Ayurvedic Treatment for Colds, Coughs, and Flu

The breathing exercise known as Breath of Fire (bhastrika) is also helpful. BREATHING EXERCISE (See chapter 6 for instructions.) Chronic Fatigue See “Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue” Colds and Flu Individuals often get colds and flu during the winter and spring seasons. The symptoms are all too familiar: runny nose, cough, congestion, headache, an achy body, and sometimes fever. Ayurvedically speaking, colds are a kapha-vata disorder.

The body builds up an excess of cool and moist kapha qualities, resulting in congestion and a runny nose, and at the same time it may suffer from excess vata, which reduces agni (gastric fire), leading to chills, loss of appetite, and/or poor digestion. GINGER REMEDIES The best remedy for colds is ginger. Here are several simple home remedies using ginger that will greatly relieve your cold symptoms and hasten full recovery. • Combine the following herbs together: ginger 1 part cinnamon 1 part lemongrass 2 parts Steep 1 teaspoon of this formula for about 10 minutes in 1 cup of hot water; strain it, and add honey for sweetness if you like.

If you drink this delicious tea several times a day, it will help to take care of cold, congestion, and flu. • Another excellent remedy is ginger-cardamom-cinnamon tea. Here is the formula: ginger 2 parts cinnamon 3 parts cardamom just a pinch Steep 1 teaspoon in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. When the tea has cooled down somewhat, you can add about ½ to 1 teaspoon of honey for taste.

• Boil 1 teaspoon ginger, or a few eucalyptus leaves, in a pint of water. Turn off the stove, put a towel over your head, and inhale the steam. This will relieve congestion and help you feel much better. Just steam alone, with no herbs added at all, will also be beneficial.

ADDITIONAL HERBAL REMEDIES • Try ½ teaspoon fennel seed powder mixed with 1 teaspoon natural sugar, 2 or 3 times a day. • For a cold with cough and congestion, mix ½ teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey. Eat this mixture 2 or 3 times a day. (For help with your cough, please see “Cough.”) • For flu, make a tea from 1 teaspoon tulsi (holy basil) in 1 cup water.