Cold Cough Health Feed

A cough and cold are caused by infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, and exposure to dust. Ayurveda recommends not just medications to treat a cough and cold. It also insists on incorporating certain dietary and lifestyle changes for complete cure. A cough is a way that the human body uses to blow off foreign bodies from the respiratory airways. However, when someone coughs for long, it can lead to dizziness, hoarseness of voice, and wheezing. In case of a chronic cough, fatigue and aches in the joints are experienced.

In Ayurveda, cold is also known as Vata-Kaphaja Pratishaya. According to Ayurveda, Virudh ahar (incorrect combination of foods), Ama (toxins), and Asatmya (change in environment) lead to allergic reactions, and cold is one such example. Toxins may accumulate in the body of an individual due to impaired metabolism and digestion. On the other hand, intolerance towards specific food items may lead to an allergy.

Vamana Panchakarma, followed by Virechana can be administered for the treatment of a chronic cough and cold. This helps correct the balance between the three doshas and to eliminate toxins. In some individuals, nasal drops therapy or Nasya treatment can be administered to clear congestion. This is done by pouring herbal oils such as Shadbindu or Anu taila in the nostrils. Ayurvedic medications can also be administered to strengthen the immune system and the respiratory tract.

The following sections explain some of the other Ayurvedic remedies that a person can try out to relieve cough and cold.

Home remedies: Ayurveda points the kitchen to get relief from a cough and cold. Ingredients from the kitchen shelf can help a lot, along with medications. Ginger juice is an effective way to treat a cold and cough. This helps in ejecting mucus. To try out this remedy, an individual can prepare fresh ginger juice and add turmeric (one-fourth teaspoon), tulsi leaves juice and honey (half teaspoon each) and a pinch of black pepper powder to it. Mix everything together. If you want to use it multiple times, you can increase the quantities in the same ratio and refrigerate it. Consume one and a half teaspoon of the mixture at least three to four times a day to get relief from a cough. For children, give half the quantity thrice a day. This is an excellent remedy to relieve a cough and cold without leading to any side-effects.

Gargling also helps. Mix a spoon of salt to warm water. Gargle twice a day with this. Chewing cardamom buds and cloves also help in eliminating cough. You can also take four black raisins and add a pinch of rock salt and black pepper powder to them. Dry roast and take this three times a day. You need to eat this for at least for 15 days.

Otherwise, take a glass of water. Boil with licorice powder and black pepper powder (half teaspoon each). Grate fresh ginger and add one spoon of it to the mixture. Add 10 basil leaves, and make a decoction of everything. The water should turn half the quantity. Palm candy can be added to sweeten the decoction. Try this instead of coffee or tea in the morning and evening to relieve cold and cough.

Dietary changes: Take lots of fresh pulses with grains. Taking pulses with grains help in gaining all the goodness of the pulses. Green gram, yellow lentils, and red lentils can offer nutrients that are required and are easy to digest. Vegetables such as pumpkin, marrow, squashes, ivy gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, smooth gourd, onions, beetroot, celery, carrots, and parsnips can be consumed as well. However, consume cooked vegetables only. Grains such as rice, oats, and millets are good choices. You should refrain from taking wheat and processed flour. Almonds, apricots, figs, dates, and hazel nuts are beneficial. Limit your consumption of fish, chicken, and turkey. Red meat can be taken twice a week. Avoid dairy milk. You can take soy milk or oat milk as a replacement.

Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking. The health of the lungs can be damaged to the core with smoking and this can also lead to cancer. When you suffer from chronic cold and cough, immediately consult a doctor, if you smoke. Avoid exposure to pollens, dust, and pollutants. Use a mask while driving, and cover ears and nose exposed to cold.

Talk less: This gives enough rest to vocal cords. Taking warm water instead of plain water is a good option. Take tea made of herbs. Tulsi, mint leaves, and ginger can be added to the herbal tea. Do not mix milk with tea. Take a balanced diet and keep yourself away from processed and junk foods.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

A cold is not a disease that requires prompt medical attention but can make a person feel very very ill and irritated. Colds or seasonal flu is triggered by viruses and hence antibiotics and most medicines are not very effective against them. Homeopathy, on the other hand, can be very helpful. Homeopathy is a holistic form of medication that does not look at only addressing the symptoms of a cold, but looks at the overall health of the patient. In doing this, it aims at boosting the patient’s immune system and making it difficult for the viruses to thrive.

One of the reasons for homoeopathy’s popularity is the lack of side-effects caused by homoeopathic medication. Homeopathic medicines can be taken by children and adults of all ages. However, though homoeopathic medicines are available over the counter, it is always a better idea to consult a doctor before taking any medication. This is because homoeopathy does not follow a one size fits all approach. A prescription that works for one person may be completely ineffective for another. Homeopathic medication is prescribed not only on the basis of the symptoms shown, but also the patient’s overall physical, emotional and mental health.

There are many different types of homoeopathic medicines that can be used to treat a cold. Some provide instant relief for colds that have come on suddenly as a result of being exposed to cold drafts or a change in weather. Other medicines treat colds that have progressed slowly and have a risk of turning into chest infections. Some homoeopathic medicines address stuffy colds while others treat patients complaining of symptoms such as a runny nose and burning eyes. These medicines are usually prescribed in pill form but may also be taken in powder or liquid form.

With any form of homoeopathic medication, it is important to stay patient and persevere with the treatment. In most cases, the medicine will need to be taken 3 to 4 times a day. It is important not to eat or drink anything at least half an hour before and after taking the medicines. You should also drink plenty of water and take simple measures to keep the virus from spreading. For example, do not sneeze into the air, but use a tissue or hanky. Limit physical contact with others and wash your hands often. Lastly, allow your body to rest so that it can recuperate.

Allergy can prevent and cure mordern homeopathy.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Common cold and cough is one of the most common viral illnesses that have no specific treatment. Allopathic medicines provide palliative cure to just treat the symptoms, there is no definite antiviral for it. There is also popular belief having cold once or twice a year is a good way to cleanse the body. On the contrary, cough and cold could be the first symptoms of a serious underlying disease like pneumonia. From that angle, it is better to treat it than to just let it run its natural course. Especially in children and elderly, it can be chronic issue with repeated bouts and therefore, treatment becomes mandatory.

The good news is that homeopathy provides a cure for this, that not just treat external symptoms. Also, like any other condition, homeopathy looks at treating the whole myriad of associated symptoms, thereby providing holistic treatment.  Below are 5 common homeopathic remedies for chronic cough and cold:

1. Aconitum or Aconite:  Used in the early stages of a cold that was sudden in onset and severe.  There could be associated nasal discharge, fever and chills, chest congestion, itchy throat, and a traumatic experience.  The person may also feel thirsty, anxious, and agitated.

2. Allium Cepa:  Severe burning and watery eyes, nasal irritation, copious amounts of discharge, hoarseness, and headache. The runny nose improves in open air, but worsens when being indoors.

3. Arsenicum album: The patient usually has complaints on the right side including watery nasal discharge, weakness, restlessness, chills, thirst. The discharge can irritate the upper lip and nasal mucosa.  The cold gradually moves to the throat and the irritation also shifts down (this phase requires a different treatment). 

4. Belladonna: When the cold has a sudden onset with red face, high fever, cold feet, this can be used in the early stages of the cold. There is associated high fever, tickly throat, glassy eyes, dry cough, restlessness, and delirium 

5. Euphrasia: Burning eyes and profuse nasal discharge lead to reddened eyes and cheeks. More common in children, the condition worsens in open air, at night, and while lying down. The cough then moves down into the larynx, produces a harsh, hoarse voice. 

6. Pulsatilla: Yellow or greenish mucous, nasal congestion, mouth breathing are some symptoms where this is used. It is very commonly used in newborn babies, if the discharge colour is green or yellow. Associated symptoms include moodiness, easy crying, craving for attention, easily hurt and sensitive. 

Homeopathy does 'cure' the cough and cold in patients, in the true sense of the word.  That provides palliative care and holistic treatment of the condition too.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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