Household Remedies

Cold, Cough and Nasal Congestion

If you often suffer from cold and cough, Dr Shalabh Sharma, ENT consultant at Delhi's Sir Gangaram Hospital suggests black tea with a tablespoon of honey, juice of ginger root and half a lemon. "Both ginger and honey have anti-oxidant properties and when mixed together act as an excellent expectorant." Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and boosts the immune system,allowing the body to fight the cold.

"Besides lemon juice, amla or Indian gooseberry is also rich in vitamin C," says Ishi Khosla, clinical nutritionist and director, Whole Foods, Delhi. "Juice of one amla every day helps build strong Immunity against infections," she adds.

Honey, with the juice of tulsi leaves is yet another effective remedy for the cold and cough, says Khosla. Tulsi's beneficial compounds, known as phyto-chemicals, have antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and immunity-enhancing properties and so defend you against disease. Diabetics should avoid honey.

Turmeric helps relieve symptoms of the common cold. try this time-tested recipe from Dr Vivek Nangia, senior consultant in respiratory medicine at Batra Hospital, Delhi. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of milk and boil for a few minutes. Drink this hot brew twice a day. "The herb's an­tioxidant and anti-infective properties help build your immunity against the common cold," says Dr Nangia.

Turmeric helps relieve symptoms of the common cold. try this time-tested recipe from Dr Vivek Nangia, senior consultant in respiratory medicine at Batra Hospital, Delhi. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of milk and boil for a few minutes. Drink this hot brew twice a day. "The herb's an­tioxidant and anti-infective properties help build your immunity against the common cold," says Dr Nangia.

Nasal congestion calls for effective measures like nasal douching. "Flush your nose with a saline solution, where a teaspoon of salt is added to a cup of clean, boiled and cooled to lukewarm water. It removes aller­gens and mucus from the nasal passage, providing temporary relief," explains Sharma.

Salinity in the mouth also prevents the growth of germs. A warm water gargle with a teaspoon of salt is good for throat irritation, advises Dr Balakr- ishna Uday Kumar, director of DOC Medical Services, Chennai.

Steam inhalation is another good way to clear out blocked passages. "Steam thins the mucus and helps it get out of the respiratory system," says Dr Nangia. "Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water is also helpful. Eucalyptus oil decongests and helps unblock sinuses," he adds.

Skin care and Acne

Our skin is often clogged with dust, pollution and make-up. A proper care regimen is important for healthy look­ing skin. Dr Maya Vedamurthy, consult­ant dermatologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai believes that the first step is proper washing of the face. "First wash your face with lukewarm water to open the pores and allow cleansing. After washing, splash some cold water to close the pores," she says.

Milk and curd can also be applied to the skin, says Dr Navin Taneja, di­rector, National Skin Centre, Delhi. "The lactic acid present in milk has anti-aging properties that aids shed­ding of dead skin cells and helps hydrate the skin for a rejuvenated look," he says. "Cold milk compresses also help cool the skin immediately after a sunburn," adds Vedamurthy.

Other good natural cleansing agents for the skin include besan (gramflour) and oatmeal. "Make a smooth paste in water, gently apply on your skin and wash after 20 minutes", says Taneja. Rubbing it in roughly might have a detrimental effect and cause irritant dermatitis. "It is important that these products are tested on a small part of the face, to ensure it does not cause any damage to the skin," he advises.

Other natural beauty aids include cucumber juice for dark circles and papaya, strawberry and grape pulp for skin toning. For problems like smelly feet, Dr Vedamurthy recommends soaking used tea bags in boiling water to prepare a decoction. "Cool the mix­ture and soak (your feet) daily for a week to ten days," she advises.

She warns that one should consult a doctor before following these home remedies, because there are many dangerous ones doing the rounds. (For example, some people apply kerosene oil on the scalp to remove lice, which can be extremely dangerous.)