Dealing with that pesky dry cough can be a real bother, especially at night when you’re just trying to get some rest. Let’s dive into the remedies you mentioned, considering what works best and how often you should try them based on Ayurveda.
First thing with honey in warm water and lemon juice, which you mentioned, is a classic. Honey has those soothing properties that seem to coat your throat, while lemon will help clear out any irritants. To gain quick relief, mix a tablespoon of honey with warm water and a dash of lemon and sip it. You can do this 2-3 times a day or whenever the cough becomes too annoying. It’s generally great for just dry coughs since it doesn’t work as well when there’s lots of mucus involved.
Now onto ginger and clove. Fresh ginger can reduce inflammation and has a mild numbing effect that can sometimes ease the coughing reflex. Chew a small slice of fresh ginger or suck on a clove to get that numbing effect. These can be used 2-3 times a day or whenever your cough ticks up. They definitely work better for dry coughs too.
For the salt water gargle – this one’s a bit of a staple. Mix half a teaspoon of salt into warm water and gargle for about 30 seconds. If you wanna amp up the effect, add a pinch of turmeric to the mix. Both turmeric and salt are anti-inflammatory and can reduce throat irritation. Try this once or twice a day. It won’t exactly kill a dry cough instantly, but sure relieves the scratchiness on the throat.
With steam inhalation, adding ajwain and tulsi adds a unique respiratory soothing element. Steam inhalation works great for both dry and wet cough as it adds moisture back into the airways. Inhale steam over a bowl of hot water with ajwain seeds and a few tulsi leaves for 10 minutes. Alternatively, a few drops of eucalyptus oil really helps to open the airways.
Drinking licorice tea or turmeric milk is very beneficial for soothing the throat, though they may not immediately stop a dry cough, they’ll gradually help reduce irritation. Having a warm cup before bed can bring relief overnight.
Now, warming mustard oil with garlic - quite the nifty trick. Massaging it on your chest and throat can boost circulation to the area, possibly decreasing the frequency of coughing fits. Warm a few cloves in mustard oil, let it cool to a tolerable temperature before applying. Do this just before sleeping.
You’d wanna approach these remedies a bit experimentally - try them out and see what combos work best with your body. Instant relief can be tricky with dry coughs, but one of these methods or a blend often does the trick. If your cough persists too long, do consult a practitioner for a deeper dive into your constitution. Take care!
