Carrom Seeds - A tablespoon of carom seeds crushed and tied up in a muslin cloth can be used for inhalation to relieve congestion/blocked nose.
Lemon - Lemon is so effective remedy for curing cold and cough that now a saying has been developed that half a lemon a day keeps the cold away. For a bad cold, the juice of one full lemons in a litre of boiling water sweetened with honey, taken at bed time, is a very effective remedy.
Turmeric Powder - Turmeric powder mixed in warm milk is a very effective home remedy for cold and cough. Take one teaspoon of of turmeric powder and mixed in one cup of warm milk.
Raisins - A sauce prepared from raisins is also useful in a cough. This sauce is prepared by grinding 100 gm of raisins with water. About 100 gm of sugar should be mixed with it and the mixture heated. When the mixture acquires a sauce-like consistency, it should be preserved. Twenty grams should be taken at bedtime daily.
Ginger - In cases of dry cough (especially during the night), peel a small piece of fresh ginger. Sprinkle some salt on it and chew.
Tamarind (imli) and Pepper (Kali Mirch) - This is a an effective remedy used in South India for centuries. Dilute 50 grams of tamarind in 250 ml of water. Add half a teaspoon of pepper powder and a teaspoon of ghee. Boil it for a few minutes and inhale the vapours of this steaming mixture thrice a day to clear the nasal blockage during colds.
Bitter Gourd Plant - The roots of the bitter gourd plant are used in folk medicine to cure a cold. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal quantity of honey or tulsi leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for colds.

Aniseed - Aniseed is another effective remedy for a hard dry cough with difficult expectoration. It breaks up the mucus. A tea made from this spice should be taken regularly for treating this condition.                                                                                                                                                                       Say "NO" to those Chocolates: Those nasty, sweet things wrapped in shiny attractive papers are known to yield nothing but cavities, cold and cough and add unwanted calories.

Take a walk - Mild exercise improves your circulation, helping your immune system circulate infection-fighting antibodies. Jump on a gentle rebounder indoors for 15 minutes or take a brisk half-hour walk. But refrain from strenuous exercise, he warns, which could wear you out.

Almonds - Almonds are another very effective home remedy used from past many years for curing cold and cough. Soak 6-7 almonds overnight. Remove the brown skin nixt morning. Make a paste of these almonds with little butter and sugar. Very useful for a dry cough