In a time where we are faced with the very real prospect of coming into contact with Covid, it's best to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead, and implement some practices to both prevent and cure the virus if we encounter it.
Natural remedies for Covid include lots of delicious ingredients likely already in your kitchen cupboard! As well as daily practices, rituals, herbs, spices and therapies you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Lifestyle Practices
Rest – lethargy is caused by the body conserving energy for healing. If you feel fatigued, it means that your body is working hard to destroy foreign invaders so allow it to do so.
Sleep – on your front or side to remove pressure from your lungs.
Sunshine – healing rays support Vitamin D production which boosts immune responses.
Regular movement – gentle movement supports lymphatic drainage & circulation, try to get up and move your body every two hours even if it’s just a stroll around the house or some light floor based stretches.
Keep calm & meditate – raised cortisol (stress hormone) weakens immune function. Sit with your eyes closed and focus on your breath for 5-20 minutes twice daily.
Aromatherapy – diffuse or burn essential oils of eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, lemon myrtle and lavender to support the respiratory system.
I find having fresh flowers around the house inspires joy and optimism (maybe that’s just me).
Diet Tips
Most importantly - support your Agni (digestive fire)! Immune health is directly linked to our Agni which is in control of burning off, transforming and eliminating.
Have small, fresh, warm, soft, cooked meals and fast if you do not have an appetite.
Consume foods rich in Prana (life-force), like…
- Fruit (mangoes, papaya, berries, lemons & limes)
- Cooked vegetables (garlic, ginger, onion, root vegetables, leafy greens)
- Broths of garlic, ginger, turmeric, ajwain, pepper & chilli
- Kitchari (stew of rice, lentils & spices) - the Ayurvedic healing staple for cleansing & recovery
- Sooji (semolina porridge)
- Ginger tea with lemon (all day)
- Plenty of water, add a pinch of salt for additional hydration
Spices to favour
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Cinnamon
- Ajwain seeds
- Black pepper + pipali (long pepper)
- Cayenne pepper
- Chilli
*Fever is a sign that your body is burning off the virus, our job is to support it rather than instantly try to extinguish the fever. Cool yourself down topically through cold showers, a wet compress or wash cloth around the neck, ice foot soak, or by consuming coconut water with mint. Try to avoid consuming anything really cold or icy as this dampens your Agni.
Therapies
Swedana face steam - fill a large bowl with boiling water and place a towel over your head as you breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose. Option to add ajwain seeds, tulsi, basil, ginger, or eucalyptus to the bowl.
Nasya - our first line of defence lives in the nasal cavities, this therapy acts as a barrier to protect you from catching covid and also kills the virus which lives in the sinus. Using an eye dropper, sniff 1 drop of black sesame, coconut or anu oil in each nostril OR simply massage the inside of each nostril with the oil.
Neti - using a neti pot, cleanse each nostril with warm water and a pinch of sea salt daily. This practice also prevents & cures covid through keeping the nasal passage clean.
Throat gargle - mix some apple cider vinegar, or triphala, with some warm water and gargle for 30 seconds multiple times throughout the day to cleanse the tonsils and throat.
Oil pulling - use black sesame oil or coconut oil and gargle daily for up to 5 minutes.
Chest rub - mix some coconut oil & eucalyptus essential oil and rub onto the chest to support breathing.
Ayurvedic Herbal Formulations
Trikatu (ginger, pepper & long pepper) - great as a preventative & remedy as it supports Agni + immunity, is high in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties and blocks covid-19 proteins.
Guduchi - known for its affinity in supporting the immune system.
Triphala - balancing for all three Dosha’s and a great source of natural Vitamin C.
Golden Nectar (recipe from Ayurvedic Rituals, page 194) which includes honey, ground turmeric & black pepper.
Other supplements: Zinc, Vit C, Vit D, Quercetin & NAC.
Cleanse
The idea behind Ayurvedic ‘cleansing’ is purely to support what your body is already doing in order to allow deep, intrinsic healing to take place.
Cleansing helps to alleviate digestive function, so that the body can focus on activating its immune system in order to eliminate unwanted bacteria or viruses. It also helps to remove stored toxins (known as Ama) from the body, while rejuvenating the blood and liver, as well as many other benefits suitable for overcoming Covid.
Your ‘cleanse’ should not shock the system, it should be a time of simplicity (in your diet & lifestyle) so that your body has the best chance of healing, eliminating and recovering.
Learn more about Ayurvedic cleansing and explore this guided, safe and effective, at-home 3 Day Ayurvedic Cleanse to support your immune system. This cleanse is not only beneficial for your body and mind, but it also provides recipes that are very easy, cost-effective, long-life and low maintenance if you are unwell or caring for a loved one.
Healing begins in the mind.
Followed by diet and lifestyle practices.
Assisted by the use of plant medicine.
One is of no use without the other.
About the author.
Chasca Summerville is an Ayurvedic Practitioner with a passion for utilising ancient wisdom to create balance in the body and mind. Chasca’s mission is to share the knowledge of Ayurveda to inspire others to understand themselves deeply while establishing a diet & lifestyle that serves the best opportunity for true health, for ourselves and the planet. Chasca is the author of ‘Ayurvedic Rituals’, a guidebook designed to teach you the fundamentals of the Ayurvedic lifestyle and how you can apply ancient rituals to find more balance in your life.
https://www.alchemyofayurveda.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/alchemyofayurveda/
*For informational purposes and holistic health benefits. Please seek professional medical advice if deemed necessary.
