How to Stop Coughing Without Cough Syrup

Co-authored by Madeleine Criglow | Medically reviewed by Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.

Last Updated: November 4, 2021 References Approved

Cough syrup may be a go-to remedy when you've got a persistent cough, but it's not for everyone. You may be looking to avoid the alcohol in the ingredients or maybe you just really hate the taste. Thankfully, there are several effective alternative remedies! Keep reading for the many approaches you can take to combat your cough for good.

1

Use cough drops for instant relief.

These lozenges reduce coughing and congestion. Cough drops contain menthol, which opens up the airways thanks to its aromatic properties.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Though they’re not medicinal, they can ease your symptoms and give you a break if you’ve been coughing all day.
- Buy cough drops that include ingredients like honey, lemon, eucalyptus, and mint to help ease your coughing symptoms.

2

Try honey to ease nighttime coughing.

Some studies show that honey suppresses coughing. A study published by the Cochrane Library found that honey was able to effectively reduce cough symptoms.^{[2]
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Research source} To try out this method, mix 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of honey in hot water or tea.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Expert Interview. 5 October 2021.} Drinking this relaxing beverage before bedtime can also help you fall asleep faster and lessen any nighttime coughing fits.^{[4]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Don’t give honey to children under 1. This can result in a rare condition called infant botulism.
- Honey can also be used to soothe a sore throat brought on by coughing.^{[5]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

3

Sip on some warm, tasty soup to stop coughing.

Warm liquids like soup ease congestion. They can also increase the movement of nasal fluids. Both work to help you cough less. Try chicken noodle soup or even warm broth if you're looking for some relief. It will also help you stay hydrated, too!^{[6]
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Mayo Clinic
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- If you’re feeling nauseous or don’t have much of an appetite, try sipping on chicken or vegetable broth. It will provide the same relief!
- Try a low-sodium variety so that you don’t end up feeling dehydrated.

4

Gargle salt water to ease coughing brought on by congestion.

A saltwater rinse can clear out the mucus in your system. This can help ease symptoms, as mucus dripping down into your throat can make your cough a lot worse. Place ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (1.2 mL) to ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of salt in a glass of warm water. Stir the salt until it's fully dissolved. Gargle the water for 1-2 minutes, then spit it out. Be sure that you don’t swallow it!^{[7]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Do this 3 times a day until your symptoms subside.^{[8]
  X
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- If the salt irritates your mouth or throat, you can also use plain, distilled warm water for gargles.
- Alternatively, you can add some essential oil to a pot of moderately hot water and inhale steam.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
  Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
  Expert Interview. 5 October 2021.}
- A steamy shower may also be helpful.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
  Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
  Expert Interview. 5 October 2021.}

5

Keep your head elevated when you sleep.

Doing this keeps mucus from being blocked in the sinuses and throat. This will improve your airflow and help you breathe easy as you fall asleep! Prop up the pillow under your head so that it supports the natural curve of your neck.^{[11]
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Harvard Medical School
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6

Utilize a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

Dry air makes it harder for mucus to drain, which triggers coughs. Use a humidifier in your bedroom or living room to add moisture to the air and help you clear your sinuses. The air should range from 30% to 55% humidity.^{[12]
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Mayo Clinic
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- If the humidity is too high, mold and dust mites may thrive, both of which are common causes of allergies and coughs.
- If the humidity falls too low, it may cause dry eyes, throat and sinus irritations.
- Remember to clean your humidifier often! Contaminated humidifiers can be breeding grounds for mold and bacteria.^{[13]
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  University of Rochester Medical Center
  Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research
  Go to source}

7

Try an air purifier to clear the air of allergens.

Floating particles like pollen and mold may be causing your cough. An air purifier, like a HEPA filter, traps these allergens and has a 99.9% effectiveness rate. Keep an air purifier in your room or living room to make sure the air isn’t making your cough worse!^{[14]
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University of Rochester Medical Center
Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research
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- An air purifier is especially helpful if you struggle with chronic allergies or asthma symptoms.
- Change and clean the filter often according to instructions on the box.

8

Drink plenty of water.

Liquids help loosen congestion, providing relief to your cough. Drink water, juice, warm broth, or hot water with lemon for the best results.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Aim for 2.7 to 3.7 litres (91 to 125 fl oz) of water a day. If your coughing is accompanied by symptoms like fever, nausea, and diarrhea, it's really important that you drink plenty of fluids. This will help you stay hydrated and get back to your healthy self.^{[16]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Stay away from coffee, soda, and alcohol. These can dehydrate you.

9

Get 8-10 hours of rest each night.

Rest helps reinvigorate your immune system. Get plenty of sleep to kick your cough, and make sure that’s in the range of 8-10 hours each night. You should also avoid strenuous exercise while you have a cold, as this can zap your energy and leave you feeling worse. ^{[17]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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10

Try echinacea supplements.

Some studies show these can shorten the duration of your cough. A study published by the Cochrane Library found that the supplements were able to shorten the duration of a cold by a half-day. The findings also suggested that they can decrease the severity of cough symptoms.^{[18]
X
Research source} Though more medical research is needed, echinacea supplements may be able to provide some relief. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking them. Once you get the go-ahead, take the supplements as directed for 7-10 days upon your first cold symptoms.^{[19]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Never exceed the recommended dosage on the label.
- Avoid using echinacea when you're pregnant. Reports vary on whether the natural supplement is safe for people to ingest during pregnancy, so it's best to stay on the safe side and pick a different cough remedy.^{[20]
  X
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}

11

Quit smoking tobacco.

Smoking leads to respiratory illnesses and chronic coughing. You're also more likely to develop a cold or flu if you smoke regularly, as it weakens your immune system. Consider quitting smoking to alleviate this risk and reduce symptoms.^{[21]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you want to quit smoking, websites like https://smokefree.gov or https://lung.org can provide additional resources.
- Secondhand smoke can also cause side effects like coughing.

12

Visit your doctor if your cough persists.

Persistent coughing can be a symptom of an underlying condition. If you experience a cough alongside a sore throat, high fever, whooping cough, or postnasal drip (mucus running down the throat), make an appointment with your doctor. These could be signs of an underlying infection, like pneumonia, whooping cough, a sinus infection, or COVID-19.^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} If you cough up blood or are experiencing difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.^{[23]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
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- Depending on your symptoms, your doctor will perform a physical exam to look at your throat, ears, and nasal passages.

Expert Q&A

Question

What kills a cough fast?

Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Erica Docimo is a California and National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and the Owner of Mind and Body Acupuncture, a holistic healthcare and lifestyle studio based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in Acupuncture, Herbal Prescriptions, and Eastern and Western Nutrition. Erica holds a Masters of Chinese Medicine from The Emperor’s College with a focus on Women’s Health. She also received training at The Academy of Orthopedic Acupuncture (AOA) to become certified in pain reflex-release technique and manual nerve blocking.

Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.

Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist

Expert Answer

For dry or productive coughs, taking a steamy shower will help open and hydrate your airways. Add some fresh eucalyptus to your shower to further dilate the bronchioles of the lungs and reduce coughing.
Question

What can I drink to cleanse my throat?

Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Erica Docimo is a California and National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and the Owner of Mind and Body Acupuncture, a holistic healthcare and lifestyle studio based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in Acupuncture, Herbal Prescriptions, and Eastern and Western Nutrition. Erica holds a Masters of Chinese Medicine from The Emperor’s College with a focus on Women’s Health. She also received training at The Academy of Orthopedic Acupuncture (AOA) to become certified in pain reflex-release technique and manual nerve blocking.

Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.

Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist

Expert Answer

Warm herbal teas will definitely help soothe a cough, along with any sore throat that may result from coughing. Turmeric and honey tea, peppermint tea, and ginger tea are all useful for reducing the swelling of your mucous membranes and opening the airways.
Question

What should I do with rumbling in my throat that is caused by phlegm and mucus?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

If you can feel the phlegm in your throat, it is best either to cough it up or to swallow it. The acid in your stomach will destroy any viruses or bacteria in the phlegm. To loosen the phlegm in your throat, make sure you drink plenty of water and try some herbal teas like Echinacea, chamomile, or licorice tea with some honey and/or lemon.

Warnings

If you have an underlying lung condition, such as asthma or emphysema, you should let your doctor know right away if you catch a cold.^{[26]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source}

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