February 11, 2009

Living Ayurveda: An Herbal Tea To Help Ease the Flu Blues

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Cold and flu got you down? Try an Ayurvedic tea to help kick the flu blues.

Ayurvedicaly speaking, the common cold results largely from an imbalance of the Kapha (water and earth) and Vata (air and space) elements in the mind-ody. Vata imbalances lower immunity and lead to a build up of the Kapha dosha elements to help ‘ground’ the system. However, Kapha mechanisms typically overcompensate to make up for the ‘dryness’ associated with imbalanced Vata and lowered immunity. The result is excessive ‘coldness’ that creates mucus. This in turn reduces your gastric fire often cuasing you to experience the ‘chills.’

Ayurvedic remedies use warming herbs and spices to help you break down and expel mucus while re-building your gastric fire. So, while the idea of a runny nose might not appeal to you, chances are that if you can transition from being ‘stuffed up’ to ‘blowing it all out,’ then you are well on your way to recovery.

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My favorite herbal remedy for the common cold is a Ginger and Tulsi (‘Holy Basil’) tea. Tulsi is the universal immune booster and ginger helps to ‘loosen and liquefy’ stuck mucus. This simple Ayurvedic tea will help you breathe easy.

Ginger and Tulsi Tea

Make a brew of tulsi and ginger herb tea and sip it every couple of hours.

I always recommend fresh (rather than dried) ginger root and tulsi leaves as they always have a better flavor. Tulsi is easy enough to find with a bit of looking. Or just order seeds from Horizon Herbs and grow your own. Use 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs per 1 cup of water.

Alternatively, check out Organic India’s Tulsi and Ginger tea or Ayoma’s Kapha Tea. Both are made with dried tulsi and ginger.

Consider using honey not just to sweeten your tea but also to help soothe a sore and abrasive throat.

For more Ayurvedic home remedies, check Reenita’s Wisdom

Image Credit: Creative Commons - Superhua