Best way to help a bad cough without antibiotics?

1. 78

   schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years ago

   I've had a cough for over a week. I went to the doctor and then it wasn't bad so she did nothing.
   
   Then it got worse and I have been taking cough medicine religiously and coughing up a storm (but good to get the phlegm out- I just quit smoking......)
   
   So, I guess I'm ok.
   
   any ideas?
   
   Thanks so much

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   1. 60

      Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I would also take honey and lemon combined with hot water. I would also definitely contact your doctor though.

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   2. 49

      Tcsc13posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The best solution to this I have ever used is hot water mixed with pure, organic honey and distilled, white vinegar. It may not taste good, but it will stop your coughing and even prevent any further illness.

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   3. 60

      Night Magicposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What really works for me to stop coughing is, Egyptian Licorice tea.

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2. 82

   Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

   I pretty much "swear by" Cold-Eze (and, to a lesser extent, Airborne).  They help to improve a person's own immunity system, so that it's not the drug or antibiotic that attacks the virus (and antibiotics don't actually attack viruses anyway); instead, they strengthen your body's own ability to fight off the invader - virus or bacteria.  Some discount stores and drugstores offer a generic brand.  CVS does, for certain.  A box of 18 (?) Cold-Eze costs around $8-9.  They help best when they are taken at the first sign of a cold, but even at this late date either one would likely be helpful.  Cold-Eze comes in the form of lozenges; Airborne is supposed to be dissolved in water or juice (I think, but I'm not sure), and it can be taken cold or hot.  A warm liquid can be very soothing to a sore throat and cough.

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   1. 78

      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks It's not the price of the antibiotics, it's that I heard they are not good for your body if you take them alot over time. (is that true? I should google that. )

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      1. 82

         Aficionadaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, that's correct, but it doesn't mean that you should stop taking the antibiotic before the prescribed round is completed.  That (stopping too soon) is one of the reasons people may experience a yo-yo type of illness:  get sick, take antibiotic, get better, stop antibiotic (too soon), get sick again, etc.
         
         What the reports mean is that taking a lot of antibiotics over a period of months and years can be detrimental.
         
         I mentioned the price only for information and comparison, really.
         
         Also, about the period of sickness:  The studies that I have read-about indicate that a virus (as in a cold) naturally will last about 10 days to 2 weeks, with or without medication.  Even Cold-Eze will only shorten it by a few days, but it will also lessen the severity of the symptoms for the duration of taking it.
         
         I agree with Case1Worker in taking seriously any cough that lasts more than two weeks, but that means longer than two weeks - not just "longer than a week."

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3. 63

   Daniel Carterposted 11 years ago

   Check into Oregano oil. Hot, hot, hot stuff, but kills viruses and bacteria like crazy. A few drops under the tongue, absorbed 2x to 3x a day will do the trick. Also check into Colloidal Silver for the same purposes.
   
   Echenacea can boost immune system function, but take for the period of time needed, then stop taking it.
   
   Mucinex chest congestion works wonders for me in getting the gunk out of my lungs and sinuses.
   
   Hope these help.

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   1. 78

      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      wow, you're a wealth of natural information.
      could I consult you for natural methods to use instead of my other medications?

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      1. 63

         Daniel Carterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         For what little I know, yes. LOL
         In most cases, antibiotics aren't going to help a cough because it's usually a virus, not a bacteria. So prescribing antibiotics for coughs in those cases is useless. That's why an anti-virul like oregano oil or silver is good. Also zinc is good for viruses. Several other things. The cough itself should either be productive (meaning coughing up phlegm) in which case, you only want to suppress it partially. A dry, hacking cough is unproductive. It only continues to inflame the tissues of the throat. Throat lozenges and keeping the throat lubricated become very important. You can even find zinc throat lozenges in some places.

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4. 62

   CASE1WORKERposted 11 years ago

   oh dear I just wrote a hub about what happenned to me and my little cough! I have a ventolin inhaler which helps the cough immensely. A friend told me to take care when moving between hot and cold rooms as that triggers it- sleep on the sofa?
   Also if it does not stop go to the doctor again as there is currently a campaign on our TV in the UK that early detection of lung cancer saves lives- sorry to be dismal but apparently any cough going on for more than a couple of weeks should be taken seriously.
   
   Hope that you get better soon

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   1. 78

      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      thanks!

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5. 0

   RookerySpoonerposted 11 years ago

   Did your cough begin after you gave up smoking?  After giving up smoking, the mucus transport system will reactivate itself, which can cause a chesty cough.  The microscopic hairs called cilia, which line the lungs begun to work again and attempt to clear out inhaled particles, which can cause a severe cough, which may last for a couple of months.  Although it is unpleasant, this is actually a sign that your lungs are healing themselves.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, and thankyou, I heard that today from someone. I'm "glad" to clear my lungs

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6. 82

   Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

   Cold-Eeze (I've been spelling it wrong! ) is zinc gluconate glycine.  I thought it contained echinacea too, but when I checked just now I learned that it does not.  But I think there is one lozenge made by Halls that contains Vitamin C and echinacea.  I may be getting lozenges mixed up!      But if not Halls, I know that Ricola has some great lozenges.  I'm pretty sure one of those contains echinacea.  So with any of these, you get the soothing effect of the lozenge, plus the vitamin/mineral supplement as well.

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7. 63

   swathi180posted 11 years ago

   Extracted ginger juice mixed with honey is best home remedy to cure cough and common cold.
   Add some tumeric powder to honey make paste and eat it works for dry cough.
   You can drink ginger tea also, prepared using fresh ginger,tea leaves,lemon juice and honey.

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   1. 58

      recommend1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is my preferred Chinese remedy - here we just boil a big crushed chunk of ginger with rock sugar - boil it down to a really strong drink and just drink it every now and then, but not before bed as it will also keep you awake.
      
      Works for me in reducing the length of the cold and suppresses the coughing better than any medicine.

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8. 61

   Disturbiaposted 11 years ago

   Honey and lemon in a nice hot cup of tea.

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9. 78

   schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years ago

   Doing good now

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10. 48

    qseraposted 11 years ago

    Glad to know that you are feeling better now I prefer having warm honey with a pinch of salt in it. It works wonders for my cough

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