A cough which does not produce phlegm or sputum is known as Dry Cough. It is a sudden reflex to clear the respiratory passages. Cough is produced when the respiratory passage is irritated, it triggers a chain of reflexes which forcibly pushes out the air from lungs.

Dry Cough is the symptoms of different diseases. The most common cause for Dry Cough is Viral infection and is safe to treat at home with simple home remedies, but if cough associated with secondary bacterial infection, there is a need of medical advice.

Causes for Dry Cough:

1. Acute dry cough: Lasts for one to two weeks

  • Common cold
  • Pharingitis
  • Laryngitis
  • Allergy
  • Whooping cough

2. Chronic dry cough: Lasts for more than 8 weeks

  • Asthma
  • Allergy
  • COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • Medicines: ACE inhibitors and beta blockers used to treat Hypertension may cause dry cough.
  • Lung cancer
  • Tuberculosis
  • Habit
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Congestive cardiac failure

Natural Home Remedies:

1. Licorice(Yashtimadhu Powder):

Licorice having excellent mucolytic, anti inflammatory and soothing effect. It relieves throat irritation and reduces inflammation of respiratory system.

Ingredients: Licorice fine powder, Honey.

Procedure: 1 teaspoon of Licorice powder mixed along with 1 teaspoon of Honey.

Dose: ¼ teaspoon 4 to 6 times daily or frequently chat whenever you feel throat irritation and coughing sensation.

2. Onion & Jaggery:IMG_4267

Ingredients: Onion, Jaggery.

Cut the onion into small pieces, chew onion along with jaggery whenever you feel throat irritation and coughing sensation.

3. Ginger & Honey:

Ingredients: Ginger juice, Honey and Cow Ghee.

Procedure: 1 teaspoon of Ginger juice mixed along with 1 teaspoon of Honey and ½ teaspoon of Ghee.

Dose: ½ teaspoon three to four times daily or frequently chat this mixture reduces throat irritation and dry cough.

4. Turmeric milk:

Ingredients: Turmeric, Milk and Sugar.

Procedure: Boil 2ooml of milk along with ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder, add sugar around ½ to 1 teaspoon.

Dose: 200ml of twice daily, morning empty stomach and in the evening before food.

5. Salt & Turmeric water gargle:

Ingredients: Hot water, Salt and Turmeric powder.

Procedure: 1 glass of Hot water mixed with 1 teaspoon of Salt and ½ teaspoon of Turmeric powder(Curcuma longa).

Dose: Gargle throat 2 to 3 times daily. Salt reduces the inflammation and Turmeric having antimicrobial properties it reduces infection and inflammation of the throat.

6. Steam Inhalation:

Ingredients: Water, Eucalyptus oil and Camphor.

Procedure: Boil 300 ml of water in a Vessel and add few drops of Eucalyptus and camphor. Lean over the bowl, close your eyes and cover the head with a towel to prevent the escape of vapors, Inhale the vapors deeply through Nose and Mouth till forehead sweats. Do this thrice daily. It relieves nasal and chest congestion, cough, cold and sinusitis.

7. Sugar Candy:

Chewing sugar candy reduces the dry cough. It is having smoothening effect and mucolytic action.

Diet and Lifestyle tips:

  • Avoid oily deep fried food, Chinese and junk foods.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Keep windows closed, stay away from allergic factors like pollen, grass dust, animal dandruff etc
  • Don’t directly expose to Fan and Air condition.
  • Don’t sit close to a window while traveling in an open vehicle.
  • Drink warm water or food, which gives smoothening effect to the throat.
  • Drink Liquids to prevent dehydration.
  • Backrest while laying on the bed which prevents from recurrent cough.

Warning: Seek Immediate Medical advice if cough associated with following symptoms.

  • If repeated dry cough associated with chest pain, sweating, difficulty in breathing, palpitation and swelling over legs indicates the involvement of Heart.
  • Cough with High fever.
  • Difficulty in breathing.
  • Swelling of face and lips.
  • Cough lasts longer than 2 weeks.
  • Cough with high pitched sound.
  • Violent cough.