Tea for Dry Cough at Night: Warm Drinks and Tips

You get through the day with only the odd cough, then you lie down and the tickle starts. A dry cough at night is tiring for you and for anyone sharing your room.

There is no magic tea that switches a cough off. But a warm, caffeine-free drink, a spoonful of honey at the right time and a calmer evening routine are simple things to try while the cough runs its course.

Why a dry cough can feel worse at night

The NHS says most coughs are caused by a cold or flu, and that there is usually no need to see a GP for one.

Other common causes listed by the NHS include mucus dripping down the back of the throat from the nose, allergies such as hay fever, heartburn and smoking. If your cough is mainly at night and keeps coming back, it is worth telling a doctor, because the cause may need its own treatment.

Warm drinks worth trying

Chamomile tea is a popular bedtime choice in many countries. It is made without tea leaves, and NCCIH says it is likely safe in the amounts found in teas. Be honest with yourself about what it can do, though: evidence for chamomile and sleep is very limited, and one study in people with insomnia found no benefit. Enjoy it as a warm, soothing ritual.

Marshmallow root tea has the most official backing for a dry cough. The European Medicines Agency has concluded, based on long-standing use, that marshmallow root preparations can be used for irritation of the mouth or throat and the dry cough that comes with it, in adults and children over 3. Its gentle, slightly slippery texture is the point.

Whatever you choose, pick a caffeine-free drink in the evening. Black and green tea, and many iced teas, contain caffeine.

What the evidence says about honey at bedtime

In a 2007 study of 105 children aged 2 to 18 with a cold and a nighttime cough, a single dose of honey given 30 minutes before bed was rated best by parents for easing nighttime coughing and sleep problems. It did better than no treatment, and it was not significantly different from the cough medicine dextromethorphan.

That is one study in children, and it relied on parents' ratings. Still, honey is cheap and low risk for anyone over 1 year old, so a spoonful in your bedtime drink, or on its own, is a sensible thing to try. The NHS also suggests hot lemon and honey for a cough, while noting the evidence is limited.

Small changes for a calmer night

Keep a glass of water by the bed and take small sips when the tickle starts. Stay away from smoke, including other people's. Rest as much as you can, and drink plenty of fluids during the day, as the NHS advises.

If a cough is keeping you from sleeping night after night, a pharmacist can talk you through cough syrups and other options. They will not stop the cough, but they may help you cough less.

Questions people ask

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.