• Dietary controls alone prevent the appearance of cold in the child. Child should be put on fruit juice, orange or pineapple juice, for at least one day.
  • Milk and its derivatives should be avoided. The child should avoid foods which form mucus in the system as well as tea and coffee. He should also avoid foods which induce catarrh such as cakes, pastries, chocolates and other foods that are largely composed of white flour or white sugar.
  • Lime is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold.
  • Garlic soup is an ancient remedy to reduce the severity of cold. In soup form, it flushes out the system of all toxins and thus helps bring down fever. This soup is prepared by boiling one or two cloves of garlic in half a cup of water and it can be given to the child once daily.
  • Ginger is another excellent for cold and coughs. About five grams of this vegetable should be cut into small pieces and boiled in half a cup of water. It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of honey added to it. This mixture should be given to the child when hot.
  • Turmeric with its antiseptic properties, is an effective remedy for colds and throat irritations. A quarter teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 15ml. of warm milk is a useful prescription for these conditions in children. Turmeric powder should be put into hot milk.
  • For blocked nose or to relieve congestion, take a table spoon of crushed carom seeds (ajwain) and tie it in a cloth and inhale it.