I don't know what to say beyond what Mari already did, but i still wanted to offer you a

oh... one thing:

cough, and spasming, in general: lavender infusion. you can get some lavender flowers (commestible - from health food store, pharmacy, etc - + ask to be sure), 3 ounces water, one teaspoon dried lavender flowers. boil the water. steep the lavender loose for a good 7 minutes. drain*. it is aromatic but slightly bitter. you can add honey if you want, but i don't, and i don't personally suggest it.

*don't use the tea-trap metal contraptions (for convenience i steep it in a mini-drainer sitting in a demi-tasse so i can just lift it out)

with a regular cough, it can have a small effect immediately, but a single dose is often not noticeable. for my empty cough that persists for instance beyond allergen exposure and becomes chronic, the lavender infusion takes a good week to really knock it down well. it must be taken twice daily, morning and evening.

also i will add what you probably already know, and may even be "dieted off" already due to the GI issues.

1. MILK and DAIRY products thicken mucous secretions in the respiratory tract. Don't use milk in your hot bevs, and check the hot chocolate package for dairy content (tho that shouldn't affect you as much - just don't add milk).

2. Also garlic and other gastric irritants (anything spicy) do the same... and cause coughing. Again you have probably been dieted off any such offenders due to general GI issues. I was amazed when i found out about the garlic - that in particular permeates tissues throughout the body incredibly.

Have you talked to either the GI or pulm specialist regarding the effect of cocoa ingestion on the respiratory apparatus?

Is your cough worse after eating?

btw i don't have asthma but have upper-respiratory allergies which in general are seasonal or no big deal, excepting acute exposure.

well... ehh ... another won't hurt!

~ waves ~ from across the ocean