Ayurvedic Treatment for Cough and Cold

Cough and cold are among the most common discomforts that affect us, especially during seasonal changes. Globally, the common cold accounts for millions of lost workdays and doctor visits annually [1]. In Ayurveda, these are viewed not just as symptoms but as signs of imbalance in the body’s natural energies, known as Doshas, primarily Vata and Kapha [2]. Instead of just suppressing the symptoms, Ayurvedic care takes a gentle and holistic approach, focusing on natural herbs, mindful eating, and simple daily habits that may help bring the body back into balance. Whether it’s sipping on warm herbal teas, inhaling soothing steam, or adjusting your diet and routine, Ayurveda offers time-tested ways that may support your body’s natural response and overall well-being. In this article, we will explore how Ayurvedic treatments can help ease symptoms and support comfort and recovery from cough and cold.

7 Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Cough and Cold Relief

Ayurveda offers a range of natural remedies that are traditionally used to manage the symptoms of cough and cold. These remedies often utilise ingredients readily available in most kitchens or traditional herbal preparations. Here are seven Ayurvedic home remedies that may help ease cough and cold symptoms.

1. Tulsi

Tulsi, also known as holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), is a revered herb in Ayurveda, often referred to as the “Queen of Herbs”. It is traditionally used as a go-to formula for cough and cold, thanks to its potential immune-boosting and cough-relieving properties [3].

How it works

• Tulsi is traditionally believed to support the body’s natural immune function and may aid in maintaining overall health and wellness [3].
• The essential oils in Tulsi, such as eugenol, are known in traditional practice to support respiratory health by helping to maintain clear airways and promote natural mucus clearance [3].

How to take it

• Chewing fresh tulsi leaves in the morning is traditionally believed to support overall wellness and may help maintain a healthy immune system.
• Prepare Tulsi kadha by boiling tulsi leaves with ginger, garlic, and other herbs, such as carom seeds and fenugreek seeds, in water. Drink this concoction twice a day for optimal results.

2. Honey

Honey has been used for centuries in Ayurveda to manage various ailments, including coughs and colds. Clinical studies support its use as an effective and safe option for upper respiratory tract infections and cough, especially in children [4], [5].

How it works

• Honey is traditionally used for its soothing properties and may help support throat comfort and respiratory health by coating the irritated mucosal lining [5].
• It acts as a natural demulcent, aiding in the expulsion of mucus and providing relief from congestion [4].

How to take it

• Combine honey with fresh ginger juice, turmeric, and black pepper which is a traditional remedy often used to support throat comfort and general wellness during a cough or cold.
• Mixing honey with herbal teas like ginger tea or tulsi tea is a traditional practice to help enhance flavor and support overall comfort.

3. Mulethi

Mulethi, or liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), has been used in Ayurveda for centuries to manage various respiratory ailments, including cough and cold. It has traditionally recognized anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties [6], which may help soothe throat discomfort and support overall wellness.

How it works

• Mulethi’s active component, glycyrrhizin, is traditionally used to soothe throat irritation and may help fight infections [6].
• It aids in soothing the throat and managing cough, making it easier to breathe and reducing discomfort.

How to take it

• Prepare Mulethi tea by boiling a small piece of Mulethi root in water with grated ginger. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then add honey to the cooled tea and drink twice a day.
• Create a Mulethi kadha by mixing mulethi powder with cinnamon, black pepper, and tulsi leaves in boiling water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add honey and drink twice a day.

4. Pippali

Pippali, also known as long pepper (Piper longum), is a potent Ayurvedic herb traditionally renowned for its expectorant properties [7].

How it works

• Pippali, an herb in Ayurveda, is traditionally believed to support respiratory health and ease discomfort by promoting the natural flow of airways by acting as a Kapha balancing agent [7].
• It is traditionally believed to support comfort during the common cold by soothing symptoms like headaches and congestion.

How to take it

• Swallow a pinch of pippali churna (powder) with 1 teaspoon of honey 1-2 times a day, as per traditional recommendation, until the cold and cough subside.
• Alternatively, you can take pippali in the form of tablets or capsules, following the recommended dosage on the product label and consulting a certified practitioner.

5. Sonth

Sonth, or dry ginger (Zingiber officinale), is commonly used in Ayurvedic remedies for throat discomfort and cough. Ginger is well-known for its traditional use in managing nausea and inflammation [8], and is traditionally believed to have warming properties that may support overall respiratory health.

How it works

Sonth is known for its warming and anti-inflammatory properties, which are traditionally believed to help soothe throat discomfort and support respiratory health. It is traditionally believed to support respiratory health by helping to clear the airways and promote natural mucus elimination.

How to take it

• Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sonth with 1 teaspoon of honey and take it twice a day for at least 3 days to alleviate cough and cold symptoms.
• Prepare sonth goli by mixing sonth with cinnamon powder and honey. Take this mixture twice a day for at least 3 days for optimal results.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon, a warming spice in Ayurveda, is traditionally believed to support overall well-being. Its natural properties are often used in Ayurveda to help balance Kapha dosha and promote comfort [9].

How it works

Cinnamon is traditionally believed to have warming properties, which may help support throat comfort and promote overall respiratory health [9]. It is traditionally believed to help clear mucus and support breathing comfort.

How to take it

• Combine cinnamon powder with sonth and honey to create a soothing remedy for coughs and colds. Take this mixture twice a day for optimal results.
• Add cinnamon to herbal teas like tulsi tea or ginger tea to enhance their therapeutic effects and make them more palatable.

7. Giloy

Giloy, also known as Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), is a highly revered herb in Ayurveda, which is widely studied for its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties [10].

How it works

Giloy is traditionally believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help support throat comfort and respiratory health [10]. Giloy, an Ayurvedic herb, is traditionally used to support immune health and may help the body manage infections and fever by modulating the immune response [10].

How to take it

• Take two teaspoons of Giloy juice with warm water on an empty stomach in the morning for optimal results.
• Alternatively, you can take one Giloy tablet with warm water in the morning, following the recommended dosage on the product label and a certified practitioner’s advice.

Quick Tips for Comfort

Home remedies may help effectively manage colds and coughs. Saltwater gargles help soothe sore throats and reduce coughing by loosening mucus. Additionally, essential oils like eucalyptus (for adults only) provide relief through steam inhalation or topical application.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ayurvedic remedies for cough and cold focus on supporting the body’s natural balance and promoting overall wellness. These remedies, deeply rooted in the ancient wisdom of Indian medicine, focus on restoring balance to the body’s doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and may help in eliminating toxins that can contribute to illness. By integrating these Ayurvedic home remedies and lifestyle adjustments into your routine, you can effectively alleviate cough and cold symptoms while strengthening your immune system and promoting overall wellness.

Expert Quote

“Simple home remedies may help when dealing with cough and cold, as these natural methods can provide comfort and support the body’s natural recovery process. Warm herbal teas, steam inhalation with eucalyptus or mint oil, and using common kitchen ingredients like ginger, tulsi, and honey can help deal with these discomforts by soothing the throat, supporting easier breathing, and providing a sense of relief during mild respiratory discomfort. It’s vital to remember that these are supportive traditional practices, not substitutes for modern medical care. However, it’s important to seek medical advice if the discomfort persists or worsens to ensure safe and appropriate care.”

– Dr Anubha Karol

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Which Ayurvedic medicine is best for chronic cough?

Sitopaladi Churna and Talisadi Churna are highly recommended Ayurvedic medicines for their potent expectorant and soothing properties, which are traditionally believed to support respiratory health during chronic cough. It is essential to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for a personalized diagnosis and prescription for chronic conditions.

Which home remedy is best for a cold and cough?

A mixture of honey, ginger juice, turmeric, tulsi leaf juice, and black pepper is a popular and time-tested Ayurvedic preparation that may help support respiratory health and alleviate symptoms of colds and coughs.

How to remove mucus from lungs naturally in Ayurveda?

Using herbal remedies like Pippali, steam inhalation, and Nasya (nasal administration of medicated oils) are traditional practices that can help clear mucus from the lungs naturally. These practices should be performed under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, especially Nasya.

Which herb is used to cure cough and cold?

Tulsi, ginger, mulethi, and turmeric are commonly used herbs in Ayurveda to help manage cough and cold symptoms. Ayurveda focuses on managing the symptoms and supporting the body’s natural healing rather than offering a ‘cure’ for infections.

How do I immediately stop coughing?

Inhaling steam infused with Ayurvedic herbs like peppermint and clove or taking a mixture of warm ghee and honey are traditional methods that may provide temporary relief from coughing.

Which plant is best for a cold and cough?

Giloy (Amrita or Guduchi) is known for its immunomodulatory properties, which may help support respiratory health and ease symptoms of cold and cough [10].

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a healthcare provider before beginning any new wellness practice, especially if you have an existing medical condition or are on medication. The information regarding traditional Ayurvedic remedies is based on historical use and should not be interpreted as a medical claim for prevention, diagnosis, or cure of any disease.

References

[1] Moyad, M. A. (2004). The role of functional foods in preventing and treating the common cold. American Journal of Therapeutics, 11(4), 314–318. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15263889/

[2] Sharma, H. M., & Kulkarni, V. (2001). Complementary medicine in the United States: Ayurveda. Journal of the American Medical Association, 286(9), 1109–1111. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.286.9.1109

[3] Jamshidi, N., & Cohen, M. M. (2017). The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: ECAM, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9217567

[4] Abuelgasim, H., Albury, C., & Lee, J. (2020). Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111336

[5] Goldman, R. D. (2014). Honey for treatment of cough in children. Canadian Family Physician, 60(12), 1107. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4264806/1

[6] Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, S. S., Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, M. F., Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, M. S., & Amir, M. (2021). Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A2 Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. Plants, 10(12), 2751. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122751

[7] Biswas, P., Ghorai, M., Mishra, T., Gopalakrishnan, A. V., Roy, D., Mane, A. B., Mundhra, A., Das, N., Mohture, V. M., Patil, M. T., Rahman, Md. H., Jha, N. K., Batiha, G. E., Saha, S. C., Shekhawat, M. S., Radha, Kumar, M., Pandey, D. K., & Dey, A. (2022). Piper longum L.: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and health‐promoting activities. Phytotherapy Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7649

[8] Bode, A. M., & Dong, Z. (2011). The amazing and mighty ginger. National Library of Medicine; CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/

[9] Thakur, A. K. (2020, May 25). CINNAMON: A MEDICINE FOR COUGH, COLD & CHOLESTEROL. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353558837_CINNAMON_A_MEDICINE_FOR_COUGH_COLD_CHOLESTEROL

[10] Gupta, A., Gupta, P., & Bajpai, G. (2024). Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy): An insight on the multifarious pharmacological paradigms of a most promising medicinal ayurvedic herb. Heliyon, e26125–e26125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26125