Indian Home Remedies for Colds

These 10 Indian Home Remedies for the Common Cold are made from natural ingredients and treat cold and flu without medicines. Besides the fact that most of these can be found at home already, the best thing is these remedies don’t have any harmful side effects like mainstream medicine might. These Indian Home Remedies are based on the principles of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of healing.

Indian Home Remedies for the Common Cold

These Indian home remedies are natural and beneficial to the body to control the production of mucus, cleanse the system and boost immunity.

Ayurvedic medicine (or ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India. It’s based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit.

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Ginger Tea

Ginger helps by drying up a running and dripping nose and expels phlegm from the respiratory tract. Also, ginger is known to soothe a common cold to make it bearable and perhaps even speed up the recovery process. Ginger, ayurvedically known as aradraka, is a popular Indian home remedy for the common cold, and with good reason. According to ispub.com, a study conducted at the Department of Applied Microbiology at Ebonyi State University and published in “The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine” showed that extract of ginger had antibacterial effects, and inhibited the growth of staph bacteri.
Mince fresh ginger and heat to boiling, then simmer for five minutes. Strain the mixture, add a teaspoon of sugar, let cool, and drink.

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Milk and Turmeric

Besides ginger tea or masala chai, warm milk and turmeric mixture is a popular and effective way to fight a cough. Turmeric has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities, and is used both medicinally and cosmetically in Indian remedies and recipes.
Combine 1/4 cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of powdered turmeric for a bitter-tasting, but cough-soothing, drink.

Lemon, Cinnamon and Honey

Prepare syrup of lemon, honey and cinnamon to prevent a common cold. Lemon is reported to decrease the strength of the cold and flu virus in the body and reduce phlegm. Honey and cinnamon are powerful immune boosters and contain anti-bacterial properties.
Put some honey in a pan and heat it on a double boiler until it is thin. Then add a pinch of cinnamon and add lemon.

Gargle Therapy

Salt-water gargle is an old remedy for cough and sore throat, but you can also add turmeric to it. Salt and turmeric fight cough and will give you relief that you really need.

Honey and Brandy

Brandy keeps your chest warm or increases body heat, while honey helps fight a cough.
Try teaspoon of brandy and honey alone or in tea.

Water

Drink lukewarm water to fight a common cold, cough and sore throat. Drinking warm water reduces the inflammation in the throat. Plus, water helps replenish the fluids in the body and washes out the infection.

Amla or Indian Gooseberry

Amla is a strong immunomodulator and protects from the onset of many diseases if taken regularly. It ensures the proper functioning of the liver and improves blood circulation. Amla contains a high vitamin-C content.

Special Spiced Tea

Tulsi, otherwise known as The Elixir of Life, promotes healthy respiratory, digestive, and nervous system. It is revered in ayurvedic medicine for its healing qualities, and is commonly recommended for cough and colds. Black pepper is antibacterial in nature, and helps to cure cold and cough. Add tulsi pure leaves (holy basil) to ginger and black pepper while preparing your tea.
Add 2 teaspoons of fresh holy basil to 8 oz. of water, bring to a boil, and steep for 5 minutes to make tulsi tea to sip for cough relief.

Flaxseeds, lemon and honey

Flaxseeds are a natural antibiotic and cough suppressant and helps to ease the throat.
Boil 3 tablespoons of flaxseeds in 1 cup of water until the water becomes thick. Strain, then add 3 tablespoons each of honey and lemon juice. Take 1 tablespoon as needed for cough treatment.

Marwa

Marwa, or marjoram, is also used as a cough suppressant in Indian home remedies.
Steep 2 teaspoons dried marjoram in 8 ounces of boiling water for 5 minutes. Drink for cough as needed.

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