Tis the season… for catching colds. It’s part of life; a yucky, annoying part of life, but sometimes even healthy people who take good care of themselves get sick, and this time of year colds are spreading like wildfire. What can Ayurveda share about helping us recover when we catch a cold?
According to Ayurveda, our respiratory system, known as Pranavaha Srotas, is the main seat in our body for exchanging cosmic prana with individual prana through the process of breathing. Prana, which comes in not only through the air we breathe but also through the food and also experiences we take in, is more than just oxygen, it is reverberating consciousness. When our Pranavaha Srotas are functioning optimally, meaning the airways are clear, our doshas are balanced, the tissues are healthy, our agni is balanced, and we have minimal ama, we have the best flow of prana in and out, and so our life force is clear and vibrant. When Pranavaha Srotas are compromised, our life force is diminished, which is one of the reasons we feel so lousy when we have a cold.
The lungs and sinuses are actually considered the seat of kapha. Kapha, one of the three doshas, is the energy of lubrication, structure, and cohesion. The lungs are the container for air, which is vata. To hold that air, moisten it, and keep it from drying us out, kapha provides lubrication (membranes, pleural fluid, etc) and structure (trachea, bronchial tubes, aveoli...)
When we catch a cold virus, our Pranavaha Srotas are most affected. Ayurveda explains that colds generally present as an increase in Vata and Kapha doshas. Vata is cold, dry, and rough, so dry coughs and sore throat typically mean vata is vitiated. Kapha is cold, heavy, and wet, and colds with thick mucous and wet coughs are considered kapha-type colds.
In general, COLD is the predominant quality in colds, (duh) whether it is more vata or kapha in nature. There is a principle in Ayurveda called Samanya-Vishesha which means like qualities increase like, and opposites decrease. When you have a cold, you want to apply HEAT. Heat, in many forms, as well as herbs meant to support the respiratory system AND fight off viruses are the main approaches to treatment. Of course, if your symptoms get really bad or you are at high risk for complications, consult your doctor or seek medical care.
I hope the following ayurvedic suggestions will come in handy next time you catch something to complement your other home remedies!
Tend to your agni: your digestion is the first thing to tend to when sick. Your body has to put all its resources into fighting infection, so your digestion will be weaker. Weakened digestion leads to toxic build-up and reduced absorption. Help out your digestive tract by eating cooked, moist, spiced, warm foods like soup, dhal, kitchari, and porridge. (There’s a study out there about how it actually isn’t the chicken in grandma’s chicken soup that helps you when you’re sick, rather it’s because soup is such an easily digestible food). Avoid cold, heavy, dry foods including cheese, milk, ice cream, sodas, dry cereals, and processed or greasy foods. If you want to drink juice or smoothies, add some hot water to take out the chill factor. Take the herbal power trio Triphala at night to support easy digestion and gentle cleansing.
Up your spice intake: In your foods and teas, use a lot of gently warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, pepper, basil, and garlic. These heating spices support digestion and are also powerhouses for fighting infection and cutting through cold sticky mucus. If you don’t like them in your food, you can get them in tablet form. I love making tea with ginger, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamom, and then honey (once it’s not scalding hot!).
These herbs will give that virus a kick in the pants: tulsi, neem, echinacea, astragalus, garlic, elderberry, and wild cherry bark are all known for their anti-viral and antibacterial properties. Tulsi, licorice, and wild cherry bark are known across traditions to be especially good for the lungs. (Check to make sure herbs don’t interact poorly with any medications you’re on, particularly if you take blood thinners). Make them into teas, or take them in tablets, tinctures, and syrups.
Honey is your friend: Honey is both heating, nourishing, and antimicrobial, so it’s one sweetener you can feel good about having while you’re sick. It soothes and lubricates sore throats. Mix into cough syrups and teas, just don’t cook it or it becomes toxic! Tip: let your tea water cool till you can stick your finger in it for several seconds before you stir in the honey.
Use steam inhalation: One of the Indian Vaidyas (ayurvedic physician) in my master’s program says that inhaling herbs is the most beneficial treatment for the respiratory system. This is because they will bypass the digestive system and go straight to the problem area. You can add essential oils that are bronchodilators such as eucalyptus, ravintsara, thyme, peppermint, pine, camphor and clove to a pot of steaming water and lean over it for several minutes, (close your eyes and put a towel over your head and the pot). Keeping an essential oil diffuser going with these oils in the room you spend the most time in is also really helpful. You can also rub the oils in a carrier oil directly onto your chest (just like good old Vics).
Rest, but move a little every day: Obviously, when you’re sick you should rest, but how often do we ignore what we know because we think we just can’t afford it? If possible, try to cancel your other engagements and stay home. You’ll get better quicker and not spread the illness around. But don’t get stuck on the couch ALL day. Spend a little time doing simple, gentle stretches and undulating movements to keep prana and lymph flowing in your body. You’ll help the lymphatic system do its job: move lymph to trap toxins and get rid of them.
Do some Lymphatic Massage: Speaking of lymph, your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like your cardiovascular system. It moves through your movement and also through manual manipulation (ie massage). Some of the most important places to pay attention to are the nodes on the sides of your neck, under your armpits, at your groins and behind your knees.
Give yourself a pep talk: If you are down for the count, stuck at home for days and feeling lousy, everything in your life can start to feel like crap. Remind yourself this is temporary, and that it’s just a part of the cycle of life. Give your body lotsa love and gratitude for working so hard to heal you! You will recover soon, and once you do, your immune system will be boosted after all that effort it extended to fight this virus.