Ayurveda does have its own charms when it comes to handling coughs, and it really tries to get to the root cause, not just hush up the symptoms. Let’s dive into some of these remedies and how they might work for you.
Sitopaladi Churna is definitely one of the heavy-hitters. This powder is a classic choice for easing coughs, especially when kapha dosha—think excess mucus—is out of whack. Mixing it with honey is a popular method because honey acts as a nice vehicle, or anupan, which enhances the effects. You could take it 2-3 times a day. Usually about a half to one teaspoon with a similar amount of honey does the trick. Preferably, one after meals. But don’t overdo it, you want to maybe check how your body responds first.
Now Tulsi, it’s amazing. It’s another must-try. A cup of tulsi tea can be very comforting. You’ll want to boil 10-15 fresh leaves in about two cups of water and let it simmer down to one cup. Sip on this once or twice daily. It’s versatile and can help in both dry and productive coughs. Though, if it’s a wet cough, turmeric and black pepper might be a nice addition to the tea.
Mulethi and pippali are like best buds for chronic coughs too. Mulethi has a soothing nature, and pippali ramps up the metabolism of removing those yucky toxins. Combining these into a decoction helps. You can make a tea by boiling a teaspoon each in two cups of water till it reduces to one. Drink it warm once a day, maybe even twice if you feel up to it.
Steam inhalation, ah yes, this could be your secret weapon. Adding eucalyptus oil or tulsi leaves to boiling water and inhaling the steam can help, three times a week or so. Especially lovely before bed, sorta helps open up those airways and soothe any throat roughness.
Just a quick note though, while these remedies really help a lot of people, they don’t replace seeing a healthcare professional if things don’t ease up or taking a severe turn. If ever it feels like more than a simple cough, don’t hesitate to seek out some medical advice. Ayurveda is wonderful, but it thrives when integrated with the right care for more serious issues.
