suggest that patients with a dry cough drink plenty of liquids. This can help keep the throat moist. Sucking on lozenges or hard candy can also be beneficial when trying to keep the throat moist.
If a patient has a chronic dry cough, and homeopathic cough remedies are not working, he may need to avoid certain irritants in the air, if possible. Some of these irritants can include pollution, fumes from cleaning products, and cigarette smoke. Smoking causes a buildup of tar and other chemicals in the lungs, and coughing is the body's method of trying to clear the lungs of these chemicals. Although coughing often increases right after a person quits smoking, it will often go away completely after the lungs have been completely clear, which can take up to a few months.