Natural Dry Cough Medicine Can Be More Effective

In general, there are two types of cough medicine that are often used, namely dry cough medicine and cough medicine with phlegm. In fact, of the two types of cough medicine, only cough medicines with phlegm are sold freely. So, are there any natural ingredients that are efficacious as a dry cough medicine?.

A dry cough is a cough that does not produce mucus or phlegm. There are several things that can cause a person to experience a dry cough, ranging from allergies, flu, smoking, pollution, exposure to dust, to certain medical disorders, such as acid reflux, asthma, and sinusitis. However, in some cases, the cause of dry cough in some people is still not known for certain.

Various Natural Dry Cough Medicines

Here are natural ingredients that can be used as a dry cough medicine, including:

• Water

  Water can be one of the simplest dry cough treatments. Water is needed by the body when the air is dry to keep the throat moist. Therefore, start to meet your fluid intake by consuming at least 8 glasses of water every day.

• Honey

  Honey is also believed to be able to reduce dry stones or coughing up phlegm. A study revealed that honey is more effective at relieving coughs than other medicines. To get the benefits of honey, you can mix two tablespoons of honey into your warm drink, such as tea or lemon water. Avoid giving honey to children under one year of age, as there is a risk of botulism.

• Foods that contain probiotics

  One of the causes of a dry cough can be due to a lack of proper functioning of the immune system. Therefore, to support the performance of the immune system, it is recommended that you eat foods that contain probiotics. Several studies have shown that probiotics can reduce the incidence of respiratory tract infections in children. Although probiotics do not work directly to relieve dry cough, the microorganisms in probiotics are able to maintain the balance of the immune system. You can also try foods that contain probiotics, such as tempeh, cheese, and yogurt.

• Salt water

  Gargling with salt water is another natural way to relieve a dry cough. Although it looks simple, this method can help relieve the itching in the throat that is the cause of a dry cough. Mix to teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Children under the age of six are not recommended to use this method, because they cannot rinse their mouth properly.

• Pineapple

  Pineapple can be used as a natural remedy to relieve dry cough. Substance bromelain Pineapple in pineapple is thought to be able to smooth the respiratory tract and help reduce dry coughs. However, there is no medical evidence to prove this allegation.

• Ginger

  Some things, such as acid reflux and sore throat due to the flu, can also cause a dry cough. Ginger is a good choice of natural dry cough medicine because it can reduce the symptoms of excess stomach acid and relieve flu symptoms. However, the clinical effectiveness of ginger to treat dry cough still needs further research.

How to Relieve Symptoms of a Dry Cough

In addition to using natural remedies, you are also advised to do the following to relieve dry cough symptoms:

• Using a humidifier (water humidifier)

  Use humidifier is another way to reduce dry cough. Breathing humidified air has been shown to relieve coughs, relieve an itchy throat, and improve your airways.

• Enough rest

  Adequate rest can be one way to relieve dry cough symptoms. This is because when you rest, the energy in the body will be channeled to the immune system to help fight viruses, one of the causes of dry cough. Therefore, you are advised to get enough rest when you have a dry cough.

• Avoid the factors that cause dry cough

  To help relieve the symptoms of a dry cough, it is also recommended that you avoid the factors that cause dry cough. Some things that trigger allergies and irritations from exposure to cigarette smoke, dust, smoking, fried foods, to alcoholic beverages and caffeine should be avoided to prevent a dry cough.

If the above methods have not been able to relieve the symptoms of a dry cough, you can try medical cough medicines that contain antitussives or cough reflex suppressants. This type of cough medicine is often used to relieve dry coughs. However, if the dry cough does not go away within a few weeks, immediately consult a doctor.