Practices and treatments that may help your cough include:
- Staying well-hydrated. Drinking 8 8-oz glasses of water per day can help thin secretions in the respiratory tract.
- Gargling with salt water.
- Using cough drops or lozenges that soothe your throat.
- Honey. In one study, a teaspoon of honey was found to be more effective than many over-the-counter cough preparations in reducing cough symptoms. You can enjoy a little honey alone, or add it to a warm tea.
- Boiling water with mint or eucalyptus leaves, then inhaling the vapors. To do this, some people place a towel over the pot of water to help inhale the vapors. Be careful to avoid burns by maintaining a safe distance from the steam, and always keep the pot on a level surface away from children.
- Elevating your head when sleeping. When you lie flat, mucous can pool in your throat, making your cough worse when you awaken.
- Exercise. Exercise can help to remove phlegm, in addition to its other benefits.
- Eating a healthy diet. While it hasn’t been proven, some people believe that a diet high in fruits and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, can aid the body in detoxifying some of the chemicals breathed in through tobacco smoke.
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