Try these home remedies to get rid of cough

While a cough is perfectly normal during seasonal changes, a persistent cough can be a sign of a viral infection or an allergy. These simple home remedies may help you ease your symptoms, along with medication as prescribed by your doctor.

The traditional salt and water gargle, commonly done by all of us, is an age-old remedy to soothe the throat. You simply have to add 1/2 a teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargle using that to relieve your symptoms.

Indian households are no stranger to the healing benefits of honey! Honey, studies have shown, works well to get rid of that soreness in the throat. A recent study by researchers from Oxford University and Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences found that honey is more effective in treating symptoms of flu or common cold than other commercial remedies. You can add honey to any herbal tea or simply eat a spoonful.

While this one may sound unusual, experts believe peppermint helps sooth the throat, and acts like a decongestant. This may help break down the mucus, that often causes irritation. To reap its benefits, you can either have peppermint tea or take peppermint vapors from a steam bath. The menthol in peppermint works its magic on the throat.

Clearing your home of irritants may also help. Some people maybe sensitive to perfumes or fragrances in laundry detergents. Also ensure you clean dust and pollen by washing sheets with hot water or cleaning the windows.

Load up on fluids. When you're unwell, the mucus can slide down from the back of your nose, causing irritation in the throat and setting off a cough. Fluids will help discharge the mucus, alleviating the symptoms.

However, it is best to call your doctor in case the cough persists, affects your ability to breathe or involves a fever.