Ayurveda Flu and Cold Remedies
Updated: Nov 23
Ayurveda provides natural remedies for colds and flu. As the seasons shift and the holidays arrive, many people experience increased vulnerability to these common illnesses, but Ayurveda offers effective holistic remedies to boost your immunity and enhance your recovery. Explore a variety of Ayurvedic remedies, lifestyle practices, and food as medicine to help fight against colds and flu. Bonus: Complimentary Ayurveda recipe eBook collection.
Understanding the Ayurvedic Perspective on Colds and Flu
Ayurveda sees health as a balance among the body, mind, and spirit. Illness arises from a dosha imbalance. For the common cold, this often relates to the Kapha dosha, which controls mucus production and fluid balance. When Kapha is out of balance, symptoms like congestion.
Flu might involved an aggravation of Pitta dosha with symptoms such as fever
Addressing dosha imbalance is central to Ayurvedic healing. By recognizing your unique constitution and what disrupts your balance, you can more effectively avoid and combat illness.
Related Reading: Ayurveda Remedies for Mucus and Congestion
1. Herbal Teas for Relief
Herbal teas are foundational in Ayurveda. Many herbs possess gentle and effective properties that alleviate cold and flu symptoms.
Tulsi Tea: Known as holy basil, Tulsi is famous for strengthening the immune system. Research shows Tulsi can potentially reduce the severity of respiratory infections. Steep fresh Tulsi leaves in boiling water for a few minutes and add honey for a soothing drink.
Ginger Tea: Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory that aids digestion and relieves sore throats. In a study, consuming fresh ginger was associated with a reduction in cold symptoms. To prepare ginger tea, slice fresh ginger and simmer it in water, then add lemon juice and honey.
2. Spice Blends to Enhance Immunity
Spices are a staple in Ayurvedic cooking and play a vital role in building immunity.
Turmeric: This spice contains curcumin, which has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Adding turmeric to your meals or preparing "golden milk" (turmeric mixed with warm milk, cinnamon, and pepper) can enhance your diet significantly during cold season.
Black Pepper: This spice helps stimulate respiration and clear mucus. Adding black pepper to your dishes not only enhances flavor but also promotes easier breathing.
Ginger: Not only does ginger taste great, it enkindles agni (digestive fire) which can be compromised by excess mucus ama (toxins). boosts appetite, improves nutrient assimilation, and clears the micro-channels (strota).
Cinnamon: This delicious herb also stimulates agni, clears the respiratory system, and supports healthy circulation, enhances digestion and absorption.
Please note: Saumya Ayurveda does not recommend using herbs as if they were over the counter or prescribed pharmaceuticals. An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner will create you a custom herbal formula, special nasya, and customized Ayurveda plan to support the whole you.
Herbs are not Ayurvedic because it comes from India. Nor it is correct for you because it is organic. Herbs become Ayurvedic when used as part your customized Ayurveda plan which is carefully tailored for your constitution. An herb that is balancing to one person for a concern, may be imbalancing to another.
3. Warm Broths and Soups
Warm foods provide nourishment and hydration, important while recovering from illness.
Mung Bean Soup: Mung beans are easy to digest and provide essential proteins and nutrients. Boil plain mung beans with spices like cumin and turmeric for a comforting soup that’s gentle on the stomach.
Kitchari: Kitchari is an ideal dish that serves as a form of medicine. It's easy to digest and cleansing. Cook it until it is a thinner brothy version of kitchari so it's easiest to digest.
Vegetable Broth: Homemade broths are nutrient-dense and perfect for hydration. The warm liquid soothes sore throats, making them a go-to remedy when sickness strikes.
Visit the Saumya kitchen for more inspiration and help. Selected top Ayurveda recipe blog again by Feedspot!
4. Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a significant aspect of Ayurvedic medicine, giving relief through scent and steam.
Eucalyptus Oil: This oil is recognized for clearing nasal passages. To inhale eucalyptus oil, add a few drops to hot water and breathe in the steam.
Peppermint Oil: Known for its cooling effect, peppermint oil helps with congestion. Additionally, it can ease headaches commonly experienced during colds.
Related Reading: Ayurveda Aromatherapy for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
5. Restorative Yoga Poses
Gentle yoga poses can provide comforting relief and relaxation during recovery.
Child’s Pose: This restful pose helps relieve tension in the back and shoulders. It also promotes a sense of calmness.
Seated Forward Bend: A soft stretch that can improve circulation and ease nasal congestion, providing comfort when you feel under the weather.
7 Grounding Poses: These yog-asana when practiced meditatively and gently, are restorative and rejuvenating.
6. Hydration Techniques
Proper hydration is critical in Ayurveda, especially while you are ill. Flush out those toxins (ama).
Drink plenty of HOT water. (Not room temperature, cold, or iced!) Hot! It is more effective in flushing out ama which is immune compromising. Hot water liquifies mucus and hydrates mucosal membranes. Hot water's hydrating properties balance the qualities of Vata dosha which are dry and cold.
"If you notice something is coming on and feeling off, start drinking sips of hot water about every ten minutes for a few days or more and you might avoid getting sick by consistently flushing out toxic ama with Ayurveda's ancient hot water treatment. How easy is that?"
-- Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
Warm Water with Lemon: This drink aids in detoxification and provides vitamin C, vital for immune support. A study showed that vitamin C can reduce the duration of colds by up to 8%.
Coconut Water: Known for its hydrating properties, coconut water replenishes electrolytes and is great for recovery. (Avoid drinking it cold.)
Beverages should be consumed at tea temperature to help support healthy agni (digestive fire), reduce ama (toxins), and help liquify mucus.
7. Ayurveda Lifestyle Modifications
Small changes in your morning and evening Ayurveda routine can significantly enhance your immune response during cold and flu season. Following a daily Ayurveda routine helps maintain dosha balance day to day and season to season.
Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for recovery. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night to allow your body to heal effectively. Peruse, Ayurvedic Tips for Good Sleep.
Mindfulness Practices: Techniques, such as our daily guided meditation and deep diaphragmatic breathing, can lower stress levels, which positively impacts your overall health.
Rest and Nap: It sounds obvious, but rest and nap. We're used to pushing through, all the time. If your body is tired, rest, nap, relax. Do our free guided practices. Cultivating inner calm, helps you heal and prevents illness and dosha imbalances in the first place.
Related Reading: Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life
8. Nutrition for Recovery
A balanced diet is vital for strengthening your immune system during illness. In Ayurveda, food is medicine.
Fruits and Vegetables: Seasonal produce rich in antioxidants can boost recovery. Consume foods that are well cooked (think crockpot type foods), spiced, light, easy to digest, and warm. Our complimentary Vata recipe eBook is a great way to include warm, light, easy to digest meal while you recover.
Reduce ama (toxins) and balance your agni (digestive fire) by eating according to your dosha.
Saumya Ayurveda blog was selected top Ayurveda recipe blogs. Click here for more healing recipes.
9. Avoiding Irritants
Living gently during illness aligns with Ayurvedic principles.
Limit Dairy and Heavy Foods: Although some dairy can be beneficial, too much can increase mucus, worsening congestion. Focus on lighter foods when you are unwell.
Avoid Cold Foods and Beverages: Consuming cold foods can aggravate your symptoms. Opt for warm, nourishing meals that are easy to digest.
Avoid environmental irritants such as dust and pollen and stay out of high winds. Related Reading: The Healing Power of Ayurveda: Managing Asthma and Allergies Naturally
10. Consult an Experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner
Finding the right remedies for your unique needs is essential. A qualified, experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner can provide personalized advice that considers your individual constitution, or Prakriti, and helps you find the best approach for recovery.
Empowering Your Recovery Journey
Getting through a cold or flu season can feel challenging, but with Ayurveda's holistic approach, you can harness natural remedies and Ayurveda practices to support your recovery. From herbal teas and spice blends to Ayurveda lifestyle tools and using food as medicine, Ayurveda offers a clear pathway to restoring balance in your body and mind.
As you adopt these Ayurvedic practices, always listen to your body and prioritize rest. By embracing this ancient wisdom, you can effectively navigate seasonal illnesses and emerge healthier and stronger. Dosha balance is key to good health and to optimizing immunity.
With your new toolkit of Ayurvedic remedies, you are now ready to address your symptoms thoughtfully. Implementing these strategies will enhance not only your recovery but also promote a healthier, more balanced life overall.
Ayurveda Flu and Cold Remedies
Discover how personalized Ayurvedic treatment can change your life
Book a free consultation with Veena from Saumya Ayurveda
“I highly recommend Veena Blilie (Saumya Ayurveda). She has helped me so much in leading a life of recovery.
I had been dealing with an ongoing illness since 2016 that could not be diagnosed--even after a slew of tests. Between 2016-2019, I was constantly getting sick with severe colds/flu that would last for 2-3 months, I was not able to eat more than a small amount of food.
I consulted with Veena at the beginning of 2019. Since then, I have only been sick a few times with it lasting only a few days. This seems to only happen when I haven’t been following Veena’s recommendations.
I can’t emphasize how important this has been to me in building my immune system and staying healthy. Just wanted to share.”
-- Marissa Hernandez, Corrales, New Mexico
“I found Veena through a Google search after attending a yoga retreat where I felt disconnected from myself. In the past, I’ve traveled to India and tried to incorporate Ayurvedic treatments during our family trips, but I never experienced the full benefits.
That’s when I decided to search for someone in the US, and I couldn’t be luckier to have found Veena. She is incredibly knowledgeable, and after every session, I feel more grounded, connected with my body, and aligned with my well-being. If you haven’t scheduled a consultation with Veena yet, I highly recommend it. Committing to work with her will truly transform your overall health.”
-Gabriela Ephrem, Minnesota
“If I had to name an entity that has helped me transform my life to better health and personal balance it’s Saumya Ayurveda. The person whose gentle compassion, guidance, and support got me to where I am today is Saumya Ayurveda’s founder, Veena Blilie.
Saumya Ayurveda has helped me to eat, think, see, and feel much better. For me, Saumya Ayurveda is a grand lighthouse that guides us through turbulence, providing ceaseless illumination to navigate the darkness toward a safe, undiscovered harbor of the soul. Veena’s dedication and knowledge can lead us to ease up and ease out in a world whose longevity depends on us doing exactly that.”
-Donald H. Freeman, USA
PSST...Saumya clients say it best. Read and watch more of their stories!
Discover the Saumya Ayurveda Way
We all want to be heard, understood, and cared for as whole beings, not a set of isolated symptoms. True health is more than the absence of disease, which is why Western medicine so often leaves us feeling hopeless and unseen.
Deep down, you already know what you’re searching for: a new framework for living – one that brings your entire being back into balance. With Saumya Ayurveda, you’ll receive individualized guidance to create the physically, mentally, and spiritually vibrant life you crave.
Saumya Ayurveda provides concierge, top-notch, award-winning Ayurveda care. We strive to keep it simple, so you can focus on you! Our practice model is client focused not on retailing herbs.
Our effective multi-appointment consultation packages provide you with experienced Ayurveda care, enthusiastic guidance, and inspiring support.
Explore our personalized services and book your FREE discovery call today.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE…
If you found value in this article, please help others by sharing it and reposting it on your social media platforms. Just click the three vertical dots at the top of this page.
Saumya Ayurveda is dedicated to offering you insightful Ayurveda content for free to assist you in embracing an Ayurveda lifestyle. Thank you for your support.
MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.
Learn more about Veena's work and book your FREE discovery call today.