The flu’s in the air. With the changing weather, everybody seems to be catching it, more so since it spreads pretty fast. The sniffles and the sore throat can make you feel very low. Most of us don’t have the time or inclination to visit a doctor for a bout of cough and cold, and isn’t advisable that you write your own prescription. So, we bring you home remedies which have been tested over time. l This is something basic and easy to do. Take a handkerchief or a clean piece of cloth. Put about a teaspoon of nigella (kala jeera) and tie it in a little bundle in the cloth. Rub the bundle on your palm and breathe in the aroma deeply. It clears the nasal passage and gradually cures the cold. The best part is you can the little bundle with you everywhere and sniff it whenever you need to. l When you have a little more time, you can prepare this magic concoction. All you need is some basil (tulsi), honey, black pepper and a little ginger. Take a pot of water, put all the ingredients in it and bring it to a boil over a slow fire. Then sip on it while it’s hot. This brings relief to a sore throat and also reduces cold. You can make a tumblerful and heat some of it whenever you want to drink it. Also, don’t throw away the tulsi leaves, have them with the drink. l Instead of sucking on lozenges available in the markets, here’s what you can do at home. the Cut tiny pieces of ginger and soak them in lime and a pinch of salt for some time. After the ginger soaks in the lime, have it slowly. Let the juices flow in and feel them work wonders. Of course, you can keep a clove in your mouth also. l You know what is the easiest thing to do to beat that cold? Just put a few drops of raw mustard oil in your nose. You might have to brave a burning sensation, but once you are through it, you will feel as good as new. l This one works well too. Heat a few cloves of garlic in a bowl of mustard oil. You can use nigella here too. Then rub the hot oil under your feet, on your throat, chest, back and even palms. It is great if you do this before going to bed. You may feel sticky, but it’s worth the great sleep and the morning freshnes you will have. Otherwise, you can rub it on about half an hour before a shower, or at any other time convenient. l The vapour therapy never fails. And you can put a dab of Amrutanjan in a pot of very hot water and breathe in the steam, preferably covering your head and the bowl with a light cloth. This will prevent the steam from escaping. It clears congestion and the heat fights the virus. Apart from these, a hot water bath, salt water gargling, hot soups and lots of vitamin C (like citrus fruits) can help you give a ‘cold’ shoulder to the flu.