Remedies for cough and cold in monsoons

Monsoons are synonymous with coughs and colds, but they need not be, really. Try the following home remedies that my dad used to make for me and my sister and some I’ve learnt over time

1. Make this medicine from tulsi and ginger. Take 7 to 10 tulsi leaves and wash them nicely. Take 1 inch ginger, wash it and remove the skin. Crush the leaves and ginger with a pestle and mortar. Do not grind it. Crush it nicely and then squeeze it to get the juice with ur clean bare hands. To this juice add a teaspoon of honey. Have this tincture first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This remedy cures as well as prevents cough and cold.

2. You can also make a tea out of tulsi, ginger, black pepper, cloves, bay leaves and cardamom. Add salt to taste and mishri. Store this in a thermo flask and sip it all day.

3. Try to suck on half a inch ginger coated with salt or a single clove for long time by placing it under the tongue near the molars. The juice will be released slowly and soothe the throat.

4. You can also try sunthi ( powder of dried ginger) along with some warm ghee. Mix it with ur steaming hot rice in lunch time.

5. When I was in hostel and not too well to do all this, I used to rely on only hot water. I would carry my thermoflask like a kid everywhere for those 3 to 4 days and just chew 7 to 8 tulsi leaves if available.

Initially i didn’t know that these remedies were actually so helpful. When I caught cough and cold in college, i visited a lot of my professors who would give me various cough syrups with codeine, dextromethorphan, guaphensin, ephedrine etc in them but no relief.

Then I became irritated and tried to remember my father's remedies. When I started taking them, I got relief within 3 to 4 days. By the time the cold went, the cough had also gone. No residual cough!

All these natural ingredients are also safe in pregnancy and help to build immunity also. Try them and share your experience.