What happens when the dimmed fire
inside the body fails to burn body toxins or “Ama”, the “Ama” accumulates,
clogging the micro channels of the body and generating phlegm. It is clearly proved that “Phlegm” or “Kapha”
combined with toxins, or “Ama” makes mucous, and the final outcome is cold, for
which you will go running to the doctor.
As per Ayurveda, at such times your
body is ripe and ready for any virus attack.
When your immunity is strong, the body does not let virus grow but when
the immunity is weak as in the case of dimmed fire inside the body, the body
becomes susceptible to virus and bacteria to thrive in that environment.
So you have seen that cause for a
simple cold. Though the route to common
cold is as elaborated above but many other factors also contribute to causing a
cold which can be old age, immune system not working 100% and many others
factors. Obviously the key point here is
to keep the body fires burning bright.
This is easily achieved, if you understand that most of the Ayurveda advice
is plain commonsense and logic.
Ayurved Vaidyas may give you a “must
dos” and “don’t dos” for the winter immunity but remember that not all body is
same, not all body is in the same state of health, hence this rule might not
apply to all those patients out there who think that I am doing as per the
directions of the Ayurved but still why did I get the cold, so remember not all
treatment is same for every other individuals, keeping this in mind, the
following to be followed.
During winter, there are some food
that you should stay away from if you are prone to cold, it is ice-cream,
yogurt, you need to avoid tomatoes, eggplant, bananas, etc. You need to keep your insides warm with warm
spices like cumin included food, black pepper, coriander, cumin, clove are
excellent too. During winter, minimize on
cakes and desserts since these require more fire to digest. Add more yellow spice called the turmeric in
your food, this kills “Ama” and builds immunity. All that you need to add is a quarter teaspoon
of turmeric in your veggies and lentils.
Lifestyle – Start your day with two
glass of warm water. Don’t skip meals or
overeat, eat fresh, well-cooked food. Do
not fast during winter, fasting weakens body defenses, sleep on time.
