What Are the Best Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

By Harshita Sharma | March 22, 2026

Cough and cold are one of the most common health issues. They surface mainly in winter or when there’s a change in season. While you can always go to your local pharmacy for medicines, home remedies for cough and cold fare better. This is because they are natural and safer. They also have little to no side effects if carried out properly.

In this article, we’ll talk about some effective home remedies that are easy to adopt. We’ll also touch on special cases, such as infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

So, here they are, some time-tested home remedies for cough and cold:

1. Ginger Tea (Adrak Chai)

Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. During a cough and cold, you can take advantage of its powerful properties.

To prepare the tea, simply boil crushed ginger in water. Add honey and lemon as per taste. Now, your tea is ready to drink! For fast relief, drink 2-3 times daily.

And in case you have pain in the chest, it’s also one of the most effective home remedies for a chest cold.

2. Honey and Warm Water

Honey does a great job in soothing the throat. It also helps in reducing coughing.

To consume it, simply mix one tablespoon of honey with warm water. Take it before going to sleep.

However, do not give it to infants under one year of age.

3. Steam Inhalation

Inhaling steam is a great way to clear nasal congestion. In addition, it also helps with chest blockages.

All you need to do is arrange hot water. You can either boil water in a big container or use a readymade steamer. If available, you can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water.

Once you have a steady flow of steam ready, inhale it for a good 5-10 minutes.

It’s also one of the go-to home remedies for a chest cold.

4. Turmeric Milk (Haldi Doodh)

This is a classic Ayurvedic remedy for a cold, which our grandmas have also preached. Since turmeric has antibacterial properties, it is a foolproof remedy for getting rid of cough and cold.

To prepare it, mix half a teaspoon of turmeric into warm milk. Consume it before going to bed.

5. Tulsi Leaves

This is yet another effective home remedy for cough and cold. Tulsi expels phlegm and soothes the throat. It also helps with immunity.

Boil the Tulsi leaves in water. Also, add ginger for both taste and benefits. And your Tulsi herbal tea is ready to fight the bad guys in your system!

6. Salt Water Gargle

This one is a great way to reduce throat infections. If you feel irritation in the throat, this method helps with that, too. Salt helps kill bacteria and also loosens mucus in the throat.

Just mix half a teaspoon of salt in warm water, and you’re good to go. To see results, gargle several times a day.

Ayurvedic Remedy for Cold

You can also seek help from Ayurveda to treat cough and cold. This system of medicine believes in naturally balancing the body.

Here are some popular Ayurvedic options that you can try:

Kadha: The herbal mix is a powerful mix of all the good things we discussed above and more — Tulsi, ginger, black pepper, and cloves.
Chyawanprash: This amazing concoction not only provides relief from colds but also helps boost immunity.
Nasya: Warm some ghee or sesame oil. Now, add a few drops directly into your nostrils. This clears up the congestion.
Abhyanga: Set aside some time for this relaxing full-body massage using warm sesame or coconut oil.

Home Remedies for Cold During Pregnancy

As strong medications can be harmful for pregnant women, they can seek help from gentler home remedies.

Some common home remedies for a cold during pregnancy include:

Taking warm fluids like ginger tea
Consuming honey with warm water
Steam inhalation
Resting and proper hydration

However, before you try these methods, it’s best to consult your doctor first.

Indian Home Remedies for Cold in Infants

Infants require extra care. They cannot be given the same medicines which adults take. Here are some popular Indian home remedies for a cold in infants:

Give them a warm water bath. This helps clear the congestion. After that, wrap them in a blanket or warm clothing.
Gently steam their room. Do not give them direct inhalation.
Use saline drops to help alleviate nasal congestion.
Make Ajwain Potli—dry roast 1 tablespoon of ajwain and 2 cloves of garlic. Put them in a muslin cloth and tie it with a string. Now, place this warm pouch near the infant to ease the congestion. It’s best done when the baby is asleep.
Massage the baby’s chest and back with lukewarm mustard oil. Also, rub it on the baby’s feet.

Indian Home Remedies for Cold in Toddlers

For toddlers, you can opt for mild remedies, like:

Preparing warm soups and fluids
Making a ginger-honey syrup (avoid it if they are under 1 year of age)
Giving them turmeric milk
Light steam inhalation is also okay for them

All these methods can help reduce the symptoms in kids aged 2 to 3 years more safely.

Home Remedies for Ear Pain Due to a Cold

Ear pain is another common effect of the cold. The discomfort mainly happens due to congestion.

Here are some effective home remedies for pain in the ears:

Place a warm cloth on the affected ear for 5-10 minutes
While sleeping, take the help of extra pillows to keep your head elevated. This will help with better fluid drainage
Inhale steam or take a hot water bath to clear nasal passages.

Homoeopathic Remedies for Chest Cold

While we have discussed home remedies for a chest cold, you can also seek help from homoeopathy to get relief.

Here are some common homoeopathic medicines for the chest cold:

Bryonia alba: Effective for dry and painful coughs
Antimonium tart: Helps with rattling or wheezing in the chest
Pulsatilla: Good for loose coughs
Spongia tosta: Best for "barking" or croupy coughs

However, take them only after consulting a qualified homoeopathic practitioner.

Remedy for Headache Due to Cold Weather

Headaches are common in the winter. Some simple remedies include:

Drink warm fluids like soups, teas, and other warm beverages. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches in winter.
Use a heating pad on your neck and shoulders to relax tense muscles.
Don’t forget to rest, preferably in a room that is warm and cosy.

Remedies for Leg Pain Due to Cold Weather

Cold temperatures can also cause pain and stiffness in the legs. To find relief, you can do the following:

Take a hot water bath. This would relax the stiff muscles and increase the blood flow to the legs.
Use heating pads or warm water bags on legs for pain relief.
Gentle stretching of the hamstrings, quads, and calves also helps.
Wear warm socks and leggings.
Stay hydrated. This prevents muscle cramps.

Final Thoughts

Home remedies for cough and cold are simple yet effective. From the sacred Tulsi leaves to the common household items like turmeric, a lot of items can work in your favour to alleviate your symptoms. Ayurvedic natural solutions can help you recover fast without any side effects.

Pair it with proper rest and hydration, and you’ll be fit as a fiddle.

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