Cold and
Cough
Symptoms
Following are the signs that indicate the presence of this ailment:
- Running or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Sore
throat
- Congestion
- Headache
- Low
fever with body pain
- Loss
of appetite
- Lethargy
- Insomnia
Causes
The aggravation of kapha due to the intake of cold food, drinks and fried stuff
etc, causes cough. Seasonal changes is also one of the reasons for cough Improper
digestion of food transforms into a mucus toxin (Ama) and this circulates through
the body and reaches the respiratory system, where it causes colds and coughs.
Remedies - The
body should be kept warm - especially the feet, chest, throat and head. Sweating
is very helpful.
- Take
half a teaspoon of ginger juice with half a teaspoon of honey, three times a day
(morning, noon and night). In winter, warm the mixture by mixing a teaspoon of
warm water in it.
- Mix
half a cup of warm water with one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of
honey.
Dosage: Take several times a day. - In
cases of dry cough (especially during the night), peel a small piece of fresh
ginger. Sprinkle some salt on it and chew.
- Take
equal amounts of cardamom, ginger powder, black pepper and cinnamon (1 teaspoon
each). Add sugar equal to the total amount of mixture and grind to make a fine
powder.
Dosage: Take half a teaspoon twice
daily, with honey or warm water after meals. - In
cases of sore throat, a clove or two cardamoms or a few raisins can be chewed.Gargling
with warm salty water two to three times a day is also beneficial.
Dos
and don'ts
The food and activities that are to be avoided are as
follows: - Cold foods
and drinks
- Ice cream,
sweets
- Fried foods
- Milk
products (cheese, creams, yogurt)
- Sweet
fruit juices
- Breads
- Meats
- Nuts
- Pastries
- Sleeping
during the day
- Taking
a cold shower
- Exposure
to cold wind, fans, air conditioners
Following
are the substances and activities that should be taken in cough:
- Boiled or steamed vegetables
- Vegetable
soup
- Spice teas
- Herbal
teas
- Hot milk with
a piece of crushed ginger
- Half
a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed in milk provides relief.
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