Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily and occurs as part of the body’s healing process. Conditions that usually come with chronic coughing are asthma, allergies, acid reflux, smoking and throat disorders among other causes.

Home Remedies for Coughs

1. If the cough is a result of acid reflux try raising the head of your bed about 4 inches and avoid eating or drinking for two hours before lying down since acid reflex usually occurs in this position.
2. Drink 8oz glasses of water to help ease a cough or inhale the steam from a hot shower, vaporizer or container with boiling water.
3. Avoid irritants that might cause allergies to flare. Do not smoke, and avoid other irritants such as chemicals as found in household cleaners, new carpeting, paneling and mattresses.
4. Eat hot or spicy foods or drink tea such as ginger to loosen mucus. Avoid foods such as dairy products, meat and fried foods which promote mucus.
5. Place hot/warm compress on the chest and throat for a soothing relief.
6. Prepare a mixture of a garlic glove with a tablespoon of honey and lemon juice. The combination of garlic and lemon juice will open up sinus passages and, along with the honey, breaks up phlegm.
7. Combine 2 tablespoon aloe juice and 2 tablespoon honey with a cup of boiling water to drink as a tea. The aloe and honey soothes and coats sore and irritated tissues.
8. Consume licorice tea to soothe and calm the throat while breaking up phlegm. Prepare 1 teaspoon powdered licorice root with one cup water, add honey to sweeten.
9. Soothe dry cough with an almond paste. Soak almonds overnight and remove their skin. Make a paste of the soaked almonds with little butter and sugar.
10. Mix 1 teaspoonful raw onion juice with 1 teaspoonful of honey. Keep it aside for 3 to 4 hours before drinking.
11. Combine a cup of grape juice and a teaspoon of honey. Mix well.
12. Make a shot of lemon juice mixed with black pepper and salt to minimize coughing.
13. Consume ample amounts of grapes for a few days to help build the lungs and breakup mucus, or combine honey with grape juice.
14. Gargle with warm spinach juice or warm salt water to help sooth the throat and eliminate dry cough.

A sore throat or as it is known pharyngitis is characterized by any inflammation of the throat or pharynx. It is typically painful and may last for a relatively long time. It is usually caused by a viral infection in a large percentage of cases or it may be triggered by a bacterial or fungal infection or other irritants like certain chemicals or pollutants. For viral infections treatment will involve treating only the symptoms while with bacterial and fungal infections antibiotics or anti-fungals may be used to neutralize the infection. The conventional method of treatment involves taking pain reducers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin and/or taking lozenges. Both methods will help to alleviate the associated symptoms fairly effectively. However if you prefer a more natural method of relief you may try a few of the following home remedies that are listed below. It is wise to consult a doctor if you believe that your throat condition may be more serious than a regular sore throat, this could indicate the presence of streptococcal bacteria (strep throat) or possible tonsillitis.

Remedies

• The first type of natural remedy that may be used consists of gargling with salt water. This water should be warmed either on a stove top or in a microwave, do not boil the water because this will make it inappropriate for use as a gargling solution. Once the water is warmed dissolve the salt in it and gargle with the solution. This will generally have the welcoming effect of easing the pain and lessening the inflammation.
• You may also create a gargling solution from mango bark. Use about 10 ml of the fluid extract and combine with 125 ml of water. This is considered a very favourable method to use in treating a sore throat.
• It is also suggested that drinking a tea made from the blossoms of dried chamomile will alleviate the symptoms. It may be drank every 2-4 hours while symptoms persist.
• You may use honey and lemon to lessen the effects of a sore throat. First boil some water and then add some honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the water. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes and then sip the mixture. The honey will have the wonderful effect of coating and soothing the throat while the lemon will reduce the mucus present in the throat area. You will need to take this treatment while symptoms persist, possibly every few hours.
• Try to speak a lot less than normal to give your throat time to heal. Shouting or speaking too loudly or too much will aggravate a sore throat.
• Drink a lot of fluids; this will ensure that you will not dehydrate as a result of loss fluid during mucus production. Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine that may also have a dehydrating effect.
• You may also make a garlic tea as a natural home remedy for the condition.. Boil some water and then add a few cloves of garlic. Sip this like you would any ordinary tea. This will relieve some of the symptoms and help fight the existing infection.