5 Ayurvedic Homemade Remedies for Cold and Cough

Cough and cold is common these days. This illness not only causes discomfort in the body but also spoils your mood and wrecks your entire day. It is certainly not a pleasant experience to cough or sneeze all day long, especially if you have some important events or family occasions lined up in the coming days.

There are numerous home remedies for the common cold and cough which are passed on from generation to generation. Most people swear by these home remedies, to kick start the healing process. You can consider trying one or more of the following remedies if you want to start feeling better right away. 

• 1. Ginger-Cinnamon -Turmeric Drink

Easy and quick to make – it’s one of the best homemade drinks to boost immunity and fight against infections.

Ingredients:

• Turmeric- 1/2 tsp
• Freshly grated ginger – 1 tsp
• Cinnamon powder –a small pinch
• Black pepper powder - a small pinch
• Honey - 1 tsp

Preparation: Take one cup of water and boil everything together except honey. Next, add honey and sip hot.

• 2. Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk)

A perfect comforting drink to have when you just need a little energy to fight off disease and infections. This drink further stabilizes blood sugar levels, strengthens bones and muscles, and protects cells from damage.

Ingredients:

• Milk – 1 cup
• Turmeric – 1 tsp
• Green cardamom pods – 2-3
• Black peppercorn powder – 1 pinch
• Cinnamon stick- 1 small
• Freshly grated ginger – 1 tsp

Preparation:  Simply mix all the ingredients in a small vessel or pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Strain the golden milk using a strainer and pour it into serving cups. Sip hot!

• 3. Ashwagandha Root Drink

It is considered a sort of a magic drink that helps kick up the immune system by several notches. This drink also boosts sleep quality and mental alertness.

Ingredients

• Ashwagandha - a 5-inch piece of dried root (approx.)
• Honey - 1 tsp

Preparation: Wash and boil the root in 1/2 a liter of water. Allow it to boil for about 5 to 7 minutes. Strain into a cup and then stir in the honey. Sip hot.

• 4. Tulsi - Honey Mixture

A soothing drink – this mixture helps fight common cough and cold that is caused due to bacterial and viral infections.

Ingredients

• Tulsi leaves - 1/4 cup
• Honey - 1 tsp
• Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp

Preparation: Take a vessel and mix tulsi leaves with a half-liter of water – boil this mixture. Reduce the flame and simmer for 3 – 4 minutes. Strain into a cup or bowl and add the honey and lemon juice into it. Stir and sip.

• 5. Carom seeds - Jaggery Mixture

This combination drink cleans mucus from the body and provides relief from cold and cough. Apart from this, it also helps in treating bronchitis and asthma.

Ingredients

• Carom seeds – 2 tsp
• Jaggery – ¼ cup

Preparation: Boil the above two ingredients on a slow flame for 2-3 mins. Strain it into a cup and sip hot.  

Additional Tips:

Apart from the above homemade recipes, you can follow the below tips to get some instant relief.

• Gargle with salt water twice or thrice a day
• Take a steamy shower or do steam inhalation at regular intervals
• Apply hot water packs around your congested chest or nose
• Have a balanced diet. Stick to home food and say no to junk.
• Stay warm and get enough sleep

Note:

Do not try all the remedies in one go. Understand your body’s need and try it cautiously depending on your health conditions.

Most mild to moderate cold symptoms are treatable with home remedies. However, if cough and cold are severe or persist for more than  2-3 weeks, ensure you seek a doctor immediately so that they can treat and recommend other medications as soon as possible.  It will not only alleviate your illness but will also enhance your overall health and wellbeing in the process.

 Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!