The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has created havoc on every aspect of human life on planet Earth. As of Jan 2022, more than 20.4 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in more than 227 countries and territories, resulting in more than 831,827 deaths.
Although there are several clinical trials underway, no cure has yet been found for COVID-19 in modern western medicine.
The traditional medicine systems across the globe, based on the available practices and knowledge, designed protocols for the prevention and management of early COVID-19. The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India (Ministry handling Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, recommended various prophylactic measures based on Ayush systems against the pandemic.
Treatment plan
The treatment plan comprised (1) Ayurvedic medicines, including Giloy Ghanvati, Ashwagandha vati, Pathyadi Kwath (pravahi), and Diabecon; (2) Yoga protocol, consisting of Sukshma Vyayama, breathing exercises, Asanas, Shavasana, Pranayama, and Dhyana; (3) dietary modifications such as Usha Paan, intake of fruits and green vegetables, and avoiding cold or heavy to digest food; and (4) lifestyle modifications such as the adoption of spiritual practices.
Quick tips to keep distance from cold and cough
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Wash your hands properly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of cold viruses.
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Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose.
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Sanitize your hands with alcohol-based hand gels after touching contaminated surfaces at the workplace like door-knobs, mouse, chair handles, etc.
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Keep a distance of 6 feet from people who are suffering from cold and cough.
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Wear a mask whenever you step outside the house or whenever you come in contact with people you don’t live with.
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Increase your water intake and have hot tea and liquids.
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Do steam inhalation by adding 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil in a bowl of hot water. Repeat 2-3 times a day to get relief from a stuffy nose.
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Strengthen your immune system by taking a balanced diet rich in vitamin C food.
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Lastly, indulge in some form of exercise or yoga to keep yourself active.
Manage cold and cough at home with these ayurvedic remedies
In addition to medicines and cough syrups, you can use some simple ayurvedic remedies to help you feel better.
According to Ayurveda, imbalance in any of the three doshas i.e., vata, pitta, kapha can cause an ailment. In this case, an excess of Pitta and Kapha in the body causes nasal congestion and cough.
To tackle this, here are some ayurvedic remedies to manage your cold and cough:
1. Tulsi
In Ayurveda, Tulsi is known as "Mother Medicine of Nature" and "The Queen of Herbs". Tulsi leaves help to improve the individual’s ability to fight against the common cold as well as cough.
How it works
Tulsi boosts the production of antibodies thereby preventing the onset of any infections. Tulsi has cough-relieving properties. It helps soothe the airways by helping you cough out the sticky mucus.
How to take
Tulsi leaves
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Chew 4-5 tulsi leaves the first thing in the morning. You can continue taking Tulsi leaves to boost your immunity.
Tulsi kadha
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Take a few tulsi leaves. Wash it well.
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Boil water in a pan, add the tulsi leaves.
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To it, add 1 teaspoon of grated ginger and 5-6 peppercorns.
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Boil the mixture for at least 10 minutes.
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Finally, add a pinch of black salt and squeeze ½ lemon to it.
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Let it stand for 1 minute.
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Strain and drink it warm.
Tulsi Tea
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Add fresh tulsi leaves to 1½ cups of water.
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Boil on a medium flame for 10 minutes.
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Strain the water using a strainer.
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Add lemon juice and mix well.
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Drink warm to get relief from cough and cold.
2. Honey
With loads of antimicrobial properties, honey is not only heavenly for your taste buds but also helps ease sore throat. It is an effective cough suppressant.
How it works
Honey provides relief from chest congestion by loosening thick mucus and helping you to cough it out. This helps reduce wet cough.
How to take
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Take a teaspoonful of honey before going to bed at night to reduce the severity of cough. Continue till you do not get relief from cough.
Honey in Ginger Juice
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Take 1 teaspoon honey.
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Add 1 teaspoon of ginger juice and 1 pinch of black pepper.
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Take once in the morning and once before going to bed at night to get relief from a sore throat and cough.
Honey is a miracle of nature which not only aids in improving digestion but boosting your metabolism also. Keep a check on your overall health with a comprehensive full body check-up.
3. Mulethi
Mulethi or Licorice, also known as “Sweet wood”, is an effective Ayurvedic herb for cough. Mulethi powder is useful in managing sore throat, cough and excessive production of mucus in the airway.
How it works
Mulethi has expectorant property. It thins and loosens the mucus inside the airways. This eases coughing and reduces congestion.
How to take
Mulethi water
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Take 1 teaspoon Mulethi powder and add to 1 glass of warm water. Drink this twice a day.
Mulethi tea
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Take 1 small piece of Mulethi root and add it to boiling water.
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Add grated ginger and let it simmer for around 5 minutes.
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Add a tea bag and drink this tea twice a day.
Mulethi kadha
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Take 1/4 teaspoon mulethi powder, a pinch of cinnamon powder, black pepper powder, and a few tulsi leaves.
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Add to 1 cup of boiling water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
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Transfer to a cup and add 1 teaspoon honey to it.
Drink this kadha twice a day.
4. Pippali
Pippali is an effective herb in managing cough and cold. Studies state that it gives relief from headaches and congestion associated with the common cold.
How it works
Pippali loosens mucus and helps to cough it out, thus allowing the patient to breathe freely. This is due to its expectorant property.
How to take
Pippali Churna
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Take a pinch of pippali churna.
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Swallow it with 1 teaspoon honey.
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Repeat 1-2 times a day and continue till cold and cough subsides.
5. Sonth
Dry ginger popularly known as sonth or sukku or soonth is one of the main ingredients of herbal cough syrups. Sonth, when taken with honey, acts as a soothing remedy for cough and cold.
How it works
Sonth contains certain molecules that have anti-inflammatory properties. This helps reduce sore throat.
How to take
Sonth with honey
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Take 1/4 teaspoon sonth and add to 1 teaspoon honey.
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Mix well and take it twice a day for at least 3 days.
Sonth goli
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Take 2-3 tbsp of desi ghee in a pan. Keep the flame low.
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Add 2-3 teaspoon jaggery powder and let it melt. To this add 2-3 tbsp sonth powder. Mix well.
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Allow it to cool.
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Shape into bite-sized balls.
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You can take 1 goli twice a day.
6. Cinnamon
This woody aromatic spice is loaded with many health benefits and one of them is relief from cold and cough. It not only gives relief from the common cold but is also great for a sore throat.
How it works
Cinnamon is known to have antiviral properties. This helps fight against the virus causing the common cold. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help give relief from a sore throat.
How to take
Cinnamon tea
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Make your regular cup of black tea.
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Add a pinch of cinnamon powder to it.
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Drink it 2-3 times a day.
Cinnamon with honey
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Take 1 teaspoon honey and add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder.
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Mix and take it twice a day for at least 3 days.
7. Giloy
Giloy, also known as Amrita or Guduchi in Hindi, has heart-shaped leaves that resemble betel leaves.
It helps manage cold and cough caused due to allergic reactions to pollution, smoke or pollen. It also helps to manage cold and tonsillitis. It is also the most effective herb to boost immunity.
How it works
Giloy has good anti-inflammatory properties. This helps reduce frequent cough as well as a sore throat.
How to take
Giloy juice
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Take two teaspoons of Giloy juice with warm water on an empty stomach in the morning.
Giloy tablet
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Alternatively, you can also take 1 Giloy tablet with warm water in the morning.
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You can buy Giloy juice or tablet from any Ayurvedic store or buy online.
A shift in weather usually affects your throat first. It’s also a sign that your immunity isn’t strong enough. That’s definitely not good news amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. There’s nothing more effective than Ayurvedic herbs that can soothe your throat and nasal area.
In the current situation, it is even more important to ensure that our respiratory system is functioning well. By now, most of us know that a cough can be of two types – dry cough and wet cough. Both can affect our day-to-day lives. Dry cough can occur due to various factors like environmental pollution and allergies, but a wet cough can be due to a bacterial or viral infection.
The solution is to build strong immunity and what better than Ayurveda for this?
“Herbs are known to have immunomodulatory properties that help strengthen the body’s immunity and increase resistance against diseases,” said Dr Shruthi Hegde, an Ayurvedic researcher.
Here’s a list of herbs that will help in tackling seasonal cough and cold
1. Tulsi
Traditionally used in numerous medicines, tulsi is great for relieving dry cough. It is also used to improve immunity because it has immunomodulatory and analgesic properties. Its cough-relieving properties help clear the airways by helping you cough out the mucus.
2. Honey
This natural sweetener has antibacterial properties. It coats the throat and alleviates irritation. This ingredient has many benefits and is widely available which makes it easy to access.
3. Vasaka
Vasaka is a powerful herb that is used to soothe all types of coughs like whooping cough, smoker’s cough, and dry cough. Rich in anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, the herb holds high significance in treating the symptoms of cough and cold. It also helps with chest and nasal congestion.
4. Yashtimadhu
An age-old remedy used to treat cough and sore throat, the benefits of yashtimadhu are plenty. Its Ayurvedic formulations are used to treat respiratory problems, skin infections, and liver disorders. It is known to provide relief from conditions like cough and bronchitis.
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