The cause of coughing is most often various disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. However, it is important to consider all possible triggers to fully understand the mechanisms behind this reflex. Coughing is a protective reaction of the respiratory system designed to clear the airways of irritants, mucus, foreign particles, and pathogens, ensuring normal breathing. While a cough can sometimes be mild and transient, it can also indicate serious underlying health issues that require attention.
Let’s explore in more detail what can cause a cough:
Viruses: These include influenza viruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and other viral pathogens. Viral infections are among the most common causes of acute cough, often accompanied by fever, sore throat, fatigue, and nasal congestion.
Bacteria: Common bacterial triggers include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, Legionella, and Mycoplasma species. Bacterial infections can lead to more severe symptoms, often requiring medical intervention and antibiotics.
Microorganisms: Other microorganisms such as fungi, protozoa, or parasites can also cause coughing, although these are less frequent.
Allergies: Environmental allergens like dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, and certain indoor plants can trigger coughing. Additionally, exposure to chemical vapors from glue, paint, or cleaning products can irritate the respiratory system. Allergic reactions may lead to a persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by nasal congestion, sneezing, or watery eyes.
Tobacco exposure: Both active smoking and passive smoke inhalation (secondhand smoke) are significant contributors to chronic cough. The chemicals in tobacco smoke irritate the respiratory tract and increase mucus production.
Food particles: Occasionally, small food particles that get lodged in the throat or airways can irritate the mucosa and trigger coughing. This is particularly relevant for people who eat quickly or have swallowing difficulties.
Temperature-related triggers: Drinking very cold beverages or inhaling excessively cold or hot air can provoke a temporary cough. These temperature extremes irritate the sensitive lining of the respiratory tract.
Side effects of medications: Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors, can induce coughing as a side effect. Other drugs may irritate the throat or lungs indirectly.
Emotional instability and stress: Stress can influence the autonomic nervous system and indirectly exacerbate coughing, particularly in individuals with chronic respiratory conditions.
Specific diseases: More severe causes of coughing include lung abscesses, asthma, ascariasis, croup, laryngitis, acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, pleuritis, pneumonia, rhinitis, sinusitis, tuberculosis, pharyngitis, and other respiratory infections.
Coughs can also be categorized by their nature and duration:
By intensity:
Mild cough
Severe or persistent cough
By duration:
Acute cough: This occurs due to infections in the respiratory tract and typically lasts no longer than two weeks.
Chronic cough: A cough that persists for more than two months. Chronic coughing is often caused by smoking, inhaling chemical irritants, or frequent exposure to dusty environments.
As I mentioned earlier, I discovered a fascinating recipe in my mother-in-law’s diary for a natural “honey” preparation made from herbal infusions. This cough-relieving “honey” has nothing to do with bees or beekeeping—it is entirely plant-based—but it is said to closely resemble real honey in both taste and medicinal properties.
Here is the preparation method for this herbal cough “honey”:
Take 1 cup of dried meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), 1 cup of cranberry fruit, and 1 cup of finely chopped elecampane root. Pour 3 liters of boiling water over them and bring to a boil. Then, cover the mixture thoroughly and let it steep for 24 hours.
The next day, bring the infusion to a boil again and add the following cough-relieving herbs: 2 tablespoons of sea buckthorn flowers, strawberry leaves, and plantain leaves. Boil briefly and then allow the mixture to sit for another 24 hours.
After steeping, strain the infusion carefully and add sugar: 3 kg of sugar per 1 liter of herbal broth. Heat gently, without bringing it to a rolling boil, similar to preparing condensed milk.
Add 1 tablespoon of citric acid, transfer the mixture to jars, and seal with lids.
To use this herbal cough honey, take 1 tablespoon dissolved in a cup of hot water whenever you have a cough. The taste is pleasant and mild, making it easy to consume. The effects are impressive: it soothes the throat, reduces irritation, helps clear mucus, and promotes faster recovery from both acute and chronic coughing.
This herbal “honey” is suitable for adults and children, although smaller doses are recommended for young children. It can be consumed during the day, preferably in warm water to maximize absorption and therapeutic effect. The preparation preserves the natural active compounds in the plants, making it a powerful remedy for respiratory health.
The benefits of this herbal preparation are numerous: it alleviates throat inflammation, strengthens the immune system, and can even help prevent infections due to its antibacterial and antiviral components. Additionally, the infusion contains vitamins and minerals naturally present in the plants, supporting overall health.
Herbal infusions like this are part of a long tradition of natural medicine, where remedies are made from locally available plants and herbs. They provide a gentle but effective alternative to pharmaceutical syrups, especially for those who prefer natural methods or are sensitive to chemical additives.
The process of making the herbal “honey” is simple but requires patience: allowing the herbs to steep slowly ensures that all beneficial compounds are extracted. The combination of meadowsweet, cranberry, elecampane, sea buckthorn, and plantain is particularly effective for soothing coughs and supporting lung function.
Regular use of this herbal preparation can help maintain a healthy respiratory tract, especially during cold and flu season, when coughs are more common. Beyond its use as a remedy, the herbal honey also has a soothing effect on the digestive system and may provide mild relief for throat irritation caused by other factors, such as dry air or environmental pollutants.
This recipe demonstrates how traditional herbal knowledge, passed down through generations, can be adapted for modern use. By using ingredients that are readily available and safe, it offers a natural, cost-effective solution for cough management without relying on synthetic medications.
Overall, this herbal cough “honey” is a remarkable example of how plants can be used therapeutically. It shows that simple, home-prepared remedies can have profound effects on health, offering relief from discomfort while nourishing the body with natural nutrients.
It is advisable to store the jars in a cool, dark place, which helps preserve the active ingredients for months. The gentle and natural properties of this preparation make it a suitable choice for anyone seeking an effective, non-toxic cough remedy at home.
With this herbal preparation, you not only treat the symptoms of coughing but also support your overall respiratory health, boost immunity, and enjoy a pleasant-tasting natural product that is far superior to many commercially available syrups.
This approach underscores the value of herbal medicine in daily life: with patience and proper preparation, simple herbs can become powerful allies for health, capable of alleviating symptoms and promoting long-term wellness.
