Why are you coughing in the first place? On a very basic level, coughing is a way to clear your airway. “It’s a reflex and protective response to any irritant in those areas—either mucus, dust, saliva, or even food,” says Nina L. Shapiro, M.D., an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) and professor of head and neck surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine. But, if you’re just dealing with a regular cough, you can try at-home solutions to try to get relief. It can also be helpful to work with your medical provider to determine if your cough is related to allergies, asthma, a cold, or something else. Just know this: Cough syrup is unlikely to help much. Research1 has found that natural interventions can be more effective at stopping a cough than the common cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Here’s how to stop coughing with natural solutions. If you’re near a microwave or have access to a warm drink, that’s even better, says Margaret Quinn, DNP, a clinical associate professor in the Rutgers University School of Nursing. “Warm fluids can help soothe the throat and loosen mucus,” she says. To reap the benefits at home, Henning suggests mixing a tablespoon of dried thyme in a cup of boiling water, letting it steep for a bit, straining it, and then adding a little lemon juice and honey “for a throat-soothing tea you could sip on all day.” Horehound usually appears in the form of a cough drop, but it can also be brewed as a tea, with honey and lemon. Shapiro recommends avoiding those foods and drinks close to bedtime to lessen your symptoms. “Ideally, the last meal should be at least two to even three hours prior to lying down,” Shapiro says.
