Boost immunity against Covid with these ayurvedic herbs in your kitchen

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 14

With rising Covid cases during the second wave, stress is being laid on increasing immunity. Age-old ayurvedic herbs which are easily available in everybody’s kitchen have come to people’s rescue during the pandemic.

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has also launched a massive nationwide campaign to distribute its herbal ayurvedic drug AYUSH-64 and Sidha medicine Kabasura Kudineer for Covid patients in isolation.

Dr Ravinder Vatsyayan, a city-based ayurvedacharya, said immunity is the natural power of the body to fight any disease. There are three types of immunity , which includes natural immunity, acquired immunity and artificial immunity.

“At present our focus is to increase the natural immunity of the body which is regulated by diet, lifestyle and thought process. One need to have balanced diet on time, follow healthy lifestyle and stay away from negative thoughts. By following these three rules, the immunity will increase automatically,” said Dr Vatsayayan.

Herbs such as amla, giloy, turmeric, tulsi and ashwagandha which have stood the test of time in raising and for maintaining immunity should be consumed daily.

Dr Mohit Vaid, another city-based ayurvedacharya, further added, “Most important thing is one should keep his kapha balanced- because kapha is food for virus. Risk factors for kapha aggrevation are obese patients, patients who are prone to respiratory allergies, patient who easily gain weight, high cholesterol, diabetics and hypothyroidism patients”.

Back to basics

• Herbs such as amla, giloy, turmeric, tulsi and ashwagandha which have stood the test of time in raising and for maintaining immunity should be consumed daily.
• Dr Ravinder Vatsyayan, a city-based ayurvedacharya, said the natural immunity of the body is regulated by diet, lifestyle and thought process. One need to have balanced diet, healthy lifestyle and positive thinking.

“One should take light easily digestable diet, no dairy products after sunset, avoid fats specially Saturated and trans fats such as butter ghee, ice creams, cold drinks and baked items. Some home remedies can really help which include turmeric, ginger, black pepper, ajwain water, pippali, warm water use. Fasting once or twice a week will be helpful. Some ayurvedic medicine can be taken for normal cold or flu symptoms after consulting ayurvedic doctor such as trikatu churan, panchkol churan, talisadi churan, maha laxmi Vilas rasa, dashmool kwath steam, ajwain water steam,” said Dr Mohit Vaid.

General measures

• Drink warm water throughout the day.
• Daily practice of Yogasana, Pranayama and meditation for at least 30 minutes.
• Spices like Turmeric, Cumin, Coriander and Garlic are recommended in cooking.

How to keep virus at bay

• Take Chyavanprash 10gm (1tsf) in the morning. Diabetics should take sugar free Chyavanprash.
• Drink herbal tea / decoction (Kadha) made from Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini (Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black pepper), Shunthi (Dry Ginger) and Munakka (Raisin) - once or twice a day. Add jaggery (natural sugar) and / or fresh lemon juice to your taste, if needed.
• Golden Milk- Half tea spoon Haldi (turmeric) powder in 150 ml hot milk - once or twice a day.

What to do in dry cough, sore throat?

• Steam inhalation with fresh pudina (Mint) leaves or Ajwain (Caraway seeds) can be practiced once in a day.
• Laung (Clove) powder mixed with natural sugar / honey can be taken 2-3 times a day in case of cough or throat irritation.
• These measures generally treat normal dry cough and sore throat. However, it is best to consult doctors if these symptoms persist.

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