Common cold much to be Told

No man on earth till  date has escaped common with industrialization  gaining a strong foothold the world over increasing environmental pollution stray plants and dust have added fuel to the fire Common cold usually presents itself with the symptoms of headache running nose and frequent  sneezes.so here are our warriors who fight common cold

• TURMERIC

A piece of turmeric should be held above a flame till it fumes These fumes are then deeply inhaled the breath held for a while and then exhaled The turmeric fumes very effectively combat common cold open up the blocked nos trils and  reduce headache Also inhalation of fumes generated by heating a mixture of ragi- powder and turmeric powder over a flame produces a similar effect water should not be con sumed for the next two hours as water con  sumed within this window period magnifies the illness within no time

• Alternatively turmeric is ground into a paste which is warmed and applied as a pack over the forehead in between the eyebrows along the bridge of the nose and sloping towards both the sides of the nose This liquefies the thick inspis - sated mucus that clog the frontal and  maxillary sinuses adjoining our nasal passage.

• 3.In addition  , powdered turmeric dissolved in hot milk and with honey added for taste makes a very effective beverage When consumed three times a day it gets rid of common cold perma- nently. Since turmeric has excellent immunomodulator and immunity boosting prop-erties it makes a perfect medicine for common cold Addition of honey helps in expulsion of adherent mucus.

• TULASI(BASIL)

Sri Tulasi and Krishna Tulasi are the two varieties of this plant. Both have indispensable medicinal value. A portion of the plant is cut with stem and leaves.This is crushed and its juice extracted.One teaspoon of this juice mixed with equal quantity of honey is consumed three times a day.Tulasi is not only effective against common cold but also prevents a large number of communicable diseases.It is for this reason that this plant made its presence felt in every home in the olden days.

• Altimatively,a handful of Tulasi leaves is crushed and placed in a container.Three glasses of water are then boiled and added to the container with the leaves.Alid is placed on the container and left alone till the water cools.Later this water is decanted and consumed three times a day.A oily ingredient of Tulasi which resembles camphor in properties is actually responsible for its medicinal value.It is alsoeffective in cases of sore throat because of its soothing effect.

• We all know that clove forms an integral part of traditional medicine.A piece of clove kept in the side of the mouth emanates an oily substance which works wonders in curing cold, headache,sorethroat,oral infections and tooth ache.It also prevents further attacks of nasal blocks and common cold.

• In addition, juice extracted from one whole lemon and mixed with equal quantity of warm water should be consumed on an empty stomach.This strenghens immunity and prevents recurrent attacks of common cold.

In addition, juice extracted from one whole lemon and mixed with equal quantity of warm water should be consumed on an empty stomach.This strenghens immunity and prevents recurrent attacks of common cold.

COUGH

While the same elements causing common cold such as dust, smoke and suspended particles in the air are responsible for about cough,consumtion of polluted water is an important cause.Store throat, change in the voice and throat irritation are the common companions of cough.Cough could be dry or productive(that which brings forth sputum or phlegm). Since the sound produced by a bronze vessel,cough is termed Kaasa in Sanskrit.

The remedies for cough are as follows;

• Catechu is powdered and half a teaspoon of the same is thoroughly stirred and dissolved in warm water.Theresulting solution is taken  orally to fill the whole of the mouth cavity (Do not drink).The chin is then elevated so that the face turns upwards After two minutes of holding the solution in the mouth in that position it is spat out this procedure is repeated thrice daily to ward off sore throat cold headache and irritant cough catechu possesses astringent and hygro-scopic properties which cause expectoration of the thick and inspissated mucus in throat and mouth -cavity

•  The roots of liquorice are cut into  small pieces when kept in the sides of the mouth they release their juice that relives throat irritation and sore throat This keeps cough under control

In addition half a teaspoon of liquorice powder consumed with honey keeps cough in control In

cases of dry cough this powder is mixed with half a cup of water and consumed to get promis-ing results.

The juice extracted from a combination of black pepper and some crystal salt placed in the mouth takes care of productive cough The hot -n-spicy character of these spices relive throat discomfort caused by cough  under control.

In addition, half a teaspoon of liquorice powder consumed with honey keeps cough in control In cases of dry cough this powder is mixed with half cup of water and consumed to get promising results

• The juice extracted from a combination of black pepper and some crystal salt placed in the mouth takes care of productive cough The "hot-n-spicy" character bof these spices relieve throat discomfort caused by cough.

• Ten raisins are allowed to soak in half a cup of hot water for while Then they are squeezed to release their ingredients and the rusulting solution is consumed three time a day to get rid of cough and associated weakness.
• Ruta leaves tulasi leaves and thick leaved lavender leaves are taken in equal quantities The combination is placed a betel leaf which is folded and roasted in a pan When completely dry it is thouoghly crushed and water added to eextract its juice The juice is then consumed with equal quantity of honey thrice daily to obtain express relief from nagging cough.

• The simple home -remedies stated above are of help to both adults and children alike but children (upto 12 years )should consume half the dose give to adults A weaker immune system renders children more susceptible to these illnesses than adults Hence some over-enthusiastic parents tend to keep their children wrapped up in woollens throughout  the year This is a great deterrent to the development of a strong immune system and also renders them highly sensitive to diseases due to trivial weather and seasonal variations. Hence children should always wear light cotton clothes and must resort to woollens only during the winter season 

Following are the precautionary measures to be used in the case of children.

• One teaspoon of eucalyptus oil added to a mugful of hot water is poured on the infant's body after his bath The essence of this oil leaves a lasting effect on the tender skin of the infant and this acts as impermeable barrier oil is also used in steam inhalations for common cold and nasal bloks it is an indispensable ingredient of several pain-relif balms commercially available 
• Garlic is crushed and a few drops of its juice extracted Two drops of this juice mixed with equal quantity of honey makes a perfect remedy for severe illnesses in children.
• The sweet flgh root widely used in child health care is burnt over a flme The burnt root is then ground in water to obtain a paste Quarter teaspoon of this paste is mixed with a little honey and fed to the child early in the  morning This medicine not only cures cold but also increasea digestive power.
• The importance of honey as a medicine has long remained unquestioned. According to Ayurveda Honey is nectar for your little sunny Regular intake of honey by growing children provides much needed nutrition In addition it has anti-cold and immunity boosting properties.
• Ageing is a march towards a second childhood in the sense that the strength of immune syatem   diminishes with age Hence the incidence of cough and cold increases In addition to the above remedies the elderly In addition to the above remedies the elderly must stay away from venturing out in cold weather and also avoid crowded dusty and polluted surroundings Dry gooseberry when powdered and consumed at the rate of one teaspoon in a cup of warm water thrice daily wards off weakness and prevents recurrent attacks of cold.

All the home remedies suggested above are effective for all age groups But if in case the common cold does not resolve within three day the guidance of a qulified doctor is essential

• NAGGING COLD AND NOSE BLOCKS

An attack of cold and nose block that is undeterred by of the above may probably be due to a strutural defect  or an additional growth of tissue in the nose This may be due to deviation in the bridge (septum)of the nose or a polyp Hence the help of an ENT surgeon  is  advisable and a surgery too if need be

some precautionary measures are

• Wearing masks in polluted environs.
• Clean the nostrils in warm water four times a day.
• Steam inhalation with deep breathing and exhaling from the mouth 
• Application of a pack of warmed tuemeric paste in between the eyebrows.

In addition the following home remedies come in handy:

• Turmeric is powdered well and half a cup of hot water with some sugar to taste aathis is consumed thrice daily Turmeric has antiseptic and anti -cold properties.
• Tulasi leaves are crushed  thoroughly and their juice is extracted One teaspoon of this juice with equal quantity of honey consumed three times a day keep cough and common cold at bay.
• A lemon is squeezed and the juice thus obtained is mixed with equal quantity of hot water and consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach This boosts appetite nity as well.

These remedies work wonders when the  patients practies deep breathing exercises (Pranayama) regularly for at least a month

Why does ear discharge accompany long -standing cold ?

A long -standing cold provides enough time for invading micro -organisms   to gain a strong foothold These invariably spread leading to infections of the eyes and the ear Hence prevention of common cold is of prime importance.

The suggested remedies for these conditions are:

• India sarasaparila roots are ground into very find powder Half a teaspoon of consumed three times a day This herb has an anti-microbial action and cures cold and discharge.
• Two black pepper seeds are powdered and taken with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and two tulasi leaves The whole mixture is added to a container holding half a cup each of milk and water solution is brought to boil over a flame till all the water content vapourises The resulting solution is decanted a spoon of honey is added and consumed and consumed three times a day 
• Warm water is held in the mouth and the chin is elevated with the face facing upwards After holding for a while the water is spat out This cleanses the tube connecting the ear and the throat (eustachian  tube )and hence controls ear infection.

    But all said and done the advice of an ENT specialist is always indispensable if  the problems persist.