Ayurvedic regimes that will boost your immunity naturally during this new wave of COVID-19

New Delhi : If there’s one word that is on top of everyone’s minds ever since the pandemic struck, it’s “immunity”. Dr. Nitika Kohli, an eminent Ayurvedic doctor and an expert who is based in Delhi, has been working for Ayurveda since 14 years and with her experience and knowledge, she has listed down the following things that can help build your immunity.

In this last one year, we have all googled hundreds of times about top immunity tips to keep ourselves away from COVID. So, here’s everything “Ayurveda” has to offer for building your immunity naturally.

Why Ayurveda for Better Immunity?

Ayurveda explains immunity in a very elaborated way under the name of “vyadhikshamatva”, means, the ability of the body to fight disease in a comprehensive way by balancing your mind, body and spirit. Let’s find out how we can achieve this in two ways.

Improving Immunity through Mind, Body and Spirit

1. Start your day with a warm water gargle with a pinch of salt and turmeric. Or gargle with water boiled with triphala.
2. Scrape your tongue, preferably with copper scraper, to get rid of all unwanted residues.
3. Learn the art of oil pulling – Take a spoonful of coconut oil or sesame oil in your mouth and swish it around for 60 seconds. Do not drink. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water.
4. Steam Inhalation – inhaling hot steam two to three times a day through your nose and mouth is an important step to keep your nasal and throat passages clear and to get rid of any lingering viruses. You can also add fresh mint leaves or ajwain or eucalyptus oil to this steam water to make it more effective. You can also dry roast some ajwain seeds in a covered saucepan and inhale the smoke.
5. Nasal oiling – Apply coconut oil, ghee or sesame oil in both nostrils in morning and evening to keep your nasal membranes strong and clean.#6 Yoga – Spend 15 minutes to half an hour daily on important respiratory exercises and yoga asanas like Pranayama, Kapalabhati, yogic breathing, and meditation. These can help you keep your body and mind fit and positive.
6. Dhayan- Don’t ever underestimate the power of positivity, care and empathy, and good karma. Giving to the needy in any way that you can, be it money, food, medicines or clothes – should be a way of life.

Improving Immunity through your Diet

1. Herbal tea – daily intake of herbal teas like one made with tulsi, ginger and black pepper with a pinch of honey/jaggery or lemon can work wonders for your throat.
2. Kadha is another great idea – make a simple one at home with tulsi, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and munakka and a pinch of taalmisri. While preparing, make sure you boil enough to reduce the water to half its original quantity. And sip it while it’s still hot.
3. Avoid intake of super chilled drinks and reduce alcohol intake.
4. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – include more fresh seasonal fruits and green vegetables in your daily diet to give your body all the vitamins and minerals it needs.
5. Choose fresh food -! Get over those Maggi & junk food cravings and go experiment in your kitchen to rustle up something interesting & healthy.
6. Spices & Herbs – no, I don’t mean more chilli! But adding some spices and essential herbs in your everyday food – like turmeric, cinnamon, tulsi, ginger, garlic, black pepper, amla juice and honey can help your body fight many infections better.
7. Golden milk – There’s nothing more soothing to your mind and body than a glassful of warm turmeric milk just before bedtime. It keeps colds and sore throat away and brings on a peaceful night’s sleep that’s so important for staying healthy and fit.
8. Dry Fruits and nuts – nuts and dry fruits that are rich in vitamins like Omega 3, calcium and zinc are good snack ideas. Go for walnuts, almonds or cashews whenever you feel those hunger pangs.
9. According to Ayurveda, it’s important to balance your kapha and pitta. So cut down your consumption of fried foods, meat (especially red meat), fish, chilli and dairy items like cheese and yoghurt.
10. Stay hydrated – keep sipping lots of warm water throughout the day to keep your throat moist, body hydrated and to flush those toxins out. Aren’t these simple ayurvedic practices worth adopting in your day-to-day life rather than falling prey to illnesses or popping pills every day?

Now, you know why we should be betting on Ayurveda for better immunity!!