How to Treat a Dry Cough Naturally

Home remedies and natural treatments for a dry cough

Home remedies for a dry cough haven’t been extensively studied or proven effective. Caution is highly advised when using natural remedies for this or other symptoms.

Also, some home remedies for a dry cough are not recommended for babies and children. Always consult with a pediatrician before using natural remedies on your little one.

Menthol cough drops

Menthol cough drops are available at most drugstores. These medicated lozenges contain compounds from the mint family. They may have a powerful cooling effect that soothes irritated tissue and relaxes the cough reflex.

That said, it’s a good idea to use these sparingly and according to the package instructions. Older research suggests that using too many menthol cough drops can actually worsen your cough.

Humidifier

A humidifier is a machine that adds moisture to the air. Dry air, which is common in heated and cooled homes, can aggravate inflamed throat tissue.

Using a humidifier in your bedroom at night may help loosen mucus, ease breathing, and help you feel more comfortable while you’re sleeping.

For young children, ask a pediatrician about using a cool-mist vaporizer. Humidifiers that use heating elements and hot water could burn a child if they tip them over.

Soup, broth, tea, or another hot beverage

Warm liquids like soup and tea help add moisture while providing immediate relief for sore and scratchy throats.

Warm liquids also help keep you hydrated, which is essential to the healing process.

In general, if you have a dry cough, then fluids are your friend. Staying hydrated helps ensure your throat stays moist so it can heal properly.

Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, but more fluids like juices and broth are also recommended.

Honey

Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the throat. It can also help break down mucus and soothe sore throats.

Try adding honey to a cup of warm tea or warm water with lemon. Or just eat a spoonful every time the coughing returns.

A review found that honey can be as effective as diphenhydramine, an ingredient in Benadryl, for children with coughs. However, it wasn’t as effective as dextromethorphan, an ingredient in Delsym and Robitussin.

Caution

Children under the age of 12 months should not be given honey due to the risk of choking and botulism. For older children, honey can be used to soothe a dry cough but you may want to check with a doctor first.

Saltwater gargle

Salt water soothes inflamed tissue and promotes healing. It can also help eliminate bacteria in the mouth and throat.

A 2019 study found that gargling with salt water three times per day reduced the duration of a cough by 2.4 days. It also reduced the duration of vocal hoarseness, sneezing, and a blocked nose.

To make a saltwater gargle, mix 1/2 teaspoon of fine salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Stir and take a sip. Tilt your head back and gargle gently for 30 seconds, then spit. Never swallow the salt water.

Herbs

Some herbs may have anti-inflammatory properties that could help reduce the swelling in your throat.

Herbs can also offer antioxidants, which can help boost your immune system.

Consider the following herbs to soothe some of your symptoms:

• thyme
• peppermint
• licorice root
• marshmallow root
• marjoram
• ginger

You can add herbs to your diet by brewing them into teas or adding them to your favorite recipes. You can also look for supplements and extracts at your local health food store.

Beware that herbs and natural remedies, including supplements, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medications are. Consider asking a healthcare professional for guidance on what supplements and brands may be a better choice for you.

Steam inhalation

Like warm or hot water from drinks, steam from hot water can help moisturize the dry and irritated tissues in your nasal passages and throat. It can also ease irritation in sore throats and reduce coughs.

Heat water enough to produce vapor and pour it into a bowl. Place a towel over your head and the bowl, being careful not to get too close to the steam. Slowly inhale the warm, moist air for 2 minutes.

You can also take a hot shower and breathe in the steam while you bathe. If you don’t need the shower but want the steam, close the door to the bathroom, turn on a hot shower, and let the steam build. Take in deep breaths of the moist air.

Important

Don’t breathe in steam directly over a pot of boiling water. You can severely burn your skin and nasal airways.

Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce swollen and irritated throat tissue.

Bromelain may also help break down mucus. You can get a small dose of bromelain in a glass of pineapple juice, but many people prefer to take supplements, which have a much higher concentration.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that your body needs to perform different functions properly. Vitamins serve different purposes. For example, vitamin C plays an important role in your immune system.

To get the most bang for your buck, consider a multivitamin at your local drugstore.

Probiotics

Probiotics are healthy bacteria taken in supplement form that can improve your gut bacteria. They don’t help relieve a cough directly, but a healthy balance of bacteria keeps your gut healthy and strengthens your immune system so you can fight off infections.

Diet

You might think that food only irritates your stomach or gastrointestinal system, but some foods can cause a dry cough.

A cough can be a symptom of food allergies or acid reflux.

If you experience a dry cough after eating a certain type of food, avoid the food for a while to see if the coughing stops.

High fat foods and acidic foods, like tomatoes, are frequently responsible for acid reflux. Chocolate, caffeine, and spicy foods can also worsen acid reflux symptoms, like a dry cough.

Avoid irritants in the environment

When irritants enter your respiratory system, they can trigger the cough reflex and slow down the healing process. Common irritants include smoke, dust, pollen, or perfumes.

Consider taking these measures to help make your environment less triggering:

• Use an air purifier: Air purifiers help clear the air of allergens and irritants like dust, pollen, and pet dander.
• Cool-mist humidifier: Dry air outside or in your home can irritate a cough. Heated air is especially irritating for coughs. A humidifier adds moisture back into the air, which can help keep your nasal passageways lubricated.
• Eliminate smoke: Smoke from cigarettes, vaping pens, or cannabis can irritate your throat and worsen a dry cough.

OTC management of a dry cough

Dry coughs can be uncomfortable. However, there are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications available at your local drugstore that may help ease your cough.

Decongestants

Decongestants are OTC medications that treat congestion in the nose and sinuses.

When you contract a virus, such as the common cold, decongestants will constrict the blood vessels in your nose. This can reduce swelling and make it easier to breathe. They may also lessen postnasal drip.

Several types of decongestants are available, but the most common brand-name decongestants in the United States include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and oxymetazoline (Afrin).

Choose an OTC medication specifically formulated for children and follow the manufacturer’s instructions or talk with a doctor. Never give children prescription or OTC medications formulated for adults.

Important

To avoid severe side effects, children under age 12 years should not take decongestants. Children under age 2 years may have serious side effects such as seizures and rapid heart rate.

Cough suppressants and expectorants

There are really two types of OTC cough medications: cough suppressants and cough expectorants.

• Cough suppressants (antitussives): These medications quiet your cough by blocking your cough reflex. This is helpful for dry coughs that are painful or that keep you up at night. The primary OTC cough suppressant medication is dextromethorphan (Robitussin, Delsym, Theraflu Thin Strips Cough).
• Expectorants: These are better for wet coughs and work by thinning the mucus in your airway so you can cough more easily. The most commonly used OTC expectorant is guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin Cough Congestion, Vicks DayQuil).

Prescription medications

If OTC treatments don’t help relieve your cough, contact a doctor. Depending on the underlying condition that’s causing the cough, a doctor may prescribe:

• an oral antihistamine for seasonal allergies
• inhaled corticosteroids for asthma
• antibiotics for infections
• acid blockers for acid reflux

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to cure a dry cough?

There isn’t necessarily a quick fix for a dry cough. How long you have had it can depend on the cause and what treatment you try. If you feel that natural remedies aren’t doing the job fast enough, it’s important to see a doctor for an evaluation.

What reduces a dry cough?

There are many things you can try to get some relief from a dry cough. You can try drinking tea with honey at home or buy an OTC decongestant, for example. A doctor can prescribe stronger medication if needed.

How can I stop a dry cough at night?

You can use many of the same home remedies or medical treatments. Some OTC and prescription medications may be specifically geared toward nighttime coughing. In addition, it might help if you incline your bed to position your head higher than your stomach. If acid reflux is the cause of a dry cough, then this will help your stomach acid recede back into the stomach when you sleep.

Does COVID-19 cause a dry cough?

A dry cough is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19, but it may also result from other causes. Only a healthcare professional can provide an accurate diagnosis.

How long can a dry cough last?

Most coughs go away within about 3 weeks. Contact a doctor if your cough lasts more than 2 months, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, or pain.

Takeaway

A dry cough is usually a symptom of a cold or flu virus, although it can be caused by other conditions.

In most cases, you can treat a dry cough at home with OTC medications or home remedies like humidifiers and saltwater gargles.

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