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Treatment of cough in bronchitis with drugs: tablets, syrups, antibiotics, folk remedies
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

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Cough during bronchitis is a serious problem that requires mandatory treatment. Cough can bother a person both during illness and after complete recovery. This causes not only physical but also psychological discomfort. Today, there are many traditional and non-traditional remedies that will help quickly get rid of a cough.
Cough remedies for bronchitis
When treating a cough, you need to take a number of precautions. You should first consult a doctor, and only then start taking any medications. Firstly, medications can have side effects if used incorrectly. You need to clearly know what type of cough you have and only select a remedy accordingly. Secondly, you need to take into account the pharmacokinetics of the substance. There are some medications that will not have the desired effect immediately, but will begin to act only after some time or even after the full course of treatment. Such methods are not suitable for emergency care, but are very effective as preventive and supportive drugs.
For a wet cough, it is advisable to take expectorants. For example, Gerbion syrup with plantain extract is taken 15 grams three times. It is not recommended to drink anything with it.
Doctor Mom syrup and tablets are good for attacks of dry and wet cough. There are also lozenges for children. On average, it is enough to drink a measuring spoon or suck on 1 tablet to stop the attack. Lozenges should be sucked as coughing attacks occur, or when the throat hurts.
Mucaltin is taken 2 tablets 4-5 times a day. It helps to liquefy and quickly remove phlegm from the body.
Bromhexine is taken for severe cough that does not go away for a long time. Take 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day.
Read also: Antibiotics for bronchitis
Cough syrups for bronchitis
You can make your own cough syrup at home. It is best to do this in the summer. You need to collect about 2 kg of plantain leaves, grind them and pour a liter of honey. Mix thoroughly, put in a dark place in the room. Gradually, liquid (syrup) will form at the bottom of the jar.
The first liquid will appear in about a week. Pour it into small containers, seal tightly. Put in the refrigerator or cellar. Can be stored for 2-3 years. Use when cough appears, in the treatment of bronchitis and other inflammatory processes.
Read about other cough syrups used for bronchitis in this article.
Cough mixture for bronchitis
For cough, you can try mixtures. To prepare, you need 50 grams of crushed plantain leaves, 30 grams of coltsfoot, 10 grams of marshmallow. All this is poured with 500 ml of vodka or alcohol, mixed thoroughly, and drunk after 2-3 days. Then add honey, mix until completely dissolved. expectorant for cough with bronchitis
Various syrups and tablets that can be purchased at the pharmacy have a positive effect. Cough syrups such as Doctor Mom, Lazolvan, and Herbion have proven themselves well. They are taken according to the doctor's prescription or instructions.
You can also make the remedy yourself. To prepare it, you will need 6 grams of marshmallow and 20 grams of honey. Brew marshmallow with boiling water, pour in honey, stir. Drink half a glass twice a day.
Effective cough tablets for bronchitis
Mucaltin has long been used for coughs associated with bronchitis. This is the most famous, classic cough remedy. It promotes the expectoration of sputum, ensures its removal. It is allowed to take up to 10 tablets per day. It has virtually no side effects, since this substance is of plant origin.
A stronger remedy is bromhexine. Take up to 5 tablets per day. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect. It eliminates cough symptoms in 3-5 days.
Also, such tablets as Lazolvan, Flavomed, Ambroxol have proven themselves to be effective against cough. These are new generation products that allow you to gently and quickly eliminate a strong cough.
ACC cough tablets for bronchitis
ACC, or acetylcysteine, is an effective cough remedy. Take after meals, approximately 2-4 times a day. It is available as a powder that needs to be dissolved in warm water. For children, the maximum daily dose is 400 mg, for adults - 800 mg. It works very quickly.
Already 30 minutes after taking the drug, the cough is significantly reduced. A stable therapeutic effect is noticeable after 2-3 days. Side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn may be observed. In this case, you should stop taking the drug. No additional measures are required.
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Vitamins
Bronchitis is a disease that is caused mainly by a bacterial infection. Therefore, during the illness and for 2-3 weeks, you cannot take vitamins. They will act as an ideal environment and growth factors for many pathogenic microorganisms. Their development and reproduction will be more effective, so the inflammation and infection process will only intensify.
An exception is vitamin C. It can be taken in a daily dose of 500-1000 mg. It has antioxidant properties, stabilizes cell membranes. This significantly improves metabolism, increases immunity, promotes resistance and mobilizes the body's internal reserves. This significantly accelerates recovery.
Physiotherapy treatment
Thermal procedures are mainly used: warming up, infrared warming up, ultraviolet. Electrical procedures and light of different wavelengths are used. This makes it possible to warm up not only the outer layers, but also the deep layers. As a result, the discharge of sputum increases.
In case of a strong dry cough, UF and inhalations are used. Electrophoresis has also proven itself well. During this procedure, a medicinal substance enters the body. It penetrates through the mucous membranes under the influence of microcurrents. This ensures high accuracy of action.
In addition, the substance penetrates directly into the tissue that needs it and in which the inflammatory process occurs. Such targeted therapy allows for the rapid elimination of the inflammatory process and the reduction of the concentration of the active substance. Local action is achieved, as a result of which the risk of side effects and overdose is significantly reduced.
Mustard plasters for cough and bronchitis
Mustard plasters help eliminate cough, relieve inflammation. They significantly ease the patient's condition. Mustard plasters are placed on the chest, and in case of a strong cough - additionally on the back.
The application technique is quite simple. The mustard plaster is soaked in warm water and applied to the skin. If the mustard plaster is single-layered, apply the layer that is smeared with mustard. Cover with a warm towel or cloth and hold for 15-20 minutes. If it burns and stings a lot, you can remove it a little earlier. If the skin is highly sensitive, the area where the mustard plaster will be applied is pre-lubricated with fat. You can also apply the mustard plaster through a thin layer of gauze.
Potato compress for cough and bronchitis
In case of severe cough and inflammation, compresses are used. A potato compress works well. It has astringent properties and retains heat for a long time.
To prepare the compress, mash the potatoes. Take a two-layer gauze or bandage. Put the potatoes on one side. Cover with a layer of gauze on top, distribute evenly. Make a comfortable temperature. The compress should not burn the body. Apply to the sternum and shoulder blade area.
Cover with cling film or cellophane on top, which will help retain heat and evaporation. Then put another layer of thin fabric, and wrap it with warm, preferably woolen fabric. This compress should be kept for at least 2-3 hours. It is better to do it at night, until the morning.
For increased skin sensitivity, add honey to the mashed potatoes. Mix until smooth and apply in the same manner.
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Folk remedies
There are many folk remedies that are quite effective in combating severe coughs.
First of all, the patient is given the opportunity to sweat. To do this, you need to drink a decoction of diaphoretic herbs and go to bed fully dressed. Be sure to wear pants, long-sleeved shorts, and warm socks. Lie down, wrapped in a warm blanket, and do not uncover yourself under any circumstances. You even need to cover your arms and neck completely. A very effective diaphoretic is a decoction of linden. Even more effective is linden with honey. You can drink a decoction of raspberries, sage, and elderberry.Pregnant women should be careful with raspberries, as they have an abortive effect and can provoke a miscarriage. Ginger and figs also have a strong diaphoretic effect. They can be added to tea.
In the early stages of the disease, when a person is bothered by a dry, unproductive cough, it is recommended to take whey with honey. It is recommended to drink up to 3-4 glasses of whey per day. At night, it is better to drink a glass of warm milk with honey. You can also add a little cinnamon and ground ginger to the honey.
Anise decoction helps to remove and eliminate the inflammatory process. Take anise seeds and brew them. Let it brew, then strain. Mix thoroughly and drink a quarter of a glass.
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Recipes for cough during bronchitis
If the disease does not go away for a long time, it is recommended to dissolve almond oil on a piece of sugar. Take a piece of sugar, drip 2-3 drops of oil on top, dissolve when a cough appears.
Onion juice has expectorant properties and is recommended to be drunk 30-40 grams twice.
Add a little sugar to a glass of juice, stir until completely dissolved, and drink in small sips.
Potatoes help well. Take 1 potato, boiled in its skin. Mash it with a masher together with the skin. Add 2-3 drops of iodine, mix thoroughly. Put it on the throat area. Wrap it with cellophane and dry heat, like a compress. Do it at night. You can remove it only when it has completely cooled down.
Drink a decoction of linden. To prepare, take linden flowers, pour 500 ml of boiling liquid. Drink instead of tea.
A glass of fresh carrot juice should be mixed with a tablespoon of honey. Mix thoroughly and drink half a glass twice a day.
Turnip juice is taken 1-2 tablespoons before meals 2-3 times a day. If pure juice seems too sharp, you can make a diluted infusion. To prepare, take half a glass of warm water and add pure juice to it.
Honey for bronchitis and cough
Honey is a virtually universal remedy. It will help to cope with a cough. It relieves spasms and painful sensations. It stimulates the immune system, which significantly speeds up recovery. It is used in various forms: added to tea, decoctions, used for compresses, wraps. Honey is used to make cough drops for children, syrups, infusions and elixirs. Honey can also be taken in its pure form. It has a softening effect on mucous membranes, restores damaged areas, and eliminates inflammation.
Black tea with honey, drunk at night, has proven itself well. You can also drink milk with honey. You can add lemon juice to honey, which will enhance the protective and restorative properties of both components. You can also add ground cinnamon or ginger. This will enhance the warming effect and quickly eliminate the inflammatory process.
Milk for cough during bronchitis
The most famous remedy is milk with honey for cough. It should be drunk hot, preferably at night. For severe cough, it is recommended to add a small piece of cocoa butter or butter to the milk. This will help to restore the mucous membranes faster and reduce irritation. Milk can be added to tea. In the morning, it is recommended to drink milk with tea, in the evening - pure warm milk with honey.
Tea for cough and bronchitis
Tea has a warming effect. Passing through the esophagus, it warms the bronchi, provides expansion of their lumen. The separation of sputum and its liquefaction may occur.
At high temperatures, tea has a diaphoretic effect. In this case, you need to drink it and wrap yourself in a warm blanket as quickly as possible. It is advisable to add honey to the tea, which will significantly enhance the positive effects. Any tea is suitable, the main thing is that it is hot. You can drink green, black, white tea, hibiscus, herbal decoctions.
Lemon for cough and bronchitis
Lemon saturates the body with vitamin C, increases resistance, endurance, and stimulates the immune system. If you take lemon during illness, recovery occurs much faster.
Lemon is added to tea. You can eat lemon slices sprinkled with sugar. Also, various juices, yure, mixtures are prepared, which include lemon.
It is recommended to drink lemon juice, one tablespoon three times a day. A mixture of lemon and honey works well. To prepare, take about 50 grams of honey, add lemon, and mix thoroughly. Eat with each coughing fit.
Herbal treatment
To treat cough, use a decoction of coltsfoot. To prepare the decoction, you need 30 grams of the herb. Boil for 5 minutes. Drink a third of a glass three times. It is especially good for combating wet coughs.
Plantain has been used for a long time. To prepare a decoction, brew 5-6 crushed leaves.
Sage is used to prepare a decoction for coughs. Take 30 grams of greenery per glass of boiling water. Drink 4 tablespoons every 4 hours.
Bay leaf for cough during bronchitis
Bay leaf effectively eliminates the inflammatory process and promotes intensive discharge of phlegm from the bronchi. As a result, the lumen of the bronchi increases, inflammation decreases. It becomes easier for a person to breathe, and their well-being improves significantly.
To prepare the decoction, take 15-20 laurel leaves per glass of boiling water. Drink throughout the day.
Collections for bronchitis and cough
- Recipe No. 1.
Take a teaspoon of sleep-grass, nettle and stevia. Pour boiling water over it and let it brew for an hour. Then add coltsfoot leaves and let it brew for another 15-20 minutes. Drink it during a coughing fit and at night.
- Recipe No. 2.
You need to take coltsfoot, oregano and chamomile flowers in a ratio of 2:1:2, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Infuse for 3-4 hours. Then strain, take orally a tablespoon 4-5 times a day.
- Recipe No. 3.
Mix wild rosemary, birch buds and oregano in a ratio of 4:1:2. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over it and let it brew. Strain and drink a third of a glass 3-4 times a day.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies are less harmful than medications. But they should still be taken with caution. It is important to take precautions. Before starting to take them, you should consult a doctor, check whether the medications you are taking are compatible with each other. You should also strictly follow the prescribed treatment regimen and dosage. Otherwise, numerous side effects may occur, including worsening the condition.
- Mixture No. 1.
A good softening effect is provided by the mixture. For preparation you need 50 grams of butter, flour, honey, 2 eggs. Melt the butter on the fire, beat in the yolk. Stir until smooth, remove from the fire. Slowly pour in the flour and honey. Stir gradually, bring to a smooth consistency.
- Mixture No. 2.
To prepare the mixture, take 100 grams of butter, lard, and honey. Melt while stirring constantly. Add a little cocoa powder. Stir. Cool. Allow to thicken.
- Mixture No. 3.
Take about a glass of pork zdoro. Melt. Then add ground cinnamon, ginger and coriander, mix, cool.
- Mixture No. 4.
Aloe juice (about 50 grams), puree from leaves is required. You can simply finely chop the leaves. Mix thoroughly. Use with honey.
Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is rarely required. Conservative therapy is usually sufficient. However, in case of severe inflammation of the tonsils, tonsillectomy – removal of the tonsils – may be performed. The operation is performed after complete recovery. Tracheotomy may be required in case of a severe attack of suffocation, when a person cannot breathe through the respiratory tract. In this case, a breathing tube is inserted into the throat, through which air enters the respiratory tract.