Treating cold and cough with an Ayurveda perspective
Ayurveda believes that the equilibrium of these three doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha keep us healthy. Kapha dosha takes on a life of its own between the month of November and February, leading to common cold or coughs, etc., which are predominantly caused due to our Kapha becoming imbalanced due to increased levels of Kapha from onset from cold, wrong food habits (results in indigestion and formation mucus) or due to being exposed to dust / allergens. When kapha in the respiratory tract increases, congestion of the nasal passages, throat and sinuses can occur.
Ayurveda provides a whole host of remedies to alleviate symptoms and enhance your body’s natural immunity. Unlike fast, chemical solutions, Ayurveda home remedies work slowly and surely from the cellular level to eliminate the root cause providing lasting relief when we get it out of balance.
The Ayurvedic Approach to Healing
Ayurveda treats the person and not the disease. It emphasizes the equilibrium of doshas through herbs, dietary and lifestyle changes. The goal is to bolster the body’s own defenses, so it can heal itself.
In case of cold and cough,following measures should be taken -Detoxify the body and then maintainit''s warmth levels while keeping it moist. Adding warming spices such as ginger, tulsi, turmeric and black pepper not only decrease the superficial level of mucus but also improve digestion and thus lung health.
Ginger: Nature’s Powerful Healer
Adrak (Ginger) Ginger or Adrak finds a special place in Ayurveda for its digestive and warming properties. It’s beneficial in breaking down phlegm and increasing oxygen to the lungs. Ginger tea with honey, instead of ginger lemon tea and honey! It will soothe the throat and open up sinuses too!
To make it, boil fresh ginger slices in water for five minutes and let cool a bit before adding a teaspoon of honey. This simple remedy helps to calm inflammation so that you have fast relief from a sore throat.
Tulsi: Respiratory Support from The Holy Basil
Tulsi, a sacred Ayurvedic herb that has the property of increasing immunity and working as an antibiotic. It may not only drive phlegm away, alleviate cough and protect the respiratory system.
Also, boil some tulsi leaves in hot water and drink it like a tea, twice a day; this will help open up the air passages so that you are relieved from congestion as well as soothe your throat. Inhaling steam laced with tulsi and eucalyptus leaves will open up blocked sinuses and make you breathe easier as well.
Turmeric: The Golden Remedy
Haldi (Turmeric) This yellow spice can work wonders for cold and cough.Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It aids to purify the blood, ease sore throat, and strengthen the immune system.
Having warm milk with a pinch of turmeric before you sleep – popularly known as Haldi Doodh – is a common practice among Indians; this beverage also helps in improving the healing quality of your nightly slumber.
Steam Inhalation: Clearing the Airways Naturally
In Ayurveda, honey is known as a natural demulcent — something that soothes the throat and reduces the irritation. When mixed with black pepper, it is an excellent cure for mucus and cough.
Combine one teaspoon of honey with a dash of ground black pepper and take it twice each day. It is particularly good for dry cough and a sore throat.
Warm Herbal Decoction: The Ayurvedic Kadha
Steam inhaling is one of the simplest yet most effective Ayurvedic remedies for respiratory relief. A few drops of eucalyptus oil, camphor or peppermint in hot water can be inhaled and will break up mucus and clear nasal passages.
According to Ayurveda, steam inhalation should be done with a towel over the head for five to seven minutes. This practice not only makes the breath flow more easily, but also removes impurities from the skin and sinuses.
Nasya Therapy: Lubricating the Sinuses
Ayurvedic Kadha is a traditional herbal drink made using immune-boosting ingredients like ginger, tulsi, cinnamon, clove and black pepper. This is a boost for the immune system and a great circulatory warmer in seasonal transition.
Combine these and crumple them in water until it becomes half; strain and mix a spoon of honey. It can be consumed once or twice a day to avoid catching a cold, flu and sore throat.
Nasya Therapy: Lubricating the Sinuses
Nasya is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment which is used to treat the sinus and cleanse it with medicated oil. It clears the excess kapha, discourages dryness in nasal passages, and removes congestion.
Use a pair of drops of sesame or Anu Taila oil in the nostrils each morning, following cleaning. Routine Nasya not only combats cold and cough, but also strengthens your respiratory system and calms the mind.
Cold and Cough – How To Manage With Ayurvedic Diet?
Ayurveda reminds us that what we eat has much to do with healing. Avoid consumption of heavy, oily or cold food during cold and cough as they tend to increase Kapha. Good choices would be warm soups, lentils, steamed vegetables.
They can clear toxins and improve digestion when cumin, turmeric or pepper are added to food. Taking a sip of warm water every few minutes can keep the throat moist and help wash flu into the stomach.
Taking cue from VaghVeda, during seasonal changes, it is recommended that one should eat easily available foods (warm food and whatever fresh herbs are available) so as to have good immunity and a faster recovery from diseases.
Lifestyle Practices to Prevent Recurrence
Ayurveda, looks beyond medicines and equally emphasises on the daily discipline (Dinacharya). Simple habits of waking up early, light to moderate yoga and Pranayama exercises work wonders on the respiratory system and for de-stressing.
Cleaning the mouth 1-3 with sesame oil (oil pulling) in the morning decreases bacterial load. Preventing the body from getting cold also helps prevent recurrence of cold and cough.
By adhering to these principles of the Ayurvedic way of life, you can develop lifelong immunity and balance.
VaghVeda’s Role in Ayurvedic Wellness
Here, at VaghVeda, we dedicated to and passionate about growing health through the age old wisdom of Ayurveda. Our herbal blends are specially formulated with the highest quality, whole herbs to support immune strength and respiratory health.
VaghVeda - Nature in a Jar Be it tulsi-ginger infused herbal teas to immunity boosting tonics and ayurvedic supplements, VaghVeda epitomises the ancient Sanskrit saying “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah – May all beings be happy. Each and every product is inspired by Ayurveda and proven effective in delivering on its promise.
Selecting VaghVeda implies selection of the real Ayurveda that advocates natural and sustainable health.
Conclusion
Common cold or cough is an indication that your body needs balance and care. Ayurveda is a subtle, but powerful healing modality – it gets the root cause while improving overall well-being.
If you use natural ingredients such as ginger, tulsi, turmeric and honey with adherence to Ayurvedic lifestyle principles will help preventing infections and developing long-lasting immunity.
With VaghVeda’s pure Ayurveda remedies, good health and well being is simple — just follow nature like Ayurveda does.
