For your cold and sneezing issues, Ayurveda does offer remedies focusing on balancing that kapha dosha like you mentioned. Sitopaladi Churna, a blend of herbs like pippali (long pepper), as well as cardamom, and mishri (sugar candy), can really help with congestion and soothing the throat. Typically, taking it 2-3 times a day mixed with honey is effective. The honey not only enhances the taste but also helps in liquefying mucus, making it easier to expel. As a general guide, a teaspoon of the churna with a spoonful of honey after meals is recommended.
Trikatu Churna, the one made from ginger, black pepper, and long pepper, is quite powerful for boosting digestion and clearing mucus. While good for acute sneezing, its heat-promoting properties make it more ideal for respiratory issues that linger - it stimulates digestion too, which contributes to overall immunity. A small quantity, say 500 mg, can be taken with honey or warm water, once or twice a day. Just be cautious, it can be quite heating, so start slow.
Herbal teas with tulsi, mulethi, and ginger? They’re like magic when battling a cold. You can boil about 5-6 fresh tulsi leaves with a small piece of ginger and half a teaspoon of mulethi powder in two cups of water until it reduces by half. Strain and sip it warm, twice a day. This combo reduces inflammation and clears nasal pathways.
The steam inhalations you mentioned, with eucalyptus or tulsi, they’re great! You can do this twice daily. Just boil some water, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, or a handful of tulsi leaves, and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes—this really helps relieve congestion and sneezing fast.
Different people might find different remedies work best, whether that’s due to variations in prakriti (individual constitutions) or specific symptoms. Some folks notice improvement pretty quickly, within a day or two, but holistic healing is sometimes gentle and gradual; give it a little time and see. Keep listening to your body and adjust as needed.
