There is one old time cough home remedy that requires a doctor's order these days.

It is by far the best way to loosen mucus so you can cough it up. If you are plagued with frequent bouts of bronchitis ask your doctor for a prescription of SSKI (saturated solution of potassium iodide). Keep it on hand and use it the minute you feel the coughing start. It is an excellent natural cough remedy and it may help you avoid the infections that so often accompany bronchitis. Add 0.6ml of SSKI to water or juice and chug it down 4 or 5 times a day. It is a very stable substance so you can keep it in your medicine chest for years.