The monsoon season in India is quite exciting because one gets to witness pounding downpours, unadulterated vegetation and slightly cooler weather that spares the suffocating heat for a little while. But, along with the beauty of the season comes several health problems as well.
The combination of a wet and warm climate along with waterlogging is ideal for a wide range of pathogens to thrive. This increased exposure makes individuals prone to infections and ailments thus a more sizable proportion of the population suffers from certain health issues like sore throat.
These natural home remedies not only provide relief but also help strengthen the immune system at the same time. Though cough is quite prevalent particularly in the monsoon because of changing climate and seasonal flu viruses, quite a number of natural options are available that can relieve dry and moe persistent coughs.
Honey and Lemon: A tried and trusted remedy for coughs
For those with a nasty cough especially during the rainy season, honey and lemon are two ingredients that come in pretty handy. It is also well-known that honey has antibacterial properties, including those that relieve irritation of the throat by coating, thereby addressing a persistent cough. Coughing may also be caused by mucus, and vitamin C from lemons is known to be effective in helping to break down and enhance the immune system.
In this case, simply mix a tablespoon of honey with the juice of half a lemon and put the mixture into a cup of warm water. This mixture should be consumed twice: in the morning and just before going to bed. This mixture will help soothe a nasty cough and other related symptoms. In this way, the terrible feeling of having a constant cough during the rainy season is effortlessly relieved thanks to this recipe.
Steam Inhalation: A Good Solution for Reducing Congestion and Relieving Respiration
Steam inhalation is one of the most common cough treatments which is effective mostly in case of congestion. The warm steam provides a warm touch, thins mucus, unclogs air passages and relaxes the respiratory tract. It is of great help during the monsoons as the humidity in the atmosphere tends to cause congestion.
For this breathing exercise, one has to fill a bowl with hot water and place one’s face over the bowl, covering one’s head with a towel. Take deep breaths for about 5-10 minutes. For better results, you can put a few drops of menthol or eucalyptus oil to the hot water. This simple remedy is a very effective solution towards the nasal blockage along with a soothing throat.
Saltwater Gargling: An Effective and Easy Solution for Sore Throats
Yearning for a salty kiss? A saltwater gargle will temporarily resolve the symptoms of a sore throat and reduce dry cough. Salt keeps inflammation in the back of the throat to a minimum and helps eliminate bacteria, which can cause pain. It is an apt home remedy for dry scratchy throat with cough, which is almost usual in monsoons.
Warm a glass of water and dissolve a teaspoon of salt in it. It helps for sore throat when used 2 to 3 times a day, especially before retiring for the day. The gargling will help alleviate irritation and lessen coughing. Other than providing relief with the throat discomfort, this remedy also manages to kill microorganisms and helps prevent further infection.
Tulsi Tea-great treatment for coughs owing to the power of Holy Basil!
Tulsi, or holy basil in English, is one of the most revered plants according to Ayurveda. The plant has plenty of antiinflammatory, antibacterial and anti-viral characteristics which makes it easy to see why tulsi is effective agianst coughs and respiratory reproduction in the rainy season when infections are common.
To make the tea, place several fresh tulsi leaves in a cup of boiling water to steam for 5 to 7 minutes. You may rinse and consume one or two cups of this tea each day for a week to help reduce swelling, mucus in the respiratory tract, and even provide immunity. In particular, for coughs caused by viral infections or by allergens or by other environmental factors, tulsi tea may be very effective.
Garlic and Honey Combinations: The Reigning Infection Fighters
Highly regarded as a natural cough shield, garlic’s antibacterial and antiviral characteristics make this herb a good choice for fighting infections. And mixed with honey, garlic becomes even better. It is said that honey provides immediate relief to the throat while the garlic is responsible for the actual cause of the cough.
For this purpose, crush a few garlic cloves, make a paste and pour honey over it. The mixture should be left for a few hours to allow the therapeutic effects of garlic to combine with the honey. One or two teaspoons of this mixture may be taken every day to combat infection and alleviate coughs.
Ajwain (Carom seeds) for Respiratory Relief
Ajwain or Carom seeds are very common with Indian cooks and in Indian traditional herbal medicines. Herbalists recommend ajwain for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that relieve cough due to respiratory congestion. Ajwain’s warm properties aid in the loosening of mucus and calm inflamed airways.
For cough relief, ajwain is applied in the following way: Toast one tbsp of ajwain seeds and mix with boiling water. Either inhale steam emanating from the infusion or sip it like a herbal beverage. In this, steam helps in making the throat clear while the ajwain’s natural ingredients relieve the respiratory tract. The remedy is useful in the case of cough due to excessive mucus formation or cough due to allergy.
The Role of Food and Thirst
It is a principle that ensuring the body’s water balance is the best way to cope with a cough that refuses to go away. If a cough persists, one should drink as much water as possible throughout the day. Drinking plenty of mucus has thinned, thus lessening overall throat and mouth irritation. It is also advisable to keep humidified air to prevent the throat from becoming too dry, which contributes to aggravating the cough.
Steaming or anti-boiling foods can be beneficial when trying to combat a cough for a limited period. Warm broths, herbal or chamomile teas, and soups can be pleasant for patients in addition to sore throats. Such patients should refrain from eating hot, fried, or stimulated cold foods because they irritate the throat and encourage coughing. The diet should mainly consist of fruits, vegetables, and grains and should be balanced in composition. This would, in turn, help the body become more immune and protect against infections.
Ginger Tea: The Best Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Ginger has been known to help relieve coughs and such coughs which have been caused by inflammation or an infection. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that also help decrease the swelling of the throat and help the body fight off bacteria or viral infections. In monsoons, ginger tea can greatly help ease a dry persistent cough.
Prepare a ginger tea by boiling some slices of ginger in water for about ten minutes. You may want to start with honey and lemon and use the two spices for taste and to offer extra relief. Take this tea regularly for a few times in a day so that there are reduced episodes of cough due to irritations of the throat.
Turmeric Milk: Find Out Why It Helps with Coughs
Another wonder ingredient is turmeric, famous for having both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In many traditional medications, turmeric is a common home item found. Haldi doodh stands out among many common Indian home remedies due to its ability to cure coughs and colds quickly.
Cooking (not hot) milk with a teaspoon of turmeric powder can be helpful in healing this condition. A warm curry has also strength-building properties, which encourages your immune system while aiding in proper sleep before bed. Apart from that, turmeric is a powerful cough suppressor which also can further add benefits to the body.
When to Seek Help from Medical Professionals
Even though cough home remedies work wonders for mild to moderate coughs, it is better to see a doctor if the cough does not get better or keeps getting worse. If any of these conditions are accompanied by a severe cough, it is absolutely necessary to speak to a physician: such factors could be a very high temperature, breathing problems and the cough lasting longer than a few weeks. Always seek professional help when in need and don’t use these home treatments as substitutes, but more to manage further symptoms.
To finish with, it goes without saying, that monsoons are symbolized with great weather and a sense of calmness, but actually, there are health issues, and one of them is a constant cough. Garlic for sore throat, Ginger tea with honey or Turmeric milk are some of the natural home treatment alternatives which are safe during monsoons and these would help to relieve sore throat, reduce mucus and boost immunity. Keep in mind also, that a trip to a doctor’s office is a must if symptoms last for a long period.
