What are some effective homemade cough remedies?

Effective home cough remedies include hydration, hot drinks, use of a humidifier, hot showers and removal of irritants, notes WebMD. Over- the-counter medications, such as decongestants and cough suppressants, are also helpful when the cough persists after trying the other remedies.

Fluid intake helps thin the mucus in postnasal drip and moisten the mucus membranes, hence preventing coughing, explains WebMD. Hot drinks, such as warm tea, help soothe the throat to alleviate coughing. Hot showers can loosen nasal secretions, and humidifiers moisten the air in the home to ease coughing. However, individuals should avoid overusing humidifiers, as they can circulate mold and bacteria.