7 Home Remedies For Cold And Cough

Cold and cough are common visitors in every household, especially when little ones are around.
While monitoring your health and getting a proper check-up from a doctor is essential, some home remedies for cold and cough can be helpful.

For years, people have used natural remedies for colds and coughs instead of modern medicine. As a result, their use has become known worldwide.

We have collated 7 all-natural cold and flu remedies for you to try.

Home Remedies For Cold And Cough

1. Ginger: Anti-inflammatory, boosts immunity, may cause digestive issues for some.
2. Tulsi: Increases antibody production, relieves cough, used in kadha.
3. Honey: Reduces cough frequency and can be as effective as cough suppressants.
4. Mulethi: Soothes sore throats, acts as an expectorant, and boosts immunity.
5. Pippali (Long Pepper): Enhances lung health, is a natural expectorant, and boosts immunity.
6. Cinnamon: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, provides warmth, and helps against coughs and colds.
7. Giloy: Boosts immunity, combats fever, and is beneficial for colds and flu.

1. Ginger

Ginger has been a part of many home remedies for cold and cough. Its anti-inflammatory compounds can ease the discomfort associated with sore throats, and its spicy, pungent nature provides the warmth your body needs during such times.

Additionally, ginger helps fend off infections by enhancing the immune system. Therefore, it can serve as an initial line of defence if you have a sore throat, cough, or cold symptoms.

Ginger is commonly incorporated into meals or consumed as tea. However, it's worth noting that ginger tea may sometimes lead to digestive issues or heartburn for some individuals.

2. Tulsi

Tulsi is often celebrated in Ayurveda as the "Mother Medicine of Nature" and the "Queen of Herbs" and is renowned for enhancing the body's defences against the common cold and cough.
Tulsi increases the production of antibodies, which helps prevent infections. It also alleviates coughing by clearing the airways of sticky mucus. Thus, it is one of the natural ways to get rid of chest congestion fast.

Ways to Use Tulsi as a remedy for cold and cough:

• Chewing Tulsi Leaves: Start your day by chewing 4-5 Tulsi leaves. Continuing this habit can help strengthen your immune system.
• Making Tulsi Kadha: Follow these steps for a soothing herbal tea:

1. Clean a few Tulsi leaves thoroughly.
2. Boil water in a pot and add the Tulsi leaves.
3. Include 1 teaspoon of grated ginger and 5-6 peppercorns.
4. Let the concoction boil for at least 10 minutes.
5. Add a pinch of black salt and the juice of half a lemon.
6. Allow it to sit for a minute.
7. Strain the mixture and enjoy it warm.

3. Honey

Research indicates that honey may be an effective remedy for cold and cough. A study conducted in 2018 examined the impact of honey on coughs associated with upper respiratory infections. Findings suggested that honey outperformed standard care by reducing cough frequency and mitigating the necessity for antibiotics.

In a separate investigation, honey was compared to dextromethorphan, a widely used cough suppressant. Results showed that honey and the cough medicine were both effective in suppressing coughs, with honey slightly outperforming the medicine in one study and matching its effectiveness in another.

Instructions for Use:

• For Cough Relief: Consume a teaspoon of honey each night before bed as a home remedy for congestion and cough. Continue this practice until the cough subsides.
• Honey with Ginger Juice: Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of ginger juice and a pinch of black pepper. Drink this blend once in the morning and once at night before sleeping to alleviate sore throat and cough symptoms.

4. Mulethi

Also known as Liquorice root, it is one of the best all-natural cold and flu remedies widely used traditionally. It contains glycyrrhizin, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to soothe sore throats, reduce coughing, and fight off viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory infections.

How Mulethi Works:

• Soothing Sore Throat: Mulethi's soothing properties can relieve irritation and pain in the throat.
• Reducing Cough: It acts as an expectorant, loosening and expelling mucus from the airways, thus easing a cough.
• Boosting Immunity: Its antioxidant properties help strengthen the body's immune response to infections.

How to Use Mulethi for Cough and Cold:

• Mulethi Tea: Boil a piece of mulethi root in water for a few minutes. Let it steep, then strain the tea and drink it warm. You can add honey or lemon for taste and additional benefits.
• Mulethi Powder: Mix mulethi powder with honey to form a paste. Take this twice daily to help relieve the cough and soothe the throat.
• Mulethi and Ginger Kadha: Prepare a kadha by boiling mulethi root and ginger in water. Strain and drink warm to alleviate throat irritation and cough.

5. Pippali (Long Pepper)

Pippali is known for its rejuvenating properties and its ability to enhance lung health. It is one of the natural ways to get rid of chest congestion fast by helping to break down mucus and ease its expulsion. It boosts immunity and improves digestive health, closely linked to overall immunity.

How to Use:

Mix a pinch of Pippali powder with honey and consume it twice daily to alleviate cough and soothe the throat.

6. Cinnamon

This spice, commonly found in our kitchens, extends beyond culinary uses, offering therapeutic benefits in cold and cough relief.

With its notable antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, cinnamon is a home remedy for congestion and cough. Its capacity to induce warmth makes it particularly beneficial for alleviating the discomfort of cold-induced chills.

Adding cinnamon to drinks or homemade treatments can make you feel better and help fight off the symptoms of a cold.

How to Use:

Cinnamon Tea: Boil cinnamon sticks in water for a few minutes, let it steep, then drink the tea warm. Adding honey can enhance its soothing effect.

7. Giloy

Giloy is a powerhouse of antioxidants that fight free radicals, keep cells healthy, and eliminate diseases. It helps remove toxins, purify blood, fight bacteria that cause diseases, and combat liver diseases and urinary tract infections.

It's particularly beneficial for boosting immunity and combating fever, making it one of the all-natural cold and flu remedies.

How to Use:

• Giloy Juice: Take a small stem of Giloy, blend it with water, and drink it once daily. You can also find ready-made Giloy juice in health stores.
• Giloy Kadha: Boil Giloy stem in water, reduce it to a kadha, and drink it warm.

And there you have it – 7 simple yet effective home remedies for cold and cough available in the comfort of your kitchen.

So, next time you feel a cold creeping up on you, consider reaching for one of these trusted remedies.

While these all-natural cold and flu remedies are known to be beneficial, they are not substitutes for medical treatment in case of severe conditions. Always consult a doctor before starting any new health regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or are on medication.