Conquer Cold and Cough with Ayurveda: Natural Remedies for Respiratory Relief

Having a cold and cough is certainly one of the most uncomfortable things that many of us have endured. The following Ayurvedic methods will help you feel more at ease.

1. Make a steam and inhale the fumes for 10 minutes. Add eucalyptus oil, basil leaves or lemongrass oil to your steam will enhance the efficacy of the treatment
2. Mix mustard oil with garlic. Alternatively, mix warm sesame oil with salt and a drop of eucalyptus oil or lemongrass oil. Massage your chest, back, and neck with the mixture
3. Put one teaspoon of salt into a glass of hot water. Gargle with it twice a day. This treatment is best for children

Herbal Tea

(to be consumed 3 times a day)

• 3-4 basil leaves
• 2-3 seeds of black pepper, crushed
• 2 1-inch ginger slices
• 1tsp palm sugar in approx. 350ml of water then reduced the amount to approx. 250ml.

Aparna K. BAMS, MD, PhD

Aparna is one of the few specialists worldwide with a PhD in Ayurveda. Born into an Ayurvedic family which operates a traditional Ayurvedic Panchakarma hospital in Kerala, India, she grew up observing her father, the renowned Dr Padmanabhan.