A cough occurs suddenly and often repetitively which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microorganisms. Coughing can be due to a respiratory tract infection such as the common cold, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis, flu and smoking or health problems such as asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer. Substantial uses of folk remedies for different medical conditions have been documented. The remedies included cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, honey, lemon, garlic, onion, turmeric and licorice. Some of the symptoms of a cough are itchy throat, chest pain and congestion. The repetition of coughing produces inflammation and discomfort, which in turn result in more coughing.

Ajwain seeds contain about 50% thymol, a well-known antibacterial monoterpenes and thyme used to enhance the immune system to ward off colds and flu and other viral infections. An antitussive effect of Ajwain was even greater than that of codeine and the effect was due to its main constituent carvacrol. It had a bronchodilatory effect on the asthmatic airways which was comparable with the effect of theophylline.

A sage preparation is as efficacious and well tolerated as a chlorhexidine/lidocaine spray for the treatment of acute sore throats. The efficacy and tolerability profile of a 15% sage spray indicated that this preparation provides a convenient and safe treatment for patients with acute pharyngitis.

Ginger (Z. officinale rhizome) is widely used in Ayurveda to alleviate many illnesses including indigestion, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, cough, common colds, fever, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, respiratory troubles, pain, headache, backache, painful tooth and swelled gum. In Siddha (Traditional Tamil System of medicine), ginger is recommended to mitigate cough, nausea, pain and diarrhea. Ginger (Z. officinale, Zingiberaceae) is one of the most popular natural cures for a cough. Crushed fresh ginger is boiled with water. This herbal solution is drunk three to four times a day for relief from sore throat, non-stop coughing and even congestion. Some lemon juice and honey may be added to it.

1. Sultana, S., Khan, A., M.Safhi, M., & A.Alhazmi, H. (2016). Cough Suppressant Herbal Drugs: A Review.  International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention, ISSN (Online): 2319 – 6718, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 670X. Retrieved from http://www.ijpsi.org/Papers/Vol5(5)/D0505015028.pdf