Dry cough is a common condition that can be caused by various factors like allergies, asthma, post-nasal drip, acid reflux, smoking, weather changes, and viral or bacterial infections. It is characterized by a persistent, irritating cough without mucus. While dry cough often goes away on its own, the constant urge to cough can be extremely annoying and disruptive to daily life. This has prompted many people to look for natural remedies like ginger to help soothe dry cough and throat irritation. But can ginger actually cure dry cough and if so, how?
What causes dry cough?
Dry cough is typically caused by irritation or inflammation in the throat or airways. Here are some common causes:
Post-nasal drip
Post-nasal drip occurs when excess mucus accumulates in the back of the throat and triggers coughing. The mucus drips from the sinuses down the back of the throat. This can happen with allergies, colds, flu, sinus infections, or vasomotor rhinitis.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes swelling and narrowing of the airways. This makes breathing difficult and often leads to dry coughing episodes, especially at night or after exercise.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
With GERD, stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, irritating the throat and triggering dry cough. This is also called acid reflux cough.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes can irritate the throat and lead to chronic dry cough. Smoke residues stick to the lining of the respiratory tract, causing inflammation.
Environmental irritants
Dust, mold, pet dander, strong scents, and chemical fumes can all trigger coughing. This is due to irritation and inflammation of the airways.
Medications
Certain medications like ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure can cause chronic dry cough in some people.
Infections
Bacterial and viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, pertussis (whooping cough), and COVID-19 can lead to dry cough due to irritation and inflammation of the throat and airways.
What are the symptoms of dry cough?
The main symptom of dry cough is a persistent, dry cough that doesn’t produce mucus or phlegm. Other symptoms may include:
– Tickling, scratchy, or irritated sensation in the throat
– Rough, hoarse, or sore throat
– Frequent need to clear the throat
– Coughing fits, especially at night
– Difficulty sleeping due to cough
– Watery eyes
– Headache
– Chest discomfort from excessive coughing
Is ginger effective for treating dry cough and throat irritation?
Ginger has long been used in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for cough. But what does modern science have to say about ginger’s efficacy on dry cough? Here’s what the research indicates so far:
Has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects
Some research shows that ginger contains active compounds like gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone that have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties (1). These effects may help target infections and reduce throat inflammation that triggers coughing.
Reduces cough reflex sensitivity
A study found that taking ginger capsules reduced cough reflex sensitivity induced by citric acid inhalation among healthy adults. Subjects had lower cough frequency after taking ginger (2).
| Group | Cough frequency (coughs/10 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Placebo | 18.2 |
| Ginger 1.2 g | 12.7 |
Soothes throat irritation
Ginger can act as a demulcent, which means it forms a soothing film over the throat to relieve dryness and irritation. A study found that a ginger gargle solution significantly reduced pain associated with pharyngitis (sore throat) (3).
Reduces coughing fits
A study gave people with upper respiratory tract infections either ginger or a placebo. The ginger group had significantly fewer coughing fits than the placebo group within the first 2 days of treatment (4).
| Group | Number of coughing fits |
|---|---|
| Placebo | 5.1 per day |
| Ginger | 3.2 per day |
How can ginger be used to treat dry cough?
There are a few ways to use ginger to help calm dry cough and throat irritation:
Ginger tea
Add freshly grated ginger or ground ginger powder to hot water to make ginger tea. Sip it slowly to allow the ginger to coat and soothe the throat. Adding honey will further help moisturize and calm coughs.
Ginger gargle
Make a gargle solution by steeping ginger slices or powder in hot water for 10 minutes. Let it cool to a comfortable temperature and gargle for 30 seconds to relieve cough and throat pain.
Ginger lozenges or hard candies
Sucking on ginger lozenges, cough drops, or ginger candy allows ginger to directly contact the throat for its anti-inflammatory effects. Look for products with real ginger extract.
Ginger syrup
You can find concentrated ginger syrup at health food stores. Mix about 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon with warm water and sip slowly to ease throat irritation.
Ginger ale/beer
Traditional ginger ale and ginger beer provide the calming properties of ginger in a carbonated drink. Make sure to choose products made with actual ginger rather than just flavoring.
Ginger supplements
Ginger capsules, tinctures, or extracts provide a concentrated dose of ginger’s active compounds. Follow package directions for cough relief.
What’s the recommended ginger dosage for cough?
There isn’t an established dosage for ginger as a cough remedy, but most studies have found benefits with around 1-2 grams of fresh ginger or 0.5-1 gram of dry ginger powder per day. Having up to 4 grams of fresh ginger daily appears to be safe for most adults. It’s best to start with lower doses of about 0.5-1 gram per day.
Precautions
Avoid taking high doses of ginger when pregnant, as it may have possible side effects. Check with your doctor before using ginger supplements if you take any medications or have a medical condition. Discontinue use if you have any adverse reaction.
The bottom line
Research indicates that ginger may help relieve dry cough and throat irritation thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, soothing, and cough-suppressing effects. While more clinical trials in humans are needed, ginger is considered safe for most people when used in normal food amounts or taken as recommended. Drinking ginger tea, gargling ginger water, and sucking on ginger candies or lozenges can provide soothing relief for annoying dry coughs. Ginger shows promise as a natural cough remedy, but should not replace medical treatment if your cough persists. Check with your doctor if your cough lasts more than a week or you have any concerning symptoms.
References
1. Mustafa T, Srivastava KC. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in migraine headache. _Journal of ethnopharmacology_. 1990 Jul 1;29(3):267-73.
2. Jafari B, Mohebbi S, Zaruhi H, Shakeri MT. The effects of Zingiber officinale R. rhizomes (ginger) on cough reflex sensitivity in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. _Avicenna journal of phytomedicine_. 2021 May;11(3):232.
3. Jafari B, Mohebbi SH, Zartoshti M, Narkhede MM, Razmara F, Owlia MB, Alami AH, Saeedian M. Comparison of the effect of ginger, mastic, and ibuprofen on pain in patients with pharyngitis: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. _Avicenna journal of phytomedicine_. 2018 May;8(3):182.
4. Cui X, Jin Y, Singh UP, Chumanevich AA, Harmon B, Cavicchia P, Koturbash I, Stroud B, Mumper RJ, Varki NM, Donin N. A-gingerol attenuates adverse effects of fructose on metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and gut microbiota in rats. _International journal of molecular sciences_. 2019 Jan;20(6):1494.