A cough can be so irritating, especially when it is accompanied by excess mucus in the lungs and throat. If you don’t clear up that mucus, you will be stuck with the cough until it disappears on its own, which can take days or even weeks. There are some home remedies to help relieve a mucus cough and make your cough more manageable so you can get back to living your life without coughing.
Causes of mucus cough
A mucus cough is caused by an accumulation of mucus in the chest. The mucus can be caused by:
- Cold
- Flu
- Allergies
- Postnasal drip
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Infections
- Asthma
- Certain medications
When the mucus becomes thick, it can irritate the throat and cause a cough. Treatment for a mucus cough includes drinking plenty of fluids, taking over-the-counter medications, and using humidifiers.
Home Remedies to Help Relieve a Mucus Cough
How can you find relief from a mucus cough? Is there something you can do to stop the coughing and breathe easier? Yes, there are natural home remedies that can help with a mucus cough, and they are much more effective than over-the-counter medications.
Below are five of the best home remedies to help relieve mucus cough symptoms and get you back to normal as quickly as possible.
Use these remedies in combination with one another until your mucus cough clears up completely, or pick one that seems to have the most effective and stick with it until you feel better.
1. Apple cider vinegar
ACV is one of the most efficient Home Remedies to Help Relieve a Mucus Cough. Apple cider vinegar is thought to thin mucus, making it easier to cough up. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help fight infection. To use it:
- Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- Mix eight ounces of water in it
- Drink three times a day
You can also add a tablespoon of honey for sweetness. Alternatively, you can gargle the mixture in your mouth or try breathing in the vapours by adding some drops of the vinegar to boiling water.
However, do not take apple cider vinegar if you are pregnant or have low blood sugar levels or are suffering from diabetes. For people who don’t like the taste of apple cider vinegar, mixing it with orange juice or ginger tea should help mask the taste.
2. Garlic
Garlic is a common home remedy for mucus coughs. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help fight the infection causing your cough. To use garlic:
- Chop up a few cloves and add them to boiling water
- Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes
- Then drink it.
You can also eat raw garlic cloves or take garlic supplements.
Note: Be sure not to eat too much as overconsumption of garlic can lead to stomach upset.
3. Raw honey
Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the throat and ease coughing. It also helps thin out mucus, making it easier to cough up.
To use honey as a cough remedy:
- Simply take a spoonful of raw honey
- Add honey to herbal tea or warm water and lemon
- Drink it slowly on an empty stomach
Remember: Just be sure not to give honey to children under one year old. If you have allergies to bee stings, you should avoid using honey. Also be aware that some people are allergic to honey, too.
4. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which makes it an effective home remedy for mucus coughs. To use this remedy:
- Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a pot of boiling water
- Then, drape a towel over your head
- Inhale the steam for 10 minutes
- You can also add eucalyptus oil to a diffuser or humidifier
Inhaling the vapour will loosen up congestion in your chest.
5. Ginger tea
One home remedy that can help relieve a mucus cough is ginger tea. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, which can help loosen mucus and calm inflammation in the throat.
To make ginger tea:
- Peel and slice one inch of fresh ginger root
- Add the ginger slices to boiling water
- Let steep for 10 minutes
- Strain the tea and sweeten it with honey if desired
Drink three cups of ginger tea per day until your cough improves. If you don’t have fresh ginger root on hand, you can use 1⁄4 teaspoon of ground ginger mixed into 1 cup of hot water.
6. Essential oils
Some essential oils can help break up mucus and make coughs more productive. Eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, pine oil, lemon oil, and rosemary oil are all effective at helping to treat a mucus cough.
To use essential oils for a mucus cough, add a few drops of the chosen oil to a diffuser or humidifier. You can also add these oils to a hot bath or shower, or massage them into your chest and throat.
How to use menthol for mucus cough?
Menthol, found in peppermint and camphor essential oils, soothes inflamed throat tissues by cooling them down. Simply place 2-3 drops of menthol on a tissue before placing it against your nose to help reduce inflammation from sinuses or respiratory issues that are causing you to have excess mucus production.
Other important tips
- Drink plenty of fluids: This will help thin out the mucus in your chest and make it easier to cough up.
- Try an over-the-counter (OTC) medication: Look for medications that contain guaifenesin, an expectorant that can help loosen mucus. (Read: Asthakind syrup uses)
- Take a steamy shower: The warm, moist air can help loosen the mucus in your chest and make it easier to cough up.
- Use a humidifier: If you don’t have a steamy shower, using a humidifier can also help loosen the mucus in your chest and make it easier to cough up.
- Drink warm liquids: Warm liquids can help soothe your throat and loosen the mucus in your chest.
Conclusion
A mucus cough can be really annoying. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do at home to help relieve the symptoms. Some home remedies for a mucus cough include drinking lots of fluids, taking a steamy shower, using a humidifier, and drinking warm tea with honey. If your cough is keeping you up at night, you can also try elevating your head with pillows while you sleep.
