Coughs
Coughing is a reflex action that occurs when the airways are irritated or clogged with mucus. When not triggered by irritations such as dust, smoke or other pollutants, coughing is usually a symptom of a cold, infection or a respiratory condition such as asthma or bronchitis.
Dietary Advice To Avoid Coughs
Eat lots of raw fruit and vegetables, which contain antioxidant nutrients, which are essential for healthy lung tissue. Onions, garlic, chives and thyme added to cooking help to clear respiratory infections. If you have a milk allergy it is sensible to reduce or avoid dairy products and use non-dairy alternatives to help ease chest congestion. Taking 1 to 2 garlic tablets a day can help to clear a cough that accompanies a cold or flu, but not a dry cough. Drinking hot water with honey and lemon can be soothing.
Complimentary Natural Remedies For Coughs
Make a gargle by putting 2 tsp of cider vinegar into a cup and add 2 drops tea tree or eucalyptus oil. Top up with warm water and stir in a spoonful of honey. Use 3 times a day, but do not swallow. Add 10 drops tea tree, rosemary, cypress or eucalyptus oil to 25 ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil and massage over throat and chest. You can also put a couple of drops of any of these oils on a tissue and inhale through the day. Adding 6 to 8 drops of any of these oils (apart from eucalyptus), to your evening bath can ease coughing at night. If pregnant, avoid rosemary oil.
Homeopathy is particularly good for children’s coughs. Try Aconite 30c every 4 hours for up to 10 doses for a dry, irritating cough that comes on suddenly. For a phlegm producing cough with a chest infection, try pulsatilla. For a dry cough that hurts your chest and accompanies a cold or flu, Bryonia. For tickling in the throat that triggers coughing, Drosera. If a cough lasts longer than one or two weeks, it should be checked out by a doctor.
