Over-The-Counter and Natural Remedies for Cough

A cough may be normal to clear your throat, but sustained coughing can also be symptomatic of several conditions, such as an allergy, a viral infection, or a bacterial infection. If your coughing is bothering you at work and disrupting your sleep, you should contact your doctor and resort to cough medicines from a pharmacy or personal care store.

According to a study, fewer than 40 percent of consumers are familiar with the most common active ingredients in cough, cold, and flu remedies, and only 43 percent ask a pharmacist for help.

Two main types of cough medicines are cough suppressants and expectorants. Aside from over-the-counter medicines, some prefer to avoid chemicals and resort to home remedies.

1. Robitussin DM (Click the link to check the price)

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Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

In liquid form, this comes in regular-strength, maximum-strength, sugar-free, and children's formulations.

You have to take Robitussin DM more often than other guaifenesin products.

Warning: For the risk of drug interactions, do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.

2. Simply Organic Ginger Root Ground (Click the link to check the price)

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According to studies, purified compounds inside ginger root can relax the muscles that tighten your airways. You can opt to mix ground ginger root with honey and stir it into hot tea. Adding honey makes it even more beneficial for dry cough.

Having anti-inflammatory properties, it may ease a dry or asthmatic cough.

Ginger has also been shown to boost the immune system and relieve pain and discomfort.

3. Nature Nate's Pure Raw and Unfiltered Honey (Click the link to check the price)

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Honey can be used to treat day and nighttime dry coughing because of its antibacterial properties.

According to a study in 2007, honey was more successful than dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant ingredient, for reducing nagging bouts of nighttime coughing in children.

Meanwhile, according to an Italian study, mixing two teaspoons of honey into a third-cup of milk was just as effective as OTC medications dextromethorphan and levodropropizine in children -- and presumably much tastier.

4. Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant (Click the link to check the price)

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Sudafed PE's main active ingredient is different from the one in regular Sudafed. Its main active ingredient is phenylephrine.

Decongestants are not designed specifically for cough relief, but they may help minimize your symptoms while bringing additional cold-fighting perks.

Decongestants work by constricting blood vessels which allow more air to pass freely through your nose and lead to drier nasal tissues and less mucus draining down the back of your throat.

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