Many people use a wide variety of herbal teas to treat persistent coughing. These are some of the most popular cough infusions:
Tea with honey
It is a very popular remedy, which has been used to combat coughs for many years, and its use is hot water with a little honey. Some studies show that honey relieves coughs. Treatments for children’s nocturnal coughs were also studied, and in this one a comparison of results was made using dark honey, anti-cough medicines, dextromethorphan and finally no treatment.
This study showed that dextromethorphan had better benefits, although parents gave honey a higher rating, out of all the options.
For this remedy, 2 tablespoons of honey should be mixed with herbal tea, and ingest this mixture 1 or 2 times a day. It is important that babies under 1 year of age do not drink honey.
Ginger tea
Ginger , containing anti – inflammatory properties , helps relieve asthmatic or dry cough . Another benefit of this is that it also relieves pain and nausea. There are studies that show that ginger relaxes the membranes of the respiratory tract, thus reducing coughing , thanks to its anti-inflammatory components.
Its use consists of adding 30 grams of fresh ginger to a glass of hot water, then it is allowed to cool for about 5 minutes, and then honey or lemon juice is added to help calm the cough even more and also improve the flavor of the infusion.
Something that must be noted is that depending on the person, ginger can cause heartburn or general discomfort.
Please note that in some cases, ginger tea may cause stomach upset or heartburn.
It is one of the most popular cough infusions.
Marshmallow root infusion
Marshmallow root is an herb that has been used since ancient times to treat sore throats and coughs . Thanks to its high mucilage content, it helps to improve throat irritation caused by continuous coughing . Mucilage is a thick, sticky substance that creates a coating that covers the throat.
Studies have shown that an herbal syrup made from marshmallow root, ivy, and thyme helps relieve coughs caused by colds and respiratory infections. After 2 weeks, the scores of those who took the syrup were 90% positive.
There are several forms of marshmallow root, such as dried herb or bagged tea. Prepare a glass of boiling water and leave the marshmallow root resting in the water for as long as possible, so that the mucilage is released.
It is possible that due to the intake of this infusion you feel a bit of stomach upset, but it is easy to counteract with other liquids.
It is very easy to find this root, both in herbalists and online.
Thyme infusion
Thyme is a species that is used as a natural medicine or for cooking. It is a very common natural remedy that helps reduce coughs , sore throats, digestion problems, and bronchitis .
There are studies that show that a cough syrup with thyme and ivy is more effective than a placebo syrup for people with acute bronchitis. What makes this plant so effective and beneficial is thanks to the antioxidants that make it up.
If you want to treat a cough, look for a syrup that already has thyme in it. If not, prepare a glass of boiling water and apply a couple of tablespoons of dried thyme, and after filtering it is ready to serve.
Slippery elm
Slippery elm was traditionally used by Native Americans to treat coughs and digestion problems. It contains high amounts of mucilage, just like marshmallow root, which soothes sore throats and coughs.
Its preparation consists of an infusion of this species , adding a tablespoon of dry grass to a glass of boiling water. Now you just need to let it rest a bit. It should be noted that slippery elm may interfere with the absorption of the mediation.
Slippery elm is easy to find in any herbalist or online, in capsule or powder format.
liquorice infusion
Licorice is an expectorant plant that helps alleviate irritation of the respiratory tract and relieves congestion . It has a sweet and powerful flavor. Its method of preparation consists of putting a tablespoon of dried licorice root in a glass of boiling water and letting it cool for a while, and then passing it through a strainer.
anise infusion
This cough infusion is also expectorant and also helps alleviate irritation caused by coughing. Like licorice, it has a sweet and powerful flavor. Its method of preparation consists of putting 2 tablespoons of ground anise in a glass of boiling water and letting it rest for a while, and then passing it through a strainer.
sage infusion
Sage contains antispasmodic and antiseptic properties that help reduce coughing and soothe sore throats . Its method of use consists of crushing dry sage leaves and gradually adding them to a glass of boiling water. Then it is left to rest and later it strains.
How can you avoid a cold?
It’s hard to avoid catching a cold, but the following tips are highly recommended:
-Keep a certain distance from sick people. If you avoid contact with these people you will save a few days in bed.
-Wash your hands regularly. Soap and hot water should be used in order to get rid of the bacteria and viruses that inhabit our skin. It is very important before teaching children the proper way to wash their hands. You can also use hydroalcoholic gel if you are away from home.
-Disinfect material objects, in case someone in the house is sick, such as the kitchen, the sink, toys, etc.
-Another very important tip to avoid colds is to stay hydrated. Drink water, infusions, teas or other drinks in order to avoid dehydration. It is not recommended to drink alcohol, as it dehydrates the body.
-Reduce stress, since this may increase the chances of catching a disease, because stress affects the immune system. If you want to reduce stress, the best thing you can do is play sports regularly, surround yourself with loved ones, practice meditation or other techniques to relax both body and mind.
-Rest adequately. The ideal is to sleep 6 to 8 hours a day for adults, and 8-10 hours for children. In this way you will have enough energy to face the day and be more productive.
-It is also advisable to take supplements that stimulate the immune system. Such as vitamin C, Zinc or probiotics in the cold season and colds to keep the immune system strong and active.
Colds are often confused with allergies. If it is an allergy, mites, dust, fungi, pollen, etc. should be avoided. If you want to take injections or allergy medication, you should see a doctor.