Treatments of coughs are done following different methods. Apart from the conventional treatment, several alternative medications are applied for treating different types of coughs. These medications include Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Naturopathy, home remedies, Aromatherapy etc. All these medications have been proved to be effective in curing coughs.
Ayurveda Treatment of Coughs
In Ayurveda, coughing is referred to as Kaasa Roga. Usually, distaste for food, heavy feeling and sweet taste in mouth with excess saliva or feeling of nausea, etc. are described as symptoms of cough. The Ayurvedic treatment of coughs involves anti-Kapha diet, avoiding dairy and certain mucus-forming foods, etc.
The hot spicy herbs like long pepper, dry ginger or Chitrak as a milk decoction, are helpful for treating coughs. The other ingredients used for treatment of coughs in Ayurveda include Ghee, a mixture of powdered lotus seed with honey, Licorice combination, anti-Vata diet, anti-cough and demulcent herbs, licorice, marshmallow, comfrey root, shatavari, ash-wagandha, Cardamom combination, Draksha, etc.
The medicines like kanakasava or kantakaryavaleha, sitopaladi choorna, chandansava or vasarishta, vasavaleha, matulungadi avaleha, triphala, guggulu, shilajit, etc. are also prescribed in Ayurveda for treatment of coughs.
Besides using the medicines for treatment of coughs, there are also some dietary instructions prescribed in Ayurveda. Taking cold foods, cold drinks, ice cream, sweets, fried foods and milk products like cheese, creams; yoghurt etc. are restricted. Sweet fruit juice, breads, meats, nuts and pastries are also restricted in Ayurveda. Hot milk without fat is prescribed to take after boiling with a piece of crushed ginger. Taking half a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with milk is considered effective for treating coughs. Taking a light warm diet like boiled or steamed vegetables; vegetable soups and non-juicy fruits like papaya and apple, are considered safe. Spiced teas, herbal teas and other hot drinks are also considered as beneficial in treating coughs. In Ayurveda, day-sleeping is strictly prohibited in treatment of coughs and taking cold showers, exposure to cold winds, fans, air conditioners etc. are also advised to be avoided.
Homoeopathy Treatment of Coughs
In Homoeopathy, medicines like Aconitum napellus, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Ferrum phosphoricum, Hepar sulphuris calcareum, Ipecacuanha, Nux vomica, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Rumex crispus, Spongia tosta, Sulphur, etc. are frequently used for treatment of coughs.
Homeopathic remedies also include taking a hot shower with a lot of steam, which can help thin and loosen mucus in the chest. Inhaling a vapour mist from a humidifier can also help in curing cough in some people. The people suffering from a common cold can be benefited hugely from the vapour inhalation. Sipping hot tea in flavours like vanilla, peppermint, or chamomile is also considered as a relaxing and calming way to sooth the throat when a person has a cough.
Home Remedy for Treatment of Cough
Apart from Ayurveda and Homoeopathy, there are also several home remedies that are used in treatment of coughs. These home remedies are made using various natural herbs including Bay Berry (Myrica nagi), Belleric Myroblan (Terminalia belerica), Betel (Piper betle), Butea (Butea monosperma), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Euphorbia (Euphorbia hirta), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), Garlic (Allium sativum), Henna (Lawsonia inermis), etc.
Aromatherapy Treatment of Coughs
Another method followed for treatment of coughs is Aromatherapy. Various oils are used in Aromatherapy for treating coughs. The oils made from Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea tree, etc. are most frequently used in Aromatherapy. In Nature care, the fruits and vegetables like Onion, Garlic, Radish (Mooli), Orange juice, lemon, black pepper, cayenne pepper, long pepper (Pippali), almond, thyme, linseed, nettle, dock, calamus, cabbage, carrots, turnips, comfrey, rosemary, balm, Glycerin, peppermint, etc. are quite frequently used for treatment of coughs. However, among all the herbs, eucalyptus is considered as the most popular cure for coughs. Honey is also used for treating coughs. Sometimes, a mixture of brandy and black pepper is used as a treatment of coughs, as well. Water can also help in getting ease from cough, whether one drinks it or adds it to the air with a steamy shower.
Coughs can be treated in different ways, using various suppressants. Determining the appropriate cough remedy depends on the underlying reason for the cough. The antitussive suppressants are commonly used for treatment of dry coughs and the expectorants are used for productive coughs. The suppressants actually reduce the urge to cough. All the alternative medications mentioned above are used extensively for treatment of coughs in India and also around the world.