How to Stop Coughing Without Cough Syrup

Coughs are tricky to get rid of when you are unwell. There are many over-the-counter options, but the best are often from Mother Nature. Few people are able to subdue a cough without cough syrup, but it is possible and healthier with alternatives. You can find alternatives to cough syrup in your own home.

Instructions

1

Rub a menthol chest rub onto the skin of the chest and throat. The vapors will break up your nasal congestion and relieve bronchial irritation. This is the desired effect, as bronchial irritation causes coughing.

2

Turn on a humidifier. It will release moisture into the air and ease the cough. Turning one on in the winter may be a good preventative measure as well. This method in conjunction with the chest rub yields rapid results.

3

Force yourself to make a few smaller, gentler coughs followed by a large one. The smaller coughs will help you to dispel cough-inducing mucus.

4

Take a bite of pure dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains Theobromine, a chemical that serves as a cough suppressant. Theobromine outperformed codeine by 33% in tests. Adults only need two ounces of dark chocolate every few hours; children need less than half that amount.

5

Suck on a lemon and honey lozenge. The lemon will cut phlegm, and honey will soothe the throat. Coughing will decrease after 3 days of this treatment along with a healthy nonfat, nondairy diet during that time.