Home Remedies For Dry Cough: Procedure, Recovery, Risk & Complication

A dry-wracking cough could be the result of dust in the environment, influenza, dry air, inflammation of the throat, and the aftereffects of a cold. While a mild cough can be resolved in a matter of days, a chronic dry cough can afflict you throughout life. Asthma, lung diseases, emission of smoke and allergies, are usually the underlying cause of a chronic dry cough.

There are many ways to treat a dry cough. Some home remedies that are effective in treating dry cough are as follows:

1. Ginger and mint syrup:

   Ginger has anti-bacterial properties, which make it highly effective in treating a dry cough. It eases throat irritation. For this home remedy, finely chop a piece of ginger as well as a few dried peppermint leaves. Add this to four cups of boiling water and cook on low heat, until the liquid has reduced, to half its quantity.

   Strain the liquid and add a tablespoon of honey to it. Take a tablespoon of this syrup twice or thrice a day. Refrigerate and you can store it for up to three weeks.

2. Turmeric milk:

   This is probably one of the most effective natural home remedies for dry cough. Boil a cup of milk and add a teaspoon of turmeric to it. You can add honey as well. Drinking this once a day will assuage a dry cough. You can also make a paste, by adding a pinch of turmeric to a tablespoon of honey and have this once or twice a day.

3. Honey and garlic:

   Honey and garlic have antibacterial as well as anti-microbial properties. Honey is soothing to the throat, which makes it perfect to treat a dry cough. Add 2 cloves of garlic to two cups of water and boil for 5 minutes. You can add honey and drink this once a day until a dry cough subsides.

4. Gargle with saltwater:

   Salt water helps in killing the bacteria that is present. It breaks down the secretions and helps to soothe a dry cough or to get rid of dry cough, relieving you of the pain. Mix a small teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with that solution every three hours.

5. Masala chai:

   Masala chai containing ginger powder, cinnamon, and cloves helps in reducing any phlegm present in the lungs. It reduces the irritation caused due to cough.

6. Black pepper:

   Black pepper is one of the most effective home remedies for dry cough. It helps to clear the congestion. You can consume black pepper along with ghee.

7. Peppermint:

   Peppermint has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory as well as antiviral properties that encourage faster healing. It also has menthol content, which aids in thinning the mucus and calming a dry cough. Mix peppermint oil with almond, olive, or coconut oil and apply it to your throat for faster results.

8. Giloy:

   Giloy juice acts as an immunity booster and helps the body to fight against the infection. Giloy juice also possesses anti-allergic properties and cures the cough caused due to allergy.

Summary: Dry cough can be treated with ginger mint syrup, peppermint oil, honey, garlic, giloy, turmeric milk, black pepper, masala chai. Consume warm liquids. Gargle with saltwater.

Usually, there are not many side effects of these home remedies. However, it is advised to avoid consuming honey in excess, especially if you suffer from diabetes. In some cases, women who consume ginger while menstruating, suffer from a heavier flow. Ginger also gives a bad body odour.

If you are allergic to ginger and turmeric, it is possible that you can have an allergic reaction to these home remedies. Consuming ginger in excess can lead to certain health conditions like diarrhoea, acid reflux and it can also increase your risk of developing kidney stones.

Summary: Despite being effective, certain home remedies have some side effects which vary from person to person, so choose your home loose-fitting if you are not allergic or sensitive to the particular substance. Do not use any home remedies in excess as it may be harmful to health.

The post remedy guidelines for a dry cough include the following:

• It is important to stay hydrated, keep drinking plenty of water.
• It is advisable to avoid an excessively polluted or cold environment. If you have allergies, take precautions to stay away from the triggers.
• You should drink plenty of warm liquids, to soothe the throat. You can also gargle with warm salt water until a dry cough subsides. However, if a cough persists, please seek medical expertise from a professional.

Summary: Follow the guidelines. Stay hydrated. Avoid cold environments. Drink warm liquid.

The time of recovery depends, both on what the underlying cause for dry cough is as well as the effectiveness of the remedy. For these home remedies, the time of recovery can range from two or three days to two weeks.

Summary: The time of recovery from dry cough depends upon the cause of cough. It varies from 2-5 days depending on the severity. If you don't see any improvement within a week, it is highly recommended to seek medical help.

These home remedies are effective in treating the symptom of a dry cough. It can soothe the pain as well as alleviate your dry cough. However, since a dry cough can recur, the effect of these remedies is not completely permanent.

Summary: Dry cough can be cured but since it is caused due to infection, it can reoccur again. So, you need to follow the guidelines to prevent dry cough.

No special training or expertise is required to use these home remedies for a dry cough. All the ingredients are readily available in stores near you and the procedure to make these remedies is relatively simple.

Summary: No, there is no need for training or expert assistance since these home remedies are easy to perform.