Ayurvedic Treatment for Cough

Cough is a common health ailment, which usually comes along with the cold. It is commonly known as Kapha(water) disorder in Ayurveda. It is caused by the accumulation of mucus or stimulation on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

In allopathic system medicines tries to suppress cough, but in the Ayurvedic system, medicines try to root out the reason behind the creation of cough. Ayurvedic herbs and spices like cloves, cinnamon, ginger, long pepper, turmeric powders, etc. are used for the treatment of Cough. Equal parts of honey and lemon juice can be given to the patient. It is one of the well tested home remedies for cough. Vasa is a highly used herb in treating Cough in Ayurveda.Herbal wine or jelly is prepared from Vasa and is given to the patient.

Ayurvedic doctors recommend Clove combinations, Sitopaladi Curna, Talisadi Churna to treat Cough. Draksha is also recommened as an effective medicine in Ayurveda to treat Cough.

In fact, Cough treatment begins with diet. Patients should avoid any form of dairy products and other mucous forming food like ice-cream, cold water, fruit juices should be avoided.Hot food and drinks, particularly long pepper, dry ginger are helpful in treating cough.

If yellow phlegm is seen then patient might have a burning sensation in the throat and chest. It sometimes comes with fever, hyper thirst and dryness of the mouth. Mouth tastes bitter and pungent. In this case, Ghee can be used to soothe the throat. Powdered lotus seed help in such complaints. Mulletin, horehound, and coltsfoot are helpful in treating this type of cough. Ayurvedic doctors also recommend licorice combinations.

Another type of cough, is dry cough. In this case, Cough will be frequent, painful and with a particular kind of sound. Patients may complain pain in the chest/heart or a headache is common. Ayurvedic doctors prescribe herbs like licorice, marshmallow, comfrey root, satavari and ashwagandha. Ayurvedic medicines are prepared from the combination of Cardamom, and Draksha to treat Cough.