Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest medical systems. Its origins go back over 3,000 years, found in ancient Indian writings called the Vedas. Today, it's still widely used as an alternative medicine. Ayurveda looks at health in a complete way, believing our bodies are made of five elements: air, space, fire, water, and earth. These elements form three parts called "doshas." When these doshas are out of balance, that's when illness is thought to happen.While there isn't much scientific proof that Ayurveda directly cures common sicknesses like colds and flu, some of its herbal remedies might help you feel better and manage symptoms. Ayurvedic Remedies to Know During Seasonal ChangeFor a Dry Cough (No Mucus)In Ayurveda, tulsi is often called the "queen of herbs." It's a popular choice for dry coughs. Some small studies suggest tulsi might help loosen phlegm and improve coughs caused by allergies, asthma, or lung problems. One older study even showed it might help asthma patients breathe better. Tulsi is generally safe and might also help keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels healthy. For a Wet Cough (with Phlegm) Ginger is a very common herb in Ayurveda. It has properties that can fight off bad stuff in your body and reduce swelling. Early studies on human throat cells suggest that parts of ginger might relax your throat muscles, which could ease coughing. More research is needed to be sure if ginger helps with cold or flu coughs. For Cough and Sore Throat Licorice Root is a herb that contains things that can help reduce swelling and pain. Studies have shown that licorice applied directly can help with sore throats after surgery. One study found that gargling with licorice extract greatly reduced sore throats after an operation. While we need more studies for sore throats from colds or flu, it looks promising. For Cough and Fever Sudarshana Powder is a traditional Ayurvedic powder is often used to treat fevers. It's a bitter mix of 53 different herbs. It might help with fever that comes with not wanting to eat, feeling tired, sick to your stomach, or having an upset stomach. But more research is needed to know how well it truly works. For General Cough and ColdGarlic is believed to have properties that fight germs and viruses, which might help you avoid getting a cold. One small study found that people who took an active ingredient in garlic (allicin) had fewer colds. However, more research is needed to be certain about garlic's benefits for colds. Other Helpful Home Remedies for Cough and ColdHere are some other common home remedies that can help with cough and cold symptoms:Honey Tea: Mix about 2 teaspoons of honey with warm water or tea. Saltwater Gargle: Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and gargle. This helps loosen mucus in your throat.Steam: Breathing in steam can help clear mucus from your lungs. You can do this by filling a bowl with hot water and leaning over it (carefully!) or by taking a warm bath or shower. Bromelain: This is an enzyme found in pineapple. Eating pineapple or taking a bromelain supplement might help break up mucus in your throat. Peppermint: Peppermint can soothe your throat and help break down mucus. You can drink peppermint tea or add peppermint oil to a steamy bath.