1. Orange juice
The key to managing any cough is to make sure you are drinking lots of fluids, says May Loo, MD, integrative medicine specialist, emeritus clinical professor at Stanford University Medical Center, and founder of Dr. Loo’s Natural Remedies. “Lungs need to be well hydrated in order to minimize formation of mucus,” she explains. Not only is orange juice a tasty way to hydrate but it contains a lot of vitamin C. High doses of vitamin C were found to help reduce symptoms, including coughing, in patients with pneumonia in a meta-analysis published in Nutrients.
2. Thyme
“Thyme functions as both a culinary herb and a medicine,” says Michael S. Fenster, MD, interventional cardiologist, author, and professional chef. The leaves and flowers contain thymol and carvacrol, which act as antispasmodics, expectorants, and contain antibacterial and antiviral compounds—all of which can help improve coughs, he explains. Add the herb to your meals or enjoy it in a soothing tea.
