How to Treat a Dry Cough with Ayurvedic Medicines

A dry cough is a persistent, bothersome cough that doesn’t generate phlegm or mucus. It can be brought on by allergies, pollution, dry air, infections, or underlying medical issues like acid reflux or asthma. It frequently feels like a tickle in the throat. In contrast to a wet cough, which facilitates airway clearance, a dry cough can be draining and, if left untreated, can last for weeks.

Ayurvedic medicine provides a comprehensive and all-natural method of treatment. Instead of merely masking symptoms, it treats the underlying cause of a dry cough. Through herbs, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes, Ayurveda strengthens the respiratory system and restores balance. Ayurvedic treatments improve lung function and soothe the throat, providing long-lasting, side-effect-free relief.

We have provided a detailed overview of dry cough, including its causes and symptoms. Continue reading to learn more about Ayurvedic home remedies for dry cough.

Read More: 15 Home Remedies To Stop Coughing At Night – Get Some Sleep In

Causes of Dry Cough

Some of the common causes of dry cough are:

Allergies

Various allergies can cause dry cough. Hayfever, an allergy to grass and tree pollen, irritates the eyes and nose and can also cause discomfort in the throat. Other allergies, such as sensitivity to animal fur, also cause the same symptoms, known as allergic rhinitis. In the United States, 31.8% of persons suffer from these common allergies.

Smoking

Tobacco or cannabis use can bring on a persistent cough. This is because smoking releases chemicals that irritate the airways. These toxins can potentially harm the lung lining and result in bronchitis symptoms, including coughing and mucus production.

Usually, the “smoker’s cough” is a mucus-filled cough that gets worse in the morning. But once you quit smoking, things can get better. During the first month after quitting smoking, you may have less coughing.

Viral infections

Various viruses cause the short-term symptoms of the common cold, which often go away in less than a week. However, it’s normal for your cough to persist even after your other symptoms have subsided.

Usually dry, these post-cold coughs can linger for up to two months. They are typically caused by inflammation of the airway, which can become extremely sensitive during a viral illness.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is also a potential cause of dry cough. The return of digestive acids to the throat is known as acid reflux, and medically, it is called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The irritation from the acids can cause the throat area to dry.

The Postnasal Drip

The term “postnasal drip” describes excess mucus running down the throat. When you have a cold or seasonal allergies, the membranes of your nose produce more mucus than usual. This mucus can run down the back of your throat since it is more runny and watery than normal. Postnasal drip can cause a cough by irritating the nerves in the back of your throat.

Steam from a hot shower or a teapot can help clear your sinuses, and a neti pot or saline nasal spray can also help clear up excess mucus.

Coughing and Asthma

Symptoms of asthma typically include chest pain, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Coughing, however, can occasionally be the only sign. In this instance, the cough usually gets worse at night.

An upper respiratory infection may be followed by coughing that worsens if exposed to cold temperatures or certain irritants, such as dust or fumes. Exercise and laughing might also set it off.

Over-the-counter medications won’t help with an asthma cough. Doctors typically use prescription inhalers to treat it, helping to manage the cough. Up to 40% of adults with this kind of asthma experience additional asthma symptoms if they do not receive treatment.

Read More: Treating Common Cold And Cough At Home

Symptoms Of Dry Cough

Dry cough also shows various symptoms of the problem. These common symptoms are listed below:

• Absence of phlegm
• A tingling feeling in the throat
• You feel something stuck in your throat when you cough
• Wheezing and dyspnea have increased
• A hacking cough can irritate your throat and hurt your chest muscles

Read More:  The Art of Calling in Sick – 14 Ways to Make Yourself Look Sick

Best Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Dry Cough

Although many medicines are available to treat dry cough, opting for ayurvedic or natural methods is always recommended. Listed below are some of the most effective ayurvedic medicines for treating a dry cough.                 

1. Honey

Honey can treat dry coughing in adults and children aged one and older. In addition to its antimicrobial qualities, honey can soothe inflammation by coating the throat.

Add honey to tea or warm water and sip slowly, or consume it by the teaspoon several times a day. Never offer honey to a child younger than one year to prevent infant botulism.

2. Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. It has also been demonstrated to strengthen the immune system and ease pain and suffering.

Ginger is great in teas. Peeled or chopped ginger root can be steeped in warm water to make ginger tea. Adding honey might be even more helpful for a dry cough.

3. Garlic

Garlic is excellent for dry coughs. To treat a cough, add a pinch of turmeric and a clove of garlic to boiling milk. Make sure to sip this beverage hot. Because it soothes and heals your throat, garlic is the perfect remedy for a dry cough.

Read More: 15 Easy Yet Effective Cold and Flu Remedies

4. Holy Basil, or Tulsi Tea

Holy Basil can reduce the severity of a dry cough because of its expectorant and antitussive (cough-suppressing) qualities.

Boil fresh Tulsi leaves in water, drain the tea, and stir in a tablespoon of honey. For maximum advantages, drink this tea two to three times a day. You can also buy Holy basil tea bags.

5. Turmeric

Ayurvedic medicine has used turmeric to treat bronchitis, asthma, and upper respiratory disorders for ages. Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. When consumed with black pepper, curcumin is more readily absorbed into the bloodstream.

Add one teaspoon of turmeric and one-eighth teaspoon of black pepper to a cool orange juice or other beverage. You can also make a hot cup of tea – use hot water, milk, or non-dairy milk.

6. Gargle with Saltwater

Home remedies have been trusted for generations as some of the best solutions for a stubborn cough. Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a dry cough and sore throat. To try this remedy, mix a cup of warm water with half a teaspoon of salt, gargle for 30 seconds, and then spit out the mixture.

Read More: Best Products for Alleviating Seasonal Allergies

7. Licorice Root

Licorice root’s demulcent qualities reduce coughing and relieve a dry, itchy throat. Licorice root can be eaten raw or boiled for a few minutes in water; then, the tea is strained and consumed twice to three times daily. However, people with high blood pressure and pregnant women should avoid it.

8. Peppermint

Menthol, found in peppermint, helps to numb the inflamed nerve endings in the throat. It could reduce the need to cough and relieve pain. Besides its antiviral and antibacterial properties, peppermint also helps with congestion.

You can take it in a variety of ways. These include sucking on peppermint lozenges or sipping peppermint tea. To help relieve coughing at night, try sipping peppermint tea just before bed.

When to Get Medical Assistance

You should see a doctor in certain situations regardless of whether you know what is causing your dry cough. Consult your physician if:

• You’ve had a chronic dry cough for over three weeks.
• Your cough is severe or worsens rapidly; for instance, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing.
• You have shortness of breath, a dry cough, and a tight chest.
• You have chest pain and a dry cough.
• Your voice and vocal cords are changing with time.
• You have enlarged glands or lumps in your neck.

Read More: 10 Best Steam Inhalers – Clear Your Blocked Sinuses!

Conclusion

A dry cough is your body’s way of communicating an imbalance, not only a sore throat. With its ancient body of knowledge, Ayurveda does more than just treat symptoms; it restores balance to the body. Nature’s medicine provides tried-and-true solutions by gently and effectively addressing the underlying problem.

However, healing is about how you live, not just what you take. Making small, thoughtful changes can transform your well-being. Ayurveda promotes long-term healing by nourishing your body organically, unlike cough syrups that promise instant relief. You can breathe freely every day, so why settle for short-term relief? Enter the realm of Ayurveda, where healing is a way of life rather than only a treatment.

• Nov 2017
  Written by Prajakt
• Feb 2025
  Edited by Ankita