6 Natural Cough Remedies You Can Make from Items Already in Your Kitchen BY TAYLOR SHEA ( courtecy;- reader's digest )

Got a nagging cough? Before you reach for an over-the-counter cough suppressant, try one of these natural treatments for a home cure.

Cough remedy: Steep some thyme

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Thyme is an officially approved German cough treatment—and a remedy for upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, and whooping cough—for good reason: Those tiny leaves are packed with cough-suppressant compounds. Thyme flavonoids relax tracheal and ileal muscles, which are involved in coughing, and also reduce inflammation and headaches. For a homemade tea, mix 2 teaspoons crushed leaves in 1 cup boiling water, cover, then steep for 10 minutes and strain. Find out why cough medicine likely won't help your chest infection as well as homemade cough remedies will.

Cough remedy: Fight with flax, honey, and lemon

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Boiling flaxseeds in water gives you a thick, gooey gel that eases throat and bronchial tract discomfort. Honey and lemon act as mild antibiotics, and make this syrup super-soothing. For this at-home remedy, boil 2 to 3 tablespoons of flaxseeds in 1 cup of water until the water becomes thick. Strain, then add 3 tablespoons each of honey and lemon juice. Take 1 tablespoon as needed for cough treatment.

Cough remedy: Brew black pepper tea for a wet cough

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This home remedy is rooted in two very different traditions: New England folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. The rationale behind it is that black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow; honey is a natural cough suppressant and mild antibiotic. To make the tea, place 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Fill with boiling water and let steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain and sip as needed. This remedy works best on coughs that produce mucus and isn't suitable for dry coughs. Check out these other cough remedies and more at-home treatments for cold and flu.

Cough remedy: Suck a lemon for fast-acting cough relief

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This cough treatment isn't for the faint of heart, but it is one of the more commonly used home remedies: Quarter a fresh lemon, sprinkle it with lots of black pepper and salt, and suck on it for quick relief. Don't miss these surprising health reasons your cough won't go away.

Cough remedy: Sip some warm milk

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Another popular home cough suppressant is a cup of hot milk sweetened with honey. Treat your children with these other natural cough remedies for kids.

Cough remedy: Blend almonds

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Some ancient traditions believe almonds help relieve bronchial problems, including coughs. They recommend blending a few teaspoons of finely ground almonds with a cup of orange juice and sipping as a natural cough treatment. Learn why chocolate could be the next big thing in cough remedi