Cold and Cough - Remedies Ayurveda

Ayurvedic - Remedies for cold

Cold is our immune response and should not be whipped into submission
by use of synthetic drugs. The cold attacks are a result of food
allergens also. The food which
causes the attack must be found by careful investigation. The patient
should stop cold water from fridge and take warm water. 500 ml water
boiled for 2 minutes with 25 gm salt + a tsp of turmeric powder
should be used for mouth-gargle to ease throat pain/swelling/voice
problems. The patient should remain happy and avoid excitement. The
cold ignored for long time turns into a chronic one. With proper food
management and simple home remedies, children in age group up to 12
years, the cold gets cured for ever.

There are many home remedies for cold. The constipation, if present,
must be treated first by giving `Virechana' of Haritaki(harde),
Sonamukhi or Castor oil depending on
unbalanced Kapha, Pitta and Vata dosha respectively. Keeping
constipation under control is the most effective remedy for cold.

A fast for a day, while drinking warm water (ushnodaka) frequently
during the day, till strong hunger is felt, is a naturopathy
recommendation. Light diet thereafter causes good digestion. Khichdi,
a principal diet in Saurashtra, is highly recommended, especially
with a little ginger, black pepper, cummeen seeds sauting. Daily
light exercise should relieve constipation.

Another simple cold remedy is to go for a walk in dry climate. Sweet
foods, cold foods, late night out, moving in hot sun, should be
avoided. Curd at night, ice-cream after a heavy dinner is sure
catalyst for cold attack. If curd needs to be taken, mix a little
turmeric in it to kill Kapha promoting qualities of curd.

Mixture of Ginger, black pepper, Peeper-Longum (peeparimul) powders
(Trikatu Churna) is commonly recommended for cold. This powder can be
taken ½ - 1 tsp in a tsp of honey. Honey reduces Kapha. Turmeric,
Nicotine snuff, Ayurvedic smoke are also recommended by some Vaidyas.
Tulsi is also somewhat effective in Cold and cough remedies.

To reduce the frequency of cold attacks, the immunity of the patient
must increase. An expensive remedy for chronic cough and cold consists of
mixture of Mahalaxmi Vilas Ras, Suvarna Vasant Malti Ras, Swas Kas
Chintamani Ras(if breathing difficulties are also present), one Tablet (100 mg each)
each, crushed and mixed together. Divide
this mixture into two doses. Mix with honey and lick twice a day.

You can take tea made of Tulsi
and Mint. Tea can be made by adding 11 fresh leaves (or 1 tsp tulsi
powder) and 11 fresh leaves of mint, boiled for 10-15 minutes. Add
honey when the tea is lukewarm and drink twice a day.

Nowadays, the patients approaching vaidyas have already tried out
many treatments elsewhere and ayurveda is last retreat for them. Such
patients should take `Draksharishtam' 2 tsp with equal water after
food. This kindles digestive fire. Avoiding Kapha promoting foods such as
Curd, Sweets, Cheese, etc and staying at places where winds are
minimal will be beneficial. Keep head, neck, chest well covered with
warm clothes.

Nasya of `Anu Tailam' also helps in frequent
colds. `Amrut bindu ' Nasya is also equally effective.

Lastly, for those who want to fight cold tooth and nail, here are few
more recommendations which can be tried according to convenience:

• Payasam made from Ghee, Jaggery and Peeperimul.
  
• Eating roasted horse gram
  
• Boiling milk with sugar and black pepper and drinking it 2-3 times a
  day.
  
• Warm Oil massage and subsequent hot water bath during winter also
  prevents cold.
  
• Grind together Black pepper, Ajwain, poppy seeds (Khas khas) by equal
  weight, take 3-6 gm of this mixture twice a day with water.
  
• Chew Cardamom or Clove throughout the day to relieve cold symptoms.

Keep your insides warm with warm spices -- cumin is considered the
best "ama" burner. Heat-generating spices like black pepper,
Coriander seeds, cumin seeds can be used in souting vegetables.
Clove, boiled with milk, is excellent too.

Cakes and desserts need more fire to digest. But that doesn't mean
you have to ignore your sweet tooth. Metabolize the sugar better with
bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom. Ice creams given after sumptuous
marriage dinner should be avoided.

Pierce red colored apple with 4 cloves and boil. Once done,
remove the cloves and savor this energy-enhancing fruit.
It gives essential energy or "ojas", boosting immunity.
One should drink water stored in copper vessel, 12 hours or longer
(no limit).

Common Cold and Cough

Remedies:

• body should be kept warm especially
  feet, chest, throat and head. Sweating is very helpful. The simplest
  way to do it is drink hot spice tea or some other hot drink and lie
  down on the bed .Take some warm cover like blanket and let the body
  sweat for 15 to 20 minutes.
  
  
• a glass of warm water mixed with one tea spoon of lemon juice and one tea spoon of honey can be taken 2-3 times a day.
  
  
• case of dry cough especially if it trouble is during
  the night, take cardamom, dry ginger, black pepper and cinnamon in
  equal quantity, say 10 gms. each. Take white sugar or rock candy equal
  to the total weight that is 40 gms. Grind them and make a fine powder.
  From this take half a tea spoon ( about 3 gms.) twice a day with honey
  or warm water after meals.
  
  
• case of sore throat a clove or two cardamoms or rock
  candy or a few raisins can be chewed. Gargling with warm salty water is
  also beneficial. This can be done two to three times a day.
  
  
• For hacking cough and Laryngitis : Equal parts of
  honey and juice of baked lemon,( i.e. sour citrusfruit) or 10 -15 drops
  of betel leaf juice with honey three times a day.
  

Diet and Regimen:

• Cold drinks, ice cream, sweets,
  fried foods, milk products like cheese, creams, yogurt etc. should not
  be taken. Hot milk without fat can be taken if boiled with a piece of
  crushed ginger. Half tea spoon of turmeric powder is good to mix with
  the milk.
• you should avoid tomatoes, eggplant and bananas.
  
• Sweet fruit juices should also be avoided. Breads,
  meats, nuts and pastries are not good to take. It is good to take light
  and warm diet like boiled or steamed vegetables, vegetable soup and
  fruits which are not juicy like papaya and apple. Spice teas, herbal
  teas and some other hot drinks are good.
  
• Keep your insides warm with warm spices -- cumin is considered the
  ace "ama" burner. Stack up your spice rack with "thermogenic" or heat-
  generating spices like black pepper, coriander, and cumin. Clove (lonng),
  boiled with milk, is excellent too.

Life style:

• Follow the middle path: don't skip meals or overeat.
  
• Eat fresh, well-cooked food.
  
• Start your day with two glasses of warm water.
  
• Do not fast during winter -- fasting weakens the body's defenses.
  
• Eat a timely lunch and an early dinner for good digestion.
  
• Sleep on time -- not later than 10 p.m. Restful sleep builds essential energy or "ojas", boosting immunity.
  

Excellent winter dessert : Stewed Apple
Take one Red
Delicious apple, pierced with 4 cloves and boiled. Once done, remove
the cloves and savor the clove-warmed, energy-enhancing fruit.

Ayurvedic medicines: Tribhuvankirti. Nagaguti , Ardrakavleha.

Ayurvedic Sore Throat/ Cough Remedies:

-- Mix 1/2 tea spoon of Sitopladi churna with honey and lick it two to three times a day. It will lubricate your throat and prevents irritation due to cough.

-- Take 1 tea spoon of Kantkari avleha twice a day. It helps in relieving the symptoms of cough.

-- Take mouth dissolving Ayurvedic lozenges like eladi vati, vyoshadi vati 3-4 times a day.

-- Yashtimadhu churna is also good in sore throat along with honey .

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