Home remedies for dry coughs: The 6 best natural cough suppressants

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It has been scientifically proven that home remedies for dry coughs are often more effective than cough medicines from the pharmacy. OneOxford University studyshows that honey, a proven home remedy, is more effective against dry coughs than conventional cough syrup. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends honey as an effective remedy for relieving cold symptoms.

In addition to honey, there are other natural home remedies that provide quick relief from a cold cough. The big advantage of these home remedies: They are much gentler than medication and some are even suitable for infants and children.

You can find out which home remedies are best for dry coughs and how to use them correctly here:

1. Honey as a dry cough home remedy

Medical studies now confirm what grandma already knew: honey is an effective home remedy for dry coughs.

According to medical studies, it can make coughing attacks less severe, less stressful and less frequent.

Parents of children with coughs should also be particularly happy about this: According to studies, honey as a home remedy for dry coughs can improve the quality of sleep in children (and therefore also in parents).

Manuka Honig

As a star among home remediestraded. In contrast to “normal” honey, it contains a particularly high amount of methylglyoxal, or MGO for short. This substance has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

The more MGO contained in honey, the more effective it isand other complaints. Due to its healing properties, Manuka honey with a particularly high MGO number is even used for medical wound healing.

Danger:No honey for babies

Honey as a home remedy for dry coughs is only suitable for children aged 12 months and over.Infants and babies are not allowed to eat honey, as the natural product can contain bacteria that can even be life-threatening for the little ones. The reason is that the intestinal flora is not yet fully developed.

If the children are older than 1 year, pediatricians no longer see any problem in giving them honey as a home remedy.

2. Onion juice for dry coughs

An old home remedy for dry coughs that my grandmother already knew is onion juice, also called onion syrup or onion broth. The homemade cough syrup combines the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of onion with those of honey.

The essential oils in the onion are also said to help loosen mucus and allow you to breathe more freely.

Cough syrup recipefrom onions

  • 1 onion
  • 2 EL Honig
  • a jar with a screw cap

Preparation:Cut the onion into very small cubes and put it in a jar with a screw cap. Add honey and mix. Screw the lid onto the jar and let the mixture steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. During this time a liquid juice is created.

Application:Pour the onion juice through a sieve to remove the onion pieces. Take a teaspoon of homemade cough syrup several times a day.

Tipp:This home remedy is particularly suitable for children aged 12 months and over, as the onion juice is very sweet due to the honey.

Homemade onion juice is a great home remedy for irritable coughs.Credit:Shutterstock

3. Tea for dry, irritating coughs

One of the simplest home remedies for a dry, irritating cough is hot tea. Basically, every tea soothes the mucous membranes with its moist warmth. However, to relieve the cough and relieve the urge to cough, special teas made from medicinal plants should be drunk. They are considered particularly effective home remedies for dry coughs:

You can put together a tea mixture yourself from the dried herbs or get ready-made mixtures from the pharmacy or drugstore.

Application:In order for the tea to be effective against dry coughs, you should drink a cup of warm tea several times a day. If you add honey to tea, it also relieves the urge to cough.

4. Hot milk with ginger and honey

Warm drinks are an effective way to relieve the urge to cough. Many people find warm milk to be particularly beneficial. Thanks to its slightly creamy consistency, it forms a protective film on the affected neck.

The combination of milk, honey and fresh ginger not only tastes good, but also packs anti-inflammatory ingredients. Simply cut a finger-thick piece of ginger into thin slices and heat with milk. Then add the honey and drink the hot drink in small sips.

Tipp:Drinked before going to bed, the warm milk with honey and ginger can relieve a dry cough and help you fall asleep.

5. Chest wrap for dry coughs

Another old home remedy for the tormenting nocturnal cough is chest wraps. Wraps with thyme and myrtle balm are considered particularly effective. The mild balm is suitable for babies and can relieve coughing.

Thyme wraps for dry coughs in adults

The chest is generously rubbed with the balm, then a clean cloth is placed on top to protect the clothing. Inhaling the essential oils contained in the balm relieves dry coughs at night.

Chest wrap for dry coughs in infants and babies

Since certain essential oils can be dangerous for small children, the balm should be approved for infants. When using: Apply a very small amount to the baby's back once a day and rub gently. Midwives recommend applying the balm only to the soles of the feet of newborns.

There is a balm for dry coughs for babies on Amazon here*

6. Inhale against a dry, irritating cough

Inhaling can also be an effective home remedy for dry coughs and stuck-on mucus. Best with an anti-irritant additive such as thyme or chamomile in hot water. The hot steam moistens the airways and helps loosen stuck-on mucus.

Tipp:People who frequently suffer from coughs or other respiratory illnesses such as colds or bronchitis may benefit from an inhaler.

The device makes inhaling quick, easy and safe. An inhaler is particularly suitable for little ones, as the usual method of inhaling with a pot and hot water is simply too risky for them.

There is a top-rated inhaler on Amazon here*

But inhaling can be done quickly and easily even without an inhaler: To do this, fill a pot with hot water (caution, risk of scalding! Therefore less suitable for smaller children). Then bend over it with a towel over your head. The vapors rise on the pot like in a kind of sauna.

Home remedies for dry, irritating coughs at night

If you have a severe, dry, dry cough at night, you can't even think about sleeping. There are a few things you can do before you go to bed to relieve the urge to cough at night. Here are the four best home remedies for a strong, dry, dry cough:

1. Tea with honey before going to sleep

To soothe 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 spoonful at night if necessary.

2. Chest compress against severe dry cough at night

Sleeping with a chest compress also helps against a dry cough at night. Both thyme compresses and potato compresses are effective home remedies for nighttime coughs.

3. Elevate your head at night

If your head and chest are slightly higher, this can reduce the urge to cough at night. You can simply use a second one.

4. Moist air against dry, irritating coughs

Since dry coughs are often made worse by dry air at night, you should hang damp cloths in the bedroom to increase the humidity. This is particularly helpful for children who often suffer from dry coughing fits at night.

The more “professional” option 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, relieves nighttime coughs and thus promotes healthy sleep.You can find a top-rated humidifier for under 40 euros here on Amazon*

Dry cough home remedies for heartburn

Anyone who suffers from severe heartburn often has to struggle with a persistent dry cough because the rising stomach acid attacks the respiratory tract.

In addition to medications such as acid blockers, home remedies can also relieve heartburn. A gentle, low-acid diet can also reduce the symptoms and dry cough caused by heartburn.

More about this:

Dry cough: when to see a doctor?

A dry cough caused by a cold is annoying but usually harmless. As a rule, the dry cough turns into a productive cough after a few days and disappears completely after two to three weeks.

You should go to the doctor if the cough doesn't get better after two weeks, the symptoms worsen or pain occurs. You should go to the doctor immediately if, in addition to the dry cough, you experience shortness of breath, a gag reflex or other symptoms that seriously impair your general well-being.

When to go to the pediatrician?

You should go to the pediatrician immediately if your child suffers from pain when coughing, cannot breathe well or has other complaints.

A barking cough should also be clarified by a pediatrician as this is suspectedPseudokruppconsists. WhatPseudokruppHow you can recognize it and why it can be dangerous, you can read from our colleagues at Onmeda.de!

Important NOTE:The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a diagnosis from a doctor. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints, you should go to a practice.