Simple & Safe Home Remedies to Soothe Symptoms & Speed Recovery
At a time like this, we have the opportunity to remember our roots — to call upon the abundance of the simple medicine that surrounds us — the remedies that lay waiting in our very own kitchen cabinets. At a time like this, the mundane becomes the sacred, and we no longer take for granted the plant allies that have been there for us all along.
We know there are many people who are at home right now, nursing away mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 — the virus that has become our opportunity to evolve. So, we’ve pulled together some simple and safe home remedies that will help soothe symptoms and speed recovery. These remedies are based on recipes that were included in the ancient texts of Ayurveda — they have stood the test of time, and are as relevant now as ever before.
Please note, however, that these recommendations are for mild to moderate symptoms only. If at any time you feel your life is in danger, seek professional medical support immediately. These remedies are supportive, but they are not life saving. If you are experiencing persistent pain or pressure in the chest, bluish lips or face, confusion or a fever above 101, please do not wait to call your doctor or urgent care.
Daytime Cough
Fennel Chew
Chew ½ tsp. fennel seed powder mixed in a tsp turbinado sugar 2-3 times a day.
Cinnamon & Honey Spoon Drops
Mix ½ tsp. cinnamon in 1 tsp. honey. Eat 2-3 x daily.
Herbal Tea — all day, every day
Sip an herbal tea that contains any of the following: Tulsi, Marshmallow, Licorice, Cinnamon, Fennel, Ginger, Rose, Red Clover. These botanicals will also help soothe your sore throat. You can blend your own at home, or buy tea bags! You might want to try Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat, Organic India Tulsi Cinnamon Rose or Organic India Masala Chai,
Nighttime Cough
Warm Spiced Mild
This soothing milk will reduce night time coughing and help ensure sound sleep, which is key for fighting infection. (This one single handedly saved Sierra from a coughing attack at 2 am a few nights ago!)
Gently simmer 1 cup of warm milk with ½ cup of water, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, ½ tsp cinnamon, and ¼ tsp nutmeg. BONUS: Add a pinch of clove, cardamom, pippali, ginger and/or saffron for added respiratory benefit. Simmer until 1 cup liquid remains, and then allow to cool slightly. Option to add ½ tsp ghee and ½ tsp honey, and then enjoy before bed. Note: If you don’t have all ingredients, no worries, the most important are the milk turmeric, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Sore Throat
Turmeric Salt Water Gargle
Add 2 pinches mineral salt and 2 pinches turmeric to 1 oz warm water. Gargle and spit water into the sink. Aim for 2 to 3 times daily for 15 to 30 seconds each time.
Fenugreek Gargle
Add 2 tbsps of fenugreek seeds (crushed if possible) to about 4 cups of water, and simmer for about half an hour. Strain and allow to cool to a comfortable temperature. Gargle and spit water into the sink.
Honey, Cinnamon + Lemon Drink
Mix 1 Tbsp. honey, 1 tsp. cinnamon and 1 tsp. lemon juice in a cup of hot water and sip throughout the day.
Fever
Fennel Decoction
Boil 2 tablespoons of fennel in 1 cup of water until the water is reduced to a half cup. Strain this decoction and take 1 tablespoon every morning and evening until the fever subsides.
Ginger, Lemongrass and Tulsi Tea
Experiment with making your own at home, or organic India has a great version of this blend in tea bags.
Cumin Coriander and Fennel Tea
Mix one-third teaspoon each of cumin, coriander and fennel ‘seeds’ in a cup of water, boil until the seeds sink and strain. Drink after meals to aid digestion and to bring down a fever.
Shortness of Breath
Ginger + Fenugreek Infusion
Grate a tsp of ginger and combine with a tsp of crushed fenugreek. Steep in 8 oz hot water, and strain. Sip twice per day.
Ginger Tulsi Tea
Brew ½ tsp tulsi leaves and ½ tsp grated ginger in 16 oz hot water. Allow to cool and add ½ tsp crystalized honey. Sip throughout the day. You can also try Traditional Medicinals Tulsi with Ginger Tea.
Headache
Fennel Compress
Steep ½ cup fennel seeds and ¼ cup tulsi leaves in a litre of boiling water. Cool and strain the mixture. Soak a cloth in this solution and apply to the temples and forehead 3 times per day.
Sip Tulsi Tea
Any of the above mentioned Tulsi teas will support with relieving general headache as well.
Addressing all symptoms and the root cause
Ayurvedic Antiviral + Respiratory Herbal Blend
We have carefully crafted a powerful blend of Ayurvedic herbs to help ward off viral invaders, enhance the functioning of the respiratory tract, and bolster the immune system to overcome acute infection. These ancient herbal allies are intended to help open airways, calm cough, reduce fever, and ease headache, in addition to offering the myriad of synergistic bonus benefits of the plants. We do not generally create herbal formulas for the general public, but we feel this is a critical time to mobilize our knowledge and resources to serve where our modern systems have fallen short. Please use this medicine sparingly, and with reverence. Get the herbs here.
General Immune Boosting — to prevent and fight infection
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps immune cells function properly, can help the body to fight off a myriad of pathogens and supports the health of the respiratory passages. Adults can take up to 2000 mg daily in supplement form. But we love to get ours from whole foods like oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, red and green peppers and broccoli.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D supports immune function and the ability to fight off infections, especially acute respiratory tract infection, one of the feared complications of COVID-19. The best form of vitamin D for maximal absorption is Vitamin D3, and supplementing between 1000- 2000 IU/day is a safe and ample dose for most people.
Zinc
Zinc plays an important role in immunity, helping the body to fight invading bacteria and viruses, and may help the lining of the respiratory passages prevent against viral replication and inflammation. The best way to take it is in lozenge form, as supplements can cause nausea and nasal sprays can cause altered sense of taste and smell. Take around 5 to 10 mg/day for general immunity, but while you’re sick, you might take up to 45 mg/day. We like to get ours from whole foods like legumes (mung beans in kitchari!), eggs, and whole grains.
Host Defense Comprehensive Immune Support
We are big fans of Paul Stamets around here, and we swear by his Comprehensive Immune Support mycelium blend. This unique combination of mushroom mycelium and fruit bodies encourages resistance to cellular assaults, providing a diverse range of constituents to help balance the immune system. If you can get your hands on some of this stuff, take 2 capsules every day to get and stay healthy.
We would like to thank our teachers Alakanada Ma, Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. Aviva Romm for ensuring that the most authentic, high quality information is available to us as practitioners.
Join Sierra for a webinar on AYURVEDIC REMEDIES FOR COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, where she shares more about WHY these remedies work.
Radical self care is an alternative to engaging with failing systems, and Ayurveda has always been here to provide grounded guidance for us to thrive. Cultivate Balance provides Ayurvedic consultations, wellness webinars and workshops, Goodness Guides, and online wellness courses that support you to nurture yourself so you can nurture the world. Now, more than ever, we are being called to return home to ourselves and the Earth.
