6 simple and natural home remedies for cough
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Myupchar Mar 16, 2020 13:15 PM IST
You can blame the weather or your weak immunity, but it is important to take extra care of your throat during the seasonal transition. As the season changes, the human body gets vulnerable to many viral infections which cause respiratory problems like cold, cough, sore throat and pain in the throat.
Although coughing is not a disease, it can be a symptom of not only seasonal allergy but also other medical conditions like pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma and many more.
6 simple and natural home remedies for cough
Representational image. Image source: Getty Images.
If your cough persists for more than 2 weeks, you must seek professional medical care. Until then, you can manage the symptoms of a cough at home with the help of these simple home remedies.
1. Ginger
Research conducted to find out the effects of herbs like ginger, ginseng, mulberry and others for the treatment of chronic cough showed that ginger was effective in suppressing both dry and wet cough. Another study showed that ginger prevents the entry of respiratory syncytial virus in the throat which is responsible for many respiratory tract infections.
How to use:
Grate a thumb-sized chunk of ginger root.
Add that grated ginger in a pan with 4 cups of boiled water.
Strain the water and add 2 teaspoons of honey in the mixture.
Cool the mixture down and drink it throughout the day.
You can also add half a teaspoon of ginger to your regular cup of tea.
2. Liquorice (Mulethi)
Liquorice tea can relieve congestion and loosen the phlegm. Research done on the effectiveness of liquorice on cough showed that within 60 minutes liquorice was able to reduce the symptoms of cough by 35.62%.
How to use:
You can grind 5-6 sticks of liquorice to convert it into a powdered form.
Add 2-3 pinches of this powder in your regular cup of tea.
You can also add 2 teaspoons full of liquorice powder in 250 ml of boiled water and store it. Drink 2 glass of this water daily.
3. Honey
After several studies, scientists have established that honey is a better option than antibiotics for the treatment of cough. Honey has been used for ages to relieve respiratory infections like nasal obstruction, sore throat, tonsilitis and others.
How to use it:
You can add 2 teaspoons of honey in a glass full of warm water and drink it once daily.
You can use honey as a substitute for the sugar in your tea.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric has been used as ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of various respiratory conditions like sore throat, tonsilitis and bronchitis. Curcumin, present in turmeric, is known to have anti-inflammatory properties which can help in relieving cough.
How to use:
Make your regular tea and add half a teaspoon of turmeric into it.
You may add 2-3 black pepper seeds in it for better results.
You can use this remedy once daily.
5. Mint leaves
Menthol content of the mint leaves can numb the nerve endings present in the throat. Since there is less irritation in the throat, the urge to cough reduces, especially during the night. Mint leaves also help in clearing the congestion of the throat.
How to use:
Add 3-5 leaves of peppermint in your tea and boil it for a few minutes before drinking.
6. Saline gargles
This is the most popular and effective remedy for cough. Gargles with warm salted water does not treat the cough but helps in reducing the inflammation and itch in the throat. It also helps in the removal of phlegm and mucus from the throat.
How to use:
Boil 2 glasses of water in a pan and add 1 tablespoon of salt in it.
Let the water cool down to a temperature where it is warm enough for gargling but not so hot that it burns your mouth and throat.
Gargle with this water at least twice daily.
For more tips, read our article on Cough: Causes, Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment.
Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, India’s first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health.
Coronavirus myth busted: Vitamin C supplements will not prevent COVID-19
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Myupchar Mar 13, 2020 13:34 PM IST
It’s quite natural to panic when you perceive a threat to your well-being or that of your loved ones. And when it comes to the novel coronavirus strain or COVID-19, which is now affecting 118 countries according to the World Health Organisation, you’re bound to be at least a little worried.
There are a number of precautions you must take to reduce the risk of catching or spreading this coronavirus infection, including washing your hands with soap frequently, covering your mouth while coughing and sneezing and maintaining social distance. But the biggest threat to your well-being right now is the amount of misinformation available too easily on social media.
Coronavirus myth busted: Vitamin C supplements will not prevent COVID-19
Representational image. Image by Jerzy Górecki from Pixabay.
One such piece of information which is doing the rounds is that loading yourself up with vitamin C will prevent COVID-19 completely. This is leading to people stocking up on vitamin C supplements and also eating more oranges and lemons than ever before. But while vitamin C is supposed to prevent the occurrence of the common cold, is it actually effective against the novel strain of coronavirus? Let’s find out.
What’s the big deal with Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin which is naturally found in some foods, added to others to fortify them, and is also sold as a dietary supplement in the market. As per the UK’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), this vital nutrient is required in your body for the proper synthesis of neurotransmitters, protein, cholesterol, folic acid, antioxidants and aids the maintenance of connective tissues. The antioxidants in vitamin C protects the body from free radical damage, boosts the immune system, reduces the severity of allergies and helps fight off infections.
Add to this the fact that Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling has been promoting vitamin C as a supernutrient that can even prevent the incurable common cold since the 1970s, and it’s no wonder that people are assuming that getting enough vitamin C can keep the novel strain of coronavirus at bay. More recent studies, including one published in Cochrane Systematic Review in 2013, have shown that vitamin C doesn’t cure the common cold, although it does alleviate the symptoms to some extent.
Too much of a good thing is useless
So, can loading up on vitamin C actually prevent coronavirus? The simple answer is, no. And here’s the reason why. The daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 90mg for men, 75mg for women, and 35mg more for those who smoke. According to the NIH, when you have a moderate intake of 30-180mg of vitamin C in a day, the body absorbs 70% to 90% of it - and that’s beneficial. But consume 1g or more and this absorption rate drops to 50% or less.
Obviously, the lesser vitamin C you absorb, the fewer benefits you will get. Getting just the right amount of vitamin C is beneficial in keeping your immune system functioning well and reducing the risk of ever getting scurvy. But flooding your system with vitamin C is absolutely useless because your body will naturally flush out the amount it doesn’t need. What’s more, taking too much vitamin C can also cause diarrhoea and nausea - and that’s not something you want on top of the threat of COVID-19 right now.
And, the flip side to it all is...
It’s also vital to remember that your immune system doesn’t just depend on vitamin C. You need adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, dietary fibre, vitamins A, E, D, K and B complex, minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, fluoride, etc. Clearly, taking just vitamin C supplements is not going to do you any good. Instead, focusing on a balanced diet which includes all these vital nutrients is a must.
But here’s the most important thing you need to realise right now: boosting your immunity will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19.
COVID-19 is a “novel” or a new strain of the coronavirus, which means your body does not yet have any antibodies to fight it off yet. This is the reason why developing a vaccine for this novel strain is so important right now. A healthy immune system will, at most, help your body fight and recover from it faster.
So, think smart, and do not believe in every “hack” or “remedy” doing the rounds right now. Instead, focus on maintaining good hygiene practices, and boost your immunity by getting enough nutrition and sleep.
For more tips, read our article on How to Increase Immunity: Foods and Remedies.
Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, India’s first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health.
Content Powered By
Myupchar Mar 16, 2020 13:15 PM IST
You can blame the weather or your weak immunity, but it is important to take extra care of your throat during the seasonal transition. As the season changes, the human body gets vulnerable to many viral infections which cause respiratory problems like cold, cough, sore throat and pain in the throat.
Although coughing is not a disease, it can be a symptom of not only seasonal allergy but also other medical conditions like pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma and many more.
6 simple and natural home remedies for cough
Representational image. Image source: Getty Images.
If your cough persists for more than 2 weeks, you must seek professional medical care. Until then, you can manage the symptoms of a cough at home with the help of these simple home remedies.
1. Ginger
Research conducted to find out the effects of herbs like ginger, ginseng, mulberry and others for the treatment of chronic cough showed that ginger was effective in suppressing both dry and wet cough. Another study showed that ginger prevents the entry of respiratory syncytial virus in the throat which is responsible for many respiratory tract infections.
How to use:
Grate a thumb-sized chunk of ginger root.
Add that grated ginger in a pan with 4 cups of boiled water.
Strain the water and add 2 teaspoons of honey in the mixture.
Cool the mixture down and drink it throughout the day.
You can also add half a teaspoon of ginger to your regular cup of tea.
2. Liquorice (Mulethi)
Liquorice tea can relieve congestion and loosen the phlegm. Research done on the effectiveness of liquorice on cough showed that within 60 minutes liquorice was able to reduce the symptoms of cough by 35.62%.
How to use:
You can grind 5-6 sticks of liquorice to convert it into a powdered form.
Add 2-3 pinches of this powder in your regular cup of tea.
You can also add 2 teaspoons full of liquorice powder in 250 ml of boiled water and store it. Drink 2 glass of this water daily.
3. Honey
After several studies, scientists have established that honey is a better option than antibiotics for the treatment of cough. Honey has been used for ages to relieve respiratory infections like nasal obstruction, sore throat, tonsilitis and others.
How to use it:
You can add 2 teaspoons of honey in a glass full of warm water and drink it once daily.
You can use honey as a substitute for the sugar in your tea.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric has been used as ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of various respiratory conditions like sore throat, tonsilitis and bronchitis. Curcumin, present in turmeric, is known to have anti-inflammatory properties which can help in relieving cough.
How to use:
Make your regular tea and add half a teaspoon of turmeric into it.
You may add 2-3 black pepper seeds in it for better results.
You can use this remedy once daily.
5. Mint leaves
Menthol content of the mint leaves can numb the nerve endings present in the throat. Since there is less irritation in the throat, the urge to cough reduces, especially during the night. Mint leaves also help in clearing the congestion of the throat.
How to use:
Add 3-5 leaves of peppermint in your tea and boil it for a few minutes before drinking.
6. Saline gargles
This is the most popular and effective remedy for cough. Gargles with warm salted water does not treat the cough but helps in reducing the inflammation and itch in the throat. It also helps in the removal of phlegm and mucus from the throat.
How to use:
Boil 2 glasses of water in a pan and add 1 tablespoon of salt in it.
Let the water cool down to a temperature where it is warm enough for gargling but not so hot that it burns your mouth and throat.
Gargle with this water at least twice daily.
For more tips, read our article on Cough: Causes, Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment.
Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, India’s first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health.
Coronavirus myth busted: Vitamin C supplements will not prevent COVID-19
Content Powered By
Myupchar Mar 13, 2020 13:34 PM IST
It’s quite natural to panic when you perceive a threat to your well-being or that of your loved ones. And when it comes to the novel coronavirus strain or COVID-19, which is now affecting 118 countries according to the World Health Organisation, you’re bound to be at least a little worried.
There are a number of precautions you must take to reduce the risk of catching or spreading this coronavirus infection, including washing your hands with soap frequently, covering your mouth while coughing and sneezing and maintaining social distance. But the biggest threat to your well-being right now is the amount of misinformation available too easily on social media.
Coronavirus myth busted: Vitamin C supplements will not prevent COVID-19
Representational image. Image by Jerzy Górecki from Pixabay.
One such piece of information which is doing the rounds is that loading yourself up with vitamin C will prevent COVID-19 completely. This is leading to people stocking up on vitamin C supplements and also eating more oranges and lemons than ever before. But while vitamin C is supposed to prevent the occurrence of the common cold, is it actually effective against the novel strain of coronavirus? Let’s find out.
What’s the big deal with Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin which is naturally found in some foods, added to others to fortify them, and is also sold as a dietary supplement in the market. As per the UK’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), this vital nutrient is required in your body for the proper synthesis of neurotransmitters, protein, cholesterol, folic acid, antioxidants and aids the maintenance of connective tissues. The antioxidants in vitamin C protects the body from free radical damage, boosts the immune system, reduces the severity of allergies and helps fight off infections.
Add to this the fact that Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling has been promoting vitamin C as a supernutrient that can even prevent the incurable common cold since the 1970s, and it’s no wonder that people are assuming that getting enough vitamin C can keep the novel strain of coronavirus at bay. More recent studies, including one published in Cochrane Systematic Review in 2013, have shown that vitamin C doesn’t cure the common cold, although it does alleviate the symptoms to some extent.
Too much of a good thing is useless
So, can loading up on vitamin C actually prevent coronavirus? The simple answer is, no. And here’s the reason why. The daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 90mg for men, 75mg for women, and 35mg more for those who smoke. According to the NIH, when you have a moderate intake of 30-180mg of vitamin C in a day, the body absorbs 70% to 90% of it - and that’s beneficial. But consume 1g or more and this absorption rate drops to 50% or less.
Obviously, the lesser vitamin C you absorb, the fewer benefits you will get. Getting just the right amount of vitamin C is beneficial in keeping your immune system functioning well and reducing the risk of ever getting scurvy. But flooding your system with vitamin C is absolutely useless because your body will naturally flush out the amount it doesn’t need. What’s more, taking too much vitamin C can also cause diarrhoea and nausea - and that’s not something you want on top of the threat of COVID-19 right now.
And, the flip side to it all is...
It’s also vital to remember that your immune system doesn’t just depend on vitamin C. You need adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, dietary fibre, vitamins A, E, D, K and B complex, minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, fluoride, etc. Clearly, taking just vitamin C supplements is not going to do you any good. Instead, focusing on a balanced diet which includes all these vital nutrients is a must.
But here’s the most important thing you need to realise right now: boosting your immunity will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19.
COVID-19 is a “novel” or a new strain of the coronavirus, which means your body does not yet have any antibodies to fight it off yet. This is the reason why developing a vaccine for this novel strain is so important right now. A healthy immune system will, at most, help your body fight and recover from it faster.
So, think smart, and do not believe in every “hack” or “remedy” doing the rounds right now. Instead, focus on maintaining good hygiene practices, and boost your immunity by getting enough nutrition and sleep.
For more tips, read our article on How to Increase Immunity: Foods and Remedies.
Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, India’s first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health.
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