Blocked nose, Sore throat, Sneezing that won’t quit. Common cold symptoms always arrive at the worst time, right before something important. Your kitchen has the cure for mild cases. Kadha for cold, honey for dry cough, ajwain steam for blocked nose, haldi doodh for body pain, tulsi tea for cold and fever. These home remedies for cough and cold have worked for generations. They still work today.
But home treatment has limits. When cold fever won’t break or cough hangs around for weeks, you need more than kitchen medicine. This guide covers 10 strong remedies, foods to skip, and warning signs that mean it’s time to see a doctor.
Quick Relief Guide
| Your Symptom | Best Remedy | When to Try |
| Dry cough at night | Honey | Before sleeping |
| Blocked nose | Steam / Ajwain steam | Morning and night |
| Sore throat | Salt water gargle | After meals |
| Cold and body pain | Haldi doodh | Bedtime |
| Chest congestion | Kadha / Ginger tea | Empty stomach |
| Sneezing | Tulsi tea | Throughout the day |
Top 10 Home Remedies for cold & cough relief
1. Kadha – The Strongest Desi Medicine
If there’s one remedy that Indians have trusted for generations to fight everything from mild sniffles to full-blown cold cough fever, it’s kadha. This powerful concoction works on multiple fronts because it tackles sore throat, chest congestion, body pain, and fever all at the same time while boosting your immunity to fight off the infection faster.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 4 to 5 tulsi leaves
- 1 inch crushed ginger
- 4 to 5 black peppercorns
- 2 cloves
- Half spoon turmeric
- Honey to taste
How to use:
- Boil all ingredients except honey for 10 minutes until water reduces slightly
- Strain into a cup and let it cool down to warm temperature
- Add honey only after cooling because boiling destroys honey’s benefits
- Drink on empty stomach in morning
- Drink again before bed at night
- Continue for 3 to 5 days until symptoms improve
Many people find that kadha works better than most cold fever tablets for mild to moderate symptoms, and there’s a reason every Indian grandmother swears by it.
Must read: How to reduce blood sugar level immediately?
2. Honey – Better Than Cough Syrup
Here’s something that might surprise you. Multiple studies have shown that honey works better than many over the counter cough syrups for reducing cough frequency and improving sleep quality, especially when it comes to dry cough at night that keeps you tossing and turning.
The way honey works is simple but effective. It coats your irritated throat, reduces that constant tickle that triggers coughing, and has natural antibacterial properties that support healing. This is genuinely one of the best dry cough remedies that delivers instant relief from cough without any side effects.
How to use:
- Take 1 tablespoon raw honey directly before bed
- Or mix 1 tablespoon honey in warm water and sip slowly
- Add squeeze of lemon for extra vitamin C benefits
- Can take 2 to 3 times during day for severe cough
- Best taken 30 minutes before sleeping for nighttime relief
Important warning:
- Never give honey to babies under 12 months
- Can cause infant botulism which is a serious condition
- Safe for older kids and adults without any issues
3. Steam Inhalation – Fastest Blocked Nose Fix
Want to know how to stop a runny nose in 5 minutes? Steam inhalation is your answer, and it’s been clearing blocked noses and congested chests since long before modern medicine existed. Your blocked nose opens almost immediately, the mucus in your chest starts loosening, and breathing becomes so much easier.
How to use:
- Boil water in a large pot or bowl
- Remove from heat and place on stable surface
- Add 2 to 3 drops eucalyptus oil for extra clearing power (optional)
- Place towel over your head to create a tent
- Keep face about 12 inches away from water
- Breathe in steam through nose for 10 to 15 minutes
- Do this 2 to 3 times daily for best results
- Morning and before bed are most effective times
This works brilliantly as home remedies for chest cold too when you’re dealing with that heavy, congested feeling.
Must read: Understanding the HMPV Virus: Signs, Therapy, Contagiousness & Recovery Period
4. Ajwain Steam – Even Better Than Plain Steam
Most people don’t know about this one, but ajwain steam is a game changer for stubborn congestion that regular steam just can’t crack. When ajwain heats up, it releases thymol, which is a natural compound that works as a powerful decongestant and opens up your sinuses faster than plain steam ever could.
How to use:
- Boil 4 cups of water in a large pot
- Add 1 tablespoon ajwain (carom seeds) to boiling water
- Let it boil for 2 minutes so ajwain releases thymol
- Remove from heat and place on stable surface
- Cover head with towel and inhale deeply
- Breathe through nose for 10 to 15 minutes
- Do twice daily for blocked nose and sinus pressure
- Works best when done morning and before sleep
This is probably the best blocked nose remedy that most people have never tried, and once you experience the difference, you’ll wonder why everyone doesn’t know about it.
5. Ginger Tea – Chest Congestion Killer
When your chest feels heavy and you’re constantly trying to clear that stuck feeling, ginger is what you need because it cuts through chest congestion like nothing else and warms you up from the inside out. Ginger tea is one of the best home remedies for cold and sore throat because it works on multiple levels by opening your airways, reducing inflammation in your throat, and supporting your body’s fight against infection.
Ingredients:
- 1 inch fresh ginger (crushed)
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Half lemon juice
How to use:
- Crush ginger to release juices and add to water
- Boil for 10 minutes until water turns slightly yellow
- Strain into cup and let cool to warm temperature
- Add honey and squeeze lemon juice
- Drink 2 to 3 times daily
- Best on empty stomach for chest congestion
- Continue until congestion clears completely
Must read: Dengue Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid
- Haldi Doodh – The Classic That Works
Haldi doodh is one of those ayurvedic home remedies for cough and cold that generations have trusted because it genuinely works. This remedy works especially well for cold and body pain when you’re dealing with that achy, feverish feeling that makes everything hurt.
Ingredients:
- 1 glass milk
- Half teaspoon turmeric powder
- Pinch of black pepper
- Honey to taste (optional)
How to use:
- Warm milk on medium heat until hot but not boiling
- Add turmeric powder and stir well
- Add pinch of black pepper for better absorption
- Add honey if you need sweetness
- Drink warm before going to bed
- Best taken at night because it helps you sleep better
- Continue for 3 to 5 nights during cold
The turmeric fights inflammation throughout your body, the warm milk soothes your irritated throat, and the black pepper increases turmeric absorption so your body actually uses what you’re giving it.
7. Salt Water Gargle – Instant Sore Throat Relief
This is the simplest remedy on the list and it works every single time without fail for sore throat pain. How to treat sore throat at home without spending a single rupee? This is literally it. The salt reduces swelling in your throat tissues, kills some of the bacteria hanging around, and provides immediate relief from that painful scratchy feeling.
Ingredients:
- Half teaspoon salt
- 1 glass warm water
How to use:
- Dissolve salt completely in warm water
- Take a mouthful and tilt head back slightly
- Gargle for 30 seconds reaching back of throat
- Spit out completely and do not swallow
- Repeat 3 to 4 times with remaining water
- Do this 4 times daily for best results
- Especially effective after meals and before bed
- Continue until sore throat resolves
Must read: Dengue Warning Signs: When to Seek Emergency Care
8. Tulsi Tea – Holy Basil Magic
Tulsi has antiviral and antibacterial properties that science has now confirmed, but Indian grandmothers didn’t need studies to know that tulsi works. This works especially well as home remedies for cold and fever together because tulsi helps bring your temperature down naturally while fighting the infection causing your symptoms.
Ingredients:
- 8 to 10 fresh tulsi leaves
- 1.5 cups water
- Half inch ginger (optional)
- Honey to taste
How to use:
- Wash tulsi leaves and add to water
- Add crushed ginger for extra power if desired
- Boil for 5 to 7 minutes on medium heat
- Strain into cup and let cool slightly
- Add honey if you need sweetness
- Drink 2 to 3 cups throughout the day
- Can drink warm or at room temperature
- Safe to continue for entire duration of cold
It’s also generally safe as home remedies for cold during pregnancy, though you should always check with your doctor first before trying any remedy when pregnant.
9. Black Pepper and Honey – Mucus Breaker
Dealing with wet cough where you’re constantly clearing your throat and trying to get that phlegm out? This combination breaks up mucus better than almost anything else you can try at home. The pepper works to loosen and break up the phlegm stuck in your chest and throat, while the honey soothes the irritation and makes the pepper easier to swallow.
Ingredients:
- 4 to 5 black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon honey
How to use:
- Crush peppercorns into coarse powder using mortar or back of spoon
- Mix crushed pepper thoroughly with honey
- Take this mixture directly by mouth
- Let it coat your throat slowly before swallowing
- Do this twice daily after meals
- Morning after breakfast and night after dinner work best
- Continue for 3 to 5 days until mucus clears
This is one of the best home remedies for cold and throat pain when you’re dealing with that productive cough that just won’t quit.
- Mulethi – Dry Cough Specialist
Mulethi, also known as licorice root, is seriously underrated and deserves way more attention than it gets for treating persistent dry cough that other remedies haven’t been able to fix. The natural compounds in mulethi coat your throat, reduce that scratchy irritating feeling, and calm down the cough reflex that’s been driving you crazy.
How to use (Option 1 – Direct chewing):
- Take a small piece of mulethi stick
- Chew slowly and let juices coat your throat
- Continue chewing for 5 to 10 minutes
- Spit out the fiber after juices are extracted
- Do this 2 to 3 times daily
How to use (Option 2 – Tea):
- Take 1 inch piece of mulethi
- Boil in 1.5 cups water for 10 minutes
- Strain and add honey if desired
- Drink warm twice daily
- Best for persistent dry cough at night
You can find mulethi at any kirana store or Ayurvedic shop, and it costs almost nothing. If you’ve tried honey and steam and ginger and nothing has worked for your dry cough, give mulethi a shot.
Must read: Stomach Flu Outbreak in Bengaluru: A Safety Guide by Clinikk Health Hub
Foods to Avoid During a Cold
Skip these until you recover:
- Cold drinks and ice cream – Worsens congestion and irritates sore throat
- Fried and oily foods – Increases inflammation when body is already fighting infection
- Sugar and sweets – Temporarily weakens immune response
- Heavy meals – Body needs energy for healing not digestion
- Dairy products – May thicken mucus in some people (observe your own response)
- Caffeine in excess – Can dehydrate you when you need fluids
- Alcohol – Weakens immunity and dehydrates body
What to eat instead:
- Warm soups and broths
- Light khichdi with minimal oil
- Fresh fruits especially citrus
- Warm water throughout the day
- Herbal teas without milk
The general rule? Eat warm, eat light, drink plenty of fluids, and give your body the rest it needs to fight off the infection.
When Home Remedies Aren’t Enough
See a doctor if:
- Fever above 103°F that won’t break
- Cough lasting more than 2 weeks
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Green/yellow mucus or blood when coughing
- Severe headache due to cold
- Getting worse after 5 days
For babies and in pregnancy:
Home remedies for cold in babies need extra caution. Saline drops and humidifier only. No honey, no herbs. See a pediatrician if it doesn’t improve in 3-4 days. Home remedies for cold and cough during pregnancy always confirm with your doctor first.
These home remedies for cold and cough work for the majority of mild infections, but sometimes your body needs more help than your kitchen can provide. If the cough won’t quit no matter what you try, or the fever keeps coming back every time you think you’re getting better, waiting it out is not the answer. Visit your nearest Clinikk Health Hub for:
- Quick consultation with experienced doctors who can properly diagnose your condition
- Proper evaluation of symptoms suggests something more than a simple cold
- Safe and effective medication when home remedies have done all they can
- Antibiotics for cough and cold only when truly necessary
- Follow-up care to ensure complete recovery
The goal isn’t to avoid healthcare. The goal is to get the right care at the right time. Home remedies support your recovery. Professional treatment addresses what’s actually making you sick.
Walk in today or book online. Get better faster.
FAQs
- How to stop coughing immediately?
Warm honey water. Steam inhalation. Avoid cold air and dust. Relief comes within minutes. - What are the best home remedies for dry cough at night?
Honey before bed. Humid room. Head elevated while sleeping. No heavy dinner. - Are these safe for kids?
Most are safe. Home remedies for cold for kids work well just use half the adult quantity. No honey for babies under one year. - What helps with loss of smell due to cold?
Steam inhalation. Usually returns when congestion clears. See ENT if it doesn’t improve in 2 weeks. - Do home remedies work for allergic cold? They help symptoms. But home remedies for allergic cold won’t fix the root cause. Get allergy testing if cold keeps returning.
