HOW TO TREAT INFLUENZA WITH AYURVEDIC REMEDIES

OVERVIEW

• Influenza is a viral infection and contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza virus  that attacks on respiratory system – Nose, throat and lungs
• Influenza affects the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses)and aslo affects lower respiratory tract (lungs)
• In Ayurveda – influenza compared with sannipataj jwara (three doshas vata, pitta, kapha) and the loss of ojas ( immunity)
• Influenza appear one to four days after exposure to the virus and they lasts five to seven days 

Three types of influenza:

• A, B and C 
• A – infects both humans and animals 
• B – only found in humans and less severe than influenza type A
• C- Generally cause mild illness and very rare
• A and B mostly associated with seasonal influenza and Type A is created the most serious problems

SYMPTOMS:

• Sudden onset of high Fever
• tiredness
• bodyache or fatigue
• shivers and chills
• vomiting
• runny or stuffy nose
• sore throat

CAUSES:

• influenza is contagious (it can be easily transfer from person to person)
• Influenza virus spreads through the air in droplets when someone sneezes, talking or coughing 
• Also spreads the germs from any objects like phones, keyboard, or any other object, easily spreads in crowded areas
• Age
• weakened immune system
• Diseases like – Asthma, diabetes, kidney, liver disease, metabolic disorders
• pregnancy – mostly in 2nd or 3rd trimester
• obesity 

HIGHER RISK:

• Young childrens ( younger than 2 years old)
• pregnant women and postpartum women upto 2weeks after delivery
• older adults (65years and older)
• people with some chronic diseases
• people who lives in nursing  homes
• Asthma
• Blood disorders
• Neurologic conditions

COMPLICATIONS:

• Bacterial pneumonia
• Ear infection
• Sinus infection 
• Worsening of chronic medical  condition  like
• congestive heart failure
• asthma
• diabetes 

DIAGNOSIS

• Physical examination – detect sign and symptoms of influenza
• Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs)
• Rapid molecular assays
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) 

TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA

• Drink lots of fluids – water, juice, soups to prevent dehydration
• Eat a light diet
• Get plenty of rest and sleep
• Antiviral medications –  oseltamivir ( is a oral medicine) , zanamivir ( it is inhaled through inhaler), operamivir ( these drugs shorten the time of flu) these drugs work on the virus surface band preventing the release of viral particles from infected host cells 
• Antiviral treatment must be started within 48hours of onset of symptoms last for 3-5 days and must be started with in first 2days of illness
• Rest
• Eat nutrient rich diet
• Rinse with salt water
• Inhale steam
• Use a cool mist humidifier to soothe irritated throat 

AYURVEDIC REMEDIES IN INFLUENZA

• Tulsi – (QUEEN OF HERBS) – Tulsi boosts the production of antibodies, tulsi has anti inflammatory, anti microbial, anti allergic, anti tussive properties, rich in vitamin A and C, calcium, iron and zinc  and it helps to soothe the airways, helping in cough and mobilizes mucus 
• Tulsi leaves – Chew 4-5 leaves along with honey  in the morning , Tulsi kadha, Tulsi tea 
• Honey – It has antimicrobial properties, helps to ease the sore throat and It helps to loosening the mucous 
• Mulethi – chewing mulethi sticks is a best remedy , improves oral health, boosts immunity, combats respiratory infections, heals canker sores
• Pippali( long pepper) – pippali has expectorant properties , pippali loosens  the mucous and cough it out
• Sonth( dry ginger) – sonth with honey acts as a soothing remedy for respiratory infections
• Giloy – Giloy, also known as (Amrita or Guduchi giloy) is full of antioxidants Giloy is rich in javarghana which has properties to fight and reduce fever
• Turmeric paste with honey – it has antioxidants properties 
• Ginger tea – it has powerful expectorant properties, helps to get rid of kapha dosha
• Ashwagandha – ashwagandha builds energy and it has powerful antihistamine and decongestant properties

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR INFLUENZA

• Drink herbal tea flu fighting herbal tea- green tea, black tea, dried ginger tea,
• Fresh cloves
• Fresh garlic- it has anti microbial properties
• Apply plant and herbal essential oil-  also work as natural antibiotic and anti- viral 
• cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, lemon oil, oregano oil, thyme oil, geranium oil etc.
• Vitamin C – add fresh lemon juice to hot tea or water with honey reduce phlegm, getting enough vitamin C CAN RELIEVE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION
• Lemongrass – lemongrass helps prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast
• Licorice Root- it has antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties
• Rice water/ starch – 
• Ambala – richest source of vitamin C which helps to fight tha seasonal infections and boots immunity 
• Oregano – potent herb in the mint it has antiviral properties 
• Oregano oil – effective in respiratory infections 
• Sage
• Lemon balm-  source of essential oil and has antiviral properties
• Coriander seeds – it has antibiotic compounds that potent for cute viral infection