Top 5 home remedies to cure Cold and Cough–Chukku (Dry Ginger), Basil and more

With the onset of winter comes its woes of Cold and Cough. Those blessed with a good immune system can do the filmy style rain dance and still be in the pink of their health. However for the majority of the others, it is the other way round. One brief dash of drizzle can make us go pink (or rather red) in the nose with cold. Invariably it gets manifested into cough and in some cases even a slight fever. My uncle who is a medical practitioner loves to quip every time we have a cold – ‘Cold gets cured in 1 week with medicine and in 7 days without meds’. It is better not to pop a pill for something as minor as a common cold.  However there are some home remedies which are helpful in curing the cold faster and makes the ailment bearable because of its soothing effect.

Here are the 5 tried, tested and working natural cures for common cold

1. Holy Basil (Tulsi) and Oregano leaf (Karpooravalli) Water

If the symptoms of cold have just started, this method works wonderfully to reduce the intensity of the cold. Boil about 10-15 Holy Basil (Tulsi) leaves along with 6-8 leaves of Oregano (Navara pachilai in Malayalam/Ajwain in hindi) in 3/4 liters of water. Drink this water whenever you are thirsty. However we feel less thirsty during a cold so I recommend having a self reminder to take a half cup full of this hot concoction even 30 minutes or so. This can be heated up repeatedly for drinking. This method is very safe and can be administered to  children and infants(above 1.5 year old). For infants, one might want to reduce the number of leaves to make the concoction less strong.

Hint: The leaves add more flavor when they are cut into coarser pieces

2. Steaming

Nothing relieves a congested nose and blocked chest like Steaming. In a large vessel boil water along with Tulsi leaves and Betel (Vettrilai) leaves keeping it covered all the while. Once the water boils very well, do the steaming. Unlike facial steaming, steaming has to be done from under a bed sheet so that no steam escapes for better results. Keep inhaling till the nasal congestion is relieved. Keep a small towel handy to blow the nose during steaming.

Hint: Few drops from a inhalation tablet can be added to the hot water just before steaming for quick relief from congested nose.

3. Dry Ginger (Chukku) and Thippili (Piper longum) with Honey

Uncontrollable coughs makes the throat sore. Thippili (Piper longum or long pepper) is one of the best known medicines for cold and cough. It is mentioned in the same breath with Chukku (Dry Ginger) and Milagu (Black pepper) as a natural cure for common cold. Honey has soothing effect on the throat. Powder Thippili and Chukku. To a teaspoon of honey add 2 pinches of Chukku powder and 2 pinches of thippili powder and make it to a paste and consume it. This can be given to children and infants.

Hint: Instead of swallowing this paste in a gulp, take it down the throat slowly to keep cough away for a longer time.

4. Chukku, Milagu (Black Pepper) , Thippili and Turmeric powder with Milk.

Chukku, Black Pepper (milagu) and Thippili can be powdered and kept handy during the winter season. For a glass of warm milk, add a couple of pinches of Turmeric powder and one teaspoon of the powdered mixture (Sukku,milagu,thippili powder). Mix well and drink to treat the sore throat and cough. One can skip adding Turmeric powder and have this drink regularly twice per week to keep the cold at bay. This is a very healthy drink and can be given to children and infants(without turmeric powder).

Hint: Adding honey increases the taste and soothing effect of the drink.

5. Sukku Kashayam (Dry ginger concoction)

Even though it is called Sukku kashayam, it is a strong potion made from a variety of ingredients. This is one of the oldest known home cures for cold. A very useful and a easy to make recipe, this works wonders on the cold apart from being healthy even otherwise.

Ingredients:

Dry Ginger - Powdered – 1 tablespoon

Black Pepper - Powdered – 2 teaspoons

Coriander seeds - Coarsely powdered – 3 Teaspoons

Thippili - Powdered – 2 Teaspoons

Palm Jaggery (Karuppati) - Roughly Broken – 1 cup (I like it sweeter, you may want to adjust this for your taste)

Water – 1 Litre

Add all the ingredients to water and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, allow the potion to simmer for about 5 minutes. Keep it aside for it to filter.

This potion can be taken every once in a while (reheating it) to cure the cold. Can also be administered for young children to treat their cold. This potion helps in building immunity in the body and hence can be taken by the entire family during winter.

Hint: Some people prefer adding Tulsi leaves to this potion to make it tangy.

Try these Do It Yourself (DIY) home remedies for cold and enjoy your winter.

Please do comment if you have other working natural cures for cold!