A lemon a day keeps the cold away. For a bad cold, the juice of two lemons
in 1/2 a litre (21/2 cups) of boiling water sweetened with honey, taken at bed
time, is a very effective remedy.
Have ginger (adrak) tea.
Cut ginger (adrak) into 1"- 11/2" pieces and boil with a cup of water. Give
8-10 boils. Strain, sweeten with 1/2 teaspoon sugar and drink hot.
A tablespoon of carom seeds (ajwain) crushed and tied up in a muslin cloth
can be used for inhalation to relieve congestion/blocked nose.
A similar small bundle placed near the pillow of sleeping children
relieves congestion.
A teaspoon of cumin seeds (jeera) is added to 1 glass of boiling water.
Strain and simmer for a few minutes and let it cool. Drink it 1-2 times a
day. If sore throat is also present, add a few small pieces of dry ginger
(adrak) to the boiling water.
Six pepper corns (saboot kali mirch) finely ground and mixed with a glass
of warm water, sweetened with 5-6 batasha (a variation of sugar candy) can
be taken for a few nights.
In the case of the acute cold in the head, boil 1 tablespoon full pepper
powder in a cup of milk along with a pinch of turmeric (haldi) and have
once daily for at least 3 days.
Cold with phlegm (balgam) and slight cough:
Take 8-10 tulsi leaves and wash well. To 1 cup of water, add these leaves,
1-2 cloves of garlic (lahsun), 1/2" piece ginger, crushed and 4-5
peppercorns (saboot kali mirch). Boil the water and keep simmering on fire
till the quantity is reduced to 1/4 cup. Let it cool and then strain. Add 1
teaspoon honey. Drink this every morning.