Need unique ways to treat your cold and coughs using herbs? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. It’s a fact that whether you blame your immunity or the weather, with the cold and flu season setting in, it is impossible to escape falling prey to sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion. As the temperature drops, the body’s natural defense becomes weak, and that could make you vulnerable to several respiratory ailments.
While you can turn to over the counter medication, you can use some fantastic herbal remedies to fight the symptoms. Here are six powerful herbs that can work miracles to curb cold and other flu symptoms with minimal side effects.
Here are 6 Unique Ways To Treat Your Cold And Cough Using Herbs
1. Holy Basil
The holy basil is regarded as one of the most powerful treatments for cough and cold in ayurvedic medicine. This sacred herb has several potent properties that curb inflammation, along with eliminating bacterial and viral infections.
The presence of antioxidants removes respiratory problems induced by a viral infection. Holy Basil can reduce inflammation and irritation in the airway caused by increased sensitivity post a viral infection to eliminate dry cough. The plant’s essential oils can also strengthen the immune system to fight against flu, cough, sore throat, and some forms of influenza as well.
You can chew the holy basil’s fresh leaves every day to enhance your immunity and eliminate cold or flu. A concoction of the herb and ginger and crushed peppercorn in boiling water can have a soothing effect on the respiratory system and relieve cough and cold.
2. Kratom
The benefits of kratom are known to very few globally. The herb has been used for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and immunity strengthening properties in the South East Asian regions for several centuries. The potent alkaloids of the herb, Isorhynchopylline, and Isotreropodine, can beat common cold, cough, and several other symptoms of flu such as body ache and fever effectively. The quality red bali kratom is among the most commonly available varieties to treat cold.
Kratom contains over 30 alkaloids, including Rhynchophylline and Epicatechin, that have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits to relieve swelling and irritation in the airway. The Super Red Indo and Green Bali kratom are among the top choices for treating pain and inflammation during viral infections.
Apart from relieving inflammation and infection, the herb boosts blood flow in the body to increase oxygen availability. It boosts energy in individuals post-viral infection when the body suffers from severe fatigue to support a thorough recovery. In other words you can you drive on kratom (just putting that out into the universe).
3. Turmeric
Turmeric forms an innate part of Asian cuisine due to its several medicinal properties. The herb is known to possess antibacterial and antiviral properties that aid in treating cold, cough, sore throat, and throat pain. The presence of curcumin in turmeric can treat respiratory ailments and provide relief to flu symptoms.
There are several ways of consuming turmeric to relish its medicinal value. A spoonful of turmeric mixed in warm milk is the most common method of consumption. The drink can provide immediate relief from sore throat and eliminate mucus.
You can mix a spoonful of turmeric powder in raw honey and consume the same three times a day to treat dry cough. The herb’s anti-inflammatory properties will curb the swelling and irritation in the airway passage triggered by microbes or allergens and provide relief.
4. Echinacea
Echinacea also referred to as coneflower, belongs to the mint family. The plant has immune-boosting properties, where the compounds strengthen the natural defense of the body to kill disease-causing microbes from infecting the cells.
Studies show that the compound’s regular use enhances the white blood cells in the body that treats cold, cough, and other flu symptoms. Several parts of the incredible plant, including the leaves, stems, roots, and flowers, can be utilized as a herbal remedy for cold prevention. You can consume the plant extracts in tea, tablets, or tinctures to seek its medicinal value.
5. Lemon Balm
Nothing compares to the refreshing aroma of lemon balm that brims the room with the relaxing citrusy scent. The enchanting flavor and aroma of the herb are extremely beneficial to prevent and treat cold and cough.
A fresh brew of lemon balm tea can ease nasal congestion and restore your flavor palate immediately. The herb resonates with mild flavors while exhibiting antiviral properties to cope with a cold and sore throat. You can also relish the herb’s benefits in the form of tincture to speed up the healing process.
6. Thyme
The pleasing aroma of thyme enriches various recipes with a variety of flavors to relish. The herb has been useful as a home remedy to cure several ailments that include sore throat and digestive ailments. Thyme exhibits antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties that help protect individuals against common cold and cough.
A soothing tea prepared with thyme and peppermint can treat acute bronchitis and reduce flu symptoms such as cold, sore throat, and cough. Thyme leaves, enriched with ursolic acid, saponins, thymol, flavonoids, borneol, carvacrol, and caffeic acid, provide a refreshing feeling and eliminate accumulated mucus causing nasal congestion.
Conclusion
These natural coughs and cold remedies can be an effective way to curb the ailments with minimal side effects. Regular consumption of the right dosage of these herbs can improve your immunity against respiratory diseases as well. As a precaution, always start with small dosages to understand if the treatment is suitable for you or not.
Watch this space for updates in the Hacks category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
Like what you just read? Join The Wolf Pack! Subscribe To Our Newsletter.
Explore our website, check out our Featured Articles or scroll down to see the articles that are related to this article below. We've been around since 2008, so there's plenty of content.
If you're in South Africa and looking for something to do, check out The SA Gig Guide (on our sister site SA Music Zone).
If getting more knowledge is part of your DNA - Check out the latest posts on Interesting Facts.