Fight Cold With Ayurvedic Cough Syrup

Way back in the 2nd Century BC, Ayurveda unfurled its glorious wings in the lands of India where ancient teachings and findings of the fundamentals of life and its physiology were organized into a holistic healing system – Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life”. It is still widely believed that the origin of Ayurveda is divine and its knowledge has been bestowed upon mankind by the creator of the universe himself, Brahma.

The Concept of Five Great Elements

The “PanchaMahabhuta” roughly translates to the “Five Great Elements” which are Vayu (Air), Jala (Water), Aakash (Space or ether), Prithvi (Earth), and Teja (Fire). According to Ayurveda, this group of five elements is the fundamental basis of every cosmic creation.

The Theory of Balance

“Tridosha” are three fundamental energies that governs all the physiological and psychological functions of our bodies. The “tridosha” are composed of a combination of the “PanchaMahabhuta” in varying proportions in each individual. These three “dosha” are –

• VataDosha: the elements of air and ether constitute this dosha and it imparts the body with the energy to conduct movements within. It influences the elimination of toxins, relays sensory inputs from the organs to the brain, and controls the various voluntary and involuntary movements of the body. 

• Pitta Dosha: this dosha is predominantly composed of fire and individuals with a nature dominated by this dosha exhibit the qualities of fire. It is mainly responsible for metabolism, thermogenesis, appetite, bravado, comprehension, and complexion. 

• KaphaDosha: The heaviest of all doshas, this is composed of the elements of earth and water. It regulates the strength, lubrication, stability, mass & structure, and fertility of the body.

Ayurveda views any ailment as a result of an imbalance in these three doshas. Thus, balancing the constituent tridosha in perfect harmony is the Ayurvedic secret to leading a happy and healthy life.

Ayurveda on the Causes of Cough

Ayurveda blames the dampening of the body’s digestive fire, due to the cold climate, as the main reason for getting a cold and cough. The digestive fire is essential for the regulation of VataDosha which now goes out of balance. Additionally, the digestive waste or “ama” also starts building up as the dim fire is not enough to burn out the toxins. And, as the moisture levels drop within the body due to the weakened Vata dosha, the body secretes more mucus to lubricate the body which ultimately gets accumulated and manifests as cough after combining with the “ama”.

Ayurvedic herbs for the cure of Cough

• Tulsi: Tulsi or holy basil is often revered as the “Mother Medicine in Nature” by Ayurveda and today there are scientific studies to back that claim. The subtle hot and bitter taste of tulsi is believed to bring Kapha and Vata back into balance. Its antimicrobial properties as well as its immunity-boosting properties punch cough in its face. Moreover, it can unclog passages by liquefying the accumulated phlegm and giving relief to a congested nose and throat. This makes tulsi a vital constituent in quality syrup for mucus. 

• Banafsha: Banafsha is known as Viola Serpens in English and happens to be a flowering shrub. It has not only shown anti-microbial properties in laboratory studies but is also believed to be a great remedy for any respiratory ailments, especially, cough, sore throat, and congestion.

• Talispatra: Goes by the botanical name of AbiesWebbiana and commonly called Indian Silver fir, this celebrated tree in Ayurveda belongs to the family of fir. The talispatra leaves have a sweet and bitter taste with a fiery nature making it a perfect addition in mucus cough medicine which helps the digestive fire get a renewed glow. Among the plethora of benefits it has on offer, its decongesting, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, and mucolytic properties are a magical remedy against cough and the resultant congested airway. 

• Pippali: Widely known as the Indian long pepper, is associated with the cure of digestive problems and lung ailments like asthma, bronchitis, and cough. Pippali is packed with a chemical called piperine which exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, anti-histaminic, and immunomodulatory activities. According to the ancient texts of Ayurveda, this pepper strengthens Pitta dosha and decreases the levels of Vata and Kaphadosha due to its heat. This is why it is essential to use the right dosage of this wonder herb in the form of syrup for a cough with mucus.

• Amalaki: This vibrant green, tangy fruit is a wonderberry that is packed with essential nutrients that give it it’s celebrated antipyretic, antitussive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory just to name a few. In Ayurveda, it is referred to as ‘divyaushadhi’ or a divine medicine as it contains all five tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, astringent, and pungent that help in the functioning of both mind and body. It is especially great for cough and cold because of its effective antiviral property.

• Yashthimadhu: Licorice in English, the root of this plant is used for treating coughs. Licorice has shown commendable results in treating sore throat even in clinical trials. So, it can help in soothing a sore throat after continuous coughing.

• Bibhitaku: Also known as Baheda in Hindi, this fruit has strong astringent properties which help in the decongestion of the throat during cough by tonifying the mucous membranes in the entire body. It is considered to have a hot potency in Ayurveda which imparts more energy to the digestive fire. 

• Nausadar: If you thought Ayurveda did not know the effective use of chemicals then this ingredient will prove you wrong. Nausadar is ammonium chloride which is used as an expectorant in Ayurveda. It stimulates the bronchial mucosa thereby secreting mucus for lubrication when someone suffers from the painful ailment of dry cough. 

• Madhu: The sweet golden honey is a staple for treating cough in Ayurveda. In recent years, even modern science and medicine have concluded that golden syrup is a safer way to tackle acute cough than antibiotics. 
• Pudina: The chemical compound peppermint with its pungent odor helps in unclogging airways congested with phlegm. It also has anti-microbial properties that can help with the talking of the root cause of cough.

It is essential that you only trust a quality brand of Ayurvedic cough syrup like Torex Herbal Syrup, which is formulated without alcohol and which has a blend of all of these herbs and many more in perfect proportion to give you the fastest relief from cold.

Apart from taking the medication, focus on your diet and practice the right kind of yoga to get the best results.   

Some Tips from Ayurveda to follow during cough and cold:

• Drink a glass of warm golden milk before bed.
• Include asafetida as a spice into your diet.
• Add crushed ginger in your teas and sweeten it with honey instead of sugar.
• Massage warm sesame or mustard oil all over the body, focusing on the respiratory area.
• Chew on fennel seeds after every meal.
• Avoid foods that are cold at any cost during this time.
• Avoid smoking tobacco during this time which can aggravate the already sensitive airway.