Herbal Remedies for Influenza, Ayurvedic Treatment – Causes & Symptoms

Influenza or flu is defined as an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the upper respiratory tract mainly nose, throat and lungs. It is highly contagious condition which can spread through coughing or sneezing of the infected person, saring handkerchiefs or other common items with the patient. Untreated influenza can lead to bronchitis, asthma and various other respiratory disorders. The incubation period of the influenza is 2 days average being 1 to 4 days.

Usually, influenza subsides on its own but it can be complicated for:

• Young children under the age of five years or adults who are more than 65 years of age.
• People with weak immune system
• People who have more body weight or are obese
• People who are already suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, heart diseases, kidney diseases and diabetes.

CAUSES

Influenza is mainly caused by the virus. The flu causing viruses travel through the air in the form of droplets and when a person who is already suffering from influenza sneezes or coughs, the droplets are inhaled by the healthy people and cause influenza. The virus is also transmitted through the contact with contaminated objects.

SYMPTOMS

• Severe weakness in the body
• Pain in whole body
• Fever with chills
• Headache mainly in frontal and retro-orbital region
• Sore throat
• Cough with running nose
• Watery eyes
• Aching joints and limbs
• Aching muscles, mainly back and arms
• Feeling of being exhausted
• Tachycardia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Nasal congestion

AYURVEDIC VIEW AND TREATMENT ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

In Ayurveda, influenza is known as Vata Shleshmika Jwara. Ayurveda believes that the three doshas namely vata, pitta and kapha get imbalanced during the seasonal changes and this leads to the condition of flu.

Single Ayurvedic herbs useful in this condition are:

• Tulsi
• Pippali
• Haridra
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Guduchi
• Black pepper
• Yashtimadhu

Ayurvedic formulations recommended in this case are:

• Tribhuvana Kirti Rasa
• Anand Bhairava Rasa
• Anand Mani Rasa
• Tulsi Rasa
• Pippali Churna
• Yashtimadhu Churna
• Giloy Ghan Vati
• Maha Sudarshan Ghan Vati
• Kapha Ketu Rasa

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

• Use honey and cinnamon powder daily in your food. This not only protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks but also strengthens the immune system.
• Avoid eating heavy, oily and junk food items.
• Have light and properly cooked food.
• Soups of vegetables and meat should be included in your diet.
• Avoid eating sour fruits such as banana, guava.
• Avoid exposure to cold winds, bath and exercise.
• Eat a balanced diet containing low fat dairy products, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
• Include garlic in your diet.
• Have iron and zinc rich food items as it boosts the immune system.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing meals, after handling raw meats.

HERBAL REMEDIES

• Take one teaspoon of honey in a bowl and place this bowl in a bowl containing hot water. To this add a pinch of cinnamon powder and mix well. Take this atleast two times a day.
• Take one properly mashed onion. Press it on a sieve and extract the juice. Add one tablespoon of honey to it. Mix well and drink one teaspoon of this three times a day.
• Add four teaspoons of fenugreek powder, four teaspoons of lemon juice, one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of ginger paste in one glass of hot water. Mix well and boil this for 15 minutes.
• Add one teaspoon of cumin seeds to one glass of boiling water. Strain and let it cool for some time. Drink this 10-12 times a day. Also add ginger to the boiling water if sore throat is present.
• Take two crushed garlic cloves and add these to the boiling water. Also add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to this and have it two times a day.
• Take a half teaspoon of powder of long pepper, two teaspoons of honey and two teaspoons of ginger. Prepare a mixture of the above and take this three times a day.

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