Simple Home Remedies For Cold And Cough

Cough helps in treating the infection and irritants but persistent cough can be hard to deal with. The cause of cough can be acid reflux, allergies and infections. If there is a serious cause of cough, then you will need medicines because herbal treatment can actually interfere with the medicines. However, if you are suffering from a common cough and cold then these home remedies for cold and cough can give you great relief.

If cough and cold is severe and it is persistent for a few weeks, then please seek medical attention. In this article we will discuss some natural ways of getting rid of common colds and coughs. To treat common cold and cough many Indian households depend on simple home remedies as these remedies are free from side effects and give best results. We have discussed effective home remedies and some simple tips to treat common cold and cough. So, let’s start with some home remedies.

Home remedy 1: Ginger Tea

Ginger, a spicy pungent herb used in cooking, has many medicinal uses. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and it soothes the common cold and cough. The recovery process speeds up due to this. It treats sore throat, cough and cold. It also boosts the immunity to fight infections. It fights against pathogens and toxins too.

Way to take Ginger

Way 1: Ginger tea is liked by everyone for good taste. It dries the running and dripping nose. It also helps in expelling the phlegm from the respiratory tract.

To make the tea, crush some ginger and boil it in water for a few minutes and then make the regular tea with milk. The flavour of ginger will spread properly in the tea if you boil it properly. Drink slowly and try to have it hot.

You can have plain ginger tea as well. Just boil some pieces of ginger in water and then strain the liquid. Now sip it. You can have it 2 to 3 times a day for relief.

Way 2: Raw ginger root can be found in grocery stores. You simply wash it and slice the fresh raw ginger root. Chew the root 2 to 3 times a day. The herb has spicy heat so it is not for everyone. A less intense way to have ginger is by chewing a ginger candy or sucking a ginger lozenge.

Home Remedy 2: Lemon, Cinnamon and Honey

Having this mixture is one of the best home remedies to treat common cold and cough. Honey and cinnamon have antibacterial properties which can save you from nights of endless coughing. Cinnamon has potent antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon is rich in vitamin C and the juice cuts through congestion.

Ways to take it

Way 1: Take some water and boil a stick of cinnamon in it. Then strain the cinnamon water and add some honey and lemon juice to it. Sip it slowly. It will help you get relief from cough and cold.

Way 2: Make a powder of cinnamon. Take half a teaspoon of honey and add a few drops of lemon to it. Sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top and eat it. Take this 2 to 3 times a day. It will soothe the throat and fight cough.

Home Remedy 3: Milk and Turmeric

Turmeric is a strong antioxidant which helps in reducing cough and cold symptoms. It has high antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties and is a powerhouse of nutrients. It may not be delicious in taste but very effective for cough and cold.

Way to take it:

Way 1: boil some dairy free milk. Add half a tsp of turmeric and some sugar to taste in a glass. Now add the hot milk from top. Mix it well. Drink it either in the morning or at bedtime for sleeping better and getting great relief from cough and cold.

Way 2: If you do not like milk then boil some water. Take half a teaspoon of turmeric and add it to the glass. Now pour hot water in the glass. Mix the turmeric and drink it slowly. The taste will not be good, but drink it like medicine and you will get relief from cough and cold.

Home Remedy 4: Steam

It is easy to treat a wet cough with steam. In wet cough phlegm and mucus is produced. It can be improved with steam. It gives relief to the nostrils, helps in releasing the phlegm and allows one to breathe better.

Ways to take steam:

Way 1: Take a hot shower bath and let the bathroom fill with the steam. Stay in steam for some time and take the steam from your nose. It will release some phlegm. So, blow your nose gently and spit the cough. After the bath, have a glass of warm water to prevent dehydration. It will also give relief to the throat.

Way 2: Take a bowl and boil some water in it. Add some herbs and essential oils like rosemary and eucalyptus to it. Now place a towel on your head and lean over the bowl to take the steam from your nose and mouth. Inhale the vapours for 5 minutes. It will relieve decongestion. Have a glass of warm water after taking steam for relief and preventing dehydration.

Home Remedy 5: Peppermint

Peppermint leaves are known for healing properties. The menthol in peppermint breaks down the mucus and acts like a decongestant. It reduces congestion.

Ways to take peppermint:

Way 1: Boil water and add some peppermint leaves to it. Let it boil for a few minutes and then turn the gas off. Cover the peppermint water for a few minutes. Now have it without straining. You can swallow some leaves. It is good for digestion as well.

Way 2: Boil some water and add peppermint oil to it. You can take natural leaves and boil them too. Now drape a towel on your head and lean over the bowl to take this vapour. It will help in soothing the nostrils and clearing the passage.

Now we will discuss a few tips that are good to know to deal with common cough and cold problems. It is also an effective way to keep yourself healthy when you have a cough or cold.

Tip 1: Know some symptoms are beneficial:

Whether you believe this or not, some annoying symptoms of cold and cough are a part of the natural healing process. The immune system is actually battling with the illness. For example, when you have fever it is actually trying to create a hotter environment to kill the viruses and germs so these do not circulate in the blood. If you have moderate fever for a day or two then you can actually get well quickly. Similarly when you cough it clears the breathing passage which has thick mucus. Thick mucus carries germs to lungs and the body and when you cough and spit the mucus you are actually clearing the throat and breathing passage. Same happens when you have a stuffy nose. Stuffy nose needs to be treated mildly.

Tip 2: Blow your nose often in the right way:

Blow your nose regularly when you have a cold instead of sniffing the mucus back in your head. Do not blow hard because the pressure will carry the phlegm back into the ear passages. It can lead to ear ache. So, press one nostril with a finger and blow gently to clear the other. Do the same with the other nostril.

Tip3: Stuffy nose and bad throat can be treated with warm salt water:

Salt water rinsing is useful for breaking nasal congestion and it also removes the bacteria and virus particles from the nose. Just mix 1/4th teaspoon of salt and 1/4th teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Take a nasal irrigation kit so you can squirt the water in your nose. Apply light finger pressure on one nostril and squirt the salt mixture on the other nostril. Let it drain. Repeat this 2 to 3 times.

Your throat may also be affected because of cold and cough. So, gargle with the warm salt water 3 to 4 times during the day. It will relieve pain and discomfort from the throat as well. It is the best treatment for seasonal colds and flu. An effective home remedy as well which has been used since ages for giving great results.

Tip 4: Rest, stay warm and hydrated

Do not roam outside in the wind. Cover yourself properly. Staying warm can help the flu to come down. Do rest properly. Take proper rest. Rest helps the flu symptoms to decline.

Keep drinking hot water and herbal teas to keep the body warm. It will give you a lot of relief. Staying hydrated is important for those who have coughs and colds. It will alleviate symptoms like chills, fatigue and sore throat. You can have herbal teas, hot water, decaffeinated black tea, warm fruit juice, etc.

So, these are some simple and effective home remedies for cough and cold. If cough and cold are affecting your ability to breathe then call a doctor. If you have a simple cough and cold then these remedies will help in giving you relief.