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Herbal Remedies for Common Cold and Cough By Mumtaz Khalid Ismail
More Links Herbal Remedies against cold Herbal Remedies against cough The common cold is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and most often caused by viral infection. This is the most common disease seen and lasts usually for three to four days. Other important causes for cold are allergy, bacterial infection, stress, sudden changes of the temperature, wrong eating habits etc.
A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, low saturated fats and whole cereals will ensure near adequate protection against infective organism. Raw fruits and vegetables are better than the cooked one. Still with all these precautions if you get cold try out these simple remedies, which are used by our grand mothers and found to be very effective. Try out these harmless traditional medicines before swallowing the chemicals. Remember these remedies are part of our tradition and not many scientific studies are carried out.
A balanced diet will strengthen your immune system and help you to stay away from cold and cough causing organisms. Cold virus is highly contagious. It is spread by droplet through air. It is practically difficult to stay away from a contact but it will be worth while to boost up your immunity by taking adequate and appropriate nutritious diet.
Vitamin C protects one against cold. Apart from the preventive action this vitamin has on cold, it also reduces the duration and severity of cold if taken adequately. Vitamin C is found abundant in fruits like goose berry, cashew fruit, lime, orange, guava, mosambi and sprouted pulses.
- Drink plenty of water to combat dehydration and keep mucus on the move.
- Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C. Take 1/2 lime and 1 tsp of honey in hot water. Honey helps to soothe the sore throat thus relieve irritant cough.
- Take 1 tbsp of fresh gooseberry juice with 1/2 tsp ginger juice added to it is also found to be very effective. This can be taken regularly to prevent recurrence of cold. Gooseberry has got the highest vitamin C.
- Steam inhalation with few eucalyptus oil drops will help to relieve a stuffed nose. This can be done two to three times a day.
- Mix drops of eucalyptus oil with wheat germ oil and rub it on your nose, chest and back will help to clear the nasal blockage.
- Garlic and onion soup is an excellent remedy for cold. Garlic have anti viral and anti bacterial properties.
- A tablespoon of ajwain crushed in the palms and tied up in a thin kerchief and can be used for inhalation to relieve nasal block. This can be used for small children also. This tied bundle can be kept on the pillow while sleeping and is found very effective.
- Ginger is other excellent remedy for cold and cough. Ginger tea is good for fever, cough and cold. Dried ginger powder 1/2 tsp, 2-3 black pepper cones, 2-3 cloves, 2-3 cardamom, 1/2 tsp Cummins seeds should be boiled and add little tea leaves and sugar or honey and can be had hot. It gives good relief of the throat pain, cold and cough. It can be taken two to three times in a day.
- Boil water with Cummins seeds. Drink it warm through out the day will give relief.
- Take 8- 10 tulsi leaves, 1-2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 inch piece ginger crushed and 3-4 black pepper cones, boil it in 1 cup of water. Add 1 tsp of honey to this and drink it warm. This is good for cold and cough with phlegm
- Mix equal parts of ginger juice and honey and have it 2-3 times in a day which is good for cough.
- Mix 1tsp of black pepper powder, 1tsp dried ginger powder, 1tsp long pepper powder, 1tsp liquorice root powder and 3- 4 sugar candy. It can be had when cough is there. People with high blood pressure should avoid eating liquorice as it can retain sodium and deplete potassium in the body.
- You can also chew a small piece of liquorice root 2-3 times in a day for dry cough.
- Ginger powder, black pepper powder and honey is also good for dry cough and can be had 3-4 times in a day.
- 1 tsp turmeric, 2-3 tsp ginger juice, 2-3 tsp lime juice and 3 tsp honey can be mixed and taken 3 times for cough in a day.
- Onion juice and honey will relieve irritation in the throat.
- Thyme leaf juice is good for coughs and can be used for gargling.
These remedies should be tried one at a time and if it suits you continue till the problem disappears. If your cold or cough still persists for more than a week or if any time condition get worsen, then consult your doctor.
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