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Ayurveda and Science

Natural/Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Common Cold

Home remedies

Ayurveda terms common cold as Prathishyaya. Vitiation of Vata and Kapha individually or together, is generally involved in the ailment. Cold is probably the most commonly encountered ailment in the human body and thereby, it becomes 'common cold'. Allergy to changes in weather or an infection by a virus are considered as important causative factors of the common cold. As a result, the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract get inflamed. This leads to symptoms like sneezing, running nose, headache, sore throat, body pain etc.

Get Rid of Cold
Ayurvedic ingredients

Ingredients for Natural/Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Common Cold

Black Papper

It is commonly used to remedy cold by crushing black peppercorns and adding them to a teaspoon of honey. Honey is known to soothe a sore throat, suppress cough and can boost the cold-fighting action of black peppercorn.

Ginger

The antibacterial properties of ginger help prevent the buildup of bacteria and plaque, and its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce pain associated with toothaches.

Honey

Honey can bring relief for your sore throat. Simply mix two tablespoons of honey with a warm glass of water or tea, and drink as needed.

Cinnamon Bark

Health benefit of cinnamon is its ability to relieve cold and soothe sore throat. It is rich in antioxidant polyphenols and proanthocyanidins that boost your immunity naturally.

Milk

Dairy products provide Ca and protein which may facilitate appetite control. Conversely, weight loss is known to increase the motivation to eat.

Fresh Lemon

Lemons contain citric acid, a naturally-occurring compound thought to aid digestion and soothe the stomach. Try adding freshly-squeezed lemon juice to water and sip throughout the day.

Turmeric

The curcumin found in turmeric can help wounds heal by decreasing inflammation and oxidation. It also lowers the response of your body to cutaneous wounds. This results in your wounds healing more quickly.

Common Recipes:

Boil about 5-10 gms small slices of freshly cut ginger in a glass of water for 5 minutes. Add a teaspoonful of sugar to enhance the taste. Strain the decoction through a tea strainer. Drinking this tea 4-6 times a day would ensure instant relief from common cold.

Grind 4-6 seeds of black pepper. Add this powder together with a pinch of turmeric to a cup of milk and boil it for 2 minutes. Strain the milk through a tea strainer. Drinking this at bed time helps you sleep better by preventing a stuffy nose and nocturnal dry cough caused by a common cold.

Coarsely powder the cinnamon bark. Boil about 20 gms in a glass of water, adding a pinch of black pepper powder and a teaspoonful of honey. Strain the decoction and drink it when hot. This would cure you of your cold.

Lemon is an important remedy for the obvious symptoms of a common cold. Dilute juice of one lemon in a glass of warm water and make use of honey by adding a teaspoon of it to the mixture. Take this lemonade twice or thrice daily. This vitamin C rich lemonade increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of illness.