5 Best Home Remedies for Cold & Cough

Cold & Cough are most common symptoms of  Corona and with changing weather there are more chances of catching it. We always use Home remedies for mild cold & cough before popping in any pills.

It is important in these times to eat healthy and boost immunity so that you are at a low risk. 

Here are some Home Remedies which we use when we get the slightest hint of cold or cough.

1. Kadha/Herbal Tea

This is my all time favourite remedy by my MIL. Even at the slightest ‘khich-khich’ I go for it and it replaces coffee in the monsoon and cold weather.

How to make it:

1.  Take 1.5 cup water
2.  Add half tsp turmeric powder, 2 cloves, 3-4 tulsi leaves, a small piece of crushed or grated ginger, 1/4 tsp of tea-leaves, gud/jaggery as per taste.
3. Let it boil till it comes down to 1 cup.
4. Strain and drink it warm.

Gives instant relief to scratchy throat and blocked nose.

You can give a 2-3 spoons of it to 6+ months child. My kid loves it and keep asking for more.

2. Turmeric Milk

This is like ‘daadi maa ka nuskha’.  I am sure most of use have been drinking turmeric milk for any and everything since childhood. Be it fever, got hurt, body ache and of course cold and cough. This is one of those home remedies which can never go wrong.

How to make it:

Add 1 tbsp of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk and have it in the morning and before going to bed at night.

Turmeric is the best antibiotic and suits all.

You can give it to 1+ year old child in cow’s milk after checking with your doctor.

3. Musturd/Sesame oil Massage

Mustard or sesame seed oil is used for massaging new born and the mother post delivery especially during winters. Adding garlic, aijwain ad methi seeds to it enhances the benefits.

How to make it:

1. Take 250 ml of musturd or sesame oil
2. Add around 10-12 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp of ajwain and 1tbsp of methi seeds.
3. Bring it boil at low flame.
4. Strain and store the oil.

Apply little bit of warm oil on child’s palms, feet, chest and back. It prevents cold and cough. You can use it for regular massage as well.

4. Ginger juice

This is a remedy which my mom has been using on us since childhood and I still use it as soon as I have some cough.

How to make it:

Grate some ginger, extract its juice using a strainer. Add a pinch of salt to 1 spoon of it and warm it a little.

Take it immediately and don’t drink water or eat anything for at least half an hour.

You can give it to 1+ year old with some drops of honey.

5. Steam inhalation

This is the best home remedy for blocked nose. it gives instant relief and  makes breathing easy. It also helps in driving out the wet cough.

Fill a large bowl with hot water.  You can add steam inhalation capsules, if required. DO NOT put vicks vaporub in this. It is not advised by the doctors.

Lean over the bowl and place a towel over your head. This traps the steam. Inhale the vapors for 5 minutes. If the steam feels hot on the skin, discontinue until the skin cools down.

Drink a glass of warm water after this to avoid dehydration.

This is best for skin also as it opens all the clogged pores. Not advised for children.

Follow these tips to keep you loved ones safe , if you have cold:

1. Avoid contact with other healthy or sick people.
2. Wash you hands regularly with hand-wash or soap to remove germs.
3. Use a disposable tissue or keep changing your handkerchief at some intervals.
4. Use disinfectant to clean your house, frequently used surfaces and to wash your clothes. 
5.  Stay hydrated – drink warm water, herbal tea to avoid dehydration.

Which home remedies have you been using from your ‘daadi/naani maa ka pitara’? Let me know in the comments below.