A common symptom of a cold is coughing. If you are ill, the urge to cough quickly drives you insane, as it irritates your bronchi and can rob you of sleep at night. We explain which home remedies can help. With these 5 tips you can get rid of a cough quickly.
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How does cough develop?
Contrary to what is often assumed, coughing is not a disease itself, but rather a protective mechanism of the body. If mucus or foreign objects get into the airways, coughing can push them out again. There are two different types of cough. Non-productive, dry, non-phlegm cough, which can be caused by a variety of factors such as dry throat from a viral infection, smoke, or dust, and productive, mucus-forming cough, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Get rid of a cough quickly with these 5 tips
- Inhaling Inhaling
is an effective remedy for coughing. When the hot water vapor enters the airways through the nose and mouth, it moistens them and can loosen any mucus. Inhaling helps with both dry and phlegm-forming coughs . An infusion with sage is particularly helpful, as it has an antibacterial, disinfecting effect and loosens mucus. - Humidify room air
Dry heating air in the apartment can cause the mucous membranes to dry out and thus lead to coughing, for example. But humidifying the air in the room can also help to heal, as it has an expectorant effect. Place a bowl of water on the heater or hang a damp cloth over it. - Drink a lot Drinking
enough is always important for a healthy body. But this is even more important when you have a cold and a cough – the liquid moisturizes the airways and can help clear mucus. Warm drinks such as thyme tea are best. The essential oils contained in thyme particularly promote expectoration and have a relaxing effect on the bronchi. Cowslip tea can also ease the cough and have an expectorant effect. - Onion juice
A tried and tested home remedy for coughs is also onion juice. Onions not only taste good in a wide variety of dishes – they also have an antibacterial and disinfecting effect. Even if the onion juice doesn’t necessarily taste good, it’s worth overcoming: regular consumption calms the bronchi and can thus relieve the urge to cough. - Honey
Honey is not only known for its delicious taste, but also for its positive effects on health. Studies have found that honey can often be even more effective than antibiotics for cold symptoms and coughs . The liquid gold has an anti-inflammatory effect, loosens mucus and makes coughing up less painful.
Cough: when to see the doctor?
Because a cough with a cold can also cause illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia if it is delayed, it should always be taken seriously. So always heal yourself when you feel down and give your body rest. If other symptoms such as fever appear, you should consult a doctor. A cough that does not go away should also be treated, otherwise a chronic cough can develop.
