Home remedies coming to you from South Asian pharmacists, experienced mothers, and years of tested tradition and treatment! The biggest advantage: no side effects (and much lower prices!)
For common cough and cold:
Drink a teaspoon of turmeric powder (haldi) in warm water every 6 hours.
If accompanied by congestion, and/or for productive coughs:
Drink a teaspoon of turmeric powder, with a pinch of salt, in warm water. DO NOT mix with milk.
Mix turmeric powder into a spoonful of unprocessed honey, and take 3 to 4 times a day.
For congestion:
Boil a handful of carom seeds (ajwain) in water, and do a steam. Optional: add Vicks
Boil fresh ginger, then strain out the water, add a teaspoon of honey, and drink it warm (but slowly).
For babies with a cold:
Burn carom seeds (ajwian), and allow the baby to smell it. You can also pack a small amount of it into cloth, tie it tightly, and place it on the baby’s chest.
AVOID giving a baby milk when their chest is congested; give fluids instead.
