Complementary remedies

Complementary remedies

Before the development of modern medicine, many cultures had their own traditional remedies for cough. In China, a potion made of fresh ginger juice was used. Acupuncture was believed to provide relief. The Mi'kmaq, a Native American people indigenous to Canada, traditionally use the bark of a tree known as the "cough medicine tree".

Today, many complementary remedies are available either for purchase in prepared form or as natural ingredients to be prepared at home. The herb thyme is regarded by many to help relieve cough, A simple cough syrup with lemon juice and honey can have a soothing effect.

Practitioners of Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, recommend a spice tea to treat cough: Ayurveda medicine also recognised the phlegm-loosening effectiveness of the Asian plant Adhatoda vasica which contains vasicine, a forerunner of Ambroxol, the active ingredient in Mucosolvan®.