Common Cold Home Remedies
Common cold is one of the most prevalent "diseases", it can be easily treated with herbal ingredients like turmeric, cinnamon, clove, camphor, fenugreek, echinacea, sage and ajowan. Common cold is caused by any of more than two hundred viruses, they generally occur when our body's defense mechanism is not at optimal strength or when we have allergic reactions. Colds are spread through the air, by sneezing or coughing, or by contact with a contaminated object.
Common Cold Symptoms
Cold causes congestion of the nasal passages, there maybe a thin, watery discharge from the nose, eyes maybe swollen and red. It could be accompanied by frequent sneezing, headaches, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing. When the infection has reached the vocal chords, there is a hoarseness in the voice. Some of them may record a low grade fever temperature.
Common Cold Lifestyle Choices
- Avoid exposure to the cold, give the body a chance to fight the infection and not get worse.
- Colds can spread through the whole family. Keep your hands clean and discard tissues after use. Get plenty of sleep and rest.
- Avoid over the counter cold medications. The cold symptoms that we exhibit are our immune system's attempt at flushing out the virus, by suppressing them with medication, we prolong the cold.
Common Cold Diet
- Light food like steamed vegetables, soups and broths are some of the best foods for a cold. The focus for the body will be on the healing and not digestion. If you lose your appetite, don't force yourself. It is the body's attempt at detoxifying itself.
- Reduce your intake of milk products. Dairy slows metabolism and make you more sluggish, it is important to stay light when your body is fighting the infection. Some elements in dairy stimulate the release of histamine and encourage mucus production, thus making the congestion worse.
- Spicy foods drain the mucous membranes, try to consume spicy soups and meals. Try to season your food with horseradish, hot pepper sauce, chilli sauce or eat dinners of Asian, Indian or Mexican origin.
- Curb that sweet tooth for a while. There are a special type of white blood cells called Neutrophils. They are critical in destroying the cold viruses, but react adversely to sweets. Excess sugar in the system make them lethargic.
- Warm liquids raise the temperature of the body making it harder for the virus to survive, relieve congestion, soothe a sore throat and encourage a cleansing sweat. Have all your liquids warm.
Common Cold Herbal Remedies
Turmeric Cold Remedy
Turmeric anti-inflammatory property alleviates inflammation and congestion from lethargic mucous membranes. Add turmeric powder with some pepper and jaggery to a glass of hot milk and take it thrice a day. Alternatively, add a tsp of turmeric, a quarter tsp of ajowan and some honey to cup of boiling water. Drinking this, will relieve congestion and cure colds. Read other Turmeric Home Remedies.Ginger Dries a Cold
Since ginger root is a good expectorant, it is effective in various respiratory problems like cold, cough, flu, asthma, bronchitis and breathlessness. Consuming ginger decoction sweetened with honey loosens the mucus from the throat and lungs. Read other Ginger Home Remedies.-
Garlic Strengthens Immune System
Garlic increases the production of interferon and white blood cells, both important contributors for a healthy immune system. Regular usage of garlic can prevent respiratory illnessness like bronchitis, cold and flu. Garlic is both a broad spectrum antibiotic and a potent antibacterial. Read other Cold Home Remedies. Camphor Vapours For the Cold
The strong penetrating aroma of camphor is a powerful decongestant and opens up congestion of bronchi, larynx, pharynx, nasal tracts and lungs. A small piece of camphor can be added to mustard or sesame oil and massaged over the chest and neck. Read other Camphor Home Remedies.Spicy Cinnamon Cold Remedy
Add a pinch of pepper and honey to Cinnamon decoction. This mixture is useful in cases of influenza, sore throat and malaria. Alternatively, treat the cold with a mixture of cinnamon oil and honey. Read other Cinnamon Home Remedies.Cloves For A Cold
Clove has cooling and anti-inflammatory effect and thereby clears the nasal passage. Clove decoction or clove oil can be added to milk to treat respiratory disorders like coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis and tuberculosis. Read other Cloves Home Remedies.-
Echinacea Boosts Immunity
Echinacea is an ubiquitous cold remedy herb in the United States. It increases the production of white blood cells to help fight the infection and also destroy the virus-infected cells. Use about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the tincture early in the cold process. Fenugreek Soothes A Cold
Fenugreek's expectorant properties makes it a useful remedy in treating sinus and lung congestion. It helps to loosen and remove excess mucus and phlegm. Boil the seeds in water and drink the decoction every couple of hours. Warm fenugreek gargles are soothing for sore throats. Read other Fenugreek Home Remedies.Ajowan Seeds Treats A Cold
Thymol, the active ingredient of Ajowan is known for its expectorant and antispasmodic properties. Crush a tsp of Ajowan seeds and add it to boiling water. Inhaling or consuming this decoction will clear the nasal block and relieve the stuffy nose. You can also roast a few seeds and add it to your entree or main course. Read other Ajowan Home Remedies.Betel Leaves Cold Remedy
Chewing betel leaves is highly beneficial as it is an expectorant and helps break down solidified phlegm and expel it. Read other Betel Leaves Home Remedies.Tangy Tamarind Cold Remedy
Tamarind leaves and pulp are effective in treating infections, cold and fever. You can consume a decoction of tamarind leaves and turmeric for this. Alternatively a tamarind sherbet made from tamarind pulp, milk, cloves, sugar and cardamom can be consumed. Tamarind rasam is also a popular remedy. Boil a dilute tamarind pulp decoction with some ghee, black pepper powder and salt. This opens up the pores and the nasal blockage is cleared. Read other Tamarind Home Remedies.-
Sage Advice For A Cold
Sage is an antiseptic, astringent and an effective cold remedy. Steep about a teaspoon of dried medicinal sage leaves in a cup of water and drink the filtered decoction. Tulsi - The Holy Plant Remedy
Tulsi(Holy Basil) is not only effective against simple ailments like cough and cold, but also against asthma, bronchitis and influenza. The black variety of tulsi can be formed into a decoction with honey and ginger and consumed every couple of hours. Gargling with tulsi decoction will reduce pain and irritation in the throat. Tulsi leaves have a warming effect on the body, it induces perspiration and help expel the toxins from the system. Read other Tulsi Home Remedies..
