Besides getting enough rest, these remedies might help you feel better: 1  Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. 2  Rest. Your body needs to heal. 3  Soothe a sore throat.
The active ingredient in the Ricola cough drops is menthol, with 4.8 mg of menthol in each drop, according to Ricola. The menthol serves two purposes. First, it can help suppress a cough. Second, it can lessen pain you feel in the mouth and throat. Inactive Ingredients
Furthermore, when used to relieve cough symptoms, menthol, unlike other cough suppressant formulas, does not contain antihistamines, which often result in drowsiness. A separate article in the same publication cited menthol as an effective remedy for nasal congestion.