There’s something comforting about treating a cough the old-fashioned way. Long before pharmacy shelves were filled with syrups and pills, people relied on simple, natural ingredients — things you could find in your own kitchen. These home remedies have been passed down for generations because, quite simply, they work.
If you’ve been coughing for days, and you’re tired of strong medicine, maybe it’s time to give these gentle but effective folk treatments a try. From warm milk to honey, onion, and even banana — these remedies bring relief in a natural way.
Here are twelve of the best and most trusted traditional recipes for easing cough and soothing your throat.
1. Warm Milk — The Classic Remedy
There’s a reason warm milk has been a favorite for centuries. It coats the throat, softens irritation, and helps you relax.
Option 1: Mix hot milk with a teaspoon of honey for a soothing, natural cough remedy.
Option 2: Mix milk with alkaline mineral water (like Borjomi) in equal parts — this helps to thin mucus and calm the respiratory tract.
Drink it slowly before bedtime for a peaceful, cough-free night.
2. Milk with Figs
This one not only works but tastes amazing.
Rinse one medium-sized fig thoroughly and place it into 1.5 cups of warm milk. Simmer it on low heat for about 30 minutes with the lid on. Wrap the pot in a towel to keep the steam inside and let it rest a bit.
Drink the warm milk in small sips — it’s both soothing and nourishing, perfect for dry, persistent coughs.
3. Honey with Cinnamon
If you love a bit of sweetness and spice, this is your remedy.
Mix one tablespoon of warm honey with ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Take it 3–5 times a day. It not only calms chronic coughs but also clears nasal passages and supports your immune system.
4. Anise Seed Tea
Anise seeds are powerful natural expectorants.
Boil 15–20 grams of anise seeds in 1 liter of water for about 10 minutes. Drink 30–50 ml every hour. It thins mucus and helps clear the lungs naturally, making your breathing easier.
5. Banana Drink
Who knew bananas could help fight a cough?
Mash two ripe bananas through a sieve, then mix with one cup of hot water and a little sugar. Warm slightly and drink the mixture. It’s a great natural cough syrup, especially for kids.
6. “Mogol-Mogul” – The Old Sweet Cure
This charming name hides a simple yet powerful remedy.
Whisk egg yolks with sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy — it will triple in size. Take it on an empty stomach. This sweet, creamy blend soothes the throat and eases coughing fits naturally.
7. Lemon and Garlic Remedy
A strong but surprisingly effective recipe.
Grind one head of garlic and two lemons (with peel but without seeds) through a meat grinder. Mix with 1.5 cups of sugar and add ½ liter of beer.
Place the mixture over a hot water bath for 30 minutes under a lid. Strain and take one tablespoon three times a day, about 30 minutes before meals. It strengthens immunity and helps clear phlegm.
8. Onion with Honey
An old-fashioned favorite for chest congestion and sore throat.
Peel and grate 500 g of onions, add 400 g of sugar, and boil in 1 liter of water over low heat for 3 hours. Once cooled, add 50 g of honey, pour into a bottle, and seal.
Take 4–6 tablespoons a day after meals. The results can be incredible — it soothes the lungs and clears mucus gently.
9. Butter with Egg and Honey
A rich, nourishing remedy that helps even with chronic cough.
Mix together:
- 2 teaspoons of fresh butter
- 2 raw egg yolks
- 1 dessert spoon of flour or starch
- 2 dessert spoons of honey
Stir well until smooth and take one dessert spoon four to five times a day before meals. It coats and heals the throat naturally.
10. Oat or Barley Milk
Oats and barley are calming for the throat and beneficial for the lungs.
Fill a pot two-thirds full with oats or barley, then pour milk up to just below the rim. Cover and bake on low heat until the grains are soft and the milk becomes rich and creamy.
Drink 2–3 tablespoons three times a day. This mild drink helps reduce inflammation and irritation.
11. Cowberry (Lingonberry) Juice
Lingonberries are full of vitamins and antioxidants that help remove mucus and boost immunity.
Mix lingonberry juice with a little sugar syrup or honey and take one tablespoon several times a day. You can also replace tea or water with wild strawberry leaf tea for an even stronger healing effect.
12. Carrot Juice with Milk
This one’s light, refreshing, and surprisingly effective.
Mix freshly squeezed carrot juice with warm milk in equal proportions. Drink 50–100 ml five to six times a day. It’s rich in vitamins and soothes the throat beautifully.
When You Should See a Doctor
Folk medicine can do wonders, but it’s important to know when to seek professional help.
Consult your doctor if:
- Your cough lasts more than two weeks
- You experience chest pain while coughing
- You notice yellow, green, or bloody mucus
- Your temperature stays above 38.5°C (101°F)
These could be signs of an infection that requires medical treatment.
A Gentle Way to Heal
Coughs often come when we least expect them — after a cold, a chilly night, or just too much talking. But nature always gives us what we need. The warmth of milk, the sweetness of honey, the healing oils of garlic, and the freshness of lemon all come together to help the body heal in the most natural way possible.
Sometimes, the simplest home remedies can be the most powerful. They remind us that real healing doesn’t always come in a bottle — sometimes, it comes from the kitchen.
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