Aloe vera juice Mix equal parts of aloe vera juice and honey and take a tablespoon or two as needed. Good for a smoker's cough.
Apple cider vinegar Sprinkle apple cider vinegar on your pillowcase before bedtime.
• Put 1 or 2 teaspoons of vinegar in a glass of water and keep beside your bed to use when you feel the tickling sensation coming on. Take a few swallows as needed. Vinegar dissolves mucus and reduces inflammation.
• Mix 1/2 cup of honey with 3-4 tablespoons of vinegar. Take one tablespoon before going to bed or during a coughing fit, and throughout the day, as needed. Stir well before use.
Comfrey Take a comfrey tea for dry persistent coughs. Comfrey should not be taken for long term use as it may cause liver damage.
Codonopsis root Use a decoction, tincture or powder for chronic coughs.
Garlic Mince a clove of garlic and place in a small bowl; cover with honey and cover the bowl with plastic wrap; marinate overnight. Take one tablespoonful upon awakening, then throughout the day, as needed.
Honey Add a tablespoon of honey to a glass of boiling water and drink as needed. This will soothe the throat.
Horehound lozenges help suppress a dry cough.
Licorice root Take 5 grams of powdered root with honey three times a day. You can also make a decoction by using 1/2 teaspoon to one cup of water. Take three cups daily. Licorice has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, and is an expectorant. Do not use if you have high blood pressure.
Tea Make a tea of wild cherry bark, slippery elm or red clover. Sweeten with honey.
Zinc lozenges are helpful.
Homeopathy
Antimonium tart Is to be used if the cough is loose and rattling with little or no phlegm and breathing is painful.
Bryonia Use when a cold has gone to the chest and turned in to a hard, dry cough.
Drosera Use for a cough after which you have a whooping sound or with vomiting.
Ferrum phos. Is beneficial for a hard, dry cough with a tickle.
