Exploring Natural Ways to Relieve Coughs for the Whole Family
When it comes to family health, understanding the common yet often perplexing issue of coughing is crucial. Much like the reflexive action of blinking, coughing can occur both voluntarily and involuntarily as a means for the body to protect itself. It's a natural mechanism that helps clear foreign substances, dust, germs, or viruses from the respiratory tract. For families, particularly those with young children, it's important to understand that coughing is the body's way of expelling irritants it has encountered, serving as a natural response rather than just a symptom.
Whether it's due to irritation from respiratory infections or something else, coughing serves as an alert, and it can present with or without phlegm.
As we delve into the intricacies of coughing, from its causes to its duration, we aim to provide families with a deeper understanding and effective ways to manage it.
In our blog, we use the label (KF) to mark tips and remedies that are safe for children. This 'Kid-Friendly' indicator helps you quickly find family-appropriate advice. Remember, always consult a healthcare professional before trying new remedies with kids.
Understanding Different Types of Coughs
Dry Cough: Often triggered by irritation or inflammation in the throat and airways, indicating a reaction to an allergen or a cold.
Wet Cough: Characterized by the presence of phlegm or mucus, typically indicating a respiratory infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
RSV Cough: Associated with Respiratory Syncytial Virus, common in young children. It often sounds wet due to mucus in the airways and can be accompanied by wheezing or rapid breathing.
Croup Cough: Recognizable by its distinctive 'barking' sound, often compared to a seal's bark. Croup is usually caused by viral infections and can cause swelling around the vocal cords.
Postnasal Drip Cough: Caused by mucus dripping down the back of the throat from the nose, leading to throat irritation and a persistent cough to clear.
Nighttime Cough: Often worsens at night, possibly due to lying down, which can increase throat irritation and lead to postnasal drip.
Viral Cough Facts: Understanding the Duration and Nature
Coughs associated with viral infections are a common health concern, especially in families with young children. Understanding the nature and duration of these coughs can help manage expectations and guide appropriate treatments. Here are some key facts about viral coughs:
Duration of Viral Coughs: A cough resulting from a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu, can typically last for 2 to 3 weeks. This duration is normal and reflects the body's natural process of healing and clearing the virus from the respiratory system.
Post-Viral Cough: Sometimes, even after the initial viral infection has resolved, a cough may persist. This is known as a post-viral cough, which can linger due to the airways remaining sensitive and inflamed after the infection.
Symptoms alongside Cough: Viral coughs often come with other symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, and fever. These symptoms usually improve as the body fights off the virus, but the cough might persist as the last symptom to resolve.
Contagious Period: It's important to note that individuals with a viral cough are often contagious in the early stages of the infection. Practicing good hygiene and limiting close contact with others during this period can help prevent the spread of the virus.
When to Seek Medical Attention: While most viral coughs resolve on their own, medical attention should be sought if there are signs of more serious conditions, such as difficulty breathing, a high fever that doesn’t reduce, or if the cough is worsening.
Prevention and Care: Good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and maintaining a healthy immune system through proper nutrition and adequate sleep are key strategies in preventing viral infections and associated coughs.
Understanding and Supporting the Body's Process
In holistic wellness, we often emphasize the importance of understanding and supporting the body's natural healing processes rather than just suppressing symptoms. While addressing symptoms might seem like the quickest path to relief, it's essential to recognize that the body has its own wisdom in dealing with acute illnesses.
Suppressing symptoms can sometimes lead to more prolonged healing or even chronic issues, as it interferes with the body's natural healing cycle. Holistic and homeopathic care differs by supporting the body's responses, aiding the immune system in its development and readiness for future health challenges.
Clinical observations, especially in children, have shown that overcoming acute illnesses can lead to greater overall health and development. This suggests that the body can make significant strides in healing during these acute phases.
Natural Remedies for Cough Relief:
In holistic health, we focus on treatments that not only fight infections but also build and heal the immune system, unlike conventional medicine which often just targets symptoms. Here are some natural remedies to consider:
Whats in the kitchen?
Lemon Ginger Garlic Tea: A soothing blend that combines the antibacterial properties of garlic with the warmth of ginger and lemon.(KF- Add some raw honey to make this like a warm immune lemonade )
Raw honey and garlic - check out our fermented garlic reel
Boiled Onion Syrup with 3 tbs of flax seeds until thick. Strain, add honey or maple syrup, and lemon (KF)
Fermented garlic and raw honey (CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE) or raw honey and chopped up garlic, cinnamon and thyme- store in the fridge and use within 3 days (KF- NOT FOR UNDER 1YRS OLD)
Pineapple with Bromelain: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme known for its anti-inflammatory properties.(KF)
Soothing Homemade Pineapple Cough Remedy
Ingredients:
2 cups of fresh or frozen organic pineapple (avoid canned as they lack active bromelain)
Juice of 2 lemons
1 cup of raw organic honey
1 inch of peeled and finely grated raw organic ginger
1/2 cup of organic coconut oil or olive oil
A small pinch of Himalayan pink salt
A few mint leaves for added freshness
Instructions:
Blend all the ingredients until smooth. For those who prefer a finer texture, straining the mixture to remove ginger fibers is a good option.
Consume about one ounce as needed. The syrup can be refrigerated for a few days, up to a week.
If you like, freeze any extra in ice cube trays for easy-to-use, soothing throat cubes.
Benefits of the Ingredients:
Pineapple: Contains bromelain, an enzyme known for its anti-inflammatory properties, helpful in speeding up recovery from infections.
Lemon: A good source of vitamin C and antioxidants with antiviral and antibacterial benefits.
Raw Honey: Soothes sore throats and is rich in beneficial minerals and antioxidants.
Ginger: Known for its immune support and anti-inflammatory properties.
Olive Oil: Coats the throat, soothing coughs, and has anti-inflammatory effects.
Himalayan Pink Salt: Offers essential minerals and can help in reducing throat irritation.
Mint: Adds a refreshing touch and can help in easing breathing.
Herbal Supports and supplements
Thyme: Known for its antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties, thyme is excellent for soothing coughs and clearing mucus from the respiratory tract.
Make some thyme tea, add some fresh thyme to honey and garlic syrup (KF)
Thyme tea bath to help open airways (KF)
Licorice Root: Soothes the throat, reduces irritation, and acts as an expectorant, making it beneficial for both dry and productive coughs.
Echinacea: Boosts the immune system and can help reduce the duration and severity of respiratory symptoms.
Mullein: Traditionally used for its ability to ease respiratory congestion and soothe irritated mucous membranes.
Marshmallow Root: Contains mucilage, which helps coat and soothe irritated throats and reduce coughing.
Supplements to explore:
Immune Protect
Olive leaf
Top 5 Homeopathic Remedies for Coughs:
Bryonia: Best for dry, hacking coughs that cause pain and worsen with motion. Ideal for those who feel better when lying still and need to hold their chest while coughing.
Antimonium Tartaricum: Suitable for wet, rattling coughs where there seems to be a lot of congestion but little expectoration. It can be particularly useful in the later stages of a cold.
Drosera: Recommended for deep, barking, and spasmodic coughs that can sound like a whooping cough. Especially effective when coughs worsen at night and involve retching.
Spongia Tosta: Ideal for dry, croupy coughs that sound like a saw going through a board. Coughs that improve with warm drinks and worsen before midnight can respond well to this remedy.
Phosphorus: Useful for hard, painful, dry coughs or tightness in the chest. It can be beneficial for individuals who experience hoarseness and burning in the chest along with their cough.
Lifestyle Hacks for Cough Relief:
Lymphatic Massage: Encourages lymph drainage and reduces throat and gland swelling.
Nasal clearing with saline
Cold Socks/Raw Potato Socks: An old time remedy that can help draw out fever and increase circulation.
Mustard or Onion Chest Packs: Can help clear congestion and ease coughing.
Creating an onion poultice is a traditional remedy often used to alleviate coughs and chest congestion.
Here’s a simple way to make one:
Ingredients:
1-2 large onions
Water (optional)
A clean cloth or cheesecloth
Instructions:
Prepare the Onions:
Peel and thinly slice or chop the onions.
You can lightly steam or sauté the onions in a small amount of water until they're soft but not fully cooked. This step is optional but helps to release the beneficial compounds in the onions.
Create the Poultice:
Spread the warm, softened onions in the center of a clean cloth or cheesecloth.
Fold the cloth to encase the onions, making a 'packet' that's easy to apply to the chest.
Apply the Poultice:
Ensure the poultice is warm but not hot to avoid skin irritation.
Place the poultice on the chest area and cover it with a towel to keep it in place and retain the warmth.
Leave the poultice on for about 20-30 minutes, checking frequently to ensure it's comfortable and not too hot.
Usage:
The poultice can be applied once or twice a day, as needed, to help soothe a cough and relieve chest congestion.
Benefits:
Onions are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can help in reducing congestion.
The warmth from the poultice also helps in loosening phlegm in the chest
Lifestyle Modalities to Aid in Cough and Congestion Relief
Managing coughs and congestion holistically involves not just remedies, but also lifestyle and dietary adjustments. Here are some tips on what to avoid and what to include in your diet, along with other supportive practices:
Foods to Limit:
Dairy Products: Dairy can increase mucus production in some people, potentially worsening congestion.
Refined Sugar: Sugar can suppress the immune system and aggravate inflammation, hindering the healing process.
Alcohol: It can dehydrate the body and impair immune function, which is crucial for recovery from respiratory illnesses.
Foods to Include:
Soups and Stews: Warm, broth-based dishes can be soothing, hydrating, and provide necessary nutrients for recovery.
Herbal Teas: Teas like ginger, peppermint, or licorice root can help thin mucus and soothe irritated throats.
Therapeutic Pungent Foods: Foods containing garlic, onions, or cayenne which can help break down mucus and clear congestion.
Additional Supportive Practices:
Salt Room Therapy or Salt Inhalers: These therapies use salt's natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to improve respiratory health and ease coughing. Check out in your area for a salt room or look into this salt inhaler from amazon.
Nebulizing- Solutions: View Amazon Storefront
NAC and Saline: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) helps in thinning mucus, making it easier to expel, while saline can hydrate and soothe irritated airways. Good for those wet coughs and congestion. Learn more here
Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine: This combination can assist in disinfecting and soothing the respiratory tract, reducing irritation and coughing.
Magnesium chloride oil mixed with saline- great for the restrictive coughs. Magnesium can help with the inflammation and relax the bronchial area. (KF- will taste salty, start with very little in saline)
Briotech HOCL (Oral Swish): A gentle yet effective solution that can help alleviate respiratory irritation and support healing.
Nebulizing can be an effective way to address respiratory issues. Here's a simple method using either Magnesium Chloride or NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine):
Ingredients:
1/8 teaspoon of solution like Pure Nac or magnesium chloride
3-4 ml of sterile saline solution
Instructions:
Prepare the Solution: Dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of Magnesium Chloride or pure NAC in 3-4 ml of sterile saline.
Nebulize:
For children, nebulize the solution for 5-10 minutes.
For adults, extend the nebulization to 15-20 minutes.
Perform this 2-3 times a day, as needed.
TIPS
Ensure the nebulizer is clean and properly assembled before use.
Sit in a comfortable, upright position while nebulizing.
Breathe normally through the mouthpiece or mask.
Remember, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment, especially for young children or individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
We hope you found this guide helpful in exploring holistic approaches to managing lingering coughs. Our focus is on supporting your body's natural healing process through a blend of natural remedies and lifestyle tips. For more insights and health guidance, don't forget to follow us. We're here to help you on your journey to natural wellness.
