With the cold, dry weather that we have seen recently many people have been stricken with a nagging cough. Of course you can get many different cough medicines at the pharmacy, but what about some natural cough remedies that will work as well. We have all heard about taking a teaspoon or two of honey to cut mucus production and honey also kills germs, not that I think you should use it as a mouthwash before bed. Hot drinks won’t ease a stuffy head by themselves, but they can soothe a cough much better than room temperature or cold drinks. Sip on hot tea or water if you’re seeking relief. Research shows certain purified compounds inside ginger root can relax the muscles that tighten your airways. 

You can eat ginger raw, but this isn’t very tasty or you can mix ground ginger root with honey and stir into hot tea. You can buy ginger tea in the grocery store like any other type of tea so that you don’t have to be a chemist at home preparing it. Another product that has many benefits is elderberry extract. As a supplement in capsules or a syrup, it may not ease your cough right away, but studies show it can make it go away sooner and is a good source of anti-oxidants. You might have some of these next few remedies in your backyard right now. Menthol, a compound naturally found in peppermint, opens your airways to help you breathe more easily. That means it can also keep coughs at bay. You can buy menthol in rubs you spread across your chest (Vicks), cough drops, or better yet peppermint tea which is tasty and refreshing. Peppermint is also a perennial so that once you get a peppermint patch growing you will have it forever. Thyme is another perennial herb that can be grown right out back or in a kitchen window. 

Used as a medicine since the Black Plague in Europe, thyme contains an antispasmodic substance that aids in calming and relaxing the throat muscles. Also known for its antioxidant properties, thyme tea is one of the most effective home remedies for dry cough and sore throat. This next one is a little unusual as it may be growing in your flowerbed, Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). Marshmallow the herb, not the white puffy confection roasted over a campfire, has been used for more than 2,000 years as both a food and a medicine. Marshmallow Root is an old-fashioned home remedy for dry cough, this herb minimizes the irritation caused by dry cough and works as a calming ingredient for the throat. Mixed into a tea with thyme and honey the trio make a powerful cough suppressant. 

Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC published a page in their health library on the benefits of Marshmallow stating a recent study confirmed that marshmallow preparations help soothe irritated mucous membranes due to: asthma, bronchitis, common cold/sore throat and cough. Of course because they are a hospital they did give a precaution before using herbal remedies. From Mount Sinai, “The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. However, herbs can trigger side effects, and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.” It should also be noted that many of these remedies shouldn’t be used on young children, like not giving honey to babies. But there are some ideas for natural cough remedies that are probably growing in your own backyard.