We’re in Cold and Flu season AGAIN! An entire season dedicated to stuffy noses, pillow heads, and feeling considerably less than optimal. The good news is that both can be prevented! (Like, wear a hat for starters!)
First, let’s agree that managing our stress is one major factor in preventing all manner of ills, along with getting enough rest and eating a diet suitable for our body type and for the season.
So much for the ideal. We do what we can, given our circumstances.
But when we do come down with a cold or flu, what can we do (besides suffer)???
NOTE: Remember, these tips are Dosha Specific! You may wish to first take the Dosha Quiz to find out your Ayurvedic Constitution. If you enter your email to download the report, you will automatically get just the right tip for you, delivered to your inbox weekly!
FOR VATA:
With a predominantly Vata constitution, you are most prone to the dryness aspect of a cold or flu. Symptoms like dry sinuses (dry enough to cause nose bleeds), dry cough, dry throat, runny nose (not so dry!) and headaches, are the symptoms that plague you the most – and we do mean plague!
We’ve repeatedly said that Vatas should not be eating dry foods during this time of year (much as you like to munch and crunch), because it will create a Vata imbalance, which one of the prime movers in the onset of illness.
However! Here are some easy things to do when you are sick (to help you get through it and even lessen the length of your sick time!)
- Eat HOT vegetable soups, which are easily digested (nope, you can’t have a side salad)!
- Avoid eating dry, or overly sweet, or overly processed foods.
- Get to bed early – Remember, rest will help your good guys fight the bad guys.
- Drink lots of HOT water throughout the day to help reduce mucus and flush those toxins.
Also take powdered, or better yet – grated fresh ginger – with honey in water that is just! cool enough to drink (Ayurveda says that putting honey in extremely hot water creates a negative effect on the physiology).
Do this 3 or 4 times a day. If your cold or flu is really rotten, try taking a warm bath with pure lavender oil. The steam will soothe your nasal passages, and calm your Vata mind. Finally!
Be sure to avoid the least chill. And put off washing your hair until you are well again! Warmth is the key.
FOR PITTA:
A predominantly Pitta constitution makes you most prone to the inflammation of a cold or flu. Symptoms like fever, fatigue, yellow mucous discharge, sore/irritated throat and nasal cavity, and inflammation (Ah yes, you know them well…) are the symptoms that plague you the most – and plague is the word!
There are two important things for Pittas to do during this time of year: the first is to remember give yourself a break! Rest rest rest. You are notorious for burning the candle at both ends, and this season is no exception.
The second is to get rid of excess mucous and reduce inflammation in your body.
- Eat HOT vegetable soups, which are easily digested (no, you can’t add beef).
- Eating some dried foods, like a salad will actually help to dry up the mucous in the system, but when you’re better, go right back to NOT eating salad in the fall & winter!
- Get to bed early -even you, dear Pitta, need to rest when you are under attack.
- Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day to reduce mucus and flush those toxins!
If you are “dying” (we know how you are) you might try a concoction of fresh grated ginger, turmeric, and lemon in hot water (just cool enough to drink without turning your tongue to powder) with a little honey. This will help thin out and dry up that neon mucous of yours. Does it glow in the dark?
FOR KAPHA:
We’re in Cold and Flu season AGAIN! An entire season dedicated to stuffy noses, pillow heads, and feeling considerably less than optimal. The good news is that both can be prevented. (Where is your hat??!)
First, let’s agree that managing our stress is one major factor in the prevention of all manner of ills, along with getting enough rest and eating a diet suitable for our body type and for the season.
So much for the ideal. We do what we can, given our circumstances.
But when we do come down with a cold or flu, what can we do (besides suffer)???
Generally speaking, as someone with a predominantly Kapha constitution, you are most prone to the oppression of a cold or flu. Symptoms like wet cough, lethargy, excess mucous discharge, and dull headaches, are the symptoms that plague you the most – and oh how they plague you!
Of all the doshas, you tend to suffer the most when it comes to a cold or the flu, because of the excess mucous production (which can set up housekeeping in your kapha body for the ENTIRE season). It’s time to kick it out!
Kaphas have to nip this one in the bud, because you, of all the Doshas, are prone to deep chest colds and, in extreme cases, pneumonia.
- Eat HOT vegetable soups, which are easily digested (no, you can’t heat ice cream and call it soup).
- Eating some dried foods, like a salad will actually help to dry up the mucous in the system, but when you’re better, go right back to NOT eating salad in the fall & winter!
- Get to bed early, but remember to not stay in bed all of the next day.
- Get moving – it can help break up that excess mucous!
- Drink plenty of hot water throughout the day to reduce mucous and help flush those toxins away!
Try a concoction of fresh grated ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice, in warm water (as hot as you can drink without burning yourself) along with a tiny amount of honey. This will help dry up and thin out that mucous, and open up your pores. Hey, they need to breathe too!