-1752582114705.webp)
Can’t keep up with the season’s sniffles and sneezes? It might be time to turn to your kitchen’s spice rack for comfort. Indian households have always been privy to strong natural spices that are capable of alleviating the symptoms of a cold as well as strengthening your immune system. While spices might inherently be used to enhance flavour in our food, they can also accelerate the recovery process.
Be it reducing redness around the eyes, draining out congestion or getting rid of a cough, there’s always a spice waiting to help you naturally. And while battling a cold, spices might be the hot, comforting thing your body is seeking. So, here is a list of seven spices that can alleviate the symptoms of a cold and help you fight the sniffles while giving you a tasty treat.
Seven Spices to Try During A Cold
1. Ginger: The Multi-Purpose Cold Warrior
Ginger is a superstar in relieving a cold. It also has a bioactive compound called gingerol, and this substance has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger has been known to eliminate sore throat, prevent coughing and cause nasal decongestion. It also aids digestion and warms the body up, something that we all want when we are not well.
Take it as: Fresh ginger tea with honey and lemon is a great method of consuming ginger, but if you enjoy spicy foods, then simply add grated ginger to all your soups and stir-fry dishes.
2. Turmeric: Golden Immunity Powder
For ages, colds and coughs and even minor bruises have been treated by the use of turmeric in Ayurvedic medicine. The most important compound found in ginger is curcumin, which possesses powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Owing to curcumin, it can neutralise a sore throat, strengthen the immune system, and lower the amount of mucus.
Quick fix: Add some turmeric powder in warm milk (golden milk) and add a pinch of black pepper to enhance better absorption and quick relief.
ALSO READ: Do Spices Expire? What Is Their Shelf Life And When To Toss Them?
3. Black Pepper: Congestion Reliever
Did you ever happen to notice that your nose runs when you eat spicy food? It is black pepper doing its job. It contains a lot of piperine, which aids in breaking down mucus, clearing up of nasal passages, as well as enhancing the bioavailability of other nutrients which aid in fighting off a cold (especially turmeric).
Pro Tip: Faintly open closed sinuses with black pepper by sprinkling it over soup, eggs or khichdi.
4. Cinnamon: Calming Remedy
Cinnamon is not only a warm spice that is used in desserts. It is an antifungal and antimicrobial substance. Cinnamon provides a calming effect to help relieve pain and inflammation of your throat, and since it is also warm in effect, it can be comforting when you have a chill as a result of a cold.
How to Add to Your Diet: Add cinnamon to your cup of tea/coffee, or boil it in water and drink it during the day. Another option is that you can mix honey with a pinch of cinnamon powder to make it a self-soothing remedy.
5. Clove: Mini Spice, Max Relief
Cloves have eugenol, a pain-relieving and antiseptic agent, making it particularly beneficial for sore throat, dry cough and congestion. It is also capable of lessening the oxidative stress so that your body's immune system can combat the infection.
How to Utilise it: put it into herbal tea, or put one clove into your mouth and chew it slowly as you need relief in your throat.
ALSO READ: Herbs And Spices To Promote Liver Health
6. Garlic: The Natural Antibiotic
Garlic contains a lot of allicin, which is an antiviral and an antibacterial agent. It increases the action of the white blood cell, helping your body to react better to a virus, such as the common cold.
How to Consume: Crush fresh garlic and put it in soup, dal or cooked vegetable dishes. To enjoy its stronger effects, squeeze honey into raw cloves of garlic in your mouth (if you can withstand the spiciness).
7. Cayenne Pepper: Hot Way to Recover
Stuffed up? Consider cayenne pepper as your new best friend. Its capsaicin is a natural decongestant which thins the mucus so that it flows more easily. It is also effective in the treatment of pain in the throat and also in promoting sweats, which will help in the regulation of body temperatures when one has a fever.
How to Use: Simply stir a pinch of cayenne pepper into hot broths or sprinkle into some warm lemon water with honey, as a fast homemade remedy.
ALSO READ: Health Benefits Of Mace Blade
Conclusion: Spice it Up
You may have slow symptoms of the cold, but your spice rack is all set to come to your rescue. Using these delicious, natural remedies in your everyday meals and beverages can help you fight a cold. Moreover, these spices can also boost your immune system, relieve pain, and make you heal quicker without using any chemicals.
Disclaimer: If your symptoms are severe and disrupting your daily life, consult a doctor.