The air passages of the lungs are lined with cells secreting mucus, which normally traps particles of dust. When the membranes get infected and inflamed, the secretion of mucus increases and the lining of the air passages is irritated. Coughing is the action by which excess mucus is driven out. Here are a few natural remedies that may quell the cough and help you sleep better.

Natural home remedies
Drink red raspberry, honey suckle, or liquorice tea with honey. A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution-it can irritate your tummy. Soak almonds overnight. Remove their skin. Make a paste of these almonds with little butter and sugar. Very useful for a dry cough. For five minutes, cook the juice of one lemon, 1 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of olive oiL Then stir vigorously for a couple of minutes.  Dose: Take 1 teaspoon every two hours.

Honion Syrup
Peel and finely chop six medium onions. Put them and 1/2 cup of honey into the top of a double boiler, or in a pan over a pot of boiling water. Cover the mixture and let it simmer for two hours. Strain this concoction we call "honion syrup," and pour it into a jar with a cover.
Dose: Take 1 warm tablespoon every two to three hours.

Grate 1 teaspoon of horseradish and mix it with 2 teaspoons of honey. (Or, one finely chopped clove of garlic can be used in place of horseradish.)
Dose: Take 1 teaspoon of the mix every two to three hours.

Lemony Fresh
For a delicious, thirst-quenching and soothing drink, squeeze the juice of one lemon into a big mug or glass. Add hot water, 2 tablespoons of honey and either three whole cloves or a 1/2 inch piece of stick cinnamon. Dose: Drink one glass every three hours.

Cook a cup of barley according to the package directions. Then add the juice of one fresh lemon and some water to the barley. Liquefy the mixture in a blender. Drink it slowly. Dose: Drink 1 cup every four hours.

Holy Rutabagas!
Cut a hole through the middle of a rutabaga or a yellow onion and fill the hole with honey or brown sugar. Leave it overnight. In the morning drink the juice and it will relieve the cough. Cut a deep hole in the middle of a large beet and fill the hole with honey or brown sugar. Bake the beet until it's soft. It's a treat to eat the beet. . . whenever you feel a cough coming on.

Ginger Gum
Chew on a bite-sized piece of ginger root just like you would chew gum. Swallowing the juice should help control a cough. Ginger is strong , and it might take some getting used to. Take a piece of brown grocery-bag paper, about the size of your chest, and soak it in vinegar. When it stops dripping, sprinkle black pepper on one side of the paper. Then place the peppered side on your bare chest. To keep it in place overnight, wrap an elastic bandage or cloth around your chest. By morning, there may be a big improvement., particularly with a bronchial cough.