Bye winter, hello spring!

Dr. Rama Prasad | SydeyAyurvedaCentre.Com | 602/282 Oxford St Bondi Junction | 028084 0093

Farewelling winter is something we all are eagerly looking forward to! Taking a break from heaters, thermals and jackets is such a blessing! 
          Smile quickly vanishes though, when we realize it’s the spring is the one that’s waiting for us! While its all sun and warmth, spring also packs allergic pollens. And that’s when we start running for antihistamine cover! At least for some us, this is the fact. 
          More than 20% Canberrans and an average of 15% of all Australians suffer from a large range of health condition that fall under “allergic rhinitis”. And the result? Since 2006, the wholesale supplies of oral antihistamines start to increase around July and peaked around October–November. More statistics is here - http://www.aihw.gov.au/allergic-rhinitis/
          Do antihistamines cure this condition? Not at all. They just suppress it, so that you will most probably catch it next year again. Then, why are we taking them at all? Well, its easy. There is a dramatic “symptomatic” relief. But, at what cost? They often result in drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, constipation, or dry mouth while putting a deep dent in our immunity! Plus, next year, you need a stronger dose!
          Why do we develop allergic rhinitis? Simple answer is this. Our weak immune and respiratory systems react to anything hard to handle such as hair, dust, pollen and scents. Why our immune and respiratory systems are weak? OK, blame it on chemicals in environment and food along with overuse of grains and dairy items.

How do we prevent it? How to stay away from allergic rhinitis - hay fever and sinus congestion?
          Ayurveda suggests a number of natural practices, products, therapies and lifestyle upgrades in order to stay on top of the season and have a healthy time. 

Winter regimen: 

1.    Stop all artificial food additives.
2.   Reduce or stop 1) grains (esp. wheat) and all flour base food 2) dairy products (all shapes and forms) and anything cold (food, drinks, clothing, environment etc.)
3.   Plan to sweat for at least 20 minutes daily with your chosen exercise. Try to breathe through your nostrils whenever you can.
4.   Eat larger warm breakfasts and lunches. Keep dinners light to let the body rest and repair better.
5.   Use mild herbs and spices with your food and drinks. 
6.   Stay warm, keep moving and change your posture frequently. 

Remedies for winter and spring:

1.    Use teas such as ginger, lemon grass and coriander. A strong FluAway Chai (recipe on our site) is fantastic!
2.   Inhale 5 drops of Anu Oil in each nostril daily to flush the mucus and inflammation. (full practice on our site).
3.   A practice called Neti is very effective to keep the sinus clear. This may reduce the congestion. (full practice on our site).
4.   Your Ayurveda doctor can offer appropriate traditional, safe and effective products after a consultation to cleanse your body, boost your immunity and repair your respiratory system.

Jala Neti (nasal cleansing with water)

FluAway Chai

Always learn this practice from your local yoga therapists. This is taken from APMB published by Bihar School of Yoga.
Preparation
A special neti pot should be used. This pot may be made of plastic, pottery, brass or any other metal which does not contaminate the water. The nozzle on the end of the spout should fit comfortably into the nostril so that the water does not leak out. Even a teapot may be used ifthe tip ofthe spout is not too large or sharp. The water should be pure, at body temperature and thoroughly mixed with salt in the proportion of one teaspoonful per half litre of water. The addition of salt ensures the osmotic pressure ofthe water is equal to that of the body fluids, thereby minimizing any irritation to the mucous membrane. A painful or burning sensation is an indication of too little or too much salt in the water.

Stage I : Washing the nostrils. 
Fill the neti pot with the prepared salt water. Stand squarely, with legs apart so that the body weight is evenly distributed between the feet. Lean forward and tilt the head to one side. Breathe through the mouth. Gently insert the nozzle into the uppermost nostril. There should be no force involved. The nozzle should press firmly against the side of the nostril so that no water leakage occurs. Tilt the neti pot in such a way that water runs into the nostril and not down the face. Keep the mouth open. Raising the elbow of the hand which holds the neti pot helps to adjust the body position so that the water flows out through the lower nostril. When half the water has passed through the nostrils, remove the nozzle from the nostril, centre the head and let the water run out of the nose. Remove any mucus from the nose by b1owing gently. Tilt the head to the opposite side and repeat the process, placing the nozzle of the Iota in the upper nostril . After completing this process, the nostrils must be thoroughly dried.

Stage 2: Drying the nostrils 1 . Stand erect.
Close the right nostril with the right thumb and breathe in and out through the left nostril 10 times in quick succession, as in kapalbhati pranayama. Repeat through the right nostril, with the left nostril closed. Perform once more through both nostrils.

2. Bend fmward from the waist so that the trunk is horizontal.
Repeat the same process as described above, but tilt the head to the right, closing the right nostril. Repeat again, tilting the head to the left and closing the left nostril. Finally, repeat again with the head centred, breathing through both nostrils.
Practice note: This step helps to drain trapped water from the sinus cavities.

3. Stand erect with the feet apart.
Close the right nostril and exhale forcefully while bending fotward rapidly from the waist. Inhale normally while returning to the upright position. Repeat 5 times.  Repeat with the right nostril open and then with both nostrils open. Do not blow the nose too hard as the remaining water may be pushed into the ears.  If necessary, perform shashankasana for several minutes to allow the drainage of any remaining water. Duration: This practice should take about 5 minutes.  Neti may be practised daily, once or twice a week, or as required. Awareness: Physical - on relaxing and positioning the body, on the flow ofwater through the nostrils, and on relaxed breathing through the mouth, especially for beginners. Spiritual - on ajna chakra.

1 to 1.5 L boiling water + 
20 chopped basil leaves + 
1/2 tsp crushed black pepper + 
1/2 inch ginger grated (for flavour add 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder or 10 crushed cardamom pods) + 
30 grams palm sugar / jaggery / molasses 
- All in a large thermos 
- 1 hour later, start sipping 150 mls of the above tea every hour. 
Do one full thermos daily for 3-5 days.