|
Common Cold Cure - Herbs And
Ayurvedic Remedies - by Anna Hardy
(Note: Ayurveda medicine is an
ancient system of health care native to India)
|
|
Common cold is the most common
dosha disorder affecting human beings. Everyone has suffered
from common cold at some point or other in their lives. Its
symptoms are too well-known. In Ayurveda, this very ordinary
ailment is called as Pratishyaya. All the three doshas
are responsible for the occurrence of common cold. Vata dosha
common colds have dry coughs, little mucus discharge, hoarse
voice, headache and a runny nose. |
People with pitta dosha who have common colds will have fever,
sore throat, yellowish nasal discharge and continuous blockage
of the nose. People with kapha dosha common colds have thick
mucus discharges with dull headaches and heaviness of the
head.
(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Common Colds
- Bishop’s Weed (Trachyspermum ammi) Bishop’s weed has the
power to open up clogged nasal passages. Its seeds are tied in
a cloth and inhaled directly to clear congestions. It is very
effective in treating nasal blockages in children.
- Cassia (Cassis fistula) Cassia roots are effective in
treating cold. The roots are burnt and the smoke from them is
inhaled. The mucus discharge will increase after such a
treatment, but within a while it will stop completely.
- Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Cinnamon is boiled in a
glass of water with a pinch of pepper and honey. This reduces
the sore throat problems and also prevents the cold from
becoming chronic, or developing into something serious like
pneumonia or influenza.
- Cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum) Cumin seeds are antiseptic. So
they have beneficial effects if the cold is accompanied with
fever. It is also helpful in treating the throat irritations.
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Ginger extract taken several
times a day is an excellent remedy for treating coughs that
accompany common colds. Ginger tea is also very effective in
treating colds.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) Chewing a few leaves of tulsi
(holy basil) will remedy sore throat problems. An extract of
the leaves boiled in water can be used as a drink for the same
benefits.
- Onion (Allium cepa) Onion has the power to liquefy the
phlegm. This makes the sticky mucus runny and it is discharged
out of the nose.
(2) Dietary Treatments for Common Colds
- Common cold patients are typically advised to fast for one
day so that the body toxins wash out. Then the patients can
have hot vegetable soups, or steamed vegetables with little or
no spices in them. Foods that are difficult to digest such as
cheese, yoghurt, milk, oily and spicy foods and sweets must be
avoided.
- Hot foods are advisable when you have a common cold. Hot
chicken soup is a traditionally known remedy for common cold.
(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Common Colds
- Bhringasava is the prescribed Ayurvedic remedy for common
colds. This is generally prescribed in quantities of 15 ml
thrice a day for seven days.
- The nasal drops called Anutaila are also prescribed by many
Ayurvedic doctors. Other common medicines are Vyoshaadi vati,
Kantara Arya Ava Lehya, Tribhuvana Keerti, etc. These
preparations must be taken in time to prevent the cold from
getting converted into flu.
- Trikatu powder is suggested to be taken with honey. This
decreases the inflammation of the respiratory tract. Shadbindu
taila can be used as nasal drops. This is to be used twice
daily as long as the symptoms of the common cold are felt.
(4) Home Medications
- Take a pinch of salt. Put a few drops of mustard oil in it
and blend it till the oil loses its fluidity. Dab this mixture
on the nostrils, neck and chest. It will tingle a bit, but the
relief will be fast.
- Mix some jaggery and black pepper together. Boil this in
water. Sip this quickly when hot as you do with tea.
- Squeeze the juice of two lemons in a glassful of water. Put
sugar to sweeten the mixture. This must be taken at bedtime to
seek relief from the nasal catarrh.
- One more remedy is to blend nutmeg and opium with cow’s milk
into a paste. This is to be applied on the nose and the
forehead while going to bed.
- Mixing black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and the seeds of the
Nigella sativa (Krishna Jeeraka), and using it as a snuff
helps in opening severely congested nasal passages.
- Before going to bed, apply eucalyptus oil on the forehead,
chest and the nostrils in the night. Then wrap yourself in a
warm blanket and go to sleep. You will sweat profusely in the
night, but let that happen. In the morning, the common cold
will disappear, and so will any fever if present.
- It is not advisable to remain in a cramped room when you
have a common cold. Open the windows and let the air pass, but
don’t do this if it is cold outside. Take some walk in the
fresh air and get enough rest.
Another point to note is that common cold is infectious.
Hence, if you have got common cold, you should take all due
precaution that it doesn’t pass on to others. Do not go near
infants and children as they are the most vulnerable to
attracting common cold. Also use a handkerchief when you cough
or sneeze. Keep your utensils separate.
Read More on Common Cold Cure by Ayurveda and Common Cold Home
Remedies at http://www.ayushveda.com
>> Click Here to return to the main
cold and flu page
|
