Cold is a common infection which is mainly caused by Rhinovirus. It is called “Common Cold” because people often catch a cold rather than any other disease. It is highly contagious and can spread easily from one person to another. Cold can occur at any time of the year, but it is most common in Winter or rainy season. There is no particular treatment of cold but few home remedies which are listed below can help to decrease the symptoms and are much safer than medication. Symptoms of Cold Includes sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, cough, aches, and pain in the throat region, fever, headache, etc. 

Home remedies to cure cough & cold:

  1. Gargling: Mix 1 tsp of salt into warm water or lemon warm water and Gargle for a sore throat. Frequent Gargling can reduce episodes of Infection.
  2. Lemon, Cinnamon, and Honey: Mixture of this combination is an effective remedy to cure cough and cold
  3. Ginger Milk: Boil 200 ml milk with 1 small clove of ginger and drink warm ginger milk before sleep. It helps in soothing throat inflammation, running, and dripping nose and to expel phlegm from the respiratory tract.
  4. Turmeric Tea: It can help to ease digestive problems and cough or cold if caused by GERD
  5. Spiced Tea: Add Tulsi, Ginger, Clove (Laung), Cinnamon and Black pepper in tea and sipping it slowly can fight common cold and cough
  6. Mix Fennel seeds, Black Pepper, Amla, and Mulethi in equal Quantity, grind it and take 1 tsp of this mixture in the morning and evening
  7. Mix Black Pepper, Cumin, Jaggery in warm water and sip it slowly in case of chest congestion
  8. Probiotics: Can help in boosting the immune system by balancing bacteria in the gut.
  9. Marshmallow Root Tea: Helps ease Irritation resulting from cough because of its high mucilage content.
  10. Burnt clove: Chewing a burnt clove is an effective medicine for cough
  11. Raisin (Munakka): Raisin with a pinch of black salt can give relief from dry cough

Foods to be avoided:

  1. Dairy Products: Avoid having dairy products as the intensity and severity of mucus increases on its intake
  2. Smoking and Drinking alcohol as it weakens the immune system
  3. Too much coffee/tea as caffeine leads to dehydration and can cause breathing Issues
  4. Fruit juices as they are high in sugar content which further reduces WBC capacity to tackle illness
  5. Fried snacks, Junk/spicy foods, and processed foods
  6. White flour and white sugar delays the healing process and suppress the immune system
  7. Mangoes, Banana and citrus foods can increase mucus production 

Other Instructions:

  1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids prevents dehydration and warm fluids can clear mucus such as warm water, soup without spice, etc
  2. Steam: Steaming with Eucalyptus oil/Peppermint/Tea Tree or a hot shower helps stuffy or irritated nose.
  3. Personal Hygiene: Keep your hand, nails, the tissue or handkerchief clean which are used for sneezing. Use Hand Sanitizer. Disinfect the environment and commonly touched surface.
  4. Taking proper rest with a balanced meal and enough water.