Home Remedies for Dry Cough - A Deep Insight

Introduction

Coughing is a very common condition that is the natural way of the body to clear the airway. Whenever any irritants or mucus get entrapped in the airway, the body produces a natural reflex that is called coughing. The cough reflex is a natural defense mechanism of the body to protect the respiratory system. The primary aim of the cough is to expel any foreign particles, irritants, or mucus from the air passage that is present in the air passage. The irritants, like dust, smoke, or allergens, may enter the lungs or throat through the nasal passage. These irritants are present in the air, and they gain access to the airways when a person inhales them. These irritants may harm the respiratory system and may cause respiratory diseases like pneumonia, asthma, etc.

Therefore, the body's defense mechanism tries to expel it through the cough reflex. In order to do this, the body produces two kinds of coughs: one with mucus, called productive cough, and one without mucus, called dry cough. Usually, dry cough is more problematic than a mucus cough. However, there are effective treatments for dry cough, and some home remedies are effective too that can be tried. This article will explore dry cough and its home remedies. Continue reading to know more.

What Is Dry Cough?

The body produces two types of coughs, productive and nonproductive, based on the presence or absence of mucus or phlegm. Both types of cough are discussed below.

1. Productive Cough: It is also called wet cough. In this type of cough, the lungs and bronchial tubes produce mucus or phlegm. The act of coughing aids in expelling the accumulated mucus, providing relief and promoting recovery from respiratory infections like bronchitis.

2. Dry Cough or Non-Productive Cough: As the name suggests, dry means the absence of mucus or phlegm. Hence, in this type of cough, coughing lacks any mucus and phlegm during coughing. It manifests as irritation in the throat, inflammation, or sensitivity. Some common triggers that lead to non-productive cough are viral infections, allergies, asthma, environmental pollutants, and smoking.

What Are the Causes of Dry Cough?

A dry cough that lacks mucus can arise from various underlying factors:

• Airway Hyperresponsiveness: This occurs when the airway becomes overly sensitive to certain triggers, a characteristic feature of asthma.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD: This condition causes stomach acid to reflux back into the esophagus, irritating the throat and causing persistent coughing.

• Post-Nasal Drip: The throat becomes irritated and experiences dry coughing episodes when superfluous mucus from the sinuses seeps down.

• Viral Infections: Many viral infections, like the common cold or flu, can cause inflammation in the respiratory tract, leading to a dry cough.

• Environmental Irritants: Exposure to smoke, dust, and pollution can trigger irritation in the throat, prompting coughing as a protective mechanism.

• ACE Inhibitors: Some medications, particularly those used to manage blood pressure called ACE inhibitors, can induce coughing as a side effect in certain individuals.

What Are the Home Remedies for Dry Cough?

When it comes to chronic dry coughs, there are some natural remedies that can help relieve symptoms and clear the throat without the need for medical attention. These home remedies that have the potential to treat the dry cough effectively at home are discussed below.

1. Honey: Honey is readily available at home as a natural ingredient. It has excellent antimicrobial properties. It can soothe a sore throat while forming a protective layer over inflamed tissues, easing irritation.

2. Warm Saltwater Gargle: This remedy just needs two things: warm water and salt. Gargling with warm salt water helps to cleanse the throat of irritants and reduce swelling in throat tissues, offering temporary relief from coughing.

3. Steam Inhalation: Inhaling warm, moist air from steam can help loosen mucus and soothe airway passages, providing relief from dry coughs.

4. Ginger: Ginger is used for cooking, and it is an excellent remedy for dry cough. Ginger contains compounds that relax airway muscles, facilitating the expulsion of mucus and reducing throat inflammation.

5. Thyme: With its antispasmodic properties, thyme can help prevent coughing fits by relaxing throat muscles and providing gentle relief.

6. Marshmallow Roots: These are rich in mucilage, and they form a soothing coating over inflamed throat membranes, alleviating dry cough symptoms.

7. Peppermint: Peppermint’s menthol content numbs irritated nerves in the throat, reducing coughing and providing pain relief.

8. Liquorice Root: It contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce throat swelling and discomfort associated with coughing.

9. Slippery Elm: The mucilage in slippery elm coats and protects the throat, offering relief from dry coughs and helping to thin out the thick mucus secretions.

10. Turmeric: Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can help soothe irritation in the airways and provide relief from dry cough.

11. Tea: A blend of spices like clove, cardamom, and cinnamon in tea can help alleviate throat irritation and reduce coughing.

12. Eucalyptus Aromatherapy: Inhaling eucalyptus oil vapors can help clear mucus from the airways and ease coughing, especially at bedtime.

13. Capsaicin: It is a bioactive compound present in chili peppers, and it has demonstrated efficacy in easing chronic dry cough. While capsaicin supplements are available in capsule form, an alternative method involves preparing tea using cayenne pepper hot sauce and warm water. Cayenne pepper, belonging to the chili pepper family, serves as the source of capsaicin in this remedy. To create the tea, one should add drops of cayenne hot sauce to warm water, adjusting the quantity to suit the tolerance for spiciness. However, capsaicin-based treatments are not recommended for use in children.

Conclusion

Dry cough can be effectively treated with home remedies, but if symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to seek medical advice. Home remedies are effective, but it is better to consult with a doctor to rule out the cause of dry cough and treat any underlying condition like bronchitis. In some cases, dry cough can be caused by allergies, which can be ruled out by a doctor. To get long-term relief, it is important to treat the dry cough promptly.