HOW DID AYURVEDIC SEERS OF ANCIENT INDIA COMBAT COLD & FLU?
Ayurvedic medicine is part of an ancient tradition that taps the power in plants, to combat seasonal viruses, with home remedies for colds and flu.
Ayurveda literally means life (Ayur) knowledge (Veda). The ancient system of Ayurveda emerged from deep meditation and other spiritual practices of great rishis or seers of ancient India. It is believed that sages or seers of those times co-existed with nature. Most of their time was spent studying plants and trees around them so they could be used for medicinal purposes.
These traditions continue to provide valuable home remedies for winter cold and flu. Even today you can do much to keep your family healthy with these simple, but powerful home remedies.
Cold & Flu Season in Canada: Ayurveda to the rescue!
It’s cold and flu season in Canada and nasal congestion, sore throat, fever, and other symptoms of a cold or virus infection spare no one! Whether you are going out to work, for groceries, or have school-going children, there is always a chance of bringing the virus home and spreading it to others. I have two school-going children and if one gets it then we all get it too!
Simple plant-based remedies to prevent or treat cold & flu?
Herbs like Ashwagandha, Triphala, Amla and Tulsi (Holy basil) are known to boost immunity. Spices like Turmeric, Cumin, Ginger, Cardamom and Cinnamon have cleansing and immune-stimulating effects on our body.
Growing up, thanks to my mother’s advice to stay hydrated, and her profound knowledge in home recipe Ayurveda to combat the virus, our family stayed healthy with plant-based remedies for the common cold and flu. Now herein Canada, I use a lot of these home remedies for the seasonal virus in my household to prevent colds and keep my family healthy.
Remember I talked about this “Amla Murabba” relish in my previous blog. That is used regularly in our household to boost immunity.
Holy Basil - ancient immune booster
Tulsi (Holy Basil) is a very common household plant in our household. Every morning my mom would encourage us to take one leaf of this plant and chew slowly. I have this plant in my home here. As this plant likes warm weather and a lot of sun, I usually place it outside from May to October and then by the brightest window for the rest of the months. It is also believed to be an auspicious plant for your home.
This is my Holy Basil plant – still so healthy and full! Soon I will be moving it indoors for winter.
Herbal Tea Recipe for Sore Throat That Kids Will Love
Every time one of us had an early onset of a cold or scratchy throat, my mother used to make a steep tea with Cinnamon powder, Turmeric Powder, a pinch of black pepper powder, fresh ginger, fresh lemon, and a spoonful of honey. She would also add a couple of leaves of either holy basil or fresh mint. It was so flavourful and effective for cold or sore throat.
For my kids, since they like everything sweet, I add a piece of a peppermint candy cane, it makes it extra minty and a bit on the sweeter side. My kids love this drink!
For a sore throat, while many families may gargle with simple salt-water, a tastier gargle of Turmeric powder and a pinch of salt can also work as a pain reliever, and to help with swollen lymph glands.
I love to sing so losing my voice feels very restricting to me. I use these gargles often to keep my throat free of any virus or pain.
I have come to see in powerful ways, growing up in India, and now with my own family in Canada that Ayurveda herbs combat the side effects of colds, viruses, and flu. Their antimicrobial properties defend the immune system to keep the family healthy with easy home remedies.
I wholeheartedly believe that is the way our Mother Nature intended it to be and somewhere during all this modernization we forgot the basic essence of our existence.
In my next blog, I will talk about another ancient practice “drinking water in copper mugs”! A new trend but is it really new? Stay tuned!
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