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7 Ayurvedic Cough Remedies That Actually Work

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Ayurveda is an Indian medical practice that champions the use of natural ingredients and pseudoscientific systems. It’s one of the oldest systems of medicine rooted in Hinduism. 

The practice uses diet, massage, yogic practices, and herbal treatments to balance bodily functions and treat ailments. It is also widely used to treat the symptoms of common colds and the flu. In this article, we will look at some Ayurvedic cough remedies that are known to strengthen your respiratory system and offer relief for chest pain. 

However, little scientific evidence exists to support the supposed health benefits that Ayurveda claims to possess. But integrating natural remedies into your diet and making healthy changes could just be the boost your immune system needs to recover and prevent further infection.

Ayurvedic Cough Remedies

So, if you’re suffering from a sore throat and don’t want to reach for the paracetamol or conventional cough syrups, what are your other options? 

Below are a few of the best natural combinations celebrated in Ayurvedic practice for treating a cough. Try these out, and who knows, you may just find yourself preventing future illness too. 

Tulsi

Tulsi is a holy basil that exists among a group of super-herbs known in Ayurveda as adaptogen herbs. Different parts of the plants, such as the leaves, stem, seeds, flower, and roots, are used in Indian medicine.  

Adaptogens assist the body in adapting to stress and fluctuating energy levels. It’s often used to treat anxiety and fatigue but is also common in herbal remedies for treating asthma, bronchitis, colds, and flu. Tulsi also relieves pain and reduces inflammation, which means it can soothe the bronchial muscles of those suffering from a cough or a sore throat. This can help expel mucus and clear the throat. 

It also boosts the production of antibodies, so not only can it prevent infection but help your body fight it off too. Now, there are a few different ways to administer tulsi to ease a sore throat. Let’s take a look at some of them. 

Taking Tulsi

Arguably the most popular way to take tulsi is in tea. It does not only relieve a sore throat but also provides a tasty drink. A quarter cup of tulsi leaves mixed with boiling water makes a hassle-free herbal beverage.

You can also chew leaves of the tulsi plant to gain specific health benefits. This type of direct oral administration is said to prevent infection in the mouth, treat ulcers, and improve overall health. This method could also relieve cough symptoms if carried out regularly. Chewing up to 12 leaves twice a day is recommended for the best results. However, this may not leave the nicest taste in your mouth. 

It’s not only the leaves of tulsi that you can consume, though. You can also mix the seeds of the plant with water or milk too. They are said to act as an antioxidant that can nourish the body and soothe a sore throat. 

Black Pepper and Ginger

You’re already likely to be familiar with black pepper and ginger as common household seasonings. You may even have these in your kitchen cupboards right now. 

Black pepper and ginger are often used together in Asian cooking, but they are also popular ingredients in eastern medicine. The spicy quality of black pepper and ginger is one of the reasons they’re commonly used for flushing the body of toxins, waking up the metabolism, and nourishing organs. 

Moreover, black pepper and ginger both have effective expectorant properties on their own. This means they can relieve cough by reducing mucus in the airways. They’re also used to strengthen the immune system. 

Taking Black Pepper and Ginger

Black pepper and ginger can be mixed in tea or boiled in water with tulsi leaves. You can add honey to sweeten the taste and drink it with lukewarm water when you’re suffering from a sore throat. 

Turmeric Milk

Turmeric is highly valued in Eastern medicine and cooking for the abundance of medicinal benefits it provides. One of the most celebrated properties of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory nature and ability to relieve pain. 

Turmeric differs from other Ayurvedic cough remedies in the sense that it increases mucus production. But this can actually help to flush out the microbes and bacteria that clog breathing airways and cause respiratory infections. 

A common ingredient mixed with turmeric milk is also honey. Since ancient times, this has been a widely used treatment for colds and sore throats. It soothes inflammation, and you can even take it on its own with a teaspoon. But when it’s mixed with turmeric milk, it offers the body a host of benefits. 

Taking Turmeric Milk

Making turmeric milk naturally requires the addition of a milky substance. Dairy milk is most commonly used in the concoction because, like turmeric, it also prompts mucus production. But non-dairy alternatives can also provide the same relief and tastes just as good. 

For the best results, heat a cup of milk with ½ teaspoon of turmeric in a pan over a stove. There are certain limits to the amount of turmeric that can be consumed each day before it can become toxic, so be sure to stick to ½ a teaspoon for this drink. Then, add a teaspoon of honey once the mixture starts to boil. Finally, drink this mixture when it is still warm to reap its healing benefits. 

This combination will provide the most effective relief when it’s taken just before bedtime. This way, it will aid in sleep for those individuals experiencing cough-related pain. This drink can also protect against further illness when taken regularly and consistently. 

Giloy Juice

In Ayurvedic medicine, giloy juice is known as the “root of immortality”. It’s a common ingredient in pharmaceutical cough treatments and a natural remedy celebrated by Ayurveda.  

It comes from a herb famed for the abundance of medicinal properties it possesses, including boosting the immune system. It can also treat fever, liver diseases, gout, arthritis, and urinary tract infections, and more. 

The anti-inflammatory properties of giloy juice are also what makes it a popular treatment for coughs as well.

Taking Giloy Juice

You can take giloy in the form of juice, powder, and capsules. But you can also boil it into a soup called Kadha. 

To treat a cough, take two tablespoons of giloy juice mixed with warm water on an empty stomach. This not only will soothe a sore throat, but with consistent use, it can strengthen your immune system to rid your body of disease and prevent further illness.

Chewing the stem of giloy is also another way to take the herb. It is supposed to help relieve symptoms for those suffering from asthma. 

Mulethi

Mulethi is more commonly known as licorice in western culture. In Ayurveda, it’s also named “sweet wood” for its distinct fragrance and taste.

Mulethi not only eases a sore throat, but it’s also known for its expectorant properties. This means it can clear mucus from the breathing passage and reduce congestion. 

Some people choose to chew mulethi as a way to take it. But doing so is know to produce a bitter taste. So, to release the sweetness of the mulethi plant, we’ll give you other ways that people consume it. 

Taking Mulethi

You may take mulethi in warm or boiling water as a quick beverage or brewed tea. Either mix one tablespoon of the substance with water or leave a small piece of the mulethi root to infuse with boiling water and consume up to twice a day. Mulethi is naturally sweet and does not require extra sweeteners to make the taste palatable. 

Sonth

Sonth is a flowery plant where its roots and leaves are widely used in folk medicine. Sonth is actually a dry ginger that is a common ingredient in medicinal cough syrups. In Ayurveda, it is known to relieve a sore throat because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Taking Sonth

When paired with honey, sonth is known to treat colds and coughs. Add ¼ teaspoon of sonth and a teaspoon of honey mixed with warm water. Drink this twice a day for three days. 

In addition, you can also eat sonth. Heat two to three tablespoons of ghee in a pan and combine it with equal parts of sonth with jaggery powder. Once blended, allow this mixture to cool and then mold them into bite-sized balls. This treat is called gothi, and you can take it twice a day to relieve a cough. 

Almonds and Butter

The vitamin E content of almonds makes it a good treatment for cough symptoms. They can fight infection by getting rid of bacteria and preventing colds. Not only that, but it also contains a ton of healthy fats, protein, magnesium, and fiber. As a result, it doesn’t just make your respiratory health better, but your overall health as well. 

Taking almonds and Butter 

Almonds can be snacked on to access the benefits that they provide for the immune system. But mixing finely ground almonds with butter or purchasing this pre-mixed combination, commonly called almond butter, is also an easy and tasty way to reap the health benefits of this combo. 

Frequently Asked Question about Ayurvedic Cough Remedies

Which ayurvedic medicine is best for cough?

Tulsi is often nicknamed the “The Mother of Medicine” and “The Queen of Herbs”. For these reasons, tulsi is widely known as the best Ayurvedic medicine for coughs and overall health. In addition, mulethi is also favored for its effectiveness in treating respiratory illness and soothing symptoms of colds and flu-like coughing. 

How can I cure a cough the fastest?

Because of its ability to target a cough directly at the source of the problem, any Ayurvedic medicine taken in tea form is regarded as the fastest way to cure a cough. Tulsi is most effective when taken daily and consistently, but a warm cup of honey tea could also relieve you from a cough instantaneously.

What is the best natural remedy for coughing?

Nothing beats drinking fluids when it comes to flushing out infection and alleviating a sore throat. The best natural remedy for coughing is disputable. But drinking hot teas and providing your body with pure and nourishing ingredients is bound to get your health back on track. 

A Final Word From Wellness Nova

Despite the disputes that Ayurveda has caused in the medical industry, little criticism can be made about integrating natural remedies into your healthy routine. Anecdotal evidence suggests that those kinds of treatments work if you use them right.

See, where conventional medicine fails and is slammed for the negative side effects it can have on the body, the natural methods of Ayurveda triumph. These solutions can often be easily sourced or already live in your kitchen cupboards. So don’t fear away from getting creative and relieving your cough with an Ayurvedic influence. 

Article by:

Wellness Nova Team

Our detailed review has been contributed to by multiple members of the Wellness Nova Review Team to ensure the best research and highest standard of quality. Have a good or a bad experience with one of the products? Please let us know, we love the feedback!

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