This is continued from Tips to Beat Common Cold (part -1)
#5 Did You Meet An Ayurvedic Doctor?
Did you know Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life, is an ancient way of healing? Ayurveda says, “If your body is diseased, there must be some imbalance”, and Ayurveda remedies aims at restoring this balance.
#6 Eat Food That Is Easy On The Stomach
Have you seen kids growing cranky and avoiding food when they fall ill? Interestingly, it is a natural response of the body to illness. “In case of common cold, abstinence from food is the first line of treatment”, says Dr. Shiksha Thakur, an Ayurvedic doctor.
But you shouldn’t stop eating either. It is best to go on a light diet. You may eat only when you feel hungry and avoid sweets, deep fried items, fine flour products, lady's finger, cold water, and soft drinks (Know more on what kind of food to eat). A light stomach clears your digestive fire. A clean digestive fire is associated with a strong immune system and this helps restore the balance in the system.
Here’s a list of what can be eaten at such times and food that boosts immunity:
1 - Nuts (almond, cashew, pistachio, walnut, hazelnut, dates, apricot, prunes, and raisins in limited quantity), as they provide necessary vitamins, natural oils, and nutrients to keep the body warm.
2 - Spices (black pepper, garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, ginger, asafoetida, and mustard seeds), as they help in digestion and in elimination of abdominal gases.
3 - Vegetables (drumstick, pointed gourd, spinach, amaranth, bitter gourd, green banana, fenugreek leaves, and mint leaves), as they provide the necessary fibre and nutrition and are easily digestible.
4 - Sprouts, as they are high on fibre and proteins; they provide enough energy and fill your stomach without making it heavy.
5 - A glass of fresh warm milk with a pinch of turmeric and black pepper boosts immunity.
6 - Fruits (papaya and apple); avoid sour fruits.
7 - Freshly prepared warm food to enhance circulation and increase enzyme activity. Avoid frozen, canned, or packed food.
8 - Basil has medicinal properties. A decoction of the leaves with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for cough and cold. The leaves, when boiled with tea, act as a preventive against cold. In case you have fever, boil a decoction of basil leaves with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water and mix with jaggery and milk to bring down temperature.
#7 Turn Water Into A Healer!
Did you know something as easily available as water can be a life saver? When suffering a cold, it can be your magic drink, or maybe your magic steam!
One of the most effective natural remedies to cure a cold is a pinch of cumin seeds added to warm water. This is a medicinal drink that clears blockages in our respiratory tract, which is congested with cough and mucus. For a day or two, stress on more water and less food and notice the difference for yourself!
Water vapour is you magic steam. Take water in a container (in case you don’t have a vaporizer) and add a pinch of camphor or two or three drops of eucalyptus oil. Bring this to a boil and inhale the steam for a minute or two and repeat after a couple of minutes. You can do it for five to ten minutes twice daily. You can cover your head with a towel; that’ll keep you warm while you inhale. And let the magic happen!
It’s advisable to drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day. This is one of the easiest and safest ways of keeping sickness at bay.
On all other days, you must drink at least 3 liters of water if you are male and 2.2 liters if you are female. This is a safe and simple way of keeping health problems at bay.
#8 Herbal Medicines to beat common cold
Just like we have certain food types for cold, there are a few herbs too. The only difference is that they are packed as Ayurvedic medicines that are paraben-free and have no negative side-effects. Haridra Khanda, Amruth, and Yashti Madhu can be administered as per the instructions that come with these medicines or as prescribed by your Ayurvedic doctor
Taking four to five drops of Shakti Drops in a glass of water every day is adequate to boost your immunity.
Written by Ravisha Kathuria
Based on Meditation inputs by Bharathy Harish, sajah samadhi Meditation teacher and Ayurvedic inputs by Dr. Shiksha Thakur, Ayurveda Expert.