7 Foods That Can Help Relieve Coughs!
The foods that can help relieve a cough naturally and quickly with foods you have in your fridge. Also, coughing can be one of the most frustrating symptoms of the common cold or other seasonal illnesses.
But believe it or not, it’s a way for your body to clear irritants and infections from your airways.
There are several different types of cough , depending on the underlying causes, but the most common distinction is a dry cough versus a wet or productive cough.
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A dry cough is a cough that does not expose mucus, but is caused by constant irritation in the back of the throat .
It can have simple underlying causes, like a cold or flu, and it can persist long after you’ve recovered from an illness.
A wet cough is called a productive cough because it helps expel mucus from the respiratory system.
It is the type of cough that usually accompanies an infection such as the flu or a cold and can be acute (lasting less than three weeks) or chronic (lasting more than eight weeks).
When it comes to relieving a cough , a dry cough can benefit from calming treatments like hot teas and steam baths, while a wet cough needs a remedy that helps break up mucus and makes coughing easier. You don’t want to suppress a productive cough that is causing mucus.
We have compiled a list of common foods, herbs, and expert-recommended home remedies that prove coughing , regardless of whether you have a wet or dry cough .
Foods that can help relieve a cough :
1. Ginger:
Ginger is an option to relieve cough and sore throat . This is because ginger contains compounds that dilate blood vessels and lungs and relax smooth muscles, leading to the opening of the airways, she explains.
His recommendation is to soak freshly cut ginger root in hot water or add chopped ginger to herbal tea infusion to relieve coughing .
2. Mel:
Almost everyone is familiar with the healing properties of honey when it comes to your respiratory system.
It has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the intensity and duration of coughing .
It recommends making a tea with honey and lemon, adding two tablespoons of honey and one to two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to eight ounces of hot water.
Lemon helps thin and break up mucus, while honey has a calming effect,” she says. This tea not only helps break up mucus and soothes the throat, but it also provides the body with a dose of vitamin C to boost the immune system.
3. Raiz do marshmallow:
Marshmallow root has been used in alternative medicine for centuries, particularly in the treatment of coughs and other respiratory problems.
A 2005 study found that a syrup containing marshmallow root among other ingredients was an effective cough treatment for those suffering from colds and other conditions like bronchitis.
You can find marshmallow root in tea bags or as a dry, loose herb that’s easy to brew in a teacup. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes for maximum effect.
4. Licorice:
Licorice root is one of its benefits when treating the cough of your family members and patients.
Not to be confused with the sweet, this plant comes from a species of pea called Glycyrrhiza.
It can be used whole, sliced or in tablet form, and its extract can also be found in syrups.
Licorice is considered an expectorant and soothes irritated or inflamed mucous membranes and lungs,” she notes.
The recommended dose is between 5 and 15 grams per day, to be used for four to six weeks. “However, care should be taken if you have heart or liver disease, and it should not be used during pregnancy,” warns Crawley.
5. Peppermint:
Peppermint is a variety of mint, and the menthol in its leaves is a well-known decongestant that helps break down mucus and helps with airway health.
Peppermint has been used to relieve congestion and improve breathing by stimulating receptors in the respiratory tract.
You can take peppermint lozenges , tinctures, teas or even make a steam bath with the essential oils. The calming effects of peppermint can work wonders for a dry cough.
6. Eucalyptus:
Eucalyptus is another favorite home remedy and is part of the myrtle plant family. “It helps to thin mucus and expand the bronchioles of the lungs, and has been shown to be helpful in relieving upper respiratory problems.
You can drink it as a tea by steeping the loose leaves in hot water, or buy an over-the-counter ointment to rub on your chest.
Plus, there’s another favorite way to harness the healing powers of eucalyptus : “Take the whole branch and hang it from the back of the shower head out of the water stream – the heat and steam will release the essential oils in the stems. This will help clear your nasal congestion and expand your bronchioles, which will relieve your cough.
7. Pineapple:
This can be an amazing cough remedy, but pineapple seems to have just the right combination of characteristics to make it a potent cough aid.
An environmental health expert and adjunct professor of nutrition notes: Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples that has substantial anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties.
These two characteristics of bromelain make pineapple an excellent food to help relieve coughs.
She further explains that the mucolytic aspect of bromelain means that it is able to break down mucus, potentially the root cause of coughing, and remove it completely.
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If the mucus is not removed, it will continue to be irritating,” she notes. Not to mention, the extra dose of vitamin C doesn’t harm its cause either.