Ayurvedic Preventive Tips For Common Flu

By Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan
Total Articles: 6
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Abstract
Are you suffering from a cough, sore throat, or high fever? Are you terrified that it might be a symptom of Covid or it could be flu or just cold? All these illnesses mentioned are because of viruses that infect the respiratory tract and are contagious having capability of spreading from person to person. It is tricky to tell the difference between the three as they share many symptoms in common. Today in this article we will be discussing Common Flu, also called Influenza.
Influenza is a viral infection that affects our respiratory tract i.e. nose. Throat, and lungs. Most commonly influenza resolves itself, but complications may occur sometimes that could be deadly.

What is a Common Flu
The common flu also known as Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by virus and is a common occurrence in fall and winter months. The flu viruses are capable of spreading from ...
... person to person through droplets of sneeze or cough. The flu is dissimilar from the common cold as unlike cold, flu is capable of causing serious illness and also in worsening of other chronic medical conditions like asthma, heart diseases, and diabetes. In very few cases death may also occur.
Types Of Influenza Virus
Influenza virus is of four types:

Influenza virus A
Influenza virus B
Influenza Virus C
Influenza Virus D

Influenza A
Influenza A virus is capable of infecting humans and animals as well. It has two surface proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase that helps the doctors in classification. It is the only virus type that is capable of causing pandemic.
Influenza B
Influenza B virus is responsible for causing seasonal epidemics in humans. It mutates very slowly as compared to influenza A viruses.
Influenza C
Influenza virus C is known to cause mild illness.
Influenza D
Influenza D viruses do not infect humans but cattles.
Influenza A and B are the most contagious types and transmits to other people through droplets of infected person's cough or sneeze and are capable of infecting a person 6 feet away. It is reported that people with flu become contagious 3-4 days after getting infected.
A healthy person with good immunity will not have the severe disease, however people having other health conditions have the tendency of getting affected severely, so as soon as they have flu symptoms, medical attention is required.
People who are at risk of developing flu complications are:

Pregnant women
People with chronic diseases
Kids less than 5 years of age
Adults above 65 years of age

Symptoms
Common flu symptoms may range from mild to severe and differ for every individual. The common symptoms are:

Nasal congestion
Cough
Fatigue
Sore Throat
Headache
Body ache
Fever
Chill
Vomiting or Diarrhea

There may be severe symptoms as listed below and needs a medical attention:

Breathlessness
Chest Pain
Immense weakness
High fever
Seizures
Dizziness
Loss of consciousness

Causes
Influenza viruses have the capability of traveling through air in the droplets when the infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. The healthy person catches infection from inhaling the droplets or picking up the germ from the infected surface or object and transferring it to the nose, mouth or eyes. A person is able to pass on the disease a day before symptoms appear till the fifth day, whereas a person with weak immune system is contagious for a slightly long time.
The new strains for influenza virus appear regularly. If a person had flu in the past then there are antibodies to ward off that particular strain that helps in prevention or causes less severity of the disease. With time there is a decrease in the level of antibody. Moreover, antibodies of that particular virus are not capable of giving protection from new strains.
Risk Factors
There are many factors that are responsible for causing flu or its complications. These risk factors are as follows:

Age: Kids between 6 months to 5 years of age and adults above 65 years are the most targeted group for seasonal influenza.
Weak immune system: People having chronic diseases with weak immune systems catch flu easily and are at the high risk of developing complications.
Race: Native American people are said to be at more risk of developing complications
Obesity: Those having body mass index of 40 or above are at more risk of having complications of flu.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women, particularly in second and third trimester, and up to two weeks after giving birth to child, are at high risk of having flu complications.

Complications
For a healthy person with good immunity the flu usually goes away in 1-2 weeks without causing any serious complications. In person with compromised immunity or kids younger than 5 years or adults older than 65 years the complications are as under:

Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Ear infections
Asthma
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Heart problems

Prevention
Winters have arrived and so does the cold and flu. Ayurveda recommends eating a balanced seasonal diet but in addition to it there are few more practices to adopt that helps in improving immunity to stay healthy during winter months.

Tulsi Tea: Tulsi is the most purifying herb and immensely beneficial in cold and flu. Having a cup of Tulsi tea helps in relieving fever, headache, and congestion and supports digestion also. But Tulsi should be avoided during pregnancy and high pitta conditions.
Ginger Tea: It is good for Kapha dosha. Having a cup of ginger tea helps in expelling phlegm, reduces bloating, gas production, and improves circulation. To make ginger tea steep 3 - 5 slices of fresh ginger slices into hot water.
Ashwagandha: It boosts the immune system, energizes the body and calms the overactive nerves for easy and restful sleep at night. Consuming 500 mg of Ashwagandha root after meals is helpful in fighting against flu.
Yoga: Deep breathing and stretching that we do in yoga is extremely beneficial in clearing congestion, restoring energy and enhancing circulation.
Bask in Sun: the sun exposure is amazing for our immune system.
Chyawanprash: It consists of 40 different herbs and is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that help in keeping the flu at bay.

Ayurvedic Stotra in Common Flu
“Tatra Prana vahe dwe tayoho moolam hrudayam rasa vaahinyaha cha dhamanyaha

Tatra viddhasya aakroshana vinamana mohana vepanaani maranam vaa bhavti

Tatra Praana vahaanaam srotasaam hrudayam moolam maha srotaha cha

Ati srushtam ati badham kupitam alpamalpam abheekshnam vaa sa shabda shoolam uchcvaasantam drushtvaa pranam vahaani asya srotaansi pradushtani iti vidhyaat”
According to Charak:
The basics of Pranavaha Srotas are located in-

Hrudaya
Maha Srotas

Symptoms of faulty Pranavaha Srotas:

Ati srushta shwasam
Ati Badhham
Alpam Alpam shwasam
Abheekshanam shwasanam
Kupitam shwasam
Sa shabda shwasam
Sa shula shwasam

Causes of faulty Pranavaha Srotas

Exhaustion of tissues -  Kshaya
Forceful withhold of natural urges like urine, stool, etc. -  Sandhaaranaat
Consuming dry fruits - Roukshyaat
Excessive exercise while being hungry – vyaayaamaat kshudhitasya
Doing  physical activity beyond capacity – Anya daaruna karya

How to manage faulty Pranavaha Srotas

The deranged pranavaha srotas can be managed by giving treatment for cough (Kasa), Heart disease (hridroga), and disorders of breathing (shwasa)
Conclusion
In the article above we have discussed the common flu and its symptoms. Moreover, the ayurvedic tips to prevent the complications. The Ayurvedic Srotas are also explained in the article to help understand the ayurvedic concept better. Various herbal medicines that are free from any side effects are mentioned. In case of any query kindly visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com. For more queries, you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com.

Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD - Ayurveda) is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. He is Author of the Book "Ayurveda – God’s Manual For Healing". He is an Ayurveda Expert Serving People worldwide through all the Possible Mediums, Operating from Main Branch in Mohali, India. With his Vast Experience in Herbs and their Applied Uses, he is successfully treating Numerous Patients suffering from Various Ailments with the help of Purest Herbal Supplements, Diet, and Lifestyle, according to the Principles of Ayurveda. For More Details, visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com.