Ayurvedic advice in
the time of the Coronavirus:
Do we need a paradigm shift?
These are
challenging times...
Even if we are
not concerned about our own health, we may have loved
ones who are at risk, and it may be that the only way we
can protect them is by staying away. Jobs are in
jeopardy, incomes are compromised and above all there is
much that is unknown: How fast will the virus spread?
How quickly will it peak? And what is my relationship to
this unknown threat? Am I reassured by knowing that for
most people it is a mild disease with no danger? Or is
there an overwhelming sense of panic and visions of the
worst possible outcomes?
Sometimes a
current event can trigger deep ancestral fears that live
on in our unconscious and we may find ourselves unable
to keep a cool head. Recognising that this is the case
can prompt us to find ways of helping ourselves;
essentially by slowing down and focusing on the basics –
adequate rest and some mental discipline as well as a
good diet to increase our resilience.
Which is
the real killer?
is it
Exhibit A – THE AGENT, the focus of all our
attention right now – the Coronavirus?
or
is it Exhibit B - THE
ENVIRONMENT - a
damaged Microbiome?
We are so used
to seeing the enemy as being out there, whether it’s a
virus, a bacteria or a malignant tumour. If only we
could avoid it / kill it / vaccinate against it: in all
these approaches we are assuming the agent is the
problem. However, our bodies play host to a whole
concert of these agents, some of them deadly, some
friendly and many which are relatively benign, as long
as they are in balance. And the idea of balance is key
when we are talking about a healthy microbiome.
Did you know
that 80% of your immune system is in your gut? What if
the choices you make – food and lifestyle could be used
to enhance your immunity? Read on if
you want to begin to take charge of your health
outcomes...
According to Ayurveda, it’s not
only what we eat that has an influence on our
health. How, when and in what state we eat
our food will have an influence on how well we digest it
and whether it becomes nourishment for our bodies or, in
an incompletely digested form, becomes the toxins that
lead to poor health outcomes.
Why is this important for us to
be aware of?
Because every
time we trigger our stress response
(fight/flight/freeze) our digestion shuts down
and our immune system is suppressed. So when I
listen to the latest statistics about the rising number
of cases/fatalities or when I think about what will be
the fate of my loved ones or wonder how we will survive
financially.... my immunity drops. This information
could be deeply depressing, but it could also be
empowering; because it means that I hold the key to
improving my immunity.
It’s also a key
thing to remember because those of us who are health
conscious tend to obsess about what we eat, when
in fact the state of our nervous system has an
even bigger impact.
We know from
statistics that catching Covid19 (Coronavirus) will be
relatively harmless for 80% of the population. And we
know that the other 20% - those who are over 70 as well
as those with pre-existing medical conditions such as
diabetes, heart disease etc. have a higher risk of
complications and fatalities. What is
it about age or health conditions which leads to this
huge difference in impact?
Most of us don’t
follow a perfect diet and so one of the things that
happens gradually as we age, or more rapidly if we don’t
look after ourselves, is that this begins to have an
impact on the gut. Inadequate fibre in the diet leads to
damage in the lining of the gut as the bacteria (which
live largely on fibre) begin instead to consume the
mucus lining which protects the gut. At the same time,
incompletely digested food creates toxins, and these
together with gliadin, the indigestible gluten found in
wheat, begin to leak through the damaged gut lining into
the bloodstream triggering an inflammatory response from
the immune system and leading to chronic inflammation –
the condition which plays a major role in many of the
chronic health conditions now endemic in our society.
The diet
and lifestyle advice (see below) will encourage a
healthy microbiome and increase our immunity and well
being.
And if you are
reading this and thinking: “I am definitely in the 20%
and it’s too far down the line...” there are many
reasons to not despair! Our bodies are all on a journey
and the final destination is death. You may be further
along in the journey, but we will all have to face that
eventually – our bodies are not immortal... But even
when it is too late to heal the body, healing is always
possible for our hearts and soul. Peace, acceptance and
love are experiences that we can touch and grow.
And maybe you’re
not quite at that stage yet! In that case, there are
more drastic measures –interventions such as detox
programmes and herbal remedies that can provide more
support and begin to shift long-term health issues.
Those require 1:1 guidance from an Ayurvedic
Practitioner or Complementary Health Practitioner. The
Ayurvedic Professionals Association has a
Directory of Practitioners around the country.
Many of us will also be working by skype during the
pandemic. And of course there are Naturopaths,
Herbalists, Chinese Medical Practitoners and many other
ways to support yourself during this challenging time.
Set an intention for yourself and you will find the
support you need.
Ayurvedic tips for boosting
immunity
Ensure you get
adequate rest to allow your immune system to do its job
of keeping you healthy
Keep a sense of
perspective as much as possible. Fear begets fear and
reduces our immunity in the process: Consider how much
media and which content is helpful for you to be exposed
to.
Much of what we
may fear is connected to the unknown and may never
happen. If we focus on the present moment and what is
needed right now our energy will stay grounded.
Expressions of
love boost our immunity – whether it’s speaking to
someone we love, thinking about them, doing something to
help someone, enjoying touch by eg. stroking a pet or
the Ayurvedic practice of self-massage with sesame oil,
or sexual intimacy: All of these will stimulate the
release of Oxytocin: the ‘love hormone’ and give a boost
to our immune system.
Ayurvedic diet advice for all
mucus-related conditions (eg. coughs, colds, flu)
Follow a light
diet with warm soups or stews and less carbohydrates
than usual. Herbs & spices such as basil, thyme,
oregano, black pepper and ginger will help reduce mucus.
Moderate amounts of high quality fats such as ghee and
coconut oil are recommended. Stewed fruit with spices
such as cinnamon is a good source of iron and fibre.
Above all, don’t eat unless you have real appetite and
avoid eating late at night.
Vegetables are
high in fibre and detoxifying. The only ones to minimise
are the nightshade family (tomatoes, aubergine, potato,
peppers) as they are inflammatory. The onion family,
including leeks & garlic, contain allicin which is
anti-viral and antibacterial. Garlic has more potency
(medicinally as well as on your breath!) when uncooked.
If you can’t find fresh greens in the shops, nettles are
a great source of vitamin C and iron. You can use them
in soups, omelettes etc.
Small amounts of
a non-dairy fermented product such as sauerkraut can be
helpful as probiotic support.
Avoid
the following: Dairy products, especially cheese,
yoghurt, milk & ice cream; bananas; cold food and drinks
(including beer); uncooked fruit, salads, raw food; food
that is difficult to digest e.g because it is fried or
heavy, such as red meat and wheat; puddings, cakes,
biscuits & sweets.
Best options for
a sweet tooth: One ginger biscuit or a rice cake with
honey or a few raisins or a spoonful of Chywanprash: an
Ayurvedic jam, which is a tonic for the lungs.
Vitamin D is
essential for a strong immune system. Non-vegans will
source this from fish, meat and/or eggs. The sun is an
ideal source, but until we get some, vegans and anyone
who suspects their levels are low is recommended to take
Vit D3 + K2 as a supplement.
Ginger, turmeric
and green tea support immunity. Use ginger water (made
by boiling a couple of slices of fresh ginger with a
cupful of water for a few minutes) and/or drink green
tea or a herbal tea containing turmeric.
If you use
anti-bacterial products, make sure you also wash your
hands before eating, as you don’t want the chemicals to
end up in your gut where they can destroy good as well
as bad bacteria and lead to imbalance in the gut flora.
Home remedy for immunity
Gargle twice a
day (after breakfast and before bed) with turmeric and
salt - as a preventative or when there is an active
infection. Use ½ tsp turmeric + ¼ tsp salt in 1/3 cup
hot water.
Looking after
ourselves and our loved ones and taking simple measures
to limit transmission (hand washing, self-isolation if
you are unwell, social distancing) and keeping a sense
of perspective will help us all.
Related Articles:
CORONA VIRUS - The Facts and the Fear Mongering