Coughs are one of the many natural protective mechanisms of the body. Coughing helps in expelling irritants and excess phlegm from the throat and lungs. In this article, we will discuss some simple Ayurvedic cough remedies and herbs that help in relieving cough.
Repetitive or chronic cough not only interferes with one’s daily routine but can also disrupt one’s sleep. Coughs can be caused due to a wide variety of reasons including but not limited to allergies, respiratory tract infections, smoking, and other underlying health conditions.
Exposure to cold weather and irritants like dust and smoke can also aggravate coughs.
Daily Measures To Prevent Coughs
- Wear fully covered clothes and avoid prolonged exposure to cold winds, rain, and snow during winter.
- Wear a face mask to avoid inhaling irritants like dust and smoke.
- Drink lukewarm water to keep hydrated and relieve cough temporarily. During summer, drink water at room temperature.
- Saline gargles can also be done twice or thrice a day to help remove excessive mucus that forms with coughs.
- Steam inhalation can also be useful as it helps in loosening the excess mucus and makes it easy to expel.
- For easy, at-home Ayurvedic cough remedies, drink herbal teas made from common kitchen spices like ginger, holy basil (tulsi), black pepper, cloves, cardamom, fennel seeds, and other Ayurvedic herbs.
Homemade Ayurvedic Tea Cough Remedy Recipe
- Take one cup of water.
- Add eight to ten leaves of Holy Basil1, a half-inch long crushed ginger piece2, four to six pieces of whole black pepper3 (or one-fourth teaspoon of black pepper powder), one to two pieces of cloves4, one crushed green cardamom5, one crushed black cardamom6, and one-fourth teaspoon of fennel seeds7.
- Boil all the ingredients on a low flame for five to ten minutes.
- Add sugar or honey to taste. Diabetics should avoid adding sugar or honey.
Ayurvedic Cough Remedies
Ayurvedic medical texts mention many Ayurvedic cough remedies for relieving chronic and bothersome coughs. These remedies usually involve the consumption of certain Ayurvedic concoctions and Ayurvedic cough syrups. There are many herbs that relieve cough.
Here are some of the most common herbs and spices used in Ayurvedic cough remedies.
- Turmeric is useful for relieving coughs.8 The Ayurvedic recipe, Golden Milk, primarily contains turmeric and can be easily made at home. Turmeric can also be added to various food items.
- Ginger is very useful in relieving coughs. Ayurvedic texts mention ginger being useful for Kasa, which means cough and cold.2. One can consume ginger juice with honey or make ginger water. The recipe is available on our website.
- Cinnamon is also useful for relieving cough. One can take one-fourth of a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with one teaspoon of honey once or twice a day.9
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) also reduces the frequency of coughs. Licorice sticks can be chewed on to relieve coughing. Licorice powder can also be used.10
- Ayurvedic herbal formulations like sitopaladi churna (powder) and talisadi churna (powder) can also be used.11,12
Read More: 10 Ayurvedic Ways To Get Rid of Runny Nose or Sniffles Fast
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