Spicy Foods
Another possible home remedy for coughs is spicy foods. Spicy foods are loaded with a compound called capsaicin that assists in thinning mucus and ease coughing. Capsaicin, a bioactive compound found in chili peppers, is a component of spicy foods. It also helps effectively treat coughing and sore throats by breaking up mucus. Capsaicin has the advantage of being simple to apply topically and has no known medication interactions. In our trial, 30.8% of the 201 patients who received capsaicin spray reported a cough decrease of at least 75%.
When present in high enough doses, capsaicin can desensitize individuals. It is typically present in pain-relieving gels and patches. Many assert that consuming spicy foods causes their noses to flow, breaking up mucus and opening their nasal passages.
Although there haven’t been many studies to back this up, capsaicin does seem to thin mucus, making it simpler to clear airways. Capsaicin-based nasal sprays have been used to alleviate congestion and discomfort too effectively.
However, avoid hot foods if the stomach is already upset. Eating spicy food may cause some individuals bloating, pain, and nausea.
