Trusting on home remedies to cure common cold and cough is something that many Indian households still believe. Besides treating common cold and cough effectively, these home remedies are also free from any side-effects. Here we have mentioned some of these home remedies that will help you treat common cold and cough.
Ginger tea
Ginger tea not only tastes good but also helps in treating common cold and cough. The tea helps in drying running and dripping nose, thus expelling phlegm from the respiratory tract. Among various health benefits of ginger, it is known to soothe common cold and speeds up the recovery process.
Mixture of lemon, cinnamon and honey
Another effective home remedy for common cold and cough is a mixture of lemon, cinnamon and honey. This syrup effectively cures cold and cough.
How to make the syrup: In half spoon of honey, add a few drop of lemon and a pinch of cinnamon. Have this syrup twice a day to cure common cold and cough.
Luke-warm water
Drink luke-warm water frequently as it helps in fighting against common cold, cough and sore throat. Warm water reduces inflammation in the throat and helps in replenishing the fluids and infection out of the body.
Milk and turmeric
An essential ingredient found in almost all Indian kitchens, turmeric has a strong antioxidant which helps in treating many health problems. Turmeric mixed in warm milk is a popular and effective way to fight against cold and cough. Drinking a glass of warm turmeric milk before sleeping helps in faster recovery from cold and cough.
Gargle with salt-water
This is an age-old therapy that effectively treats cough and cold. Adding turmeric in this salt-water is also beneficial.
Honey and brandy
Brandy is known to keep your chest warm as it increases body’s temperature and missing honey in brandy helps in fighting a cough. Just a teaspoon of brandy mixed with few drops of honey improves cough and common cold.
Spiced tea
Add tulsi, ginger and black pepper while peparing your tea and this spiced tea is great for your health. These three ingredients play an important role in fighting a common cold and cough.
Honey, lime juice and warm water
This is a perfect dose to improve digestion and for the circulation system. Adding honey to luke-lime water is the best solution in controlling common cold and cough.
Amla
Being a strong immunomodulator, amla fights against many diseases. Eating one amla regularly provides many health benefits as it ensures the proper functioning of the liver and improves blood circulation.
Ginger-tulsi mixture
Extract the ginger juice and add crush tulsi leaves to it and add honey. Consume it to get relief from a cough.
Flaxseeds for cold and cough
Flaxseeds are another effective remedy to cure common cold and cough. You can boil flaxseeds until it thickens and strain it. Add a few drops of lime juice and honey to it and consume the mixture for cold and cough relief.
Ginger and salt
Cut ginger into small pieces and add salt to it. Chew these ginger pieces to fight cold, cough and a sore throat.
Sauté garlic
Sauté a few garlic cloves in ghee and consume this when warm. This can be a bitter concoction but has a great soothing impact for common cold and cough.
Jaggery solution
Boil water with black pepper, cumin and jaggery to it. Consume this solution when warm and it will give you relief from chest congestion.
Carrot juice
This uncommon home remedy is great to fight common cold and cough. It may sound strange but this interesting drink helps in relieving common cold and cough!
Essential oil
Essential oil is another great home remedy for cold and cough. The oils help to decrease the speed at which the virus multiplies inside the body. Cinnamon, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus and thyme oils are considered the best essential oils for cold. Put some essential oil in a diffuser for relief.
Pineapple Juice
Many might not know but drinking pineapple juice when suffering from cold is an effective home remedy. You can have pineapple juice with honey. All you need to do is mix one tablespoon of honey in half a cup of warm pineapple juice. Stir it well and drink it.
Vitamin C
There are some pieces of evidence that suggest that taking Vitamin C before the onset of cold symptoms may shorten the duration of symptoms. It may help to boost your immune health and can provide some relief from upper respiratory tract infections. Taking Vitamin C rich food like lemon, oranges and grapefruits are quite effective.
Zinc
Study shows that taking zinc supplements can help from getting sick. Zinc can help to boost the immunity that can reduce the symptoms of cold and even prevent you from falling sick. So when you are sick eat Zinc rich food like oysters, meat, chicken, dark chocolate, sunflower seeds and others.
Menthol
Menthol can also help to reduce the symptoms of the cold. It contains antibacterial and pain-relieving effects. You can also method in steam and inhale it.
Few precautionary measures
There are a few things that you need to take care of when suffering from cold. Having some specific food can aggravate the situation and worsen the symptoms.
Avoid dairy products
Stay clear off caffeine
Do not eat spicy, processed and fried foods
Increase your fluid intake
Inhale steam
Take rest
