In Ayurveda, first the prominent constitution one is born with is taken into consideration. Then the nature of the present ailment is noted. Then a suitable remedy can be decided. Here are some examples of three different constitutions with different types of cough and suggested treatments.
THE VATA TYPE
Keeps busy. Can hardly sit still. Talkative.
Often has dry chapped lips and a wiry framed body
THE VATA COUGH
Dry, spasmodic and without much mucous
SUGGESTED REMEDY TO CALM VATA DOSHA
In this case, rest is most beneficial. This may require some support from others.
Demulcent foods and herbs (flax seeds, slippery elm, or licorice) to balance the dryness and bring relief from the coughing which in turn allows a deeper rest.
Also mildly laxative foods. The diet should be moist, warming, and easy to digest. Lots of ginger, lemon and honey. Sweet, sour and salty tastes
THE PITTA TYPE
A fiery or pitta nature. May be super efficient in business
THE PITTA COUGH
Cough is accompanied by a fever and greenish-yellow mucous, indicating infection and excess heat in the blood.
SUGGESTED REMEDIES:
Bitter foods such as burdock and kale soup. Bitters are cooling and aid liver function.
Spices that promote digestion but are cooling such as cumin, coriander, and fennel.
Turmeric, which is an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory liver tonic.
Echinacea is also an antibiotic herb and acts as a diaphoretic (increases perspiration).
Cool cloths placed on the forehead.
A foot massage with a cooling oil such as coconut oil.
THE KAPHA TYPE
Usually a warm and embracing personality, but becomes very lethargic when ill.
THE KAPHA COUGH
a deep cough with purulent, white mucous. May settle into the lungs turning into pneumonia
SUGGESTED REMEDIES
Stimulating and drying foods and herbs (ginger, elecampane, sage)
Herbs that increase circulation (ginger, clove, cayenne).
Hot towels with eucalyptus or camphor oil placed over the chest area
Some massage to break up mucous and get it moving out of the body.
Spicy foods!
Yoga asanas that stretch the ribs to open the chest.
Thus Ayurveda can be tailored according to individual constitution. At the same time there are principles that can apply to every type such as balancing the qualities that are predominant in the season. For example:
THE WINTER SEASON
Brings shorter days, less light.
A good time to retreat and rest more.
Many animals go into hibernation.
Many plants and trees go dormant.
SUGGESTIONS TO STAY BALANCED
Build up immunity with tonic foods and herbs.
Lots of warm, filling soups.
Winter vegetables (beets, carrots, yams, winter squash.... )
Whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds,
Seasonal fruits
High quality oils to massage with
Warming herbs and spices (Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne... rosemary, basil, mustard seeds...)
Brew a pot of ginger tea by grating fresh ginger into spring or filtered water and simmer, add juice of a lemon, some honey and drink throughout the day
Some warm water and turmeric to is soothing to gargle with at the first sign of a sore throat too.
Syrups or extracts of hawthorn berry and elderberry
Vitamin C from the citrus that comes into season! .
Keep sinus passages open with the use of a neti pot.
Oil the nasal passages with a little sesame oil on your finger, or by using herbal nasya drops
Make sure you get enough exercise to promote sound sleep.
Treat yourself to a massage followed by long hot baths with herbs or essential oils, light candles and incense
This is just a small intro to Ayurveda. So much more information may be found online. Just by following a few simple suggestions, one can immediately feel the good effects of this ancient wisdom given by Lord Krishna!
THE VATA TYPE
Keeps busy. Can hardly sit still. Talkative.
Often has dry chapped lips and a wiry framed body
THE VATA COUGH
Dry, spasmodic and without much mucous
SUGGESTED REMEDY TO CALM VATA DOSHA
In this case, rest is most beneficial. This may require some support from others.
Demulcent foods and herbs (flax seeds, slippery elm, or licorice) to balance the dryness and bring relief from the coughing which in turn allows a deeper rest.
Also mildly laxative foods. The diet should be moist, warming, and easy to digest. Lots of ginger, lemon and honey. Sweet, sour and salty tastes
THE PITTA TYPE
A fiery or pitta nature. May be super efficient in business
THE PITTA COUGH
Cough is accompanied by a fever and greenish-yellow mucous, indicating infection and excess heat in the blood.
SUGGESTED REMEDIES:
Bitter foods such as burdock and kale soup. Bitters are cooling and aid liver function.
Spices that promote digestion but are cooling such as cumin, coriander, and fennel.
Turmeric, which is an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory liver tonic.
Echinacea is also an antibiotic herb and acts as a diaphoretic (increases perspiration).
Cool cloths placed on the forehead.
A foot massage with a cooling oil such as coconut oil.
THE KAPHA TYPE
Usually a warm and embracing personality, but becomes very lethargic when ill.
THE KAPHA COUGH
a deep cough with purulent, white mucous. May settle into the lungs turning into pneumonia
SUGGESTED REMEDIES
Stimulating and drying foods and herbs (ginger, elecampane, sage)
Herbs that increase circulation (ginger, clove, cayenne).
Hot towels with eucalyptus or camphor oil placed over the chest area
Some massage to break up mucous and get it moving out of the body.
Spicy foods!
Yoga asanas that stretch the ribs to open the chest.
Thus Ayurveda can be tailored according to individual constitution. At the same time there are principles that can apply to every type such as balancing the qualities that are predominant in the season. For example:
THE WINTER SEASON
Brings shorter days, less light.
A good time to retreat and rest more.
Many animals go into hibernation.
Many plants and trees go dormant.
SUGGESTIONS TO STAY BALANCED
Build up immunity with tonic foods and herbs.
Lots of warm, filling soups.
Winter vegetables (beets, carrots, yams, winter squash.... )
Whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds,
Seasonal fruits
High quality oils to massage with
Warming herbs and spices (Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne... rosemary, basil, mustard seeds...)
Brew a pot of ginger tea by grating fresh ginger into spring or filtered water and simmer, add juice of a lemon, some honey and drink throughout the day
Some warm water and turmeric to is soothing to gargle with at the first sign of a sore throat too.
Syrups or extracts of hawthorn berry and elderberry
Vitamin C from the citrus that comes into season! .
Keep sinus passages open with the use of a neti pot.
Oil the nasal passages with a little sesame oil on your finger, or by using herbal nasya drops
Make sure you get enough exercise to promote sound sleep.
Treat yourself to a massage followed by long hot baths with herbs or essential oils, light candles and incense
This is just a small intro to Ayurveda. So much more information may be found online. Just by following a few simple suggestions, one can immediately feel the good effects of this ancient wisdom given by Lord Krishna!