Whenever the weather changes, even just slightly, I tend to get cough and colds. However, among the many things I hate the most are medicines. And I’m definitely not a fan of cough syrup.

The following things are what my mom used to do to help me get rid of cough, or at least make me feel comfortable, the natural way.

Getting Rid of Cough with Herbs and other Natural Ingredients Found at Home

Oregano

My mom always had Oregano in her garden and it did wonders for me whenever I had a cough. So now, I have Oregano in my garden, too, for when my son is having a hard time coughing.

There are actually two ways to do it. One is to take a few leaves of Oregano, bring them to a boil and drink the concoction as you would with tea. Another way is to steam the leaves until they are tender, extract the nectar and drink the nectar straight.

Green Tea and Lemon

Squeeze a few drops of lemon into your green tea and it will definitely help soothe incessant coughing.

Anise Seeds

In your pantry or herb counter, look for some anise seeds. Put the seeds in a container and pour boiling water over them. Let the mixture steep for 30 minutes (as you would with tea). When the concoction is ready, strain the seeds. Add some honey to taste. This anise seed tea will surely calm down a coughing fit.

Grapes

Grapes are very good expectorant. So try and eat grapes on the days when you’re suffering with dry cough to help you feel more comfortable.

Rum and Coffee

Of course this one isn’t for kids, but for us mommies and daddies! I personally take this home remedy to help soothe me. All you have to do is add half a teaspoon of coffee (the instant kind) into a cup of warm rum. Savor the drink and be soothed from a rough bout of coughing.

Home remedies rule, don’t you think so?

What about you? Do you have other tips and home remedies to get rid of cough? Let the community know by commenting on this post or by emailing me at blog@mommymakeitbetter.com. I’d be so happy to hear from you.

To some people, sleep does not come easy. Even a long day at work sometimes isn’t enough to send some people off to la-la land.

While I am sure that most people are dependent on medications to induce sleep, some home remedies are effective in helping people who are having sleepless nights. Home remedies are great because they almost always cost very little (or none at all) and safe. With home remedies, you can use natural ingredients and avoid spending a lot on drugs filled with synthetic chemicals.

I have to admit, I too had used some medications to help me sleep. But, pathetic as it may sound, I am scared of taking these sleeping pills all the time. I sometimes think I wouldn’t be able to wake up at all. Haha.

Enough of that. Now that I found two surefire ways of inducing sleep, I am shunning all sleeping pills.

Home Remedies to Help Insomniacs

A Bowl of Lettuce

Boil some water and pour it over a bowl of shredded lettuce. Let it steep for a few minutes (as you would with tea). Strain and drink the concoction.

A Glass of Milk, with a Twist

A glass of milk still works wonders even if we aren’t children anymore. Milk is a good sedative and can definitely send anyone to sleep. But you might also want to add some honey for added sleep inducement.

Try these two tips. After all, how can you go wrong with anything natural (lettuce) and good (milk and honey). Unless you are lactose intolerant, of course.

What about you? Do you have other tips and home remedies for insomniacs? Let the community know by commenting on this post or by emailing me at blog@mommymakeitbetter.com. I’d be so happy to hear from you.