7 Ayurvedic Remedies You Can Try to Relieve Cough and Congestion
Updated: Nov 16
When the seasons shift or a cold makes its way into your life, cough and congestion can quickly sap your energy and throw off your daily routine. Instead of relying solely on over-the-counter solutions, why not explore the power of natural remedies? Ayurvedic provides a natural approach to tackling respiratory issues at the root cause. In this post, you will discover seven effective Ayurvedic remedies that can help ease cough and congestion.
How Ayurveda Sees Cough and Congestion
In Ayurveda, cough and congestion are often linked to an imbalance in the body's three doshas, particularly Kapha dosha. Kapha is characterized by qualities such as heaviness and moisture. Factors such as seasonal changes, incorrect or poor diet, and lifestyle choices can aggravate Kapha, leading to dosha imbalances. Recognizing this principle allows you to choose remedies that can restore balance to your body and prevent the issues from arising!
Ways to Remove Mucus from the Body with Ayurveda:
1. Honey and Ginger Tea
A simple and effective Ayurvedic remedy for cough is honey and ginger tea. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce throat irritation, while honey provides a soothing coating for the throat.
Here’s how to make it:
Grate 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger root.
Boil it in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes.
Strain the tea and let it cool slightly.
Add 1 tablespoon of honey and sip slowly.
This remedy not only warms your body but also helps thin mucus, providing relief when you need it most.
Related Reading: What's the color of your snot saying about your health?
2. Turmeric Milk
Turmeric, a staple an Ayurvedic staple, as it has potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Curcumin, the key compound in turmeric, can help combat infections and soothe respiratory irritation.
To prepare turmeric milk:
Heat 1 cup of milk (plant-based).
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder.
Add honey, it really does help.
Enjoy this warm drink before bedtime to relax your body and ease nighttime coughing.
3. Steam Inhalation with Eucalyptus Oil
Steam inhalation is a tried-and-true Ayurvedic method for relieving congestion. Eucalyptus oil enhances this process with its aromatic, decongestant properties.
Follow these steps:
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large bowl.
Add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil.
Drape a towel over your head, lean over the bowl, and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes.
This practice can provide quick relief by loosening mucus and calming irritated airways.
Related Reading: Ayurveda Aromatherapy for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
4. Warm Salt Water Turmeric Gargle
A warm saltwater gargle is a simple yet effective remedy for throat discomfort. Salt helps reduce inflammation and stave off bacteria.
To create your gargle:
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 glass of warm water.
Add a pinch or more of ground turmeric .
Gargle for 30 seconds, then spit it out.
For best results, repeat this 2-3 times a day.
5. Herbal Infusion
Herbs like thyme, licorice root (if no high blood pressure), and peppermint are well-known for their soothing effects on the throat and respiratory tract.
To prepare an herbal infusion:
Combine equal parts of dried thyme, licorice root (if not high blood pressure), and peppermint.
Steep 1 teaspoon of this mix in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.
Strain and add honey.
This delightful drink not only tastes good but also provides significant relief from cough and congestion.
6. Nasal Irrigation
Nasal irrigation is a highly effective way to clear congestion. Using a saline solution, you can rinse your nasal passages, easing blockages and promoting better airflow.
You can utilize a neti pot or a saline nasal spray:
Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm distilled water.
Lean over a sink, insert the solution into one nostril, and let it flow out the other.
It is absolutely necessary to ensure all the water has been released from the cavernous structure of the sinus cavities!
Though it may be a little unusual at first, many find this method greatly helps with congestion.
7. Spiced Warm Water
Drinking spiced warm water is an excellent strategy for tackling congestion naturally. Adding spices like cumin, coriander, fennel, and a little ginger to hot water offers multiple benefits.
To prepare this infusion:
Boil 2 cups of water.
Add 1 teaspoon each of cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds.
Vata can add a fresh gingerroot, and Kapha can use ginger powder.
Strain and enjoy this warming beverage throughout the day.
This drink not only aids digestion but also helps to clear mucus and keep you hydrated.
Bringing It All Together
Cough and congestion can be quite bothersome, but these Ayurvedic remedies may provide significant relief. By integrating natural ingredients and holistic practices, you are taking active steps to restore balance to your body. Remember, if symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional. Embracing these remedies can lead to improved respiratory health and overall well-being, particularly during seasonal changes.
Pro Tips
Stay hydrated and drink plenty of warm fluids while using these remedies.
Combine these strategies with a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for enhanced immune support.
Use foods specific to your doshic picture.
Ayurveda Answers for Sinuses, Mucus, and Coughs:
What Causes Nasal Congestion and Sinus Issues?
Why are sinus problems common, especially during the change of seasons?.
What Causes Coughs?
The Best Ayurvedic Remedies for Cough and Congestion
How to Maintain Your Health Throughout the Year
Find your answers in these articles: Ayurveda Remedies for Mucus and Congestion
Nasya Oil Benefits | How to Use Nasya Oil for Greater Wellbeing How to Prevent Sinusitis Naturally with Ayurveda Vata Seasonal Guide
"To have a healthy immune system, we need to be calm and to be calm, we need to breath diaphragmatically. Learn our three steps for transforming your life. It IS as easy as 1, 2, 3."
-Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
There is a saying, "The mind is more in the body, than the body is in the mind." The Saumya 3 step meditation process shifts us from fight-flight-freeze mode, to rest-restore-relax mode. Give it a try for forty days and observe the changes. The more grounded and relaxed we are, the smoother life flows.
"The breath is the connection between the mind and body, so by training the breath, we become calm, focused, and grounded, we slow down the aging process by decreasing stress. These practices are so simple and easy to have as part of our daily life. We actually feel and look younger."
- Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
1. Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life. When we re-learn to breath diaphragmatically, we move from the flight-fight-freeze mode, to rest, restore, relaxation mode from where we want and need to live.
2. Free Daily Guided Practices: 11 minutes in the morning and in the evening, as anchors of your daily Ayurveda routine.
3. Ayurveda Daily Routines: Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day 10 Ayurvedic Evening Rituals for a Calming Night Ayurveda Breathwork Pranayama
“Veena has helped my overall health improve in many ways. We addressed my health concerns using food, oils, lifestyle, and herbs that best support me. I used to have chronic sinus infections and in the first year of her care, I didn't have one.
She also works with my emotional health. My anxiety has decreased significantly and I'm almost completely free of it! Emotional ups and downs are gone.
Veena teaches you what to eat and drink to maintain balance from one season to the next. I'm amazed that learning what foods to eat, which teas to drink, and the herbal treatments helped mental health as well and my physical body.
I highly recommend seeing Veena if you are looking for better physical and emotional health.” –M.B. Minnesota
“I highly recommend Veena (Saumya Ayurveda). She has helped me so much in leading a life of recovery.
I had been dealing with an ongoing illness since 2016 that could not be diagnosed--even after a slew of tests. Between 2016-2019, I was constantly getting sick with severe colds/flu that would last for 2-3 months, I was not able to eat more than a small amount of food.
I consulted with Veena at the beginning of 2019. Since then, I have only been sick a few times with it lasting only a few days. This seems to only happen when I haven’t been following Veena’s recommendations.
I can’t emphasize how important this has been to me in building my immune system and staying healthy. Just wanted to share.”
-- Marissa Hernandez, Corrales, New Mexico
“Signing up for an Ayurveda consultation, I was hopeful that my mood would improve, my energy would return, and I’d start to feel like myself again. What I didn’t expect was how simple it would be to get there.
My Ayurveda plan explains everything so clearly, and I am starting to feel better. I’m also learning how and why I got out of balance in the first place.
With obvious knowledge and ease of experience, Veena laid out my plan thoughtfully, in supportive steps that take less time and are far less stressful than if I was trying to do it on my own.
And with warmth and humor, Veena has alleviated the pressure and guilt I often feel.
I’m excited for what is possible and grateful that I found her, and I really think you will be too.” --Erin M, Alberta, Canada
7 Ayurvedic Remedies You Can Try to Relieve Cough and Congestion
If you struggle with unexplained health issues, persistent problems, or simply want to live a more vibrant, balanced life... talk with Veena. One short conversation could change everything.
Discover the Saumya Ayurveda Way
We all want to be heard, understood, and cared for as whole beings, not a set of isolated symptoms. True health is more than the absence of disease, which is why Western medicine so often leaves us feeling hopeless and unseen.
Deep down, you already know what you’re searching for: a new framework for living – one that brings your entire being back into balance. With Saumya Ayurveda, you’ll receive individualized guidance to create the physically, mentally, and spiritually vibrant life you crave.
Saumya Ayurveda provides concierge, top-notch, award-winning Ayurveda care. We strive to keep it simple, so you can focus on you! Our practice model is client focused not on retailing herbs.
Our effective multi-appointment consultation packages provide you with experienced Ayurveda care, enthusiastic guidance, and inspiring support.
Explore our personalized services and book your FREE discovery call today.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE…
If you found value in this article, please help others by sharing it and reposting it on your social media platforms. Just click the three vertical dots at the top of this page.
Saumya Ayurveda is dedicated to offering you insightful Ayurveda content for free to assist you in embracing an Ayurveda lifestyle. Thank you for your support.
MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.
Learn more about Veena's work and book your FREE discovery call today.