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A dry cough may be caused by the flu, common cold, asthma, exposure to cigarette smoke, and more. Home remedies such as honey, peppermint, or air purifiers may help, but it’s best to talk to a doctor about persistent coughing.
A dry cough is also called an unproductive cough. Unlike productive, wet coughs, dry coughs are unable to remove mucus, phlegm, or irritants from your lungs or nasal passages.
Dry coughs can linger for weeks after you’ve had a cold or the flu. They may also be caused by a number of conditions, such as:
They may also be a long-lasting side effect from exposure to environmental toxins, such as cigarette smoke.
Dry coughs can be very uncomfortable and may occur in both children and adults. There are a number of clinical treatments you can use to alleviate them, but there are also at-home remedies that can be just as effective in many cases.
At-home remedies for dry cough aren’t one-size-fits-all. You may have to experiment with several before you find the ones that work for you.
In addition, not all of these remedies have been fully researched and proven to be effective. Some treatments are also inappropriate for babies or children.
For adults and children ages 1 and up, honey can be used to treat day and nighttime dry coughing.
Honey has antibacterial properties and can also help to coat the throat, alleviating irritation.
One study in 2007 found that honey was more successful than dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant ingredient, for reducing nagging bouts of nighttime coughing in children.
You can try taking honey by the teaspoon several times daily or add it to tea or warm water to drink.
To avoid infant botulism, a rare complication that can occur in infants, never give honey to a child under 1 year old.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. It may also be beneficial for several conditions, including a dry cough.
Curcumin is best absorbed into the bloodstream when taken with black pepper. You can add 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper into a beverage, such as cold orange juice, to drink. You can also make it into a warm tea.
Turmeric has been used to treat upper respiratory conditions, bronchitis, and asthma in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
You can get turmeric in its spice form, as well as a capsule.
Ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been shown to boost the immune system and relieve pain and discomfort.
Ginger can be found in many teas as an ingredient. You can also make ginger tea from ginger root by steeping the peeled or cut root in warm water. Adding honey may make it even more beneficial for dry cough.
You can also take ginger in capsule form or chew on ginger root to alleviate dry cough.
Marshmallow root is a type of herb. It’s used in cough syrup and in lozenges to soothe dry cough.
A survey-based study found that it’s an effective treatment for soothing the throat and reducing the irritation caused by dry cough.
Marshmallow root may also have antibacterial properties.
Peppermint contains menthol, which helps to numb nerve endings in the throat that become irritated by coughing. This may provide pain relief and reduce the urge to cough.
Peppermint also helps reduce congestion, plus it’s been found to have antibacterial and antiviral qualities.
There are a number of ways to take peppermint. These include drinking peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint lozenges. Try drinking peppermint tea right before bed to help alleviate nighttime coughs.
You can also use peppermint essential oil as an aromatherapy treatment.
The taste of chai tea has become very popular in the United States in recent years. In India, chai is used to treat conditions such as sore throat and dry cough.
Masala chai contains several antioxidant ingredients, including cloves and cardamom. Cloves may also be effective as an expectorant.
Chai tea also contains cinnamon, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, has been shown to reduce chronic coughing.
While capsaicin can be taken as a capsule, you can also make tea from cayenne pepper hot sauce and warm water.
Cayenne is a type of chili pepper. Add drops of cayenne hot sauce into the water, tasting as you go, so you don’t exceed your threshold for how much heat you can handle. You can also buy chili peppers whole and steep them in warm water.
Capsaicin-based treatments aren’t recommended for children.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to soothe and heal.
Eucalyptus essential oil may help ease dry cough by working as a decongestant. Try adding eucalyptus to a diffuser, spritzer, or inhaler. You can also add a few drops to hot water in a bowl and inhale the steam.
Scenting your room with eucalyptus may help you get a better night’s sleep if nighttime coughing has been keeping you awake.
Dry air can aggravate a dry cough. Humidifiers put moisture into the air, which can provide relief.
Humidifiers help open up the sinuses, making them beneficial for nagging postnasal drip.
If your home has dry air, run a humidifier in your bedroom to help reduce dry cough during sleep.
Air purifiers can help rid your home of airborne irritants, such as dust and smoke. They also reduce allergens, such as pet dander and pollen.
Whether your cough is caused by environmental toxins or an underlying condition, breathing in clean air can help reduce throat irritation and the desire to cough.
Gargling with warm salt water will help ease the discomfort and irritation caused by a dry cough. Salt water also helps kill bacteria in the mouth and throat.
To do this, dissolve 1 teaspoon of table salt in a large glass of warm water. Then, gargle several times a day.
This dry cough remedy isn’t recommended for young children who might swallow the salt water.
If you wake up with an irritated throat from coughing during the night, gargle with salt water immediately after brushing your teeth to help numb and soothe the nerve endings in your throat.
Antitussive cough medications work by diminishing the cough reflex. This alleviates the desire to cough, making them especially beneficial for dry coughs.
Some antitussives contain codeine and are available by prescription only. Others are available over the counter. These typically contain active ingredients, such as dextromethorphan, camphor, or menthol.
That said, cough syrups should only be given to children over age 6, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Cough drops are medicated lozenges designed to lubricate and soothe irritated throat tissues. Their ingredients vary, and so do their actions.
Some cough drops contain menthol, which is a numbing agent to reduce the urge to cough. You can also find cough drops that contain ginger or eucalyptus.
Just be mindful to avoid giving cough drops to children under the age of 4, and monitor your older children appropriately, as this can be a choking hazard.
Many of the home remedies above — like honey or salt for rinses — are already in your cupboard at home, but you may still need to buy others. We’ve got you covered with the links below.
Dry coughs can last for months and may be exhausting as well as disruptive.
Dry coughs usually stop on their own. However, if your cough is accompanied by other symptoms, see your doctor. These include:
Also, see your doctor if your cough worsens or doesn’t dissipate completely in 2 months.
To reduce nighttime dry cough, try taking a teaspoon of honey or putting it in a cup of tea before you go to bed. Drinking peppermint tea or gargling with salt water may also help.
Check out these additional tips on how to stop coughing at night.
Depending on the cause, there may not be a quick fix. Many coughs can last a lot longer than the infection that caused them. Allergic coughs can also linger. If home remedies don’t help, you may need to see a doctor for stronger medication.
Read more on how to treat a dry cough naturally and medicinally.
Dry cough can be long lasting with numerous causes. However, there are several highly effective at-home treatments that can alleviate your cough.
If your cough worsens over time or doesn’t go away within 2 months, see your doctor.
Read this article in Spanish.
Last medically reviewed on February 2, 2024
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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Feb 2, 2024
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