7 Ayurvedic Remedies for Fighting the Cold and Flu

1. Tulsi, Turmeric and Ginger Tea for fever, cold, or flu.

This potent tea blend can be used to fight pretty much any illness: Fever, sore throat, cold, nausea, or a full-fledged flu. Whether bacterial or viral by nature, this infusion is quite effective for preventing an illness or treating an already manifested sickness. A few of its mighty health benefits include immune boosting, digestion-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant, and febrifuge (reduces fever). I would suggest making a strong batch of this in the morning and drinking it consistently throughout the day.








Directions:  
Drink this tea at the first sign of sickness, 1-3 times daily. Once sick, drink a warm cup of this tea every 3-4 hours or as much as needed. Use the honey sparingly as viruses and bacteria thrive on sugar. So, a small amount of honey is beneficial for colds, etc., while too much will be harmful.


2. Turmeric, Salt and Cayenne Gargle for sore throat and swollen glands.

This not-so-tasty but oh-so-effective remedy is great for preventing a full-blown sore throat or swollen glands if you are able to catch the soreness in time. If not, it is also anti-inflammatory and surprisingly soothing when the soreness is at its worst. Once again, this remedy contains all of the necessary properties of being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and expectorant. Allowing the mixture to penetrate for localized treatment is very powerful as well, and works best if the soreness is more superficial rather than deep down in the throat.





Directions:
Mix 1/2 tsp. of turmeric, 1/4 tsp. of salt, and one pinch of cayenne pepper in 1 cup of warm water. Stir thoroughly. Use this as a gargle: Tilt your head back fully and gargle for 10-20 seconds (or longer) then spit out. It is recommended to let a small amount trickle down the throat to coat any deeper infectious areas. Repeat this 3 times in a row and perform every 6 hours or as needed for prevention or treatment of a sore throat or swollen glands.

3. Ginger Juice for nausea.
Although ginger is great for fighting infection, this remedy is specific for the nausea and dull appetite that often accompanies illness. If you are lucky enough to have a juicer, this is the most powerful way to extract the juice. However, if you do not have one, you can still utilize this remedy by creating a powerful and potent decoction (see directions below). Either way, this remedy is sure to penetrate through the dull heaviness that accumulates in the stomach, increase the digestive force, and clear out any toxins in the gut. As an added benefit, ginger is also great for fever—it is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and a powerful expectorant just to name a few.





Directions:

Juicing method: Wash off 1/2 pound of ginger and chop it into pieces to fit through the juicer. Juice and store in an airtight glass jar.  One half pound of ginger should make about 1/2 cup of juice). Mix 1 tsp. of this juice in 1/2 cup of warm water. Drink this every 3-4 hours during illness or as much as needed.

Decoction method:
Wash 1/2 pound of ginger, chop, and peel (optional). Take the ginger and grate it into 4 cups of boiling water.  Reduce the heat to simmer and cover, leaving a slight crack in the lid. Steep here for several hours until the liquid is boiled down (slowly) to 1 cup. Strain and store in an airtight jar. Take 1 Tbsp. mixed in 1/2 cup of warm water. Drink this every 3-4 hours during illness or as much as needed.

4. The Clove Bud, nature’s cough drop.
If you have a persistent cough, you most likely will do anything to pacify it so you can go about your daily tasks. In fact, a cough is often the final stage of an illness as it can be caused by the irritation that is created while the throat is healing. One may feel better, yet the cough continues on and on. This remedy sounds too simple to be effective, but I can guarantee you it is like gold. I worked as a cashier throughout my schooling and I was able to bypass calling in sick many times with the help of these spicy buds. The fact is that they are expectorants (clear phlegm), both antiviral and antibacterial and also highly anti-inflammatory. With all of these factors together, this is the perfect remedy for calming any cough.

Directions:
Take 3 whole clove buds and pop them into your mouth during a coughing spasm. Suck on them until they begin to fall apart and no longer have any flavor. Repeat as often as needed.
 


5. Ginger-Baking Soda Bath for flu, body aches, chills, and fever.

There is no better way to treat a sickness than to sweat out the toxins by taking a hot soak. This ginger blend will help to increase the sweating process further and is also highly beneficial for pacifying a fever. It relaxes the muscles and the mind and is great for any aches that often accompany the flu. It is equally beneficial for coughing as it relaxes the respiratory tract, which is often constricted and stressed during times of coughing spasms. Finally, adding some essential oils can help promote healing even further.









Directions:  
Fill the tub with moderately hot water. While filling, add 1/3 cup of ginger powder and 1/3 cup of baking soda; mix until fully dissolved. Relax in this ginger bath for at least 15 minutes or until you break a sweat. ***If there are respiratory issues, add eucalyptus, peppermint, and sweet orange essential oils (optional). If there is fever and flu, add tulsi, sweet orange, and rosemary essential oils (optional).



6. Mahasudarshana Churna, the Ayurvedic antibiotic.

If you are sick of resorting to antibiotics but need powerful relief, this traditional Ayurvedic formula is the answer. In fact, it not only fights bacterial infections but also treats viral, fungal, parasitical, and any other microbial infection. Although extremely bitter and not so pleasant to take, it is well worth it when you are feeling under the weather. This formula is a natural detoxifier that can be used for any flu, cold, sore throat, nausea, sinus infection, and fever. It is great for both Pitta and Kapha and is a powerful liver tonic. Just as with many of these other remedies, this formula is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant, and immune boosting by nature.


Directions:
During sickness, take 1/2 tsp. in warm water every 3-4 hours. Once the symptoms have reduced, continue to take the same dosage but reduce to 2-3 times daily. Take continuously until 3 days after the final symptoms have ceased to prevent the illness returning.


7. Immaculate Immunity Tincture for cold, flu, and fever.

This is another bitter tonic, although this formula comes in a powerful herbal extracted tincture form and can be easier to take than the previous recommendation. This tincture has been formulated to treat any illness from bacterial to viral, whether cold, flu, fever, sore throat, nausea, or sinus infection. For times of extreme sickness, I actually will take both the Mahasudarshana Churna and the Immaculate Immunity tincture, in perfect antimicrobial harmony!


Directions:
This formula works best when taken at the first onset of symptoms, before the illness manifests. At this time, take 3-5 dropper-fulls (one dropper equals one squeeze) every 3-5 hours for prevention. During the illness, increase the dosage to 5-7 dropper-fulls every 2-3 hours. Once the symptoms have decreased or subsided, it is recommended to continue taking 2-3 dropper-fulls, 3 times daily for 3-7 days to prevent any recurrence of the illness.