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August 22, 2023 By Arooshi Garg 2 Comments

4 Ways to Naturally Heal Common Cold and Flu

4 Ways to Natural Heal Common Colds and FluIt’s that time of the year again when the ‘change in weather’ hits us all! Immunity levels suddenly drop, paving the way for cold, cough, flu, and body aches, which hamper our daily activities, work and physical well-being. What exactly is cold? Can you naturally heal common cold and flu? Let’s find out!

What is Common Cold?

You get a cold when a tiny living thing called a virus gets into your body. There are a hundred different types of viruses that can get you sick. Once a cold virus gets inside you, your immune system – the body’s defense against germs, launches a counter-attack. Your body’s response to the virus is what brings on the classic symptoms such as cough or a stuffed nose. The common cold is a viral, infectious disease that infects the upper respiratory system. It is also known as Acute Viral Rhinopharyngitis and Acute Coryza.

The viruses that cause common cold are contagious. You can contract them when someone who is infected sneezes, coughs, or shakes your hand. It can be spread by air droplets from coughs and sneezes and by touching infected surfaces. There are over 200 sub-types of viruses that can cause a cold with the Rhinovirus being the most common. Although colds occur more commonly during monsoon and winter, they can develop any time of the year. After a couple of weeks, at the most, your immune system fights off the illness and you should stop having symptoms.

Because there are more than 200 viruses that cause common cold, the human body can never build resistance to all of them. This is why colds are so common and often return. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), adults get 2–3 colds per year, and children may have up to 12 per year.

How Can You Naturally Heal Common Cold and Flu? 

The symptoms of common cold are the body’s reaction to the cold virus. It triggers the release of chemicals, making the blood vessels leak, causing the mucous glands to work harder. So what’s the solution? With no long-term solution to this issue, the only way is to either avoid it or treat it! Here are 4 ways to naturally heal common cold and flu.

1. Steam Therapy

Steam therapy is absolutely natural.  Our bodies are made up of 50-60% water and steam is just droplets of water.  Quite simply put, you are renewing one of your body’s natural biochemical elements.

Steam therapy or steam inhalation, is the method of introducing warm, moist air into the lungs via the nose and throat. The prime benefit of breathing in moist, warm steam is that it may help ease the feeling of irritation and swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages. The moisture may also help thin the mucus in your sinuses, which allows them to empty more easily. This can return your breathing to normal.

Ways to Use Steam Therapy

  • Traditional: Boil a few cups of water, then pour the steaming water into a large bowl.  Place gently on a firm flat surface such as a kitchen table. Put a towel over your head to form a ‘tent’. Lean over with your face 15-20cm from the steam and inhale. Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil and Holy Basil Leaves can be added for extra benefit.
  • Shower: Run a hot shower and inhale the steam – you can even use few drops of essential oils to help refresh and revitalize.
  • Personal Inhalers: An easy and portable way to enjoy steam therapy on the go. A great idea for the office or holidays, inhalers are also popular with public speakers, actors and singers to help open up the airways before a performance.

2. Gargle

Gargling several times a day with warm salt water can reduce swelling in the throat and loosen mucus. This helps in flushing out irritants or bacteria. Salt water creates a high-salt barrier and pulls out a lot of fluids from the tissues in the throat area. This helps in washing the virus out. The salt functions as a magnet for water. It’s good for symptomatic relief.

It’s best to use pure water because tap water often includes chlorine. One can also add Turmeric juice or powder to have an antiseptic effect. One can gargle every 4 hours if the cough/cold is troublesome.

3. Maintain Hydration Levels

Drinking plenty of fluids is one of the most important things you can do when you have a cold or flu. Because cold and flu symptoms like runny noses and sweating, which often accompanies fever, increase the amount of water your body loses. Dehydration might occur if your fluid intake is not increased to compensate.

Keeping your body hydrated also helps loosen mucus in your nose and relieve congestion. Staying hydrated ensures that the body can function properly and can defend itself more effectively against the cold or flu.

When you have a cold or flu, drink a minimum of 2 liters of fluid each day. Drink water or other healthy fluids whenever you are thirsty. Use your thirst as a guide to when and how much you should drink. If you are caring for a child who is over one year, ensure they drink a minimum of 90–120ml of fluid per hour. Babies under one year require at least 30–60ml fluid per hour. Pregnant women should increase their fluid intake to up to 2.50L per day.

Try these herbal concoctions:

  • Herbal Tea: In a glass of boiling water, add a pinch of cinnamon, a few holy basil leaves, crushed ginger and a few crushed black peppercorns. Add honey and drink while hot.
  • Carom  Seeds Infused Water: Boil Carom Seeds in water. Strain and add Jaggery powder. This helps in relieving cough and congestion.
  • Garlic Concoction: Combine 2-4 cloves, chopped garlic and 3-4 slices of fresh ginger with 1 cup of water. Cover and let it steep for at least 20 minutes. Add honey and lemon to taste. Drink it while it is lukewarm.
  • Licorice Tea: Boil a 1/2inch piece of licorice + 1/2 tsp grated ginger and 1/2 spoon of cinnamon in 1 cup water for 10 mins. Strain and drink.
  • Raw Turmeric Drink: Boil a 1 inch piece of raw Turmeric or a 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder for 5 minutes. Add ginger juice/honey and consume.
  • Green Tea and Chamomile Tea
  • Soups: Vegetable soup/chicken soup/clear soup/chicken broth, lemon coriander soup, garlic spinach soup, tomato fennel soup or veg broth – all work well. A hot bowl of soup helps break up the congestion associated with both common cold and flu. The salt in the soup and its warmth can soothe a sore throat.

4. Rest

Rest is the best treatment! When you have a cold or flu, doctors recommend plenty of bed rest. When you limit mobility/take rest, your body has more resources to fight off your illness. Your body temperature goes up if you remain very active. Flu and cold organisms replicate at a faster rate when the body gets hotter. Also, if you head to the office when you are sick, the stress of work can make it hard for your body to attack the illness.

Do not over-exert yourself. You can do light intensity workout if you have the energy, your symptoms are mild such as just a runny nose, or if you have been fever free for more than 48 hours.

  • Avoid Exercise: When you have fever, body aches, cough, vomiting, diarrhea or chronic health concerns such as asthma /heart diseases.
  • Best Exercises: Walking, yoga or a light jog. All these stimulate you to take deep breaths and can help open up clogged passages.
  • Worst Exercises: Endurance runs, machines at gym and weight lifting.

We hope this information helps you naturally heal common cold and flu symptoms! Find more home remedies and articles on staying healthy during monsoon here. You can also get these tips, and more, directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalized Health Coaching here.

Have a personal remedy of your own? Share it with us in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

August 16, 2023 By Prachi Aggarwal 2 Comments

4 Immunity Boosting Kadhas For The Monsoon

Immunity Boosting KadhasIt is common knowledge that bacteria and germs spread more during monsoons and a strong immune system becomes our first line of defense against any infection. To help you build up that defense, here are 4 immunity boosting kadhas to help you stay safe and healthy during monsoons. 

1. Tulsi & Black Pepper Kadha

Ingredients:

  • Water – 2 cups
  • Crushed black pepper – 1 tsp 
  • Finely chopped ginger – 1 tsp 
  • Desi ghee – ½ tsp 
  • Cloves – 2pc 
  • Few tulsi leaves 

Method:

  1. Heat the ghee in a saucepan. Add cloves, black pepper, ginger and tulsi leaves
  2. Once the crackling of the spices stops, add water
  3. For the next 15-20 minutes, cook the mixture on a medium flame and stir it occasionally
  4. Have the kadha while it is hot 

Benefits: This immunity boosting kadha improves the energy levels in the body. Tulsi and pepper are used to treat common cold and flu. It also helps reduce the inflammation of the chest and helps to expel mucus. 

2. Turmeric and Cinnamon Kadha

Ingredients:

  • Black cardamom (badi elaichi) – 2 pc (you may use green elaichi if you don’t have black elaichi)
  • Kacchi haldi – 1 inch
  • Cloves – 2 pc
  • Kali Mirch (according to taste)
  • Tulsi (few leaves)
  • Cinnamon -1 inch
  • Ginger – ½ inch
  • Small piece of jaggery (optional)

Method:

  1. Peel the turmeric and ginger and crush them 
  2. Bring the water to boil and add all the spices
  3. Let it boil for 20-30 minutes till you get a nice yellow-coloured and aromatic drink
  4. Jaggery can be added for sweet taste. 

Benefits: This kadha is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, thus, it helps in relieving sore throat and cold.

3. Triphala Kadha

Ingredients

  • Triphala powder – ½ tsp
  • Lemon – few drops
  • Honey – ½ tsp

Method: 

  1. In a pan, add 1 cup water and triphala powder
  2. Bring it to boil and simmer for 5 minutes
  3. Let it cool down for a few minutes and add a few drops of lemon and honey to it. 

Benefits: The antioxidative properties of three fruits i.e haritaki, bibhitaki and amla are there in kadha and the presence of vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin C are helpful for booting immunity. 

4. Minty Herbal Kadha

Ingredients:

  • Fresh neem leaves – 5-6
  • Mint leaves – ½ bunch 
  • Methi leaves – 4-5 
  • Fresh turmeric – 2 inch 
  • Cumin powder – ½ tsp 
  • Jaggery powder – ¼ tsp 
  • Water – 1 cup 

Method: 

  1. Pour water in a pan. Then add the neem leaves, mint leaves, methi leaves, raw turmeric and cumin powder to it and keep it on medium flame 
  2. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, till some liquid vaporizes and the concentrate is formed 
  3. Turn off the cooktop and allow the decoction to cool down a bit
  4. Strain the brew, blend jaggery powder and consume it warm. 

Benefits: Neem is renowned for its antimicrobial traits and also purifies the blood.  The herbs present in this kadhas are good for immunity as they guard against a host of bacteria and other viral ailments.  

To ensure that our body remains fit and healthy, it’s important to build up its first line of defense. Natural immunity boosting herbs are easily available at home, convenient to incorporate in your daily routine and highly effective! So try out these immunity boosting kadhas. If there’s a special kadha you make at home, share it with us in the comments below! 

Find more articles on building immunity and staying healthy during the monsoon here. You can also get these tips directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing to Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

August 8, 2023 By Richa Sanghvi 4 Comments

3 Easy Tips To Help Heal From Viral Fever & Dengue

viral fever and dengueNo matter how much you try, getting caught in the rain or getting drenched cannot be avoided. This is often followed up by that dreaded sneeze that culminates into a fever which doesn’t leave your side for a few days. We’ve all been through this at some point or the other. Though there is something enchanting about the rainy season, it is also the time of the year when all the bacteria and viruses come out to play. These viruses and bacteria are responsible for problems like cold, cough, common flu, viral fever, and dengue, etc.

The most common fevers that can be seen during this season include dengue and viral fever. Some Symptoms include sudden spikes in body temperature, body pain, tonsillitis, reddening of the eyes, nausea and fatigue. If you have been experiencing this, it is time to take precautions!

3 Tips To Heal From Viral Fever & Dengue 

If the above-mentioned issues have placed their grip on you, you can break free using these measures:

1. Cheers to Papaya Leaves Juice

For this kind of fever, your best bet is to drink Papaya leaf juice. Papaya leaves have organic compounds which help in increasing your platelet count – something that hits a low when you’re affected by dengue and malaria. It also has Vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system so you can heal from viral fever quickly!

How to prepare: Take few papaya leaves and crush them to remove the juice from it.

2. Watch Your Water Intake

Keep yourself hydrated if you’re suffering from a viral fever. Water is one of the simplest and easiest ways your body eliminates toxins. The more water you drink, the more toxins will be eliminated. Also, drinking more water can relieve common symptoms such as headache and muscle cramps.

3. Basil/Tulsi Leaves to the Rescue

This is your go-to if all else fails! One can chew on basil leaves or you can drink a concoction of it. Basil/Tulsi Leaves have antibacterial and antiviral properties which can help you heal from viral fever and bacterial infections. It also strengthens the immune system.

How to prepare the concoction: Add 10-15 Basil Leaves to 1L of water and boil until it becomes half. Filter it and keep to cool. Drink this every one hour to help alleviate any kind of fever.

If you don’t find any relief from the above tips, visit or consult your doctor to rule out any other possibility of a flu or something more severe. Avoid any self-medication, especially antibiotics. Stay safe during the rains! Hope you found these tips helpful. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Find more tips on staying healthy during the monsoon season here. You can also speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

August 1, 2023 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

8 Basic Monsoon Trekking Essentials You Will Need For Your Next Climb

Monsoon Trekking EssentialsThe weather has been great and if you’re thinking about venturing outdoors for a little hike or trek in the lap of nature, it might be a good time to get to it! Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or if this is one of your first few treks, we all need a checklist before we make the climb. So what monsoon trekking essentials will you need? Let’s go over them! 

Monsoon Trekking Essentials You Will Need 

  1. Windcheater/Poncho: This accessory makes it to the top of the list for a reason. This is one of the trekking essentials you will need if you’re planning a trek during the monsoon. With the rain being unpredictable, it is imperative to keep yourself and your belongings as dry as possible. A basic poncho is a must have! Additionally, also carry a bag cover for your backpack so that all your trekking essentials are safe!  
  2. Trekking or Hiking Boots: When trekking during the monsoon, having a firm grip is everything because the terrain gets slippery and you might get severely injured if you’re not careful! Invest in a good pair of trekking or hiking boots that are sturdy enough. Practice with them on flat as well as uneven surfaces, so you break into them before your next climb. 
  3. Water Bottle or Hydra Pack: Staying hydrated on your journey is a must. You need to keep replenishing all the fluids you lose when you make a climb. Carry a minimum of 2L of water in a bottle or a hydra pack and remember to sip slowly and not gulp. 
  4. Healthy Snacks: Trekking can be a strenuous activity and your body needs fuel to perform that activity. To keep going, carry a nutritious trail mix or protein bars that will energize you along the way. You can also carry some healthy cookies! 
  5. The Right Clothes: Carry a Dri-Fit t-shirt or a full sleeved shirt. It will help absorb the sweat quicker and keep you dry. Moreso, wearing full sleeves along with trekking pants (avoid shorts) will save you from getting scratched against shrubs and bushes along the trail. Make sure you also carry a towel, an extra pair of clothes and socks in case you get wet. 
  6. Ziplock: There’s no harm in carrying gadgets you need on a trek but you must have a ziplock to keep them safe! Carry one where you can store your phone, electronics such as a portable charger and even your wallet to protect it from unexpected rainfall. 
  7. First Aid Kit: As much as we may try to avoid them, injuries might happen. Even if it is a small cut along the way. Always carry a first aid kit with cotton, bandage and a disinfectant. Make sure that a hand sanitizer is also a part of your first aid kit because hygiene comes first! 
  8. Power bank: You don’t want your phone’s battery running low during an emergency. Keep a power bank handy to ensure that your phone is charged just as much as you are!

There you have it! Carry these basic monsoon trekking essentials and you’re good to go! If you’re a beginner and new to trekking, you should also check out our previous article where we covered the Top 10 Basic Trekking Tips For Beginners. 

We hope this article helps you. Do share your thoughts in the comments below! If you need any help to train or build your stamina for a trek, reach out to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

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