In the U.S. over 3 billion dollars is spent on over the counter( OTC) cough treatments each year. According to clinical trials that have been conducted their is no evidence that shows that these cough medicines do anything to ease symptoms. Besides being ineffective, they have been found to be dangerous to young children. Health conditions reported in young children ranged from rapid heart beat to death. Another problem with OTC cough treatments is that they contain no ingredients that can get you better.  Even if these cough treatments are able to suppress symptoms to some small degree, such as high temperature and mucus production, they also inhibit the body's ability to defend against the virus causing the cold. Common ingredients found in these medications are pain relievers, antihistamines and decongestants. All of which have unpleasant side effects. The pain relievers have been found to cause upset stomach and stress the liver, the antihistamines can make you groggy and the decongestants can cause the jitters. Cough medicines containing dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine are particularly unhealthy. Dectromethorphan can cause hallucinations, phychosis and even death. Pseudoephedrine can cause dizziness, restlessness and anxiety.

The best medicine for coughs due to colds is prevention. Diet plays a large role in our ability to prevent colds before they happen. Eating an unhealthy diet of fast foods, junk foods, processed foods high in fat and sugar, weaken the immune system and invite cold viruses. Building a strong immune system requires a healthy diet which is largely composed of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and should include one serving of fish and one serving of poultry per week. Adequate deep sleep is essential to a healthy immune system. Adding reishi, maitake, and shiitake mushrooms to your diet will increase your bodies ability to destroy viruses.


If a cold and the associated cough symptoms have developed, their are some very effective homeopathic and herbal remedies you may want to consider. Homeopathic remedies include belladona, which is an effective decongestant and fever reducer. Pulsatilla is good for sinus problems. Natrum muriaticum helps prevent sneezing and runny nose. Nux vomica is effective in treating bronchitis and upper respiratory infections and bryonia which helps with aches, fever and dry cough. Herbal remedies include eucalyptus which helps relieve stuffy nasal passages and clogged bronchial tubes. Ginger is good for aches, nausea and inflammation and ginseng helps increase energy and boost the immune system. Scientist have been doing research with a medicine that comes from the roots of Perlargonium sidoides in South Africa and have found that it has been effective in increasing the speed of recovery from the common cold and upper respiratory infections, regardless of whether the illness is cause by a virus or bacteria. It seems to have the ability to interfere with the virus or bacteria ability to attach to human cells. It is available in syrups and drops at your local health store.

Coughs due to colds thrive in dry environments so it is a good idea to use a humidifier. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids such as lemon and honey water, chicken broth, naturally sweetened fruit juice and purified water. Saline spray is effective at loosening nasal congestion. A combination of Vitamin C, zinc and echinacea is always helpful in speeding up recovery time. Vitamin A and acidophilus can be taken together to help boost the immune system and fight the underlying cause of the cough. It's a good idea to avoid mucus causing foods like dairy products until the cough has subsided.

Thyme has been found to be an effective immune system booster and is very effective on whooping cough, bronchitis and pleurisy. The best way to take thyme is in a tea. Check your local health store to see if they carry a natural cough syrup containing thyme. (The essential oil thyme cannot be taken internally.)