Strengthen your Respiratory system for giving the COVID 19 a good fight.Exposure to smoke, dust allergens, viruses, aggravates the Vata in the region of the chest.
As the nation is in its next phase of lockdown and reality of the pandemic is now hitting home really hard, we have seen a massive shift in the perception of all with respect to human health and immunity system. There is a sense of panic, as summer worsens in India and yet there is no relief from the impact of the virus, which was once speculated to ebb during summer. But with summer heat increasing and with rising level of it making people more susceptible to infections, it is now more impending on us to take care of our & our family’s immunity.
Whereas almost everybody is practicing hygiene as per WHO’s procedures, washing hands and quarantining from their social group, in ode of regulating the pandemic – these are some tips that would help in strengthening your respiratory system in a most natural manner. But before that we need to understand what is that cough, which is your primary symptom to detect COVID.
Understanding the anatomy of a cough:
PranaVayu & UdanaVayu (types of Vata), govern the respiratory system. When allergens, viruses and bacteria vitiate them, irritation occurs. As a countermeasure, the body forcibly expels air to remove the obstruction. During this course, the Vata (biological air) stability in body gets reduced and leads to “vatajakasa”. Ayurveda explains cough as Kasa Roga, which is caused due to derangement mainly of Vatadosha. Exposure to smoke, dust allergens, viruses, aggravates the Vata in the region of the chest and brings about contraction and stiffness of the eyes, back, chest that may give rise to Kasa which may be dry or with sputum.
Cough can be identified as wet or dry. A wet cough is one in which mucus builds up in the chest and causes the body to expel mucus whereas a dry cough produces little or no mucus or sputum and it may develop towards the end of a cold or after exposure to an irritant such as dust or smoke.
Strengthening your respiratory system:
1. Avoid Kapha (cough) aggregators: Certain foods can generate mucus and makes cold worse. Ayurveda stresses on balancing the kaphadosha so that you may find relief from your cold. There are some foods that are intrinsically cold by nature and hence when consumed, they tend to further aggravate the cold. These are known as kapha aggravators. Some foods that aggravate the kapha and can be avoided are yogurt, ice cream, cheese, bananas, avocado, etc..
2.Consumption Ingredient – Vasaka / Adulsa / Adhatoda: Also known as a Malabar Nut, Vasaka is a powerful herb known to be very effective in managing respiratory problems such as cough, cold &asthama. It balances the Kapha & Pitta in the body & aids the lungs’ability to receive more prana & oxygen
3. Jalneti: Jalaneti is a traditional Ayurvedic and Yogic practice of maintaining nasal hygiene. Jalaneti is not only helpful for upper respiratory fitness and harmonising the nervous system, but it is also a healthy practice for psychological comfort and clarity of mind. It allows for occupied, unrestricted breathing, which surges the amount of prana, or energetic life, that we engage.
Some guidelines given by Ministry of AYUSH for dry cough & sore throat:
1. Steam inhalation with fresh Pudina (Mint) leaves or Ajwain (Caraway seeds), can be practiced once in a day.
2. Lavang (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 to dry cough and sore throat. But it is best to consult doctors if symptoms persists.
Vasavdatta Gandhi, Director
Millennium Herbal Care, Mumbai
