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Ayurveda is an ancient medical science that uses natural herbs, spices, and other products and lifestyle adjustments to cure various disorders. Ayurveda, which is thought to have originated in India’s Vedas, is currently popular in many world regions.
It is widely used as complementary medicine, and millions of people rely on Ayurvedic treatment for colds and other ailments. The Ayurvedic medical philosophy is based on the notion that there are five components in the universe: air, space, fire, water, and earth. These five elements are supposed to make up your body’s three components (doshas), and illness occurs when these components become unbalanced.
1. Tulsi: Tulsi is one of the most effective cough treatments in Ayurveda for removing dry cough. Tulsi is renowned in Ayurveda as the “Mother Medicine of Nature” because of the multiple advantages it provides, which is perhaps why it is adored in Hindu families in India. Tulsi leaves to increase the formation of antibodies in the body, which aids in the fight against illnesses. Tulsi leaves are healthy to eat and can be used in a variety of ways, like:
- 5-6 leaves chewed in the morning.
- Tulsi tea.
- Adding Tulsi leaves to kadha.
2. Ginger: Another well-known Ayurvedic cough and cold remedy is ginger. It can be consumed in fresh form or as dry ginger powder. When combined with honey, it aids in rapidly treating colds and coughs. There are also ginger honey tablets or toffees on the market to help relieve an inflamed throat. Ginger has anti-inflammatory qualities that help in sore throat relief. It’s a great way to get rid of cough. Ginger can be taken in various ways, including:
- As ginger tea – Ginger tea is one of the most effective Ayurvedic cold cures. To make it:
- Boil water with ginger slices and tea.
- Pour it into a cup after straining.
- Consume it with honey on top.
- Ginger and honey- Mix a tablespoon of honey with grated ginger and consume. For a more dramatic effect, add black pepper.
3. Honey: The benefit of utilizing honey as a remedy is that, although other Ayurvedic cough and cold medicines can be bitter and hot, honey is a total delight for the tongue and throat. This feature makes it a popular treatment among both children and the elderly. Honey can be consumed in a variety of ways, including:
- By mixing it with ginger juice.
- By mixing it with tea or kadha
4. Giloy: Giloy has recently garnered a lot of popularity in India as an Ayurvedic cold therapy. Following India’s proliferation of the COVID-19 virus, it became a household name. Giloy, also known as Guduchi or Amrita, is a plant with heart-shaped leaves. Giloy aids in the treatment of colds brought on by pollutants or allergies and the treatment of tonsillitis. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help to enhance immunity. Giloy can be eaten in a variety of ways:
- As a juice
- As tabletsÂ
- By adding in a kadha
5. Mulethi: Mulethi, often known as liquorice, is a bitter-tasting herb that has long been used in Ayurvedic cold allergy treatment. It possesses anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects, which aid in the thinning of mucus in the lungs. This aids in the treatment of coughing and congestion. Mulethi can be consumed in the following ways:
- By soaking mulethi powder in warm water
- Gargling with mulethi extract
- Mixing it into tea or kadha
6. Pippali: In Ayurveda, pippali, or long pepper, is one of the most effective cough remedies. It’s frequently seen in the ‘garam masala’ package at home. Pippali is a spicy plant with expectorant properties that assist in releasing mucus and in relieving congestion. It relieves headaches and other symptoms associated with the common cold. A few methods to eat pippali are listed below:
- Add pippali powder to a scoop of honey and swallow it.
- After straining, add it to kadha and drink it.
7. Garlic: Garlic is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to relieve cold allergies. Garlic contains antibacterial and antiviral qualities, making it an excellent treatment for cold. Here’s how to utilize garlic if you think it’s the best choice for you:
- Chew one or two raw garlic clovesÂ
- Adding it to soup or other meals.
8. Saltwater gargle: This simple cure for a sore throat and a wet cough is one of the most effective. Saltwater helps clear phlegm and mucus from the back of the throat, reducing the need to cough. Stir half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water to dissolve it. Allow for some cooling time before gargling with the solution. Allow the mixture to rest at the back of the throat for a few moments before spitting it out. Gargle with salt water a few times a day until your cough subsides. Young children should not be given saltwater because they may not gargle correctly, and swallowing salt water can be harmful.
9. Steam: A wet cough, or one that produces mucus or phlegm, maybe helped by steam. After a hot shower or bath, let the bathroom fill with steam. To check if your symptoms go away, stay in the steam for a few minutes. Then, to chill down and avoid dehydration, sip a glass of water. As an alternative, make a steam bowl. Half-fill a large basin with boiling water. To relieve congestion, use herbs or essential oils like eucalyptus or rosemary. Lean over the bowl and wrap a towel around your head. This keeps the steam from escaping. Inhale the vapours for 5 minutes. If the steam is too hot for your skin, stop using it until it cools down.
10. Turmeric: Turmeric is a common spice in every Indian household, and it can help with a variety of health issues. Curcumin is the main ingredient in turmeric, and it has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. For generations, this yellow spice has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory diseases. Before retiring to bed, mix 1/4 teaspoon turmeric in a glass of warm milk and drink it.
11. Peppermint: The menthol in peppermint leaves can numb the nerve receptors in the throat that become inflamed by coughing. Menthol can also aid in the breakdown of mucus and the relief of congestion. To relieve coughing, drink peppermint tea 2-3 times a day. Peppermint oil can also be used as an aromatherapy treatment.
Conclusion
In Ayurveda, we have a plethora of cough cures. The ingredients for these treatments are inexpensive and widely available in local marketplaces. Furthermore, if used in moderation, they have no adverse side effects.
