Diet Plan for Common Cold Common cold is viral infection of upper respiratory tract. Different types of viruses are responsible for common cold. The symptoms of common cold are runny nose, sore throat, congestion, sneezing. It is not a life threatening condition but it can lead to discomfort in breathing. According to Ayurveda, common cold occurs when digestive fire (AGNI) did not burn toxins of body (Ama) and results in phlegm formation. Kapha pacifying diet is ideal in common cold.