Winter season has begun and it has brought with itself the usual problems of seasonal colds and coughs. Many a times you can treat these ailments with the powerful home remedies that are available in your kitchen. One such remedy is pineapple juice that is claimed to be very effective for the winter cough. The article explains in detail whether pineapple juice really works and why does it work.
Pineapple Juice for Cough
Can your cough be relieved by pineapple juice? Yes. Nutrients present in the juice of pineapple may help in soothing the symptoms of a cold or cough. It was found in a study that a mixture of honey, pineapple juice, pepper and salt reduced symptoms of cough up to five times quicker than OTC (over-the-counter) cough syrup. How so? Pineapple is rich in an enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties. Due to the presence of bromelain in pineapple, it has been popular for generations among the people of Central and South America.
Pineapple juice reduces inflammation associated with allergies
Cough is a common symptom of AAD or allergic airway disease as your body tries to expel the excess mucus that has built up inside. Anti-inflammatory treatment is among the many therapies suggested to treat AAD. To treat AAD steroids are usually used; however, you can supplement them with a diet containing anti-inflammatory foods such as pineapple juice.
Pineapple juice relieves asthma linked to allergy
Apart from supporting the fact that pineapple juice can help AAD, it is also demonstrated that it helps as a supplemental therapy in relieving symptoms of allergic asthma. Allergic asthma may be triggered by environmental or dietary factors or it may have infectious or genetic causes.
In a study the effects of pineapple juice were proven to treat asthma. Subjects were made to consume 100 ml of pineapple juice mixed with 100 ml of water two times a day for 90 days. The subjects demonstrated significant improvements in their PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate). Hence, it was concluded that pineapple juice can improve symptoms of asthma.
Pineapple juice dilutes mucus and eases cough and wheezing
Can you give pineapple juice for cough? If you suffer from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or asthma, then during an attack, you may develop coughing and wheezing due to blockage of bronchioles due to excess mucus.
According to research, pineapple juice is capable of dissolving mucus. It helps in enhancing mucolysis and expectoration of mucus from the respiratory tract. It also helps in diluting the stringy mucus that is typical of bronchial asthma and COPD; thereby, making its expulsion easier.
Pineapple juice helps in clearing out Hay Fever or sinus problem
If you develop a cough or stuffy nose due to sinus problems or hay fever then the bromelain present in pineapple juice can rescue you. It acts as a decongestant, natural antihistamine (anti-allergic) and anti-inflammatory and helps you to provide relief.
Try at-home Pineapple Juice Remedies for Cough
- Pineapple Juice, ginger, honey, salt and cayenne
A traditional remedy for cough is to mix pineapple juice with ginger, honey, salt and tiny amount of cayenne pepper. The pepper helps in expelling mucus while ginger and honey soothe throat and have anti-inflammatory effects.
For this remedy mix together:
- Pineapple juice: 1 cup
- Chopped or minced ginger: 1 tsp
- Honey: 1 tbsp
- Cayenne pepper: ¼ tsp
- Salt: ¼ tsp
Consume ¼ cup of this mixture up to thrice in a day. Please note to avoid giving raw honey to children below one year of age.
- Honey, pineapple juice, salt, pepper
Another remedy that is commonly used has honey in it but does not contain cayenne pepper and ginger.
For this try at home cough remedy mix together:
- Pineapple juice: 1 cup
- Salt: a pinch
- Pepper: a pinch
- Honey: 1-1/2 tbsp
Consume ¼ cup of this mixture up to thrice a day.
- Pineapple strawberry popsicles
Popsicles help in soothing your throat and are easy to prepare. Moreover, strawberries are a rich source of vitamin C that boosts the immune system.
To prepare these immune boosting popsicles, mix the following ingredients:
- Pineapple juice: ¾ cup
- Strawberries, chopped: 2 cups
- Chunks of pineapple: 1 cup
Pour this mixture into molds to make popsicles. Keep the molds in the freezer until solid or at least 3 hours.
Other Natural Home Remedies to Relieve Cough
Apart from pineapple juice for cough there exist other home remedies to relieve cough. These are:
- Hot water mixed with honey and lemon juice: Honey soothes the throat whereas lemon has anti-bacterial property.
- Warm soup or broth: It is comforting and soothing and helps in reducing the discomfort caused by coughing.
- Spicy foods: Capsaicin present in certain spices helps in thinning mucus, which helps people in clearing their chest and in blowing their noses easily.
- Ginger tea: It soothes the throat and also reduces inflammation due to the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger.
- Plenty of vegetables and fruits: Fresh vegetables and fruits are packed with immune boosting vitamin C, thereby helping you fight a cough or cold in a better way.
Things that You Should Avoid
Certain things should be avoided when you have a cough and cold as they may worsen the symptoms. These are:
- Coffee: Coffee and other caffeinated beverages should be avoided as they may cause dehydration and further aggravate the symptoms.
- Secondhand smoke and cigarettes: Avoid cigarette smoke and other kind of secondhand smoke as it may irritate the lungs and throat.
- Dairy: Milk and its products should not be consumed during this period as they may increase the production of mucus.
- Fried foods: Avoid deep fried foods as they may cause irritation of the throat.
Medications for Cough
If you have severe cough symptoms, then you may find that pineapple juice for cough or other home remedies are not enough. In such cases, you should consult your physician. OTC remedies for cough include:
- Antitussive drugs: These medicines suppress a cough.
- Expectorant drugs: These medicines cause thinning of mucus so that it is expelled easily while coughing.