Any suggestions for a cough remedy?

[JackDragna]

I'm in the worst stage of a cold right now - getting over it. As a result, whenever I lie down, I cough fit to burst for several nights in a row. It always happens to me whenever I'm getting better from a respiratory illness. Does anyone have any suggestions of home-remedy-type cough suppressants? I don't respond at all to over-the-counter medications, and I absolutely despise taking anything with narcotics in it, though they usually work for me.

Anything you can suggest that would work is greatly appreciated.

[Maine-ah]

1. if you sleep on your back, try sleeping on your stomach instead

I've had this rotten cold, and I'm in the end stages of it too. The reason I cough is the crap running down the back of my throat, and sleeping on my stomach stops the coughing at night. Though I end up having coughing fits in the morning, but at least I'm getting some sleep. Use a cool mist humidifier at night in your bedroom too.

[vard28]

2. Here's the home remedy my grandmother and parents used

I still use it too.

A shot of whiskey, enough honey to make it taste good, and a squirt of lemon juice in a short glass. Some people heat it up, we don't. When I was a kid, I had to use a spoon and only got a few, but apparently I need more as an adult. :rofl:

If I can get away with a couple tablespoons I do, but if not, I just sip it. I do know that I sleep really well after having it!

[blogslut]

4. We did honey/vinegar

I don't remember if it worked but my mom swore by it.

[blogslut]

3. I have posted this before

My Cure-all Soup:

It's pretty simple. The two main ingredients are - Chicken with bones and Fresh Turnip/Mustard Greens. No substitutions. The soup won't work without these two ingredients.

1) Boil chicken in a pot of water for 20 minutes. (I like to buy a six-pack of fryer legs - a whole chicken will do)

2) Remove boiled chicken. Scrape the meat off the bones and set aside.

3) Crack the bones and put them back in the boiling broth/water. Boil on low for another 20 minutes.

4) After 20 minutes, remove the bones and dispose of properly. Put the chicken meat back into the soup.

5) Add whatever vegetables you like, in order of cooking time - Carrots > Celery > Onions > Mushrooms > etc.

6) Add cleaned, fresh, chopped Turnip/Mustard Greens.

7) Salt/Pepper and other seasonings to taste

8) Cover and simmer for another 20 minutes

9) Drink a cup every 2-4 hours as if it were medicine. Finish the whole batch.

You will feel better within 24 hours. Within 48-73 hours you will feel way better.

[Heidi]

5. This isn't medical advice. It's just a recipe for fresh ginger tea,

which I begin drinking at the first sign of a cold. Please note that it can make you sweat like nobody's business.

Ginger Tea
4 cups of water
2-inch piece of fresh ginger root (peeled)
* Optional: one clove (not a whole HEAD) of peeled, smashed (or pressed) garlic.
Peel the ginger root and slice it into thin slices. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, add the ginger. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and lemon to taste. (I don't use the garlic, honey or lemon.)

[Dappleganger]

6. Sleep in a recliner.

I have both asthma and allergies and we've had to move the recliner into our bedroom since so often as soon as I lay down the coughing/wheezing fits begin. It took a little getting used to sleeping on my back (am a side sleeper), but it works! Putting a bunch of pillows under me never did anything because I would keep drifting to my side and down.

If you're not sleeping you can also ask the doctor for a cough med w/codeine in it which can be used each night before you go to sleep. Cough drops with menthol and honey are helpful, too.

[merh]

7. Vicks Vapor Rub all over your feet, then put on socks

sleep with the vicks/socks on - you'll be amazed at how quickly this works.

(Whoopie said she tried this last week and it worked.)

Hope you feel better soon.

FYI - just googled it and snopes confirms
http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/vaporub.asp

:9

[SacredCow]

8. I hear you re the narcotics....

I took some DXM cough suppressant a while back.... I literally could not function. I'll NEVER take that stuff again!

[Deep13]

9. Mucinex DM.

The only thing that will REALLY work is codeine.