Working Girl Ayurveda – 7 Ways To Deal With A Cough, Cold Or Runny Nose

Cold

1. Try Steam Inhalation

• Add 3 drops of lavender essential oil, 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, and 3 drops of tea tree oil to a pot of hot water.

• Place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl, and inhale deeply.

• Alternate between breathing through the nose and mouth, for five minutes.

• Take a break, and do it again for another five minutes.

• Do this twice a day.

2. Try Honey and Cinnamon

• Mix one tablespoon of raw organic honey with one tablespoon of organic cinnamon.

• Add a drop or two of warm water to make a paste.

• Eat and be aware it is strong.

Runny Nose

3. Use A Neti Pot

Your nose is your first line of defense against environmental toxins.

A neti pot is a container resembling a small teapot that is used to irrigate and flush out your nasal passages.

The water from the neti pot helps reduce inflammation or irritation in your sinuses, and washes out toxins.

To use a neti pot

• Boil water but allow it to cool down until it’s just warm.

• Add ¼ teaspoon neti salt to your neti pot.

• Fill up your neti pot with the warm water, and tilt your head towards a shoulder.

• Make sure your chin is not too far forward or not too far back.

• Breathe through your mouth.

• Gently pour one potful of water through one of your nostrils.

• If you feel the water in your ear, your head is too far back. If you feel the water in your sinuses, your head is too far forward.

• Breathe naturally though your mouth.

• After allowing the water to flow through your nostril, gently blow your nose.

• Repeat with a full pot on the opposite side.

Dry Cough  

4. Try Steam Inhalation

• Add 3 to 5 drops of eucalyptus oil to a pot of hot water.

• Place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl, and inhale deeply.

• Alternate between breathing through the nose and mouth, for 5 minutes.

• Take a break, and do it again for another 5 minutes.

• Do this two or three times a day.

5. Try A Dry Cough Tonic

• Gargle with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder in warm water.

• Drink hot tea made with a pinch each of ginger powder, ground cardamom, and ground cinnamon.

• Drink licorice tea, to which you have added 10 drops of mahanarayan oil. Sip the tea throughout the day.

Wet Cough

6. Try An Ayurvedic Herb

• Try the Ayurvedic herbal powders sitopaladi or talisadi. Add 1 tablespoon of raw organic honey if desired.

7. Try A Wet Cough Tonic

• Add a few slices of fresh ginger to warm water. Sip throughout the day. Add 1 tablespoon of raw organic honey, if desired.

• Drink licorice tea throughout the day. Add 1 tablespoon of raw organic honey, if desired.