The winter season is here and with it have also arrived the typical seasonal respiratory diseaseswhich mainly include respiratory diseases.
Although we can take measures to take care of ourselves, how to use face masksconstant hand washing, use of antibacterial gel, in addition to increasing our consumption of vitamin C, the truth is that we are never exempt from contracting any of these diseases.
And when this happens, one of the most annoying symptoms that usually occurs is a terrible cough.
Although two types can appear, both dry and with phlegm, dry cough can be much more annoying and difficult to combat.
That is why today we bring you some natural remedies that you can implement, along with the treatment from your primary doctor, to reduce this symptom and thus achieve improvement in less time.
1. Honey tea with ginger and lemon
He ginger It is one of the foods with the greatest antibacterial properties, which is why it is the most used to combat or prevent diseases, as it helps strengthen the immune system.
For its part, honey also provides some of these benefits, so the combination makes it further increase its properties.
At the same time, consuming it in the form of an infusion helps because the Hot drinks usually have the effect of relaxing the mucosa, in addition to hydrating the area to reduce the body’s need to activate the cough mechanism.
2- Onion or garlic tea with honey and lemon
This tea is a variant of the previous one but with other two powerful antibacterial foodsso its consumption greatly helps combat symptoms such as cough.
Although the idea of drinking this infusion may sound unattractive to many, we assure you that it is one of the best natural remedies you can find. In this sense, honey can help reduce the strong flavor of both garlic and of the onion.
For its part, lemon will give you an extra dose of vitamin C.
2.Marshmallow root
The marshmallow root has been traditionally used as remedy for cough and sore throat due to its content mucilage, a viscous compound that protects the throat by forming a softening layer.
Additionally, it has been shown in some preliminary research that an herbal syrup that includes marshmallow root, thyme and ivycan be effective in relieving cough associated with common colds and respiratory tract infections.
3. Salt water gargles
Carry out gargle with warm water and salt can be beneficial for relieve the discomfort and irritation caused by a dry cough provokes. The salt in the water acts as a bactericidal agent in the mouth and throat.
For this purpose, it is advisable to dilute 1 teaspoon of common salt in a glass of warm water and gargle several times during the day.
However, it should be noted that this method not recommended for small childrendue to the risk of ingestion of the saline solution.
4. Bromelain
The bromelainan enzyme found mainly in the pineapple stemis known for its anti-inflammatory effects and for its possible mucolytic functionhelping to break down and expel mucus from the body.
Although there are individuals who consume pineapple juice regularly with the aim of reduce mucus buildup and relieve coughthe content of bromelain in the juice is usually insufficient for significant therapeutic effects.
That is why it is recommended to obtain this compound from the intake of some supplement or syrup containing it.
In this case, do not forget to consult with a specialist about possible contraindications for your particular case, because some people may be allergic or because it may interact negatively with certain medications.
Particularly, its consumption is not advisable for people under treatment with anticoagulants or certain types of antibiotics.
5. Vaporizations with eucalyptus or mint
Inhaling water vapor can be beneficial in relieving cough because it hydrates and relaxes the mucosa. It is suggested to take a shower or bath with hot water and remain in the vaporized environment for several minutes until you experience an improvement in symptoms.
To enhance the effect, it is recommended to add some herbs such as eucalyptus or mint which contribute anesthetic properties that can calm irritated nerve endings in the throat causing the cough reflex.
This effect can help reduce the sensation of pain and contribute to the reduction in cough frequency. It is advisable to drink a glass of water afterwards to stay hydrated and cool down.
For its part, the use of a humidifier can have a similar effect, because the presence of dry air can exacerbate the incidence of dry cough. The use of humidifiers contributes to increasing environmental humidity, which can alleviate this symptom.
Although these remedies can help you combat or reduce cough symptoms, Always remember to go to the doctor for a better evaluation, especially if the cough does not go away after these treatments.
The use of these remedies can help hide the presence of an undiagnosed disease, so if the symptom does not persist, go to a doctor.
Specialists also recommend that you at least have an oximeter at home to measure your saturation, especially due to the increase in cases of Covid and influenza during this season, as you may have low saturation without knowing it, since sometimes may not give alarming symptoms until it is already at alarming levels.
For its part, in particular the dry cough can also be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux Therefore, if it does not persist with treatment after several weeks, it is important to consult a specialist (gastroenterologist) to rule out this origin, since reflux can cause other serious diseases such as ulcers or cancer of the esophagus if it is not attended to in time.