With the winter season in gear, people are exposed to more germs and may have a runny nose and sore throat. More than 200 viruses can cause the common cold and cough but seasonal change is considered one of reasons. It mainly happens due to improper digestion of food transforming into a mucus toxin and then, circulating through the body and reaching the respiratory system, thus causing cold and cough.

66% of adults try battling it without medicines and go to work being sick whereas 57% have reported cough or nasal congestion as the symptoms making sleep difficult. Higher frequency of colds, difficulty sleeping, and worse overall health status lead to a great impact on productivity, absenteeism, and daily life. Apart from antibiotics, herbal remedies can also help to fight bacterial infections and are free from any side effects.

Here are some of the remedies that will help to get rid of cold and cough:

Ginger and Honey

Studies suggest that one gram of ginger aids in eliminating nausea because of its anti-inflammatory properties which help in relieving the cough and speeds up the recovery process. Honey being a natural expectorant relieves cold because of its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Squeeze the juice out of fresh ginger and add one teaspoon of honey to it for getting rid of cough and cold.

Amla

Regular intake of Amla will prevent the common cold as it is an excellent source of Vitamin C and relieves the symptoms and shortens the disease. It ensures the proper functioning of the liver, boosts immunity, metabolism and improves blood circulation.

Garlic

Garlic soup can be geared up by boiling 3 or 4 cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. It holds antiseptic and antispasmodic properties which aids in opening up the respiratory passage by flushing out all toxins from the respiratory system and thus having a great soothing impact on cold and cough.

Milk and Turmeric

Turmeric is a useful remedy for throat irritations. It is a strong antioxidant and helps in treating many health problems. Add a pinch of turmeric and pepper with a little sugar to a glass of milk and bring it to a boil. Pepper helps in thinning the phlegm and thus helps in clearing the throat and stomach.

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are another cure to fight cold and cough. Boil flaxseeds until it thickens and strain it. You can add a few drops of lime juice and honey to it and consume the mixture for relief.

Apart from above mentioned remedies, one can also simply consume vegan Omega 3 supplement which helps in boosting immunity and immunity is a major factor to battle cold and cough. It can be taken once a day after first meal or as recommended by health professionals.