10 home remedies to avoid swine flu
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1. Have five
duly washed leaves of Tulsi (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum
sanctum) everyday in the morning. Tulsi has a large number of therapeutic
properties. It keeps throat and lungs clear and helps in infections by way of
strengthening your immunity.
2. Giloi
(medicinal name Tinospora cordifolia) is a commonly available plant in many
areas. Take a one-foot long branch of giloi, add five to six leaves of Tulsi
and boil in water for 15-20 minutes or long enough to allow the water to
extract its properties. Add black pepper and sendha (salt used during religious
fasts), rock or black salt, or Misri (crystalised sugar like lumps to make it
sweet) according to taste. Let it cool a bit and drink this kadha (concoction)
while still warm. It will work wonders for your immunity. If giloi plant is not
available, get processed giloi powder from Hamdard or others, and concoct a
similar drink once a day.
3. A small
piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken
once or twice a month. It can be swallowed with water by adults while children
can take it along with mashed potatoes or banana because they will find it
difficult to have it without any aides. Please remember camphor is not to be
taken everyday, but only once each season, or once a month.
4. Those who
can take garlic, must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning.
To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like
the earlier measures mentioned.
5. Those not
allergic to milk, must take a glass of hot or lukewarm milk every night with a
small measure of haldi (turmeric).
6. Aloe vera
(gwarpatha) too is a commonly available plant. Its thick and long, cactus-like
leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon gel taken with water daily can work
wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.
7. Take
homeopathic medicines — Pyrogenium 200 and Inflenzium 200 in particular — five
tablets three times a day, or two-three drops three times a day. While these
are not specifically targeted at H1N1 either, these work well as preventive
against common flu virus.
8. Do
Pranayam daily (preferably under guidance if you are already not initiated into
it) and go for morning jog/walk regularly to keep your throat and lungs in good
condition and body in fine fettle. Even in small measures, it will work wonders
for your body's resistance against all such diseases which attack the nose,
throat and lungs, besides keeping you fit.
9. Have
citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice.
Since fresh Amla is not yet available in the market (not for another three to
four months), it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amla juice which is commonly
available nowadays.
10. Last but
not the least, wash your hands frequently every day with soap and warm water
for 15-20 seconds; especially before meals, or each time after touching a
surface that you suspect could be contaminated with flu virus such as a door
handle or a knob/handle, especially if you have returned from a public place or
used public transport. Alcohol-based hand cleaners should be kept handy at all
times and used until you can get soap and warm water.
