Should a severe cough persist for more than 48 hours and breathing difficulties arise or chest pains develop do not continue self-medicating - seek medical care right away.

A natural expectorant is to boil 6 cups of water and pour it over 2 tablespoons of Sage, 2 chopped Garlic cloves, half a peeled lemon and lots of honey. Let it steep for 5 minutes and drink hot.

Here are a couple of strange but proven tips to help with troublesome coughs :-

1. For a tickly, troublesome night time cough place a tiny pinch of salt on the tongue and allow it to slowly dissolve.

2. Anyone who has a coughing spasm raise the left arm and hold it high over the head.