With a weather change just around the corner, everyone is gearing up for the seasonal ‘flu. No matter where you are, it will find you, and it will get to you. Cold and cough are very frustrating to deal with when you’re working because it sticks around for at least 4 days, and resorting to allopathy every time is not ideal, due to the chances of the system getting immune to the medicines. To ensure that whatever measures you take against the ‘flu is not harmful to your health, there are various Ayurvedic solutions for a cough and cold. These remedies provide relief in the short term and care if continued religiously.
Warm turmeric milk
Turmeric is known to possess exceptional qualities and is highly recommended for daily consumption because of its many benefits. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. Drinking a glass of warm milk with a pinch of turmeric mixed into it every day helps fight cough, cold, and chest congestion. Taken at night, it even helps with having deeper and more sound sleep.
Inhaling steam
To loosen the mucus in the nasal passages, using a vaporizer or just inhaling steam works wonders. Adding a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil only increases the efficiency of this natural method of getting relief from a cold. The stuffy nose opens up and relaxes the nasal congestion, instantly alleviating the discomfort caused by the cold. Along with relieving headaches and sinusitis, it also works to cleanse skin pores and clear out acne.
Warm water
Probably one of the best natural cough remedies is drinking a lot of warm or hot water. When you’re under the weather, your body is using most of its energy fighting against the illness. It is vital that you do your best to make sure you don’t put too much pressure on your bodily functions so it works better against the viruses. Warm water is easier to absorb and it helps flush out the toxins from your system. It also hydrates the mucus membranes, which in turn loosens the mucus, opens up the nose, and makes it easier to breathe. Drinking warm water for at least three days will bring positive results.
Food
Use your meals as a medicine against the cold and cough. Eating light food makes it easier for your body to digest it. Drink up on clear broths, teas, and all the seasonal veggies you can find. The veggies should reach a level of translucency after being cooked – it is the clear foods that are easier on the body. So you must avoid thick, rich and dense foods because they have the same traits as that of the Kapha, which is what causes excess mucus. Keeping dairy, raw food and juices out of your diet will be advantageous to your health.
Saltwater gargling
Dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, and then gargling this water loosens the excess mucus and removes bacteria and fungi from the throat. This reduces the chances of respiratory infections that can be caught during a change in the season, and thus successfully avoid catching a cold or a cough.
Ginger
It is found that consuming ginger can relieve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. It is also a great Ayurvedic cure for cough and cold. It reduces Kapha. Ginger-infused steam inhalation can be of great help when trying to fight a cold, since it reduces lung congestion, too. Boiling a teaspoon of ginger in a pint of water does the trick.
Turmeric and honey
Combining equal parts of turmeric powder and honey creates a thick, grainy paste. When consuming, make sure you let it rest in your throat for as long as you can, which means you must not drink any water for about half an hour after trying this remedy. This helps in relieving cough and soothes the interiors of the throat.
Pranayama
Pranayama, paired with some stretching, aids in relieving breathing-related constriction due to coughing, sneezing, and physical inactivity. When under the ‘flu, you feel exhausted and lazy, but the inactivity can contribute to making you feel more ill. A little stretching can go a long way to open up your chest, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, and relieve stiffness.
You can also read this related Ayushakti blog on how you can get rid of cold and cough with Ayurveda
All in all, using natural methods to resolve cold and cough symptoms and conditions is much better than popping pills that have potential side effects. Every single remedy is easy and the ingredients can be found in any household, which is what makes them so much better and convenient for employing. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle overall is much more beneficial and has only positive returns in the long run. Using Ayurvedic solutions for every ailment is always a better idea.
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Author of the Blog: Dr. Deepali Shastri
Expert Review By: Dr Smita Pankaj Naram
Co-Founder, Ayushakti Ayurved Pvt Ltd