Here are some of the best cough remedies for adults that you can try this winter. These remedies help improve the immunes system, soothe sore throat, reduce both wet and dry cough, plus help your throat muscles relax. The following cough remedies are very popular in many cultures because they work so make sure to save them.

Natural remedies have been used for centuries or since the beginning of time to treat common conditions like cough, sore throat, flu, the common cold and so many other illnesses. Make sure to read about the benefits below and why you should choose home remedies instead of OTC meds.

15 Effective DIY Cough Remedies For Adults

Coughing is the body’s natural response when trying to clear the airways from pathogens. It’s also caused by the common cold and flu, post nasal drip, allergies, dust, and pollution. Other causes of a dry or wet cough includes viral or bacterial infections, bronchitis, asthma, or other serious health problems.

It is always recommended to check with a doctor if you are experiencing a chronic cough that isn’t going away, accompanied with chest pain, or discolored mucus. It could be a sign of a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. With that being said, here are some natural cough remedies to try as a first line of defense.

1. Drink Enough Water

First things first, it’s always important to keep your body hydrated when you have a cough. You see, water helps thin out mucus and make it easier to expel. It also reduces dryness and irritation in your throat and airways. That’s because your body produces less saliva and mucus when dehydrated.

Experts recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily to stay healthy, reduce cough, cold, and flu symptoms and inflammation.

2. Eat A Spoonful Of Raw Honey

Raw honey reduces cough by coating and soothing the throat lining, thus reducing the urge to cough. It also has antimicrobial, anti inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

A study from Mayo Clinic also shows that honey may be even more effective than over the counter cough medicines. Eating a spoonful of raw honey 3 times per day will reduce inflammation, infections, and strengthen the immune system.

3. Salt Water Gargle

Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a sore or itchy throat, which reduces the urge to cough. Salt water helps to reduce inflammation and bacteria, getting you relief temporarily. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water, gargle the solution for a few seconds, and spit it out.

4. Marshmallow Root Tea For Dry Cough & Sore Throat

Studies show that marshmallow root is very effective in relieving dry cough, sore throat, inflammation and irritation. It’s anti-inflammatory properties helps reduce swelling in the mucus membranes.

Marshmallow root also provides a demulcent effect which means it reduces irritation and creates a protective and soothing film in the throat and respiratory tract. This action aids in reducing dry cough and allows the tissues to regenerate and heal faster.

Ingredients for 1 serving | Total time: 20 minutes

• 1 tablespoon of marshmallow root
• 2 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey

Instructions

Pour the water into a teapot and let it come to a boil, add in the marshmallow root, stir it in, cover, and lower the heat. Let it simmer for 20 minutes and strain it into a mug. Stir in the honey and drink while it’s still hot. You can safely drink this tea up to 3 times per day for cough and sore throat.

5. Thyme Tea For Wet Cough 

Thyme tea helps get rid of mucus from the lungs and airways thanks to it’s natural expectorant properties. It also provides anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits as well, meaning it reduces swelling and fights infection in your respiratory tract.

Hot thyme tea also reduces irritation in the bronchial tubes making it easier to breath. Please avoid drinking this tea if you are pregnant.

Ingredients for 1 serving | Total time: 10 minutes

• 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves or (1 teaspoon of dried leaves)
• 1 cup of boiling water
• 1 teaspoon of raw organic honey
• 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

Preparation & Consumption

Add the thyme leaves to boiling water in a tea kettle and cut off the heat. Cover and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea into a tea cup and stir in the lemon juice and honey. Drink this tea 3 times per day while it is still hot to help reduce productive coughs.

6. Turmeric Tea For Dry Cough

Combining turmeric with other ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, honey, and black pepper, to make a tea will not only help relieve cough and cold symptoms but also strengthen your immune system. All of these ingredients contain anti inflammatory, anti viral, anti bacterial, and antioxidant properties.

Ingredients for 1 serving | Total time: 20 minutes

• 1 1/2 cups of water
• 1 inch turmeric root
• 1 inch ginger root
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 stalk of Ceylon cinnamon stick
• a pinch of black pepper

In a tea kettle, add the ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. Let it come to a boil and cut off the heat. Leave it covered for 10 minutes to steep. Strain into a tea cup and stir in the honey, and black pepper. Drink twice a day while it’s still hot to help relieve dry cough.

7. Pineapple Peel Tea For Cough

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that is found mostly in the peel and core of the pineapple. Bromelain has anti inflammatory and mucolytic properties. Drinking pineapple tea during a cough will help reduce pain and inflammation in the throat plus will help break down mucus.

This pineapple tea also contains a good amount of vitamin C which helps reduce the duration of cough symptoms and strengthens the immune system. 

Ingredients for 2 servings | Total time: 35 minutes

• 4 cups of water
• 1 whole pineapple peel (washed)
• 1 pineapple core
• 1 inch ginger
• 1 inch turmeric 
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 teaspoons of raw honey

How To Make Pineapple Peel Tea

In a pot, add the water, pineapple peel and core, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric. Boil for 20 minutes, cut off the heat and let it steep for an extra 10 minutes. Pour into teacups, stir in the honey and drink 2-3 times per day to get relief.

8. Whiskey Peppermint Cough Syrup

This homemade whiskey peppermint cough syrup was my grandma’s favorite cough remedy. It was and still is a very effective remedy that really helps reduce symptoms. I now make it every winter and give it to my kids as well. 

Ingredients:

• 1 large peppermint stick or 5-6 peppermint candies
• 1/2 cup of whiskey 
• 1/2 cup of organic raw honey
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice

Preparation

In a saucepan, add the water, candy, and lemon juice, and over low heat, let it come to a simmer. Stir often to prevent the candy from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Let it simmer until all the candy melts and it starts to bubble because we want to get rid of almost all the water. Set it aside and let it cool before adding in the honey and whiskey.

Stir until you have an even mixture and transfer your cough syrup into a dry mason jar. Only cover and store once the syrup has completely cooled. Take one tablespoon 2-3 times per day to help reduce your cough.

9. Honey Lemon Ginger Cough Drops

Lemons are packed with vitamin c and helps loosen up mucus, ginger has anti inflammatory properties which reduces swelling in the airways. Honey soothes the throat lining, reduces inflammation and infection in the airways.

Ingredients For 16 cough drops | Total time: 30 minutes

• 1 cup of raw organic honey
• 4 tablespoons of organic lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons of grated ginger root
• 1 tablespoon of powdered vitamin C
• 1/4 cup of powdered stevia

Get the instructions here: 

10. ACV Cough Syrup For Adults

This apple cider vinegar cough syrup is actually one of my favorite cough remedies. I make it every year and I can honestly say that it’s very effective. It’s also very easy to make and will help you stop coughing in no time!

Ingredients | Total time: 2 minutes

• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of bourbon
• 4 tablespoons raw honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Preparation & Consumption:

Mix all of the ingredients above and take 1 to 2 tsp every 2 to 3 hours as needed to help control cough and soothe sore throat.

11. DIY Lemon Cough Syrup

Here is another one of my homemade cough syrup recipes. This lemon cough syrup helps soothe sore throat, reduces coughing episodes, and strengthens the immune system.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup of raw honey (raw honey has more benefits)
• 2 yellow lemon (washed, dried & diced into small cubes)
• 2 tablespoons of ginger root (thinly sliced or grated)

Preparation & Consumption:

In a clean dry mason jar, add the lemons and sliced ginger and pour in the honey. Close the lid and store it in the fridge for 24 hours before using it.

Use a clean spoon each time you want to use this cough syrup. You can take 1 spoonful directly by mouth or stir it into a hot cup of green or herbal tea 2 to 3 times per day. I also noticed that taking a spoonful before bedtime reduced my coughing a lot.

12. Elderberry Tea For Cough & Sore Throat

Elderberry tea helps loosen up mucus and soothes the throat lining. It also reduces the duration of cold and flu symptoms. Elderberries contain both antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties plus it supports immune function.

Ingredients for 2 cups | Total time: 5 minutes

• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of dried elderberry
• 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey
• 1 lemon (squeezed)

Preparation:

Combine the water, elderberry, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and place it over high heat. Let it come to a boil and and immediately lower the heat. Let the mixture simmer for an extra 15-20 minutes and cut off the heat.

Let the tea sit for an extra 5 minutes, strain, mix in the honey and lemon juice before serving while it’s still warm. Drink this tea twice per day to reduce sore throat, cough, and the common flu.

13. Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea

Get the full recipe, benefits, nutrition facts and more about this medicine ball tea here:

Ingredients for 1 serving | Total time: 5 minutes

• 1 bag of citrus mint tea
• 1 bag of peach herbal tea
• 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey
• 1 cup of water

Preparation:

Start by heating the water until it starts to boil, cut off the heat and add in the tea bags and let the steep for 3-5 minutes covered. 

Next, remove the tea bags and stir in the lemon juice along with the honey and pour into a teacup or a mug and enjoy while it’s still hot. Note: You can serve with a slice of fresh lemon, mint and a piece of Ceylon cinnamon stick.

14. Peppermint Ginger Honey Tea For Cough

Ginger helps relax the airway muscles and reduces inflammation while the menthol in peppermint is soothing and acts as a natural decongestant. Honey, as I’ve mentioned above is one of the most effective home remedies for cough thanks to it’s anti viral, anti bacterial, and anti inflammatory properties.

Ingredients for 1 serving | Total time: 15 minutes

• 2 cups of water
• 1 inch ginger root
• 15 fresh mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey

Preparation & Consumption:

Add the ginger into the water and boil for 10 minutes. Cut off the heat and pour it over the mint leaves. Cover and let it steep for 5 minutes, strain into a mug and stir in the honey. Drink 2 times per day to reduce coughing.

15. Fermented Garlic And Honey Cough Remedy

I had to add this fermented garlic cough remedy on this list! I’ve tried it and it is very effective in treating cough thanks to it’s natural antibiotic properties. It also helps strengthen the immune system and wards off the common cold and flu viruses.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh cloves of garlic, peeled
• One cup raw honey

Please read the full post for instructions on how to make this garlic honey cough syrup.

Benefits Of Natural Cough Remedies

All Natural – when using natural remedies, you really don’t have to worry about preservatives and additives. These are additional ingredients added to foods and medications to make them look fancier and prolong their shelf life. 

There are many studies out there (like this one) that shows the side effects of these ingredients and how they lead to other life-threatening health conditions. Thankfully, natural remedies have the opposite effect on your body and immune system.

Strengthen Immunity – ingredients like raw honey, salt, garlic, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger and other herbs like cloves, peppermint, and thyme are great for cough. That’s because they have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-spasmodic effect plus they aid in strengthening the immune system.

Other natural herbs like marshmallow root, licorice root, slippery elm, elderberry, and oregano help reduce mucus production, calm the throat, and boost immunity as well.

Little to No Side Effects – when used correctly, home remedies are known to cause no harm to your health. With that being said, you must always follow the instructions and recipes correctly to prevent side effects. Common side effects include nausea, bloating, and allergic reactions.

Note: some home remedies can reduce the effectiveness of some medications. It is always recommended to research or consult with your doctor when on medications.

Conclusion

I hope you found these cough remedies helpful and wish you’d try them. If you do, please let me know which one worked in relieving your cough symptoms in the comments below. Don’t forget to share it and you can find me on Pinterest and Facebook for more remedies and tips.