Following are some of the home remedies for cough.

Adhatoda Vasica (Vasaka) or malabar nut is a plant that is very effective for cough treatment.

Method of preparing cough home remedy using Malabar nut

Vasaka (Malabar nut) is used in the form of paste, juice, powder, decoction, linctus (thick syrup), medicated ghee (ghrta) and medicated wine (arilla) for the treatment of cough. Since its leaves are not juicy, some water should be added while preparing paste or juice. The leaves should be dried in the shade before powdering; exposure to the sun while drying reduces its therapeutic efficacy. Since it is bitter in taste, it is advisable to use the paste, juice or powder of this plant with honey. To obtain better results for cough and asthmatic complaints, long pepper powder (2 gm.) or ginger juice (2 ml.) should be added.

Clerodendrum Serratum (bhargi) is another plant that is effective for cough treatment

Method of preparing cough home remedy using Bhargi

The powder made from the bhargi leaves is applied externally in the treatment of ulcers and wounds. Internally, it is used in the form of paste, juice, powder" decoction and linctus.

Paste

The leaf, root or stem-bark is collected, cleaned and then made into a paste by adding a little water. This is applied externally over wounds and taken internally for bronchitis and asthma. The paste is also applied over tubercular glands.

Juice

The juice is usually collected from fresh green leaves. The leaves' should be soaked in water for some time and made in to a paste by adding a little more water. It is then squeezed through a cloth to strain out the juice. The juice can also be used externally for bronchitis, asthma, consumption, tuberculosis and epilepsy.

Powder

The root and stem-bark are generally used in the form of a powder. The root and stem-bark are dried thorou¬ghly and ground into a powder with the help of a grinder. This powder is extensively used in the treatment of bronchitis, asthma and fever.

Decoction

The decoction is prepared out of the root or stem-bark which are ground to a coarse powder. One teaspoonful of this powder is-1>oiled in two cups of water and redu¬ced to one fourth the quantity. The decoction is then strained and the grounds thrown away. This decoction is a potent expectorant and anti-spasmodic.

Linctus

An equal quantity of sugar and double the quantity of water are added to the powder of the root and stem-bark and boiled over a mild fire till it becomes syrup. To this, five percent each of cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, long pepper, ginger and black pepper are added. This linctus is generally used in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma with bronchitis, and emphysema.

Curcuma Longa (Haridra) or turmeric is another plant that is effective for the treatment of cough.
Method of preparing cough home remedy using Termeric

For external use, the rhizome of this plant is dried and ground to a powder. A paste is prepared by grinding this powder with a little water. This turmeric paste is applied externally and1rubbed over the affected skin. For better results in skin, diseases, neem leaves in equal quantity are added and ground with the paste. If the skin is dry, then some mustard oil is added to the paste before application. In cases of eye discharge, one teaspoonful of turmeric powder is added to a cup of water mixed well and strained through a clean muslin cloth. This water is applied to eyes with a dropper. Turmeric paste and powder are used internally. In view of its bitter taste, it is better if used with a small quantity of sugar, jaggery or honey. In the treatment of asthma and bronchitis, it is used along with honey and ginger juice. Adding a little long pepper paste or powder (one fourth the quantity) fortifies its anti-spasmodic and expectorant properties.

For bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis associa¬ted with eosinophilia, the turmeric powder is heated in a pan with a small quantity of cow's milk butter or ghee. The powder should become a little brown but it should not be charred. This roasted powder is kept in an air-tight bottle and given to the patient.