Coughing is a common symptom of many conditions, from the common cold to more serious illnesses. While coughing helps clear mucus and irritants from your airways, constant coughing can be annoying and disruptive. If you’re looking for drinks that can help soothe your cough, there are several options to try.
Why Do We Cough?
Coughing is a reflex that helps protect your airways and lungs. When the nerves in your throat, airways or lungs are irritated by allergens, illness, or other factors, they trigger a cough. This forces air through your airways at high speeds, helping to dislodge and expel mucus, irritants or foreign particles. Coughing can be:
- Acute – Lasting less than 3 weeks
- Subacute – Lasting 3 to 8 weeks
- Chronic – Lasting more than 8 weeks
Common causes of coughing include:
- Asthma
- Common cold
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Smoking
- Environmental irritants like pollution or dust
- Acid reflux
- Croup
- Pertussis
- ACE inhibitors or other medication side effects
While coughing serves an important purpose, constant coughing can disrupt your daily activities and quality of life. Fortunately, there are many drinks that can help suppress coughing and soothe your throat.
What Drinks Help Soothe a Cough?
Certain beverages have properties that make them useful for cough relief, including:
- Warmth – Warm liquids can provide soothing relief for coughs and sore throats.
- Fluid – Thin liquids can help thin out mucus.
- Coating – Thick, viscous liquids can temporarily coat and protect irritated tissues in the throat.
- Anti-inflammatory – Ingredients like honey have natural anti-inflammatory properties.
- Anesthetic – Some ingredients provide numbing relief for throat pain.
- Antimicrobial – Compounds that have antimicrobial effects can help fight infection.
With these properties in mind, here are some of the top drinks for cough relief:
Warm Liquids
- Broths – Warm broth provides fluid and warmth, which can be very soothing. Try chicken, vegetable or bone broth.
- Tea – Warm tea provides warmth and fluid. Herbal teas like licorice, marshmallow root, or ginger tea can be especially beneficial.
- Decaffeinated coffee – The warmth can be soothing without the jitteriness of caffeine.
- Warm water with honey – This simple solution combines the benefits of warmth, honey and hydration.
Thick Liquids
- Smoothies – Especially if made with yogurt, smoothies provide thickness to coat the throat.
- Protein shakes – Like smoothies, the thickness of protein shakes can coat the throat.
- Milk – Warm or cold milk can temporarily coat and soothe an irritated throat.
- Hot chocolate – Look for added marshmallows for extra thickness and coating capability.
Honey Drinks
Honey has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Try adding a spoonful or two to these drinks:
- Tea
- Warm milk
- Lemon water
- Warm water
For children over one year old, you can mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon honey in 4 ounces of warm water. Do not give honey to infants under one year due to botulism risk.
Throat Coating Drinks
These drinks contain syrups or demulcents which provide a layer of soothing coating on the throat:
- Cough syrup – Look for dextromethorphan as the active ingredient and guaifenesin for thinning mucus.
- Oral saline – Salt water can draw out irritation and provide temporary coating.
- Throat coat tea – Contains syrupy demulcents like licorice, marshmallow root, or slippery elm.
- Warm lemonade – The syrupy sweetness of lemonade can be coating.
Numbing and Anesthetic Drinks
These provide temporary numbing relief for coughs and sore throats:
- Oral pain relievers – Dissolve tablets like Cepacol in warm water for numbing effect.
- Popsicles – Especially nice if made with soothing ingredients like honey or chamomile.
- Jell-O – Another way to get cooling numbness via soft foods.
- Slurpees – The coldness can numb throat pain temporarily.
Antimicrobial Drinks
These have ingredients that fight infection:
- Green tea – Contains antioxidants that have antimicrobial effects.
- Garlic water – Has antimicrobial sulfur compounds that may fight infection.
- Ginger tea – Gingerol in ginger has antibacterial properties.
- Apple cider vinegar – Has antimicrobial acetic acid, dilute before drinking.
- Cranberry juice – Prevents bacteria from adhering in the throat.
Other Tips for Soothing a Cough
In addition to drinks, here are some other ways to help calm a cough:
- Use cough drops or throat lozenges to coat and numb the throat.
- Try over-the-counter cough medicine to suppress cough reflex.
- Use a humidifier to moisturize and soothe airways.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Avoid irritants like cigarette smoke.
- Suck on hard candy to coat the throat.
- Gargle with salt water to draw out throat irritation.
- Try acupressure for cough relief.
- Use menthol rubs like Vicks on chest to open airways.
When to See a Doctor for Coughs
While most coughs resolve on their own within a few weeks, see a doctor right away if you experience:
- Cough lasting longer than 8 weeks
- Cough with fever above 101 F
- Blood in mucus
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Face pain or headaches with coughing
Seeing your doctor can help determine if your cough is caused by a minor irritation or a more serious health condition requiring treatment.
The Bottom Line
Drinking warm liquids, honey drinks, throat coatings, and antimicrobial beverages can all help temporarily suppress and soothe coughs. Pay attention to any cough lasting more than several weeks or accompanied by concerning symptoms like fever or wheezing. With the right remedies, you can find relief from coughing and irritation. Just sip cautiously on warm, soothing beverages until your cough subsides.