Ayurveda knowledge

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Cold as a trigger

The winter season is a particular challenge for our physical and mental strength. Here, our three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha have to completely reorganize themselves and the digestive fire (Agni) needs a strong impulse to stand up to the cold and wet weather. This is because the cold qualities in the form of Vata and Kapha rise sharply in winter. This also promotes susceptibility to physical and mental imbalances such as tiredness, heaviness, depression and all kinds of respiratory and cold-related illnesses.

So if you want to escape the obligatory cold or flu, you should beware of the excess of these cold-prone doshas and, above all, dress warmly. It is not for nothing that the term "cold" is derived from "cold": All the cold properties of the climate, but also of food, drive up our Vata and Kapha and invite colds. In Ayurveda, these are assigned to various leading symptoms, such as a cold (Pratishyaya), cough (Kasa) and shortness of breath (Shvasa) and are usually caused by the accumulation of too much Vata and Kapha.

 

Dosha-typical causes of colds

• cold wind (tends to increase Vata)
• cold wetness (Kapha)
• physical and mental overload (weakening the immune system; Vata)
• Suppression of natural cleansing reflexes such as sneezing and coughing, yawning, urge to urinate and defecate etc. (Vata)
• Irritation of the respiratory tract (e.g. smoking, dust; Vata)
• cold food
• food that is difficult to digest (blocks the pathways; weakening Agni and the immune system; Kapha)
• Nutritional errors (Vata, Kapha; weakening Agni and the immune system)

Depending on our constitution and lifestyle habits, we are more prone to Vata-typical colds - which are accompanied by dry cold and roughness, or to Kapha accumulations, which manifest themselves in damp cold, mucus accumulations, heaviness and dullness. The first step in self-diagnosis is therefore to determine whether we are suffering from a Vata cold - with a dry cough, rough mucous membranes, tension pain and immune deficiency - or a Kapha cold with a thick nose and watery eyes, tiredness and aching limbs. Later on, Pitta symptoms such as inflammation or fever can turn a cold into a full-blown flu. Depending on these different symptoms, different dietary recommendations and herbal formulas are used for prevention and self-treatment.
 

 

Cold symptoms with a dosha connection

Vata

• dry mucous membranes
• thin secretions
• Sneezing irritation
• dry, intense cough
• Hoarseness
• Shortness of breath due to narrowing of the airways
• Pain
• Feeling cold
• Weakness
• sudden onset and rapid progression of the disease

 

Pitta

• the inflammatory component is in the foreground
• Reddening of the mucous membranes
• yellowish-green secretions (pus formation)
• Feeling of heat or fever
• Thirst
• Burning sensation

 

Kapha

• thick, sticky secretions
• moist, productive cough
• Shortness of breath due to congestion of secretions
• Feeling cold
• Tiredness and heaviness
• slow onset of symptomsType-specificrecommendations for every "cold type"

 

Depending on our individual constitution, we tend to suffer from typical cold symptoms: Kapha types are particularly susceptible to colds, coughs and shortness of breath in cold and wet temperatures. An excess of mucus production, accompanied by tiredness and depressive moods, is at the heart of the illness process here and heralds the onset of the "winter blues" for many sufferers. Vata types are also more frequently affected by colds. They have a certain defensive weakness, which is promoted by a debilitating lifestyle and poor diet. Pitta constitutions are the least susceptible to colds due to their natural warmth. They are more likely to develop inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract, such as tonsillitis.

 

With ama or without ama?

Despite all the type differences, there are some important similarities in the prevention and treatment of colds: Whenever a cold or flu is on the way, this is synonymous with the blockage of the srotas (pathways), especially those that carry on the breath (prana = breath of life). The so-called prana vaha srotas are localized as transport spaces and functions in the respiratory tract and are responsible for gas exchange. The Kapha and Vata parts of the body are also manifested here, which leads to a sensitivity to cold and mucus formation. Metabolic waste products (ama) also tend to accumulate in the srotas. This leads to a blockage of the airways and accelerates the disease process. A simple cold quickly turns into an infectious cold.

If we want to combat ama as a trigger for illness, the right diet plays a decisive role. Not only does it protect us preventively, but it can also make a significant contribution to curing acute symptoms. Sometimes a change in diet, rest and sufficient warmth alone are enough to cure colds. The principles of an Ayurvedic anti-cold diet are simple: all cold and hard-to-digest foods should be avoided, as should acidic and slimy foods.

 

Dosha balancing recommendations

 

Vata:

Recommended characteristics: cool, mild, less cooked, heavy

Taste of food: sweet, salty, slightly sour, slightly spicy

Recipe example for winter: Cream soup made from root vegetables (carrot, parsnip, potato) with cream, soy sauce and ginger

 

Pitta:

Recommended properties: light, warm, moist, calming

Taste of food: sweet, bitter, astringent

Recipe example for winter: Bean soup, potato gratin, cabbage vegetables with fresh herbs

 

Kapha:

Recommended properties: light, warm, dry, stimulating

Taste of food: pungent, bitter, astringent

Recipe example for winter: Rice, mung dal with spinach, spicy vegetable curry

 

Practical Ayurveda tips for colds

Especially in the early stages, when a cold is just starting to set in, it is advisable to take a small "light diet". Cheese, butter, meat, eggs, fish, cakes, very fatty or raw foods should be avoided for a while and warm vegetable soups and stews with pulses should be preferred instead. If we do not do this, srota blockages and ama formation are pre-programmed, which put a strain on the weakened metabolism caused by the cold and settle in the airways. Hot ginger tea and slightly spicier dishes with lots of leafy and root vegetables are particularly helpful here. The most beneficial are one or two fasting days with lots of hot tea, possibly with spiced vegetable soups or other light vegetable dishes (e.g. from zucchinis, pumpkin, carrots, eggplants, turnips, beet, onions, potatoes and rice in moderation). This promotes the inner fire (Agni), which is often weakened in the early stages of illness and is therefore involved in the development of symptoms.

 

Be careful with acidic foods

Contrary to the widespread opinion that eating citrus fruits is helpful for strengthening the immune system, Ayurveda is rather cautious with acidic foods in the case of many illnesses. According to classical Ayurveda textbooks, they irritate the mucous membranes, promote inflammatory reactions, constrict the vascular system and create an environment throughout the body that is not conducive to the healing process. In Ayurveda, excessive vitamin C intake in the form of acidic fruit is therefore not recommended for colds. Acidified dairy products, acidified bread, tomatoes, vinegar and most convenience foods contain a lot of acid. This is particularly true if the inflammatory component or the Pitta expression is in the foreground. Ayurveda would rather advocate an increased intake of bitter foods and remedies. The bitter taste creates an environment in the body that creates poor living conditions for various pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi).

This can be supplemented with bitter spices and medicinal herbs such as turmeric and mugwort, as well as hot spices such as black pepper, long pepper, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. These really heat up the metabolism and cleanse the airways and respiratory tract. Good quality honey is valued as a special food for colds. Liquid forest honey with a bitter and spicy component is particularly recommended.

 

Nasal rinsing and inhalation

Regular nasal rinsing with warm saltwater and lining the nasal mucous membranes twice a day with two drops of warm sesame oil or ghee (clarified butter) have proven to be effective as a further preventative measure. However, these applications should be avoided in the case of an acute cold; they increase the mucus build-up. Inhalations, on the other hand, loosen the mucus and usually have an immediate soothing effect. However, they must be repeated several times a day (up to four times), as their effect is not long-lasting (one to two tablespoons of seeds to one liter of boiling water). Inhalation with ajwain seeds (Trachyspermum ammi), which are available in every Asian store, is particularly good for hay fever and sinus problems. Ajwain smells like thyme and has a Kapha- and Vata-reducing, disinfecting and antispasmodic effect on the respiratory tract. Inhalations should therefore be carried out for all respiratory diseases, even if they affect deeper regions.