Whether it’s winter, summer, or the rainy season, coughs and colds are among the most common health problems people face year-round. According to Baba Ramdev, these issues are mainly caused by an imbalance of the Vata and Kapha doshas in the body. He explains that people with a Vata constitution are very sensitive — even small changes in diet, such as eating oily, cold, or sour foods, can disturb their balance, increase Kapha, and trigger colds.

Baba Ramdev further says that an increase in Kapha dosha not only produces phlegm but also affects the entire body, often causing weight gain, heaviness, excessive sleep, and laziness. He advises against ignoring these signs and encourages parents to use natural home remedies instead of immediately giving children medicines for coughs and colds.

Natural remedies Baba Ramdev recommends:
He suggests that parents treat mild coughs and colds using simple ingredients easily available at home, such as turmeric, ginger, basil, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, mace, nutmeg, and licorice.

For example, lightly rubbing nutmeg, mace, and cloves on a stone, or roasting and chewing cloves and black pepper, can quickly relieve a cough. Boiling these ingredients in water to make a decoction (kadha) is also effective. Drinking turmeric milk regularly helps strengthen children’s immunity and protects them from seasonal infections.

Pranayama for prevention and faster recovery:
Baba Ramdev strongly recommends practicing pranayama techniques like Siddhasana, Bhastrika, and Kapalabhati to balance the body’s energies and prevent respiratory issues. These breathing exercises help stabilize Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, keeping the body’s systems in harmony and reducing the need for medication.

Things to remember while practicing pranayama:
He advises performing Bhastrika Pranayama while seated comfortably in Siddhasana, Sukhasana, or Padmasana, keeping the body relaxed and still. The pace—slow, medium, or fast—should depend on one’s physical capacity. Similarly, Kapalabhati should also be done at a pace suitable for your strength. Baba Ramdev emphasizes that learning these techniques under proper guidance ensures better results and prevents strain.