In truth, a cough is not actually a disease or an illness. It is a symptom or an underlying cause. Nevertheless, since it can usher the start of a health problem such as pneumonia or bronchitis, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible.

There are different methods that you can use to cure yourself of cough, but just in case the honey or your Vicks doesn’t work anymore, you can try these other techniques:

1. Combine tulasi and betel. Some leaves—such as those of betel, tulasi, and clove—can be mixed all together so you can come up with a very good concoction against cough and phlegm congestion. You just need to add a small portion of alum. You may also eat them at least 2 to 3 times every day. If there are no such leaves in your backyard, you can crush some peppers and add milk, brandy, and tumeric powder. The effect will just be the same.

2. Create a croup tent. This process has been practiced by several Asian countries for several years, and so far, it has been very effective in clearing the nasal passages, softening the phlegm, and eventually curing cough. What you need to do is to boil some water and create a croup tent. It can be a towel or a blanket that you can utilize to cover the body of the sick person. You have to make sure that it covers the head and the back. You must then boil some mixture—usually left-over food, rice, and some cold beverage—and let the steam be inhaled. The entire procedure can last from 5 to 10 minutes. If there’s one thing that you need to remember it would be not to get your face or hands so close to the bowl. You may have eliminated cough, but you also have to mind your burnt skin.

3. Believe in the power of the pomegranate. The pomegranate isn’t only part of mythology. It has been used by several people across all generations in treating cough. You need to combine it with pepper and cloves, as well as jvestamadhu. Grind them and add a little amount of water. You also have to dry them under the shade of the sun until they form like tablets.

4. Drown yourself with the rum. Though getting drunk may provide a temporary solution against coughing it doesn’t completely eliminate it. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean you can no longer drink any alcoholic beverage. In fact, you can combine a half-cup of rum with coffee, make them warm, and you already have your own simple cough medicine.

5. Drink plenty of juice—and oil. You’ve been told millions of times before to drink plenty of liquids, like water and juice. What you may not know is that carrot juice is the most ideal because it relieves you of the pain caused by cough. You can also drop some few juniper essential oil if you need an inhalant.