How to handle monsoon diseases? Doctor gives Ayurveda tips

Although the monsoon arrives as a relief from the scorching summer heat, it can pose numerous challenges for the elderly and those with health issues. The damp and cold conditions often aggravate common colds, coughs, joint pains, and skin conditions. However, nature itself offers many remedies to manage these symptoms without relying heavily on medications. From the water we drink to the clothes we wear, Ayurveda provides a sustainable remedy for everything.

Monsoon diseases
Pain and inflammation in the joints are common ailments during the monsoon. Additionally, respiratory illnesses such as cough, shortness of breath, allergies, as well as indigestion, dysentery, vomiting, and food poisoning are prevalent during the rainy season. Dryness, itching, rashes, fungal infections, and dandruff are some of the skin issues commonly faced during the monsoon season.

Here is what Ayurveda recommends
1) Drink boiled water only. Boil water with Shadanga churnam, dry ginger and coriander seeds.
2) Make sure to wear thoroughly dried clothes.
3) For joint pain, consult an ayurvedic doctor for kashayams (herbal concoctions) and oils. Dhanwantharam tailam is generally prescribed for joint pain.
4) Herbal baths prepared by boiling herbs like odichukuthi (cedrate lemon), thorayam, ripe jackfruit leaves, karinochi (vitex negundo) and vathamkolli (justicia gendarussa) are highly relaxing. Keep this water overnight and pour the warm water over the body the next day
5) Do not give up your regular exercises in the monsoon season. Make sure to do light exercises at least indoors if you are unable to go out for a walk.

Monsoon diet
1) Eating easily digestible warm food is best, as digestion slows down during the monsoon. Hot porridge made with broken rice is soothing and light on the stomach. You could add a piece of ginger if you suffer from indigestion
2) Mung bean soup is excellent for diabetic patients
3) Lukewarm rasam or tempered buttermilk will aid digestion
4) Avoid spicy, sour and fried food items in monsoon

Cough and allergies
1) For a persistent/phlegmy cough, chew a betel leaf wrap with a shallot, a small piece of ginger, one teaspoon of cumin and some honey. This helps loosen mucus and gives relief from a cough.
2) Take steam from water boiled with panikoorka (plectranthus amboinicus).
3) Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder in warm milk and drink it before going to bed at night. This drink boosts immunity while helping to ward off allergies.

Skin diseases
1) To soothe skin irritations, infuse turmeric in coconut oil and apply it all over the body, then gently massage. Wash it off after 20 – 30 minutes using chickpea or mung bean powder.
2) Dandruff caused by wet hair – Boil two litres of water with 3- 4 teaspoons of eladi churnam on the previous day. Use this herbal water to wash your hair the next day.
3) Fungal infections, itching and rashes – Grind neem leaves, turmeric and a palmful of boiled rice and apply on skin. Wash it off after 10 – 20 minutes in lukewarm water.
4) Apply neem oil on legs and feet before walking barefoot in waterlogged areas or the yard. Neem oil has antibacterial properties. Make sure to wash your hands and legs thoroughly in warm water as soon as you return.

Clean environment
1) Maintaining clean surroundings is just as important as personal hygiene.
2) Places may be slippery due to moisture and mould, so use good footwear. 
3) Fumigation at home using ayurvedic powders like aparajitha churnam, neem leaves, dried turmeric and frankincense will reduce germs and bacteria
Dr Nayana Raj is the ayurvedic physician at Punarjani Ayur Clinic, Thrissur.