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8 Home Remedies For Dry Cough

remedies for dry coughWith the increasing pollution levels, exposure to chemicals, and the unpleasant viral infections & flu, it’s no surprise if you’re searching for home remedies for dry cough. A dry cough is a nonproductive cough that doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus and is generally caused by viral infections and allergies. It is crucial to consult a doctor to find the underlying cause of cough. Along with prescribed medications and treatment, you can also try a couple of home remedies to find relief.

  1. Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte): Also known as Haldi ka Doodh in India, this traditional drink is now popular globally and can often be found as a turmeric latte in cafés. It combines turmeric’s powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties with warm milk, offering relief from dry cough symptoms. Drink a cup before bed for best results.
  2. Honey Tea: Honey is a key ingredient in many home remedies due to its anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the throat. You can use honey in various ways, such as adding a teaspoon to warm milk or water. You can also just have a spoonful before going to bed.
  3. Spiced Tea (Masala Chai): This traditional Indian beverage combines black tea with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. It’s not just comforting—it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe a dry, irritated throat. The spices also help combat the effects of pollution and seasonal changes.
  4. Ginger: Ginger eases a dry or asthmatic cough due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also relieves nausea and pain. Prepare a soothing ginger tea by adding 20–40g of fresh ginger slices to a cup of boiling water. Allow it to steep for a few minutes before sipping. Add honey or lemon juice to improve the taste and further soothe the cough.
  5. Lukewarm Salt-Water Gargle: Gargling is one of the most common home remedies for dry cough. For relief, try gargling with lukewarm salt water. This soothes the throat by adding moisture to it. Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of lukewarm water until it dissolves completely. Let the mixture sit at the back of the throat for a few seconds before spitting it out. Gargle with salt water three times a day until the cough improves.
  6. Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil has natural healing properties that can help relieve dry coughs. Use eucalyptus oil to decongest your throat. This oil promotes vitality and helps treat infections. Add eucalyptus oil to a cotton cloth piece and keep it near your nose and mouth. Alternatively, add 2-3 drops to hot water and inhale the steam.
  7. Bromelain: Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may also have mucolytic properties, meaning it can break down mucus and remove it from the body. Drink pineapple juice daily to reduce mucus in the throat and suppress coughing.

Warm liquids to Find Relief from Dry Cough

Staying hydrated is essential when you have a dry cough. Warm liquids can reduce the symptoms of a sore throat and cough, providing immediate relief. Hot beverages that may be helpful include:

  • Clear broths
  • Herbal teas
  • Decaffeinated black tea
  • Warm water

If you haven’t noticed any improvement in your dry cough even after 7 days, it is necessary to consult your doctor. Home remedies for dry cough can be an added measure but not a permanent solution for a persistent cough.

We hope these home remedies for dry cough help you find relief! Is there a personal home remedy that works for you? Share it with us in the comments below!

To know more home remedies, ask your GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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TULSI – Solution to all ailments

tulsi-leavesTulsi or Basil leaves is a small light green to dark purple coloured plant, which is often seen to be grown in front off or near houses in a special pot or special small masonry structures in almost every Indian home. Whether you like keeping plants at home or not, this sacred and medicinal plant is seen in every house. It is considered sacred in India and a manifestation of goddess Tulsi, a consort of God Vishnu.

Talking about its medicinal properties, Tulsi is classified as an adaptogen: It adapts itself to whatever ailment the body is experiencing. Name any body part, beginning from your head, eyes, mouth, throat, stomach, or kidney, Tulsi has a cure for it.

Its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it a much talked about the herbal plant in medicine.

Let’s quickly go through some of them:

  • Head: In heating summer, by applying the paste of crushed Tulsi and Chandan will give you immediate cooling and relief from headaches.
  • Eyes:  Dark Tulsi is known to be rich in Vitamin A and hence no doubt that it helps in curing eye soreness and night blindness.
  • Mouth: Soaking Tulsi seeds in water at night and consuming it in the morning along with milk will surely give you relief from mouth ulcers. I have tried this and it has benefited me by giving immediate relief.
  • Teeth: A paste made by sun drying the tulsi leaves and mixing them with mustard oil is known to maintain dental health and gives you relief from bad mouth odour.
  •  Nose, throat, and chest: Water boiled with basil leaves and a pinch of salt should be used to gargle to get relief from a sore throat. Almost all the ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants have tulsi as their main component, as it is known to melt the mucus giving relief to bronchitis and asthma patients.
  • Fever: A hot and tasty tulsi decoction made by adding cardamom, clove, coriander seeds, Jeshthamadh or Jashthamadh or Mulethi with a small amount of jaggery helps to bring down fever after one has drunk the decoction in small portions.
  •  Kidney: In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months will flush them via the urinary tract.

 The flavonoids in tulsi leaves are believed to reduce the risk of platelets forming clots on the arterial wall, preventing coronary heart disease and heart attacks.

Tulsi juice is also beneficial in treating many of the skin infections like ringworm and other skin diseases.

Note: These are only general guidelines as a first aid. It is always better to see a doctor depending upon the intensity of the case.

We hope this article helps you understand the incredible benefits of Tulsi. Have you tried incorporating Tulsi into your daily routine? Let us know in the comments below. For more tips on natural remedies and nutrition, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Combat Constipation Naturally: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

bowel-movement

After reading my blog on Poop…most of my blog reader’s reaction was Ewww!! Most of us feel the same way when we talk about shit or pee. But we forget that its part of our own body and we are only responsible for how it turns out. In my years of experience. I have noticed that many of them have issue related to clear bowel movement – medically termed as CONSTIPATION and is one of the reason for not losing weight too.

In Bollywood.too….many films are made on this – like Toilet—Ek Prem Katha, Piku, Delhi Belly. The over or under use of toilet is always an issue!

Constipation is defined as lesser than three stools per week and Chronic constipation means once or less per week.

Most of us have gone through this phase sometime or other in our life. Have you ever wondered why? Well, I know this topic is not that which eases our mind but it’s important to know about it.

Constipation can results into symptoms like abdominal discomfort, feeling of incomplete evacuation, hard stools, rectal or anal bleeding.

Constipation occurs where the food in the stomach and intestine is taking an inconsistently long time to be digested. The contractions that push the food forward is called the peristalsis movement. When the chyme (semi-digested food) is not pushed forward but remains in the intestine it starts fermenting, causing gases and bloating to occur. The water content has all been absorbed so it becomes dry and peristalsis becomes even more difficult and even painful at times. 

When we travel our eating, sleeping habits become irregular, bringing with it changes in our digestive system which can sometimes cause constipation. It can also happen due to some medications, low fibre diet, hormonal disorders, stress, pelvic disorder, less water intake. When that happens we must increase our water intake immediately so as to keep the colon well hydrated to make sure that the chyme doesn’t dry out.

Another reason could also be a sedentary lifestyle. It is important to keep up with moderate activity as we grow older our metabolism gradually slows down and with it the digestive process. Our body is like a machine that we need to keep well-oiled in all departments to keep working properly.

Here are Simple solutions that can help to prevent and cure it.

1. Good Fibre: Increase fiber intake so that there is sufficient fibre for bile to mix with and digest the food. Soluble fibre softens the stools and insoluble fibre adds bulk and roughage to the stools. E.g. Legumes, Oats, Rice Bran, Whole Fruits, Green Vegetables, Figs, Nuts and Seeds. etc. Apple and Guava works best as per my personal experience.

2. Adequate hydration is must: Increase your water intake makes possible for the insoluble fibre in the colon to move forward more effectively. Water ensure a good production of digestive juices in the stomach and intestine and smooth passage of food thorough the intestine. It even makes stools softer to ensure they are passed out easily. Drink about 3-3.5 ltrs per day to keep cells hydrated.

Use the bathroom as and when needed. Do not hold back.

3. Regularize lifestyle and eating and sleeping patterns. Have good sound sleep and avoid stress. De-stress yourself with some meditation or deep breathing techniques

4. Avoid all the packaged foods, and foods loaded with refined flour. Trans fat, sodium and other preservatives are low in fibre or lack fibre completely.

5. One of the best home remedy is to soak 2 figs or 4-5 raisins overnight and then have it in the morning with a glass of luke warm water. Prunes also acts as a great laxative.

6. One tbsp of castor oil or cold pressed virgin coconut oil works best if had before going to bed. It helps in smooth passage of stools next morning.

7. Our ancient study says – Triphala powder—one tbsp in glass of luke warm water helps in detoxifying and cleansing the colon and rectum.

8. Exercise about 30-45 min daily. This improves blood circulation which promotes better digestion and hence clear bowel movement. Avoid exercise immediately after meals.

Let me share some basic yoga asanas which can be done daily to regularize your bowel movement. Yoga helps revitalise your body and also increases the flow of blood and oxygen in the system, thereby, improving your digestive system.

Ardha-Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal Twist Pose)

Half-spinal-twist-Ardha-matsyendrasana-300x232

How to do it:
* Sit down on the ground with your legs extended in front of you; toes pointed toward the ceiling.
* Bend your left leg, under your right one, placing your foot next to your right buttock.
* Place the right foot firm on the ground, near the left knee.
* Extend both your arms, and twist your upper body to the right. Place the right arm on the ground behind the back, and your left hand on the right ankle in front of your body.
* Sustain the pose for at least 30 seconds. Gradually, increase the time to 1 minute.
* Release and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: This pose stimulates the pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, and ascending and descending colons, hence, improving bowel movements and providing relief from constipation.

Pavanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)

Pavanmuktasana
This is one of the easiest and most effect Yoga pose if you are felling gassy.

How to do it:
* Recline on your back and hug your legs into your chest.
* Pull the head up and try to put your nose in between the knees.
* You may rock gently if you wish too. Release after 10 to 15 seconds.
* Alternatively, you can extend one leg out.

Benefits: As the name suggests, this posture helps release gas from the body, a common trouble of constipation. The posture can help cure several digestive disorders, including dyspepsia. It also helps in relieving acid reflux which is caused by indigestion.

Shishuasana/Balasana (Child Pose)

childs pose
This position means that you crouch down over your knees on the floor, pushing onto your lower abdomen.

How to do it:
* Start by kneeling on your knees, with your knees touching.
* Sit down so your bottom is touching your feet and your hands are on your knees.
* Place your hands on the floor in front of you and slowly start to move them forward, lowering your body down until your stomach is on your knees and your arms are stretched out in front of you. Your hands stay touching the floor or you can take them back to hold your feet.
* Now relax, taking slow deep breaths in and out of your nose.
* Hold for about 30 seconds and let the weight of your body go so that you are relaxed in this pose, and your knees push into the abdomen to provide relief.
* Then slowly work your way back up.

Benefits: Relieve any pain that you may get when constipated.

Malasana (Garland Pose)

malasana1
How to do it:
* Squat down with your feet as close together as possible, and slightly pigeon-toed or pointing outwards.
* Your heels should be on the floor – you can always place a folded towel underneath them if this isn’t possible at first.
* Separate your thighs so that they are slightly wider than your body, and then lean forward between your thighs.
* As you do so, place your elbows on the inside of your knees with your palms together in a prayer position and gently push against your knees, which helps to lengthen the abdomen.
* Hold for 30 seconds, breathing gently through the nose before releasing.

Benefits: This pose will help you to relax and stretch the intestines.

So, in case your bowel movements are irregular stop worrying and start practising! Just give few minutes of your daily time, along with healthy diet and good sleep and you can actually look forward to a healthy digestive system and a happier you!!

If this article helped you, let us know your thoughts in the comments below. You can find more articles like this on Gut Health here. If you want expert advice or further guidance on improving digestive or gut health, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Sugarcane and its 10 benefits

sugarcane

I seldom know a person who hates Sugarcane and does not crave for Sugarcane juice when thirsty. Sugarcane juice with ice is a hit among Mumbaiites. On a hot sultry afternoon have a glass of sugarcane juice and see how it rejuvenates and energises you. Sugarcane is known to provide energy and glucose to our body and gives us the strength to continue with our work. But, did you know that Sugarcane has many health benefits than just providing glucose to our body?

Sugarcane juice is not only like any other sweet juice but it has many other nutrients. Sugarcane juice is extracted from the cane and is nutritious and refreshing. It contains about 15 % natural sugar and is rich in organic salts and vitamins. The juice can also be used for drinking or sweetening. In hot summer days, it is a cooling drink. A little lime juice may be mixed in the juice to improve its flavour. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SUGARCANE JUICE

  1. The reason Sugarcane is a popular drink during summers is that it gives an instant kick of energy and quenches the thirst. Sugarcane juice is a good source of glucose which as we know, helps to re-hydrate the human body and gives it a boost of energy. So instead of your artificial energy drink, the next time you feel fatigued or dehydrated, consider drinking a glass of cane juice.
  1. Even though cane juice tastes very sweet and has high sugar content, it is good for diabetic patients. It contains natural sugar which has a low glycemic index that prevents a steep rise in blood glucose levels in diabetics, so it can act as a substitute for aerated drinks for them. However, people with Type-2 diabetes should consume it in moderation and after consultation with their doctors.
  1. Sugarcane juice is considered an alkaline forming food because of the high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese in it. Diseases like cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment and that’s why studies show that it is effective in fighting cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer.
  1. As sugar cane juice boosts protein levels in the body, it helps in maintaining the health of the kidney. Taken in a diluted form, with lime juice and coconut water, sugar cane juice helps in reducing the burning sensation which is commonly associated with urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, kidney stones and prostatitis.
  1. The antioxidants in sugarcane juice help to fight infections and boost the immune system of the body. It also protects the liver against infections and helps in keeping the bilirubin levels in control. This is one of the reasons that doctors’ advice jaundice patients to drink sugar cane juice, as it is one of the few things that gets easily digested and does not put any pressure on the liver and also helps in reducing the bilirubin levels.
  1. Sugarcane juice also acts a good digestive aid due to the presence of potassium. It helps in keeping the digestive system in good shape, prevents stomach infections and is considered to be particularly useful in treating the problem of constipation.
  1. Studies show that sugarcane juice protects against tooth decay and bad breath due to its high mineral content. So save yourself the next trip to the dentist and drink a glass of fresh sugarcane juice to get shiny white teeth.
  1. Deficiency of nutrients in the body can easily be noticed by looking at the health and condition of your nails. If you have brittle discoloured nails that have white spots on them, then it’s time to add sugarcane juice to your diet. It contains everything to give you those strong shiny nails that would look pretty even without a nail polish.
  1. Sugarcane juice has been discovered to be good for those people who are struggling with febrile disorders. Febrile disorders result in fevers, which can lead to seizures and loss of proteins in the body. It is quite common in infants and children. Sugarcane juice helps in compensating the lost protein and helps in recovery.
  2. When it comes to healthy skin, alpha hydroxy acids are supposed to have a lot of benefits. They fight acne, reduce blemishes, prevent ageing and help in keeping the skin hydrated. One of the most effective alpha hydroxy acids is glycolic acid and sugarcane, is one of its few natural sources. Just apply sugar cane juice to your skin and let it dry or add it to your favourite face mask and scrub. Use it regularly to see the effect.

While the advantages of sugarcane juice are many, it is essential to ensure that it is extracted in a hygienic manner. It’s also important to use and consume the juice as soon as it is extracted because it tends to get oxidized within 15 minutes.

So Sugarcane is not only beneficial for your health but also good for your skin. It’s a miracle drink for a healthy lifestyle which is also tasty. Let go of those artificial drinks and soft drinks and go for ‘Sugarcane Juice’. But, be safe and drink it keeping the hygiene conditions in mind.

We hope this article helps you. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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