Natural remedies are filled with high amount of nutrients that can soothe ailments. Experts recommend using home remedies for a dry cough in kids instead of over-the-counter medicines. As they have no or less side-effects.
It’s really annoying to have continuous cough. None of us like to be the person in a quiet room who can’t stop coughing or to be the person coughing in a restaurant and people around you fling to protect their food. Though it’s not a serious issue, you can use syrups or home remedies to get rid of dry cough.
But, what if your kids cough? This is something which worries you. You hardly fall asleep. Use of over-the-counter medicines to treat cough in children is not recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics.
Virus or allergen is the mere cause of cough, which gets cleared on their own as time passes. Cough is broadly classified into two types, namely wet cough and dry cough.
Wet or productive cough produces mucus and coughing helps to clear the mucus from lungs. A dry hacking cough does not produce sputum or mucus. It may develop due to allergens or toward the end of cold. Unlike wet cough, dry cough don’t go away, you must stop.
Causes of Dry Cough
- Respiratory infection
- Dust allergy
- Pollen allergy
- Sinusitis
- Pneumonia
Symptoms of Dry Cough
- Sore throat
- Dry throat
- Irritability
- No presence of phlegm
- Weak immune system
Dry cough home remedies for kids are inexpensive, effective and safe. Anyhow, we recommend consulting the doctor before trying any home remedy.
#1. Give Your Child a Spoonful of Raw Honey
Demulcent activity of honey has been renowned to soothe mucus membrane. Its antibacterial properties reduce cough in your children if it’s a bacterial infection.
Raw honey has more nutritional value than processed honey. However, babies under the age 2 shouldn’t be served without doctor’s permission. If your kid can bear, add 1/2 teaspoon of grounded black pepper to honey and feed him. Black pepper will help to remove mucus and chest congestion.
Serve your child with a spoon of raw honey in the morning and in the evening.
#2. Garlic Soup
Professors from University of California suggest, feeding your child with soup with garlic ingredients in it. Antiviral properties in garlic will make your child better and relieves from dry cough.
Also read: Ginger for Cough
#3. Turmeric Powder & Milk
Curcumin is a compound in turmeric which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can effectively treat cough and cold. You can serve this mixture daily to prevent viral or seasonal allergies.
Initially boil the milk and add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder before serving to your child. Decrease the amount of turmeric powder, if your kid is not willing to drink. Else, add little honey to the solution and serve him.
#4. Use a Humidifier
Keep a cool mist humidifier in your child’s room all night. This makes them to breath easy and the airways clear, which can reduce the cough.
#5. Basil
Basil or tulsi leave is capable of curing cough as it has anti bacterial and anti oxidant properties. There are different ways to use basil. The first and the most basic one is to make your child chew some basil leaves, if the child likes the taste then you can continue it over for some days.
Secondly you can boil a cup of water and add some basil leaves in it, allow it to cool down a bit then sieve and drink it.
Lastly you can pour few drops of basil essential oil in a mug of hot water and inhale the steam. Be careful with the child as the water will be steaming hot.
Apart from this, give your child plenty of water every day to moisturize the dry throat. If he/she likes to drink tea, serve them black tea with little honey in it.
Honey is the most effective dry cough home remedies for kids, so I recommend trying it.