Ancient Cold and Flu Remedies – Are They Still Significant?

Cold and Flu season is back! We’re back to dodging the flu, and we are hoping our bodies can fight off those colds quickly and efficiently on our own. But when they seem to linger longer than we can handle, it’s tempting to reach for a quick remedy. However, medications are not always the answer. Especially because our bodies are designed to fight off sicknesses naturally, and have since ancient times. 

The ancient Ayurvedic system of a natural approach to health has all of the answers in a traditional health model. Thousands of years before modern medicine, Ayurveda was offering a body of wisdom designed to help people stay healthy. Through many systems involving the mind and body, this system allows you to remain healthy through diet, mindfulness, nature, and exercise. The root of all health is believed to be related to digestion.  Fresh fruits, vegetables, the use of beans and roots, along with spices are all brought together in special blends.

How Can an Ayurvedic Diet Work For Me?

The cold, damp weather weakens the immune system. So preventative measures are the first line of defence. Eating a balanced diet of fresh foods, getting enough sleep, staying active, and rest or meditation throughout the day are essential. But aside from the basics, there are many remedies that prevent colds and flues from getting worse. 

Turmeric Tea

Ki’s Kitchen is a proud believer in turmeric tea as a preventative not only for cold and flu season, but for overall health. This tea may not sound or even look very appetizing, but the health benefits are amazing. Turmeric has a long list of health benefits, but to make a long list short: it reduces inflammation allowing your immune system the room it needs to work at it’s best. Turmeric is also a potent antibiotic.

For recipe’s and more information, visit Ki’s Kitchen on Facebook. I’ve posted some tips and tricks, along with my favourite turmeric tea recipe.

Elderberry

Elderberry has been used to help boost the immune system in traditional medicine since ancient times. Elderberries are packed with vitamins A, B, and C, along with dietary fibre and proteins. The use of elderberry since ancient times is due to their antibacterial and anti-infectious qualities, which are important when your body is fighting a cold or flu. 

Elderberry is a great addition to your diet any time of the year though. The numerous health benefits are too many to ignore this powerful source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Herbs and Mixtures

Ancient Ayurvedic remedies often include herbs and ingredients like black pepper, garlic, turmeric, ginger, clove, and cinnamon. Here are examples of a few mixtures that are often used to battle cold and flu season:

• Mix 1 tsp each of ginger powder, turmeric and black pepper and take ½ tsp of this mixture with warm water or honey twice a day.
• Mix ½ tbsp ginger, black pepper, cardamom, clove, cinnamon and turmeric. Add 3 tsps of raw sugar. Mix ½ or 1 tsp of this mixture with honey or warm water and take twice a day.
• Mix ½ tsp fresh ginger juice with ½ tsp honey and take three times a day.
• Soak 2 parts fresh ginger root, 3 parts cinnamon and a pinch of cardamom in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Add ½ tsp of honey once its cool down a little. Drink a glass of this tea several times a day.
• Crush ¼ tsp fresh ginger root with 8 fresh basil leaves, 2 peppercorns, 2 cardamom seeds, 1 cup of water, ½ tsp turmeric powder, 2 cloves, & 5 mint leaves. Boil, filter, add 1 tsp honey. Drink 3 times a day.

I know you are probably wondering what these taste like, and to be completely honest, we’re not here for the flavour. The fight against cold and flu season is a real journey. And when you are putting the cup or the spoon to your mouth, it’s important to remind yourself how devastating a cold or flu can be to you and your family.  

Already Have a Cold or Flu?

If a cold or flu has already hit you, light, warm fluids like soups and teas will help you maintain some energy to heal. Getting lots of rest is important in this process, and using oils like eucalyptus to help ease congestion is a great natural alternative to medicine. 

Avoiding things like dairy, wheat, and sugars can help prevent your body from becoming congested. And prevent dehydration with teas and water with lemon.

Yes, They Work

Ancient cold and flu remedies are still used world wide, and are used in my own home until this day. What this says to me is that they do work, and that the use of medicine does not need to be the first step in recovery. Prevention is always the key, and taking care of your mind, body, and spirit is what keeps your immune system working at full capacity.

Be sure to include mindfulness, physical activity, and a balanced diet to your list of preventative tools, so if a cold or flu does sneak in, your body can fight it off quickly!

Give a few of these remedies a try and drop a comment to let me know what works for you. I’d love to even hear about your own family cold and flu recipes. 

_________________________________________________________
Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have found some valuable information, if so, I’d love to hear about it! Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit, and comments are always welcomed and appreciated. 

I look forward to connecting with you next time!

And be sure to check out why you should order your family’s next meal courtesy of Ki’s Kitchen  

From our kitchen to yours,

Love + Peace

Kiran