Desi Ilaaj for Cold & Cough

Ingredients: Turmeric, milk, black pepper, honey

How to prepare: Warm 1 cup milk, add 1/2 tsp turmeric, pinch of black pepper. Stir well. Add honey after cooling slightly.

Uses: Anti-inflammatory, soothes sore throat, reduces cold symptoms

Avoid if allergic to turmeric. May interact with blood thinners.

Ingredients: Tulsi leaves, ginger, black pepper, honey

How to prepare: Boil 10-12 tulsi leaves + grated ginger in 2 cups water. Reduce to 1 cup. Strain, add honey.

Uses: Boosts immunity, relieves cough, clears congestion

May lower blood sugar. Avoid excessive use during pregnancy.

Ingredients: Fresh ginger, tea leaves, water, honey

How to prepare: Grate 1 inch ginger into boiling water with tea leaves. Steep 5 min. Strain and add honey.

Uses: Relieves sore throat, reduces nausea, clears nasal congestion

Excess may cause heartburn. Limit to 2-3 cups/day.

Ingredients: Ajwain (carom seeds), hot water

How to prepare: Add 1 tbsp ajwain to a pot of boiling water. Cover head with towel, inhale steam for 5-10 min.

Uses: Clears blocked nose, relieves sinus pressure, eases breathing

Keep safe distance from hot water. Not for children under 5.

Ingredients: Mulethi (licorice root), water

How to prepare: Soak 1-2 sticks mulethi in warm water overnight. Drink in morning. Or chew directly.

Uses: Soothes throat irritation, reduces cough, natural expectorant

Avoid if you have high BP. Not for prolonged use (>2 weeks).

Ingredients: Raw honey, fresh ginger juice

How to prepare: Mix 1 tsp raw honey with 1/2 tsp fresh ginger juice. Take 2-3 times daily.

Uses: Natural cough suppressant, soothes throat, antimicrobial

No honey for children under 1 year. Diabetics should limit honey.

Ingredients: Black pepper, milk, turmeric

How to prepare: Warm milk with 4-5 crushed black peppercorns and 1/4 tsp turmeric. Drink before bed.

Uses: Clears chest congestion, reduces cold duration

May cause gastric irritation if taken on empty stomach.

Ingredients: Neem leaves, warm water, salt

How to prepare: Boil 8-10 neem leaves in water. Cool, add salt. Gargle 2-3 times daily.

Uses: Antibacterial, soothes throat infection, reduces inflammation

Do not swallow. Avoid during pregnancy.

Ingredients: Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) stem

How to prepare: Boil 6-inch giloy stem in 2 cups water. Reduce to 1 cup. Add honey.

Uses: Boosts immunity, reduces fever, fights chronic cough

May lower blood sugar. Consult doctor if on diabetes medication.

Ingredients: Fresh mint leaves, eucalyptus oil, hot water

How to prepare: Add handful of mint leaves + 2 drops eucalyptus oil to boiling water. Inhale steam.

Uses: Opens airways, relieves headache from cold, cooling effect

Keep safe distance. Eucalyptus oil not safe for infants.

Ingredients: Jaggery (gur), ginger

How to prepare: Heat small piece of jaggery with grated ginger. Eat slowly, letting it coat throat.

Uses: Relieves dry cough, warms the body, natural cough lozenge

High in sugar — diabetics should avoid.

Ingredients: Cloves, honey

How to prepare: Roast 2-3 cloves on tawa. Crush and mix with 1 tsp honey. Take twice daily.

Uses: Numbs throat pain, antimicrobial, reduces cough reflex

Excess cloves may cause liver issues. Limit to 2-3 cloves/day.

Ingredients: Besan (gram flour), ghee, jaggery, dry ginger powder

How to prepare: Roast besan in ghee until golden. Add dry ginger powder and jaggery. Eat warm.

Uses: Warms body, provides energy during illness, traditional cold remedy

High calorie. Not suitable for weight-loss diets.

Ingredients: Warm water, salt

How to prepare: Dissolve 1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup warm water. Gargle for 30 seconds, 3-4 times daily.

Uses: Reduces throat inflammation, kills bacteria, relieves pain

Do not swallow. Safe for all ages above 6 years.

Ingredients: Cinnamon stick, honey, warm water

How to prepare: Boil 1 cinnamon stick in water for 10 min. Strain, add honey when lukewarm.

Uses: Anti-viral properties, reduces cold symptoms, warming

Cassia cinnamon in excess may affect liver. Use Ceylon cinnamon if possible.