In the West, a good night’s sleep and frequently-washed hands are considered the two best ways to keep from catching a cold or, worse, the flu.
In Ayurveda, India’s ancient wellness medicine, we prevent illness with warming herbs and spices to boost your immune system and loosen congestion in the sinuses and lungs.
My favorite herbs to prevent and remedy winter colds and flus are tulsi (also known as ‘Holy Basil’) and ginger. Ginger loosens congestion, and Tulsi helps kill viruses and boosts the immune system.
Here’s how to use the herbs and get through sniffle season:
Ginger and Tulsi Tea.
Sipping Ayurvedic herbal teas is a simple and effective way to keep viruses at bay and boost the immune system during the later winter months. For already-bagged tea, try Organic India’s Tulsi and Ginger tea or Ayoma’s Kapha Tea. If you want to make it yourself, fresh gingerroot and tulsi leaves can be found in many natural food stores. Use one tablespoon of fresh herbs per cup of water. Sweeten your tea with honey. Sip 1-2 cups of the tea daily.
Herbal Anti-Viral Facial Oil.
Massaging your face and nostrils with an anti-viral oil is a great way to allow the healing properties of herbs to absorb into the skin and olfactory system. Add 1-3 drops of tulsi and ginger essential oils into two teaspoons of organic almond oil. Massage the aromatic blend into your face and neck just after you have washed them. Use your little fingers to gently insert some of the oil into your nostrils. Do this once a day or twice (morning and night) if you are particularly susceptible to illness.
Reenita Malhotra Hora is schooled in Ayurveda, India's ancient tradition of well-being. Her work as an Ayurveda Clinician, writer and healthy living consultant has taken her from California Pacific Medical Center and UC San Francisco School of Medicine to the pages of Yoga Journal and Green Options Media. Born in Bombay, she now lives in San Francisco. Read more from her on her blog.
