Ayurvedic Approaches to Conquer Your Cold
It happens to the best of us (even those of us that feel like we’re invincible)…we get sick! We are living organisms that are prey for bacteria and viruses, especially during these colder months. Thankfully, our bodies are incredibly intelligent and capable of healing themselves. Often our best approach to treating common colds and the flu is to just support its healing process.
While we may feel like we need to fight, giving over and accepting where we’re at offers the pathway to healing. What we resist persists, so acknowledge how awful you feel and give thanks for a body that has all of the tools and army bring you back to balance.
Below are a few of my go to herbal remedies. At the first tingle of a cold or discomfort, I dig into my arsenal and support my immune system. You know that feeling of something being a bit ‘off’, so don’t hesitate and wait to find out how bad it could be - you’ve got living to do!
Herbal Remedies
Ginger Tea - Boil a quarter to half a cup of fresh cut, peeled ginger in 4-6 cups of water for 15-20 minutes. This tea will boost your immunity with its antioxidants and compounds like gingerol, encourage a diaphoretic (sweating) effect to help flush bacteria and viruses, loosen mucus, and decrease inflammation in the throat and throughout the body. It’s my first go to when a bug hits.
Salt & Turmeric Gargle Solution - Add a tablespoon of natural salt (sea, Himalayan, kosher - avoid iodized) and a pinch of turmeric powder to a cup of hot water. Gargle every few hours or as needed to reduce inflammation in your throat.
Nasya (nose) Oil - Put a drop or two of oil on your pinky and coat your nostrils to reduce dryness and pain.
Honey & Black Pepper - Mix a little black pepper into a teaspoon of honey and find relief from painful coughs.
Diet & Lifestyle Choices
Rest - Your body is working hard, diverting its precious resources to driving out an illness and protecting your tissues from damage. Do yourself a favor and put away your laptop, turn off the TV, put on some 528 Hz healing frequency tunes quietly in the background, close your eyes, and be still.
Rest - Your immune system is working really hard and needs all of its attention to get these invaders out. You want to feel better ASAP, right?
Rest - Seriously. For real. (No joke.) :)
Stay Hydrated - It’s easy to become dehydrated, especially if a fever is involved in your healing. Drink lots of water and consider adding a pinch of salt and squeeze of lemon to create a simple electrolyte enhancing solution.
Eat Nourishing Foods - For colds and flus, real, whole foods that are warm, cooked, and easy to digest are so important. These don’t need to be big meals, but you do need to give your body clean fuel to keep fighting without increased the amount of things it needs to eliminate. Oatmeal or porridge can be easy to stomach. Simple soups can be very nourishing and grounding, as well, especially when you’re on the mend.
Ease Back In - Even when you’re well enough to (or required to) get back to your normal responsibilities, go slow.
Be well! Renee