Stay healthy this monsoon

Sniffles, sore throat and viruses are common in monsoon. The best way to overcome this is to keep our cells warm. That’s the reason why certain foods were automatically a part of the monsoon diet in our country.

Prevention is better than cure and I have observed that eating organic, fresh and nutritious increases our immunity but at the same time avoid processed white sugar and fried foods.

Here are some simple tips to prevent viruses:

Hydration: Viruses makes us lose fluids so drink lots of water as it helps fight the germ ridden infection. Lack of fluids increases mucus in the nose, throat and lungs, clogging the arteries and makes it difficult to breathe. This eases by sipping hot drinks. Add lemon to hot water as lemon is a natural antioxidant due to its vitamin content and it is also a natural antihistamine.

Salt: Salt therapy is a natural treatment that offers relief from symptoms caused by congestion inflammation and allergies of the respiratory tract. Natural salt has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is excellent for boosting immunity and for general wellbeing. Rock salt and sea salt gargles are an age old remedy to reduce and soothe the throat .

Honey: Traditionally honey is used in a variety of ways in long-established home remedies to ease a sore throat, cold and fever. It is important to choose organic honey. Add it to herbal infusions or mix it with hot water with ginger, tulsi, turmeric and add a half teaspoon of cow ghee to it.

Lemon: Squeeze lemon on everything it is a good source of vitamin C that increases immunity .

Ginger: From centuries ginger has been used to relieve chest congestion and sinus. Both fresh and dry ginger have anti-inflammatory properties. It clears the airways by removing the mucous formation. An herbal infusion can be made by boiling water with ginger, honey and squeezing lemon to reduce the sniffles. Ginger is also warming and promotes healthy perspiration, which is the body’s natural mechanism to counteract sniffles and fever. Ginger also contains oleoresin a balm known for its anti-viral abilities. Add fresh ginger to food soups and teas.

Tulsi: It is a common herb that is used in traditional Indian home remedies as well as Ayurveda for medicinal purposes to cure chest and respiratory disorders, including colds and coughs. Studies show that it may help relieve a cough and help treat bronchitis. Add it to herbal soups, salads, smoothies and teas. As a preventive method, it can be consumed daily.

Onions: They contain a considerable amount of sulphuric oils, which stimulate the mucous lining of the sinuses. The sulphuric oils in onions have antiseptic qualities. These oils help coughs, sore throats congested lungs and sinuses. Mixed with honey, onion juice is a good cure for congestion it decongests phlegm from the chest.

Dry figs: they are the top 3 mucous dissolving foods. In simple words, it helps to remove mucus. Dry figs can be eaten by themselves; they can be added and chopped into a salad.

Turmeric: It is the most powerful and widely used spice in Ayurvedic medicines for inflammation. Curcumin, a flavonoid within turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects that were found to be on par with the drugs like cortisone and phenyl butanone. So add turmeric daily in your vegetables, soups and smoothies. The humble turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory alternative to medication.

Ghee : Cow’s ghee has amazing anti-inflammatory properties and is very soothing for the throat. It is high in vitamin A thus making it a strong antioxidant increasing one's immunity. Ghee is rich in K2 and Conjugated linoleic acid – an antioxidant with antiviral properties mix half-a-teaspoon of organic turmeric powder with one-fourth teaspoon of ghee it coats the throat and eases inflammation.

Rasam: It is a soup made with a few pigeon peas and rasam powder that essentially is made up of dry cumin powder, fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, pepper, red chilli powder and tamarind. It’s tempered with cow’s ghee curry leaves and asafoetida. This is an amazing warming soup and helps cleaning up your chest congestion and nasal cavities.

Flax seeds: is one of the oldest super foods. They are known for their antiviral, antibacterial properties and therefore consuming flaxseeds regularly may help reduce the severity of colds and flu. Add it to your salad chutney or mix it with other seeds and have it as a snack.