5 Herbs To Deal With Cough And Cold- The Ayurvedic Way
Who does not relish the indulgence of a steaming cup of hot coffee on a delightful rainy day? Such is the delight! However, this season also unravels a narrative of afflictions: Kapha-Vata disorders, manifesting as Cold and Cough. Though a mild common cold may seem inconsequential, it can still impede your daily activities. Apart from the seasonal transition, various factors can instigate the occurrence of cough and cold. Coughing, a common reflex, may also arise when foreign particles infiltrate the respiratory passages.Seasonal and environmental allergies stand prominent among the root causes of cold and cough. Ayurvedic herbs, exercises and Ayurvedic cough syrup from a good manufacturer can help you deal with this situation naturally without any side effects.
Ayurvedic Solutions for Cough & Cold - Find Relief with these Natural Remedies
Apart from medicines and cough syrups, you can try using easy Ayurvedic remedies to alleviate your cough and cold symptoms.
According to Ayurveda, when there is an imbalance in the three doshas - vata, pitta, and kapha, it can lead to various ailments. In the case of cough and cold, an excess of pitta and kapha in the body can cause nasal congestion and cough.
To address this, here are a few natural remedies you can try at home:
1. Tulsi (Holy Basil) Tulsi, hailed as the "Mother Medicine of Nature" and "The Queen of Herbs" in Ayurveda, can aid in fighting cough and cold.
How it works: Tulsi stimulates the production of antibodies, safeguarding against infections. It also possesses properties that alleviate cough by soothing the airways and facilitating the removal of sticky mucus.
How to take:
- Tulsi Leaves: Chew 4-5 around Tulsi leaves first thing in the morning. You can continue taking Tulsi leaves regularly to boost your immunity.
- Tulsi Kadha (Herbal Decoction): Take a few Tulsi leaves and wash them thoroughly. Boil water in a pan and add the Tulsi leaves. Add 1 teaspoon of grated ginger and 5-6 peppercorns to it. Let the mixture boil for at least 10 minutes. Finally, add a pinch of black salt and squeeze half a lemon into it. Let it rest for a minute. Strain and drink it warm.
- Tulsi Tea: Add fresh Tulsi leaves to 1½ cups of water. Boil the leaves on a medium flame for 10 minutes. Strain the water using a strainer. Add lemon juice and mix well. Drink it warm for relief from cough and cold.
- Honey: With its abundant antimicrobial properties, honey not only pleases the taste buds but also provides relief from a sore throat. It acts as an effective cough suppressant.
How it works: Honey helps in reducing chest congestion by loosening thick mucus and aiding in its expulsion, thereby alleviating wet cough.
How to take: Take a teaspoon of honey before going to bed at night to lessen the severity of cough. Continue until you find relief from the cough. Honey in Ginger Juice: Take 1 teaspoon of honey. Add 1 teaspoon of ginger juice and a pinch of black pepper. Consume it once in the morning and once before going to bed at night for relief from a sore throat and cough.
3. Mulethi (Licorice): Mulethi, also known as "Sweet Wood," is an effective Ayurvedic herb for managing cough. Mulethi powder helps soothe a sore throat, cough, and excessive mucus production in the airways.
How it works: Mulethi possesses expectorant properties that thin and loosen mucus in the airways, providing relief from coughing and reducing congestion.
How to take: Mulethi Water: Take 1 teaspoon of Mulethi powder and add it to 1 glass of warm water. Drink this twice a day. Mulethi Tea: Take a small piece of Mulethi root and add it to boiling water. Add some grated ginger and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Add a tea bag and consume this tea twice a day. Mulethi Kadha (Herbal Decoction): Take 1/4 teaspoon of Mulethi powder, a pinch of cinnamon powder, black pepper powder, and a few Tulsi leaves. Add everything to 1 cup of boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cup and add 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink this Kadha twice a day.
4. Pippali (Long Pepper): Pippali, a potent Ayurvedic herb, effectively manages cough and cold. Research suggests that it provides relief from headaches and congestion associated with the common cold.
How it works: Pippali loosens mucus, facilitating its expulsion through coughing, thus enabling free breathing. This expectorant property of Pippali contributes to its effectiveness.
How to take: Pippali Churna (Powder): Take a pinch of Pippali churna. Swallow it with 1 teaspoon of honey. Repeat this 1-2 times a day and continue until the symptoms of cold and cough subside.
5. Sonth (Dry Ginger): Sonth, also known as dry ginger or sukku or soonth, is a key ingredient in herbal cough syrups. When combined with honey, Sonth acts as a soothing remedy for cough and cold.
How it works: Sonth contains specific molecules with anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce sore throat.
How to take: Sonth with Honey: Take 1/4 teaspoon of Sonth and add it to 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix everything well and consume this mixture twice a day for at least three days. Sonth Goli: Take 2-3 tablespoons of desi ghee in a pan, keeping the flame low. Add 2-3 teaspoons of jaggery powder and allow it to melt. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of Sonth powder. Mix them thoroughly. Let the mixture cool down and shape it into bite-sized balls (goli). You can take one goli or balls twice a day for relief from cough and cold.
Read More: Cough and cold season is arriving: How to take care of yourself?
Ayurvedic Tips to Maintain Distance from Cold and Cough:
- Suddha Hasta (Clean Hands): Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of cold viruses.
- Na Dhaavayet Mukham (Don't Touch Your Face): Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes and nose, as this can introduce germs into your system.
- Snigdha Anguli (Sanitized Hands): After touching contaminated surfaces at your workplace, such as doorknobs, computer mouse, or chair handles, sanitize your hands with alcohol-based hand gels.
- Shad Angula Dhoorata (Maintain a Distance): Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from individuals suffering from cold and cough to minimize the risk of transmission.
- Dhupa (Mask): Wear a mask whenever you step outside your home or come into contact with people you don't live with. This helps prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from individuals suffering from cold and cough to minimize the risk of transmission.
- Ushnodaka (Warm Water): Increase your water intake and consume hot tea and liquids to keep yourself hydrated and promote overall well-being.
- Sweda Snaana (Steam Inhalation): Perform steam inhalation by adding 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water. Repeat this 2-3 times a day to find relief from a stuffy nose.
- Bala Vriddhi (Boost Your Immunity): Strengthen your immune system by consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamin C-rich foods, which can help enhance your body's defense mechanisms.
- Vyayama (Exercise): Engage in some form of exercise or yoga to keep yourself physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Ayurvedic treatment approach for dry cough?
In Ayurveda, personalized medicinal preparations are prescribed based on dosha balance and symptoms. Advanced Ayurvedic medicines like Draksharishta, Vaikrantabaddaras, Pravalachandrodaya, Ekotharavrudhimahalakshmivilasarasa, Bansa cough syrup,Talisadi Churna, Sithopaladhi Churna, and Lakshmivilasarasa are effective for ailments like dry cough, fever, throat infection, and respiratory diseases. Treating Vataja Kasa (dry cough) includes chest massage with sesame oil, herbal ghee administration, digestive enemas, Bansa Ayurvedic cough syrup and Sitopaladi Churna prescription, containing Vamsa rochana and other beneficial herbs and spices.
What are the important lifestyle changes to prevent cough and cold?
To prevent cough and cold:
- Minimize contact with allergens.
- Avoid junk, dry, and spicy foods.
- Consume nourishing soups in small quantities.
- Get ample rest.
- Drink clean, room temperature/warm water.
- Practice Pranayama for healthy lungs.
- Stay away from irritants like mosquito coils and incense.
- Maintain a consistent food and sleep schedule, having dinner before sunset.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom.
- Include vitamin C-rich foods to boost your immune system.
What are the home remedies for dry cough?
For dry cough relief, try these Ayurvedic remedies:
- Before bed, drink warm milk with turmeric and honey, a natural antibiotic.
- Take turmeric powder mixed with honey thrice a day.
- Use Licorice (Mulethi) lozenges to reduce inflammation.
- Make coffee or tea with Sauf (Anise seeds) decoction.
- Ease your throat with ginger and honey syrup. Boil peeled ginger, filter, mix with honey, and consume.
- Chew ginger with water for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon powder to warm water or tea to soothe the throat.
- Enjoy Tulsi, ginger, and honey tea for relief.
- Chew a few Tulsi leaves throughout the day for faster recovery.
Can Ayurvedic medicine cure colds?
Ayurvedic medicine, such as Bansa Ayurvedic Cough Syrup, can be effective in treating colds. Bansa syrup, containing natural ingredients like Gulkhairo, Somlata, Bansa and Tulsi, alleviates cough and throat irritation, reduces inflammation in the respiratory system, and fights viral and bacterial infections. Gulkhairo helps alleviate congestion, Somlata provides relief in throat congestion and asthmatic conditions, Bansa effectively relieves respiratory spasms and provides relief from irritating cough.and Tulsi relieves cough symptoms due to its anti-allergic properties. With its all-natural formulation, Bansa syrup offers a safe and holistic approach to managing cold symptoms, free from harmful chemicals or preservatives.
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