Colds

Ayurvedic Explanation of cause of Colds:

• Build-up of excess cool and moist kapha qualities results in congestion and runny nose.
• Excess vata results in reduced agni which leads to chills, loss of appetite, poor digestion

Preventive Measure:

• Take 1 tsp of amla powder with warm water at night. Do not take this if you are already taking triphla at night.

Recommendations:

• Steep 1 tsp of ginger, cinnamon and lemongrass in 1:1:2 for 10 minutes in 1 cup of water several times a day. You may add honey to the tea after straining.
• Steep 1 tsp of ginger, cinnamon in 2:3 and a pinch of cardamom for 10-15 minutes in 1 cup of water. Add ½ to 1 tsp honey to the tea after straining.
• Take steam by adding 1 tsp of ginger or a few eucalyptus leaves in a 500 ml of water.
• Take ½ tsp of fennel seed powder with 1 tsp of natural sugar twice or thrice a day.
• Mix ½ tsp of cinnamon powder with 1 tsp of honey and eat this twice or thrice a day.
• In case you also have the flu, drink 1 tsp of holy basil in 1 cup of water and then drink it.
• Take 1/8 tsp of sitopaladi and 1/8 tsp of maha sudarshan churna with 1 tsp honey twice or thrice a day after food.
• Take ¼ tsp of mixture of echinacea, goldenseal and cinnamon in 1:1:2 with honey twice a day.
• Take some Vitamin C.
• Do Nasya with ghee morning and evening.
• Drink hot water several times a day.
• Do not consume dairy products.
• Get a lot of rest.
• Do only mild exercise.

Yoga Exercises Recommended:

• Sun Salutation
• Shoulder Stand
• Head Stand
• Forward Bend

Pranayama Recommended:

• Breath of Fire (Bhastrika)
• Alternate Nostril Breathing without retention of breath

Caution: 

Ginger is a blood thinner. So do not combine it with any other blood thinner like aspirin etc.

References:

Primary Reference: The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies - Vasant D Lad - Part 3