Doctor Bon

Cough is a symptom of several diseases affecting the chest and throat. It may be accompanied by sputum or it may be just a dry cough. It may be acute or chronic. Irritation and pain in the throat, spitting out large quantities of sputum which may be foul smelling; pain in the chest, back and abdomen; fever, loss of appetite, vomiting; difficulty in breathing; spiting of blood and loss of weight; headache, sneezing, giddiness and sleeplessness are symptoms associated with cough.

Remedies

1. For cough associated with spitting of sputum, slight pain in the chest and loss of appetite, juice, paste of powder of vasa ( 1 tea spoon ) and ginger juice (1/2 tea spoon ) id available.
2. For cough associated with irritation and pain in the throat, hot tea prepared with basil leaves, clove and ginger juice (1/2 teaspoon) should be taken three times a day.
3. For cough associated with fever, sneezing, headache and loss of appetite, half a teaspoon of a powder of long pepper, black pepper and dry ginger may be taken with one teaspoon of honey or a cup of warm milk three times a day.
4. Hot fomentation of the chest with sand or rock salt tied in a piece of cloth is useful.
5. Applying mustard oil on the chest and throat can help.

Diet and regimen: curd, bananas, oranges, cold beverages and oily food are to be avoided. Garlic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cumin seeds may be useful if taken in food. Drink only warm water. Do not sleep during the day, especially, after eating. Avoid exposure to rain and cold and wear sufficient warm clothing. If there is constipation, taken a mild laxative, i.e. one teaspoon (5 mg) of powder before going to bed with warm water or warm milk.