Picture from @minimalistbaker
Oh no, the dreaded throat tickle…!! I used to rely on Zicam and Airborne at the first signs of colds but over the last several years I’ve been successful with this list of Ayurveda and natural remedies, stopping many scratchy throats from becoming full blown colds. Actually, I tend to do most of these things regularly as part of my winter immune system maintenance. It may not always work but it’s thrilling when it does!
My mantra for kicking a cold is “nothing cold enters the body.” This is what an acupuncturist once told me. Iced drinks are the enemy. Drink hot herbal teas, like Recover, or hot water from a thermos all day, and eat soupy food like kitchari or chicken soup (especially with barley which dries up congestion). For breakfast, some ideas are congee—a rice porridge that could be made with rice, barley, or cream of buckwheat; or cooked apples or pears sautéed with warming spices like cinnamon or clove in a touch of ghee, or simmered with a bit of water (you can then drink the cider-ish spiced hot water). Avoid cold food, especially cold dairy, which is clogging and mucous forming, sweets, and food that is difficult to digest like raw nuts and raw veggies (no carrots and hummus…not now). Some foods are cooling to the body like avocado, cucumber, salads, and raw fruit, so I would avoid those until you feel better. This takes discipline, I know, but I think it’s the most efficient way to heal because it basically eliminates the hard work of digestion that your body has to do so it can just focus on slaying a virus!
Make turmeric ghee and add it to every meal. Turmeric ghee is a quick condiment you make from ground turmeric toasted in ghee (clarified butter). Turmeric is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, boosts digestion, and clears away ama or toxins that are causing you to feel sick. In a small pan add 2 tablespoons of ghee and heat on medium heat. Add about 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric powder and toast for about 15 seconds, then take off heat. Using a silicone spatula, pour the turmeric ghee into a little dish and cover. Add a spoonful to all your meals.
Ginger tea. Ginger is pungent and burns out congestion. You can make your own ginger tea by slicing fresh ginger and simmering in water for about 10 minutes. You can also buy ginger tea bags.
Raw honey. Honey has a heating and scraping effect to cut through mucous. Add to tea once it’s cooled down enough to sip. One nuance is to never heat or cook with honey as the ancients considered it toxic.
Boost antioxidants with pomegranates and honey. Either peel a pomegranate and eat the seeds with a spoonful of raw honey, or make a drink with 1/2 cup hot water, 1/2 cup pomegranate juice, and mix in a teaspoon of raw honey.
Supplement with chyawanprash. Chyawanprash, or “prash” as I like to abbreviate, is an herbal paste with about 30 rejuvenating herbs that boost ojas (vitality) and immune system. Take a teaspoon twice a day or more.
“Rest is best.” Do your best to cancel any non-essential plans and get to bed as early as possible, and nap as needed.
Dress warm and keep your head, neck, and feet covered. Going out exposed taxes your body with extra work to keep warm. Acupuncturists have told me that colds enter through the neck. It then progresses to the chest, then the abdomen/organs. Wear scarves or turtlenecks in cold weather to prevent the cold entering through the neck. If you do notice a scratchy throat, try these remedies and see if you can stop it in its tracks. Ayurveda is more concerned with keeping the head and feet warm. Wear warm socks or slippers and wear a hat when going outside in the cold. Bundle with your warmest jacket and gloves or mittens too. Now you are fully covered!