Best remedies for a nasty cough?

[twikoff]

ok.. so I had a bit of a sore throat for the past week or so
then a couple days ago my throat got a worse and was bothering me.. and i started coughing a bit
the cough has gotten worse, but for the most part the sore throat is pretty much gone..
i think the only thing that is bothering my throat now, is that Im coughing so much

but these are pretty nasty body shaking coughs.. been going on for the past couple days.. and I havent really found anything to knock it out..
Ive tried cold medecine, cough syrup, nyquil, halls cough drops, etc... and some of the stuff has helped a little, but the nothing has really stopped the cough yet

lastnight, i was up all night because i would start to cough hard everytime i tried to close my eyes.. eventually, i took some more cough syrup.. and half an hour when that didnt work, i took some more of a different kind.. and half an hour later, when those didnt work, i took some nyquil.. not sure if it was the combo of the 3.. but I did manage to get a little sleep and didnt cough much for several hours after that..

but I dont want to continue taking that much to try and stop it..

oh.. and no, I havent been do the doctor.. and really dont want to go unless I feel I have to..

so.. what are the most effective ways to get rid of a nasty cough?

[Buford T Pusser]

death

[DVD Polizei]

You've tried the Ricola cough drops? Also, how is your breathing. Is it harder to breath?

[Dah-Dee]

Weight matters - Chocolate may help treat cough symptoms

Chocolate could hold the key for future cough treatments, results of a UK study suggest.

Researchers from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London conducted a small study to find out whether theobromine, a chemical found in chocolate, could help prevent or treat coughs.

The team gave theobromine to 10 healthy, non-smoking volunteers who then took a cough stimulant, called capsaicin, to see how sensitive they were to cough.

The effectiveness of theobromine was assessed against placebo and also codeine – an agent used in traditional cough remedies.

Results of the study indicated that theobromine was more effective than both the placebo and codeine at treating cough.

Commenting on the research results, Dr John Harvey, chair of the communications committee of the British Thoracic Society, said, “The number of people with undiagnosed chronic cough is increasing in this country – and more effective treatments are needed. The condition can be really distressing and so I hope this research provides a clue for future treatments.”

However, he added that it was too early to say whether theobromine could definitely be used to effectively treat cough and advised people suffering from persistent cough against treating themselves with chocolate.

Link: http://www.50plushealth.co.uk/index....leAction=print

[Dah-Dee]

General measures to relieve cough
Cough drops
Children over age 4 years only (risk of Choking)
Eucalyptus oil may be best
Homemade cough syrup
Teaspoon honey or corn syrup and 2 drops lemon juice
Avoid honey in younger than 1 year (Botulism Risk)
Warm brews (warm liquids are usually soothing)
Humidifiers may loosen Sputum produced with cough
Mentholated ointment (e.g. Vicks)
No proven benefit, but may be soothing

Link: http://www.fpnotebook.com/LUN115.htm

[Dah-Dee]

Colds, Coughs, and Sore Throats

COLDS
The common cold is caused by any of 200 possible viruses. The symptoms are fever, a runny nose, red eyes, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, headache, and general body aches. A cold usually lasts about one to two weeks, and there is no cure.

HOW DO I PREVENT A COLD?
These habits might prevent catching a cold or spreading a cold to others:

Wash hands

Get plenty of rest

Keep hands away from nose and mouth

Eat a variety of foods

Use disposable tissues

Do not smoke

WHAT CAN I DO FOR HOME TREATMENT?
Home treatment for a cold will help relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Suggested Treatments

Increase fluid intake, particularly warm liquids such as warm water, herbal teas, and chicken soup

Salt water, nasal drops, sprays, or gargle with 1/2 - 1 teaspoon salt in 8 oz. warm water

Increase humidity

Rest

May take acetaminophen (two - 325 mg. tablets every four hours as needed) or ibuprofen (2-3 200 mg. tablets every six hours as needed) to relieve aches, but DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN TO PERSONS UNDER AGE 20

Avoid

Combination drugs which treat many symptoms - treat only the symptoms you have

Using nasal decongestant sprays for more than three days

Smoking

COUGHS
Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs. Coughs have distinctive traits you can learn to recognize.

Productive coughs produce phlegm or mucus (sputum) that comes up from the lungs and should not be suppressed. Coughs work to clear mucus from the lungs.

Non-productive coughs are dry, hacking coughs, with no sputum. These are caused by an irritant, such as dust or smoke, or may follow viral illnesses. A dry cough may last up to several weeks after the illness and may get worse at night.

HOW DO I PREVENT A COUGH?
In addition to following the habits for cold prevention, avoid exposure to irritants such as dust or smoke.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR HOME TREATMENT?
In addition to following the home treatment for colds:

Cough drops may soothe irritated throats.

Raise your head with extra pillows at night.

For productive coughs, use cough syrups with expectorants (containing guiafenesin) to help "bring up" mucus.

For non-productive coughs, use cough syrups with suppressants containing dextromethorphan to help quiet a dry hacking cough.

Vitamin C may shorten the duration of a cold.

Echinacea may help alleviate symptoms and duration if started early in the course of a cold.

The evidence that zinc lozenges shorten the duration of a cold is very sparse.

SORE THROATS
There are many causes of sore throats: viruses, bacteria colds, low humidity, yelling, smoking, air pollution, allergies, or mouth breathing.

Strep throat is an uncommon bacterial infection and needs to be treated with an antibiotic. The symptoms include:

Fever 101º or higher

Headache

White or yellow coating on tonsils

Stomach ache/Nausea/Vomiting

Swollen glands

Listlessness

General body aches

HOW DO I PREVENT A SORE THROAT?
In addition to following the habits for cold prevention, avoid yelling, limit contact with people with strep throat, and don't share eating or drinking utensils or kiss.

DO I NEED ANTIBIOTICS?
Usually not unless a bacterial infection is detected from a culture. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses. If antibiotics are taken when not needed, you may develop secondary infections or experience side effects such as diarrhea, yeast infections, nausea, or more severe reactions.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR HOME TREATMENT?
In addition to following the treatments for colds and coughs, try:

Over the counter throat lozenges or sprays with a local anesthetic.

Salt water gargles four times per day (one teaspoon salt in 8 oz. warm water).

Cough drops or hard candy.

WHEN DO I SEEK MEDICAL HELP FOR COLDS, COUGHS OR SORE THROATS?
Fever of:

100º or higher for four days

101º or higher for three days or with shaking chills and productive cough

102º or higher for two days

104º or higher that doesn't reduce after two hours of home treatment

Development of shortness of breath or shallow, rapid difficult breathing.

Mucus that is bloody.

Mucus producing cough or colored nasal discharge that lasts for more than seven to ten days.

Development of facial or forehead pain - over eyebrows, cheekbones and upper teeth, around and behind eyes.

Severe headache with stiff neck, fever, nausea and vomiting, difficulty staying awake or confusion.

Cough lasting more than four weeks.

Persistent sore throat lasting longer than two weeks.

Sore throat symptoms after exposure to strep throat.

Sore throat with rash.

Link: http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-...orethroat.html

[Dah-Dee]

Coughs

Home treatment for a barking cough

If your child has a "barking" cough:

Hold your child to calm him or her.
Keep your child quiet, if possible. Crying can make breathing more difficult. Try rocking your child or distracting him or her with a book or game.
Use a cool air humidifier to add moisture to the air. Do not use a hot vaporizer. Use only water in the humidifier. Hold your child in your lap, and let the cool vapor blow directly into your child's face.
If your child does not improve after several minutes, take him or her into the bathroom and turn on all of the hot water faucets to create steam. Close the door, and sit with your child while he or she breathes in the moist air for several minutes. Make sure your child is not burned by the hot water or steam. Do not leave your child alone in the bathroom.
If your child still does not improve, bundle him or her up and go outside in the cool night air.
If none of these techniques work after you have tried them for about 30 minutes, call your health professional or seek medical attention at an emergency facility.

If your child's symptoms improve with these methods and he or she feels better, put your child back in bed with the cool air humidifier blowing nearby.

Sleep in your child's room for the rest of the night.
Offer your child plenty of fluids to drink. Try offering a favorite drink several times each hour. You can try flavored ice treats, such as Popsicles, or crushed ice drinks.
Do not smoke in the house or car when you are traveling with your child.
Repeat the above techniques if the barking cough returns.

Link: http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/176/55712

[twikoff]

problems breathing.. maybe slightly, but part of it is from being stuffed up.. if I take a deep breath, it brings on the cough..
but I can breath through both my mouth and my nose without much problem

Im back on the low carb diet.. so Ill probably avoid the chocolate and honey for now..
I went straight to the nyquil tonight.. and have had a few coughs, but not too bad.. just took some cold and allergy medecine as well.. hopefully Ill be able to get some sleep tonight

[PrincessT]

Personally I take a Claritin to make sure the cough isn't caused by post-nasal drip and pop in a Chloraseptic cough drop. For some reason having a cough drop in my mouth keeps me from coughing when I sleep. You have to scrub your tongue with the toothbrush in the morning though. If the cough is really bad, then rum it up or chug the Nyquil and sleep like a baby.

Right now I'm really wishing I had a drink last night. Hate having nights of waking up every stinking hour.

[Tarnower]

Originally posted by Dah-Dee
Colds, Coughs, and Sore Throats

COLDS
The common cold is caused by any of 200 possible viruses. The symptoms are fever, a runny nose, red eyes, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, headache, and general body aches. A cold usually lasts about one to two weeks, and there is no cure.

HOW DO I PREVENT A COLD?
These habits might prevent catching a cold or spreading a cold to others:

Wash hands

Get plenty of rest

Keep hands away from nose and mouth

Eat a variety of foods

Use disposable tissues

Do not smoke

WHAT CAN I DO FOR HOME TREATMENT?
Home treatment for a cold will help relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Suggested Treatments

Increase fluid intake, particularly warm liquids such as warm water, herbal teas, and chicken soup

Salt water, nasal drops, sprays, or gargle with 1/2 - 1 teaspoon salt in 8 oz. warm water

Increase humidity

Rest

May take acetaminophen (two - 325 mg. tablets every four hours as needed) or ibuprofen (2-3 200 mg. tablets every six hours as needed) to relieve aches, but DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN TO PERSONS UNDER AGE 20

Avoid

Combination drugs which treat many symptoms - treat only the symptoms you have

Using nasal decongestant sprays for more than three days

Smoking

COUGHS
Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs. Coughs have distinctive traits you can learn to recognize.

Productive coughs produce phlegm or mucus (sputum) that comes up from the lungs and should not be suppressed. Coughs work to clear mucus from the lungs.

Non-productive coughs are dry, hacking coughs, with no sputum. These are caused by an irritant, such as dust or smoke, or may follow viral illnesses. A dry cough may last up to several weeks after the illness and may get worse at night.

HOW DO I PREVENT A COUGH?
In addition to following the habits for cold prevention, avoid exposure to irritants such as dust or smoke.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR HOME TREATMENT?
In addition to following the home treatment for colds:

Cough drops may soothe irritated throats.

Raise your head with extra pillows at night.

For productive coughs, use cough syrups with expectorants (containing guiafenesin) to help "bring up" mucus.

For non-productive coughs, use cough syrups with suppressants containing dextromethorphan to help quiet a dry hacking cough.

Vitamin C may shorten the duration of a cold.

Echinacea may help alleviate symptoms and duration if started early in the course of a cold.

The evidence that zinc lozenges shorten the duration of a cold is very sparse.

SORE THROATS
There are many causes of sore throats: viruses, bacteria colds, low humidity, yelling, smoking, air pollution, allergies, or mouth breathing.

Strep throat is an uncommon bacterial infection and needs to be treated with an antibiotic. The symptoms include:

Fever 101º or higher

Headache

White or yellow coating on tonsils

Stomach ache/Nausea/Vomiting

Swollen glands

Listlessness

General body aches

HOW DO I PREVENT A SORE THROAT?
In addition to following the habits for cold prevention, avoid yelling, limit contact with people with strep throat, and don't share eating or drinking utensils or kiss.

DO I NEED ANTIBIOTICS?
Usually not unless a bacterial infection is detected from a culture. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses. If antibiotics are taken when not needed, you may develop secondary infections or experience side effects such as diarrhea, yeast infections, nausea, or more severe reactions.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR HOME TREATMENT?
In addition to following the treatments for colds and coughs, try:

Over the counter throat lozenges or sprays with a local anesthetic.

Salt water gargles four times per day (one teaspoon salt in 8 oz. warm water).

Cough drops or hard candy.

WHEN DO I SEEK MEDICAL HELP FOR COLDS, COUGHS OR SORE THROATS?
Fever of:

100º or higher for four days

101º or higher for three days or with shaking chills and productive cough

102º or higher for two days

104º or higher that doesn't reduce after two hours of home treatment

Development of shortness of breath or shallow, rapid difficult breathing.

Mucus that is bloody.

Mucus producing cough or colored nasal discharge that lasts for more than seven to ten days.

Development of facial or forehead pain - over eyebrows, cheekbones and upper teeth, around and behind eyes.

Severe headache with stiff neck, fever, nausea and vomiting, difficulty staying awake or confusion.

Cough lasting more than four weeks.

Persistent sore throat lasting longer than two weeks.

Sore throat symptoms after exposure to strep throat.

Sore throat with rash.

Link: http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-...orethroat.html

Oh My GOD!

You have certainly gone above the call of duty with your incredibly thorough, detailed posting. Wow!

[Mole177]

perhaps just going to a warm humid climate?

[mookiemeister]

When I get cronic cough, I take cough drops and drink a lot of water. Hot soup and hot chocolate are good for the throat.

[Dah-Dee]

Originally posted by Tarnower
Oh My GOD!

You have certainly gone above the call of duty with your incredibly thorough, detailed posting. Wow!

Heh. I just know it's no fun being sick and especially having a stubborn cough. Hope the info helps.

[Thor Simpson]

I heard that setting up a B.O.T.R. makes most of the symptoms vanish instantly.

[griz]

Hycodan! (hydrocodone/homatropine)

Good stuff (by prescription only, of course).

Don't plan on doing much after taking it (except not coughing).

[twikoff]

Originally posted by Thor Simpson
I heard that setting up a B.O.T.R. makes most of the symptoms vanish instantly.

testing that theory now

[anubis2002]

Hey twikoff,
You might want to go to the doctor. I got sick about a week ago and about mid-way through I couldn't breathe in all the way w/o coughing. That kind of set off some warning bells so I went to the doctor and it turned out that I had pneumonia (don't know how the crap I got that!), and had to get a shot and two weeks of antibiotics to kill it and free up my lungs. Anyway, pneumonia or bronchitis can have some permanent effects if not treated, so just be careful.

[Amator]

1 part whisky
1 part honey
1 part lemon juice

heat in a saucepan until warm. Consume immediately.

[orangerory]

http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_coughs.htm

Coughs
A cough is the body's response to inflammation or irritation in the throat, larynx, bronchial tubes or lungs. There are two basic kinds of coughs, congested and dry, with each one having different underlying causes.

Congested Coughs
Causes
The obvious causes of coughing are colds, flu, bronchial infections, sinus congestion, smoking, and the need to rid the throat of foreign matter. But did you know that heartburn is one of the leading causes? For some unknown reason heartburn is the cause for about 10% of chronic coughers. See our Heartburn section for suggestions to relieve both the heartburn and coughing. Dust, pollen and chemicals are other sources of irritants. Also, some drugs, most notably ACE inhibitors used for high blood pressure, have coughing as a side effect in 21% of the people using them. Coughing is also a common symptom of asthma. The sound of your cough may indicate its cause. Below is a list of the cough sounds and what that may indicate:

A barking cough - bronchitis or croup
A high-pitched cough - your vocal cords are involved and the airways have become narrowed
A wheezing cough - asthma and/or bronchitis
A loud, gasping cough with difficulty getting air - whooping cough
Tips
• Breathe the steam from a vaporizer, hot shower, or pan of boiling water. The moist air will soothe the airways and loosen sinus congestion and phlegm in your throat and lungs. A few drops of the oil of eucalyptus will help this process.

• Elevate the head of your bed. This will allow your sinuses and nasal passages to drain better and not create that "tickle" in your throat.

• Stop smoking. Passive smoke or other irritants, such as chemicals, can be a cause. Household cleaners, new carpeting, paneling and mattresses are some of the many possible sources of chemical irritants.

• Drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water. This is especially important if your cough is due to an illness. Water is the best expectorant you can take and will help thin the mucus and loosen the cough.

• Do not use over-the-counter expectorant cough remedies as they just suppress the symptoms and do not address the underlying problem. If you have the kind of cough with mucus you want to get it out of your respiratory system, not suppress it. Try one of the natural expectorant remedies below.

• Try eating hot chili peppers, horseradish or other spicy foods. They will help loosen mucus.

• During the winter, if your house is dry, use a humidifier and a cool-mist vaporizer in your bedroom at night. This will help thin the mucus. Be sure to thoroughly clean the vaporizer, as it can harbor bacteria.

• Drink hot tea to break up the mucus and open and moisten the airways.

• Cough drops or hard candy will help stop the tickle if you have a dry cough and will moisten the throat.

• Avoid foods that increase the production of mucus, such as dairy products, meat and fried foods.

• Hot packs placed on your throat and chest are very soothing.


Supplements

Vitamins A, C and E are beneficial with conditions that cause coughs.


Aromatherapy
The use of inhaled steam can be very effective in liquefying mucus and reducing irritation. To control the steam, bend over the steaming water while holding a towel over your head. Try some of these aromatherapy oils. Inhaling essential oils can stimulate your lungs to expel phlegm.

Cypress Add three drops each of cypress and juniper oil and a drop of ginger.

Cedar Dilute 3 drops of oil of cedar in one teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive, sweet almond or jojoba, and massage onto your chest several times a day.

Add 10-15 drops to a pot of steaming water and inhale the vapors
Eucalyptus Add a few drops of eucalyptus to a carrier oil and rub on your chest.

• Put 10-15 drops of oil in boiling water and inhale the steam. Eucalyptus is a good decongestant and expectorant. You can also add three drops of hyssop oil.

Jasmine Use the oil in a burner or put a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale the fumes.

Myrrh Add a few drops of myrrh to a carrier oil and rub on your chest. This will help reduce mucus.

Peppermint Dilute 3 drops of peppermint oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive, sweet almond or jojoba, and massage onto your chest several times a day.

Add 10-15 drops to a pot of steaming water and inhale the vapors.
Pine Put some essential pine oil in a burner to soothe the throat. You can also place a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale the fumes.

Thyme Add 10-15 drops of this oil in a pan of boiling water and inhale the fumes, in an infuser, or place a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale.

• Massaging using oil of thyme may also be helpful in relieving your cough. Put 5 drops in ¼ cup olive oil and massage your neck and upper body. Thyme is an excellent expectorant and has been used for centuries to heal respiratory conditions.


Reflexology
Rub the padded area below your big toe in various directions at the first sign of a cough. Also, hold back the toes and press on the raised area with your thumb. This will help relieve chest congestion.

Remedies
Folk
Aloe vera Mix equal parts of aloe juice and honey. This is very good for a scratchy cough.

Angelica Use a tincture of the root or leaf, or make a tea. Angelica is an expectorant. Do not use if you are pregnant.

Bee balm Native Americans used bee balm to alleviate colds and coughs. Steep two teaspoons of fresh (one, dried) bee balm leaves in a cup of hot water, covered, for four minutes. Sip a cup three times a day. Bee balm has antiseptic compounds that can help heal respiratory infections and clear nasal congestion.

Carrot juice Mix with honey and a little warm water. Take a tablespoonful several times a day.

Cayenne pepper Mix ¼-½ teaspoon of pepper in a glass of water and use as a gargle, swallowing afterward. You can also use 15-20 drops of Tabasco sauce in a glass of water or juice. Pepper helps clear congestion and draws blood to the throat to fight infection.

Chamomile tea will soothe the throat.

Garlic Grate one or two cloves of garlic and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Take as needed.

Ginger Make a tea using ginger and drink 6 oz several times a day, as needed.

Grape juice Mix a cup of grape juice with a teaspoon of honey.

Honey Mix honey with juice of a fresh lemon and take as needed. Not only does honey soothe the tickle, but it has antibacterial properties, too.

• Dr. D. C. Jarvis, in his classic book, Folk Medicine, described another honey remedy that worked very well: boil a whole lemon for 10 minutes; when cool enough to handle roll it back and forth on a hard surface, cut it in half and squeeze the juice into a pint of raw honey. Add a teaspoon of glycerin and take as often as needed.

Horehound cough drops have been used for generations to quell coughs. One of horehound's compounds, marrubiin, stimulates bronchial secretions and helps break up congestion.

Hyssop Steep two teaspoons of dried hyssop in one cup of boiling water, covered for ten minutes; strain and drink cool for an expectorant or hot to relieve congestion. The oils in hyssop are good for mild respiratory problems. Hyssop contains marrubiin, the same compound that makes horehound an excellent expectorant.

Lime juice Mix equal parts of lime juice and honey.

Mullein soothes and relaxes the lungs and bronchial tubes, which eases a cough. Use 25-30 drops of tincture in a small glass of boiling water three times a day.

Onion broth Make a broth by boiling an onion for 10-15 minutes; strain and drink the broth several times a day. The broth will reduce congestion.

Onion juice Make a syrup by combining 1 teaspoonful of raw onion juice with 1 teaspoonful of honey; let stand for 3-4 hours, and take in divided doses.

Sugar Suck on a cube of raw sugar.

Tea Tea made with peppermint or rosemary will help break up congestion.

Thyme Make a tea using two tablespoons of fresh (one tablespoon of dried) thyme in a cup of boiling water; steep, covered, for four minutes; strain and drink hot. Thyme relaxes the lungs and promotes expectoration of mucus. It contains a volatile oil, thymol, which has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Dry Coughs
A dry cough will be raspy and without phlegm and may be due to smoking, asthma, dust, foreign matter, pollution, or come after a sore throat. Another cause of your dry cough could be a climate-controlled building. The heating and cooling systems dry the air and your respiratory membranes, too. Rapid temperature and humidity changes upon entering a building add to the problem. Chronic coughing, sneezing and a runny nose may be the result. If you work in a climate-controlled building, avoid cold drinks and food as they interfere with your body's ability to maintain its optimal temperature. During the air-conditioning season cold foods and drinks affect your body's temperature and its ability to adjust to the building's conditions; instead drink hot liquids and eat warm foods. When your building is heated, drink fluids at room temperature. You want to soothe the mucus membranes and moisturize your throat.

Inhaling steam from a pan with one of the essential oils mentioned above added is particularly helpful with dry coughs.


Remedies
Folk
Aloe vera juice Mix equal parts of aloe vera juice and honey and take a tablespoon or two as needed. Good for a smoker's cough.

Apple cider vinegar Sprinkle apple cider vinegar on your pillowcase before bedtime.

• Put 1 or 2 teaspoons of vinegar in a glass of water and keep beside your bed to use when you feel the tickling sensation coming on. Take a few swallows as needed. Vinegar dissolves mucus and reduces inflammation.

• Mix ½ cup of honey with 3-4 tablespoons of vinegar. Take one tablespoon before going to bed or during a coughing fit, and throughout the day, as needed. Stir well before use.

Comfrey Take a comfrey tea for dry persistent coughs. Comfrey should not be taken for long term use as it may cause liver damage.

Codonopsis root Use a decoction, tincture or powder for chronic coughs.

Garlic Mince a clove of garlic and place in a small bowl; cover with honey and cover the bowl with plastic wrap; marinate overnight. Take one tablespoonful upon awakening, then throughout the day, as needed.

Honey Add a tablespoon of honey to a glass of boiling water and drink as needed. This will soothe the throat.

Horehound lozenges help suppress a dry cough.

Licorice root Take 5 grams of powdered root with honey three times a day. You can also make a decoction by using ½ teaspoon to one cup of water. Take three cups daily. Licorice has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, and is an expectorant. Do not use if you have high blood pressure.

Tea Make a tea of wild cherry bark, slippery elm or red clover. Sweeten with honey.

Zinc lozenges are helpful.

Homeopathy
Antimonium tart Is to be used if the cough is loose and rattling with little or no phlegm and breathing is painful.

Bryonia Use when a cold has gone to the chest and turned in to a hard, dry cough.

Drosera Use for a cough after which you have a whooping sound or with vomiting.

Ferrum phos. Is beneficial for a hard, dry cough with a tickle.

[bigsoos]

I've been
drinking green tea w/ honey and lemon
sucking on a Halls or other hard candy
using Vicks

[digitalfreaknyc]

I'm bumping this thread because i have a helluva cough right now. Thanks guys!

[Jalizarin]

Just got back from taking our youngest son into the doctor (again) for a nasty persistent cough. We've tried the multiple cough remedy route also, and nothing has helped. Today the doc prescribed Claritin, and it's working like a charm -- seems he's got allergies to something or another that's blooming right now and it was post-nasal drip making him cough. (Just for the record: he didn't have a stuffy or runny nose or a fever, no headaches, so I guess that's why none of us figured it was allergies right from the start.)

Hope you get to feeling better soon!

[digitalfreaknyc]

yep. i think mine is allergies as well. I might have to start taking my medication when I get home as well! thanks for reminding me! Mine is the damn dry cough.

[twikoff]

Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc

I'm bumping this thread because i have a helluva cough right now. Thanks guys!

the one i had above, went away pretty much on its own

after somewhere between 4-6 weeks

[dick_grayson]

gargle with some gentlemen's relish