Winters come with their charm as well as with their peculiar blues. Change of season brings down the levels of immunity of the body. It is not that it will remain so throughout the winter season, the body will take some time to adjust and get back to face the challenges thrown by winters. Till then, due to low levels of immunity the susceptibility of the body is high. Common ailments that bother us during this change of season are many. The most common and the most bothersome are cold, cough, flu, sinusitis, difficulty in breathing due to chest congestion and sore throat.
Everybody has to face them, as soon as winter comes. The other problems that may come are the dryness of the skin and allergies. Therefore, to be able to take these troubles head-on, one needs to be prepared with home remedies which can keep these winter ailments at bay. Fortunately, there are many easy to get and easy to use home remedies that are available to manage or treat the winter ailments.
Home Remedies For Winter Ailments
Steam Inhalation
Most of the winter ailments like cold, flu, sinusitis and runny nose can be looked after by using steam as an aid. There are many ways to inhale steam. The most popular method is using a pot of boiling hot water.
There are many who have invested in a mini steam unit, like a mini sauna. This is the same equipment that you may see in your street-corner beauty parlour. Another one is inhaling steam generated in your bathroom as you take bath.
Holy Basil
Flu, cold and cough along with sinusitis are the most irksome diseases that put you off during winters. Why not take some holy basil leaves and make that aromatic and refreshing tea for yourself. Just try it and you will fall in love with it. In India, it is a must to have a holy basil plant in your house.
It can be grown easily in a pot. To make this tea for a day take 15/20 leaves of holy basil and boil this in two glasses of water. Boil it for 10 minutes covered with a lid throughout. Sip it throughout the day or restrict it to thrice a day.
Warm Saline Gargles
Gargles can heal your throat like nothing else can. In fact, you may not need anything else for throat. In addition to throat, warm saline gargles can look after your sinusitis, cold, runny nose and flu. You can mix 1/4th tsp of salt in a big mug of warm water do the gargles thrice a day.
Humidifier
Winters bring along with them dryness around you which cause dryness of the mucus membranes of the throat and nasal passage. It is recommended specially for children’s ailments. Chest congestion and colds can be helped with humidifier.
Honey
Name honey and a tablespoon of this golden syrup is there to take away your winter problems. It is anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Take it thrice a day mixed with fresh lime juice or apple cider vinegar. You can mix it with holy water tea or just plain water. It coats the affected lining of your throat and gives you relief.
