Have you been plagued by the dreaded winter cough? “It’s common to get a cough with a scratchy, sore throat during the winter months because of the lack of humidity in the air,” says Sara Urevig, MOm, a lecturer at Northwestern Health Sciences University. She notes that other reasons for a cough may include post-nasal drip, allergy, the cold or flu, asthma, or chronic sinus or lung problems.

So what can you do to sooth your winter cough? “Many people experience relief from a cough by using natural remedies,” says Urevig. Consumers are turning to the natural remedies due to the negative attention that over-the-counter cough medications have been receiving lately.

Urevig suggests trying these 10 natural remedies to treat your cough:

• Make it sweet. Honey in a small amount of water soothes the throat and can alleviate an irritating cough. Consult your doctor before using this method with children.

• Moisten your mucus. “Water and other liquids can be simple and effective,” says Urevig. When the mucus is moistened it is easier to cough up.

• A tart twist. Add the juice of half a lemon to warm water. If you’re looking for a cough syrup substitute, add two parts honey and one part lemon juice, suggests Urevig.

• Kill the cough before it starts. “Maintaining high levels of vitamin C works preventatively when taken regularly. It also won’t hurt to increase the dosage of the vitamin with a cough,” says Urevig.

• Raise the humidity. Irritation in the throat may be reduced by using a humidifier, especially where you sleep.

• Breathe in the best. Essential oils may be inhaled or used as a rub to soothe a cough. Try peppermint, eucalyptus, sandalwood or cypress. Loquat and Frittilary Jelly are two common Chinese medicines used to treat acute and chronic coughs.

• Kick congestion to the curb. Try using a neti-pot regularly to help with nasal congestions and sinus issues.

• Just say no. Avoid dairy products, meats, and fried foods. They increase the production of mucus.

• Spice up your life. Eat spicy foods, such as hot peppers. They help break up mucus so it is easier to expectorate.

• Some like it hot. “A hot bath or shower will soothe irritated airways and loosen sinus congestion,” says Urevig.

Editor’s note: The Natural News Service is a public information program provided by Northwestern Health Sciences University. If you choose to use this release, please attribute the information accordingly. The University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, and massage therapy. The University has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minn.

Source:  Natural News Service, Northwestern Health Sciences University (February 2009)