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Oh, the common cold! Every now and then, it forces us to skip that long-awaited dinner with a childhood friend. And to drag ourselves to work in spite of a running nose, itchy throat and worn-out body. More and more people today are resorting to Ayurvedic remedies for cold and the flu instead of allopathic medicines. But it’s even better to go a step further and find out how to prevent common colds. Ayurveda has easy, natural solutions…
Ayurveda Tells You How To Prevent Common Colds
Inhale Steam
If you happen to sense a cold coming on, a quick and easy way to stop it is steam inhalation. Bring a bucket of water to a boil, throw a towel over your head and simply breathe in the steam. It will soon open up your nasal passages and clear out any building up congestion. Do this a few times, and you’ll be back to normal.
Foods to Take and Avoid
With the right diet, it’s easy to keep illnesses away, including common colds. Honey is a long-used Ayurvedic remedy for cold and sore throat. It works its wonders by giving your body the warmth is needs, and dissolving the musuc in your respiratory tract. If you sense that you’re about to catch a cold, take honey with neem in the morning. Grind the neem leaves into a paste and form tiny balls. Dip them in some honey and eat them. Avoid eating for the next hour. Sip on ginger lemon honey tea too.
Eat foods like:
- Dark leafy greens
- Sweet potato
- Hot soup
- Turmeric
- Holy basil (tulsi)
- Ginger
- Pepper
- Garlic
Stay miles away from:
- Dairy
- Alcohol
- Processed food
- Excess sugar
- Fried stuff
- Bananas
- Coconut
Set Your Hygiene Standards High
Ayurveda always emphasises the importance of good hygiene. Doctors too will talk about its importance when asked how to prevent common colds. Washing frequently is obvious, but many people overlook it. Scrub your fingers, palms, wrists and face for around 25 seconds – especially when you return from outdoors. Viruses are widespread in places like buses, trains and public toilets. So, it’s a must to be careful about cleaning well after using them. Remember to avoid touching your eyes and nose when in public, since they increase your chances of catching a cold. In polluted areas, you could even wear a face mask.
Practice Jala Neti in the Morning
Yogis swear by this ancient practice. Jala neti clears out your sinuses with lukewarm salt water. It involves using a specific kind of container to pour the water into one nostril and then simply letting it out through the other nostril. Jala neti keeps harmful bacteria out of your nostrils. It’s highly effective in draining your sinus cavities. Unwanted mucus also stays out, so you can breathe much easily. With daily practice of jala neti in the morning, your chances of getting a full-fledged cold fall tremendously, since you keep clearing out your nasal cavities of cold-causing organisms.
We strongly advise learning the technique from a reliable teacher rather than trying it out yourself!
Build Up On Immunity
Building a strong immunity is crucial when it comes to avoiding common colds. Ayurveda tells you to eat food that’s light on your digestive system, like organic, unprocessed foods. This makes sure that toxins are miles away, and your immunity keeps growing. Use mild spices and eat everything fresh. Besides diet, Ayurveda encourages wellness practices like yoga and meditation. These two reduce stress and help you sleep better – both of which are important for healthy immunity. To burn off toxins, do physical exercise that is advisable for your dosha combination.
Final Thoughts
The best part about following these simple Ayurvedic solutions is this – besides preventing the common cold, they also have other benefits that make you healthier in the long run. Follow these, and you’ll soon find that common sicknesses have in fact become quite uncommon for you!
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