DrWeil.com Question: Had It With a Hacking Cough?: "If you have a productive (non-dry) bronchial cough but bacterial infection is not present (the sputum culture will confirm that), I do not recommend taking antibiotics. The best treatments are the usual rest and fluids plus frequent herbal (sage and/or eucalyptus) steam inhalation. Warm steam soothes the irritated lining of the bronchial tubes, loosens secretions and promotes healing, and the aromatic herbs discourage secondary bacterial growth. An expectorant cough syrup might be of help."