Home remedy for cough and cold

There are many people among us who suffered cough and cold in this changing weather. Here I will share some cough and cold cure and prevention tips for all of us. 


Prevention tips: 

1. Avoid cold foods as these can aggravate the throat further. Drink luke warm water. It will give relief to your infected throat.

2. Avoid consuming any fruits or vegetables that may cause excessive cooling in your body.

3. Do not eat cucumbers, green bananas, papayas and watermelons when suffering from cough.

4. Fiber foods are good. They are easy to digest.

5. Avoid nuts such as groundnuts, cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts and pistachios. They have high oil content.

6. Coconuts are also not preferred due to high oil content in them.

7. Take proper balanced diet and avoid mutton, caffeine, any type of oily and spicy food, sugar, chocolates, etc. Avoid cold drink and ice cream.

Home Remedies: 

1. Onion is very effective in the treatment of cough. The juice extracted from finely chopped onion helps in loosening the cough, and clears chest-congestion. Take 1-2 teaspoon of onion juice and add 1-2 teaspoon of honey into it. Keep this mixture aside for 5-6 hours, and then give a teaspoon of it to the patient at east two times in a day.

2. You can also try this very simple and effective homemade cough syrup made from onion juice, lemon juice and honey. Mix 1-2 teaspoon of onion juice with 1-2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Pour little amount of water and allow it to boil, later add 1-2 teaspoon of honey into it. Keep this cough syrup aside for 5-6 hours and give a teaspoon of it to the patient at least two times in a day.

3. Ginger is also very effective home remedy for cough. Mix ½ tablespoon of ginger paste, and a half tablespoon of pepper powder. Further add equal amount (one tablespoon) of vinegar and honey into it. Add 2-3 tablespoon of water and keep it aside. Take this cough syrup 2-3 times a day. This is commonly used homemade cough syrup for getting relief from cough.

4. You can also prepare this easy and effective herbal tea to get instant relief from cough and chest congestion. Add a small piece of ginger cut in small slices, 1-2 garlic seeds, and small amount of lemon juice into the boiling water. Boil it around 15-20 minutes. Strain the liquid and keep it aside. Add a little amount of honey into the solution and give it to the patient. The lemon juice added to it will loosen the cough and make breath easy.

5. Black pepper has also very significant role in treating cough. It looses the mucous membrane and open chest congestion. Take 2-3 black pepper seeds and chew it. If patient find difficulty in chewing it because of its strong bitter taste, add 2-3 pepper seeds in a glass of milk. Another easy way of taking black pepper is with cumin seeds. Take both black pepper and cumin seeds in small amount and add 1/2 spoon of salt to it. Chew it slowly. It is very effective natural remedy for cough.

  Harmless herbal products which can be used to cure cough: 
There are several herbal brands which provide effective, non sedative and harmless medication for cold and cough. 

• Vasavaleha of Baidyanath providing extra protection during cold, cough & flu season.
• Lavangadi churna of Baidyanath used in cold and whooping cough (it has little sedatives)
• Honitus cough syrup from Dabur

 You can also go for homeopathic medicines: 
At the very first sign of a cold, take 1/3 tube of Anas barbariae (sold under various brand names, including Oscillococcinum), as directed on the product label, three times daily for one day.


Aconite: This medicine is often prescribed when you have a barking cough, a burning sore throat, and a bitter taste that lingers in your mouth.


Allium cepa: This is often prescribed when your runny nose feels as though it burns, your eyes water constantly, and you sneeze often. This is homeopathic red onion. It is recommended if your cold makes you feel even worse than you do when you are chopping a strong onion.


Belladonna: This is called for if there is high fever and a headache.


Bryonia: This is indicated when the cold has moved into the chest and has become largely a cough.


Gelsemium: This may help if you have chills, aching arms and legs, and fatigue, or if your throat hurts. You have heavy, droopy eyes; feel weak and tired, with aches and chills up and down your back; and want to be alone. (30x or 9c)


Ipecac: This is especially valuable in treating an infant's bronchitis. Adults can use it for a deep cough that has much accumulation of mucus in the chest.


Kali bichromium: This is given at the later stages of a cold. It is also good for sinus headaches and blocked sinuses with nasal discharge.


Mercurius solubilis: If the cold is accompanied by a sore throat that resists treatment, take Mercurius solubilis 12x or 6c three times daily until the symptoms are resolved. 


Nux vomica: This is indicated if you feel irritable and have a runny nose that becomes congested at night.


Pulsatilla: This remedy is often prescribed if you have a stuffy nose and thick yellow discharge. You feel worse at night, prefer to be outdoors, and want comfort and attention. 


Spongia: This is often recommended for harsh coughs.


Ferrum phosphoricum: This is often taken to prevent a cold. Take one dose (6x) every morning during cold season.


Please consult your doctor if acute cough persists.