Beat The Winter Sniffles
Date Posted:14 May 2014
As the weather changes from warm to cool to cold, it is a time when sniffles may indicate sensitivity to the cold weather or early signs of a cold or flu.
This week we hone in on what to do at the first sign of a sniffle or rhinitis. You have better things to do with your time than be sick… right?
Origins of the ‘sniffle’
Nature in its wisdom gave us a nose and nasal cavity to warm, moisturize and filter the air we breathe in, so it’s the right temperature when it gets to the lungs and is free of irritants like dust, mould and environmental allergens.
Overload
What causes the normally dry nose to become moist and give rise to the ‘sniffles’?
- It can be as simple as being outside in cold weather where the nose has to work overtime warming and moistening the air and the increased fluid production starts to run out of your nose.
Cause exposure to extreme weather conditions - Sniffles may also be caused by an irritant or allergy – such as dust, pollen, mould, environmental allergens, or a floating bacteria, or virus that is in your vicinity.
Cause allergic response to help protect you from an invader - Or sniffles may be the by-product of partial or incomplete digestion of a meal, such as the evening meal. When one sleeps, ama or impurities can localise in the sinus cavity or the chest, leading to a blocked nose, post nasal drip or cough.
Cause incomplete digestion
What does Ayurveda recommend?
- Protect the nasal membranes before going out into the cold, so they are less sensitive to extremes of weather. Ayurveda traditionally does this with the application of a special herbalised nasal oil 2-4 times a day, particularly during cold weather Herbal Nasal Oil
- Minimise the allergic response Reduce sensitivity to pollutants and allergens while reducing inflammation and enhancing resistance with Protection Plus Sinuses
- Support digestion prior the evening meal by taking 2 tablets of Digest Tone prior dinner as a preventative all year round.
- Strengthen your immunity with the Sinus and Head Cold Pack if you have a tendency for the sniffles during winter!
- Maintain fluid levels with Sniffle Free Tea - a delicious herbal blend formulated to help your body resist cold weather and maintain healthy fluid balance
Important Ayurvedic Tip
When feeling the pulse of a person with a sniffle, there is often a build up of impurities felt in the digestive tract. These impurities start to spread beyond the digestive system and locate wherever the person has a weakness – sinuses, chest, joints….
Therefore, ‘sniffles’ can be an early warning signal to strengthen digestion, remove a backlog of impurities and balance the sinus and/or chest congestion, if present. If this is your tendency then I strongly recommend you stay on top this season by taking the all-in-one Sinus and Head Cold Pack.
Wishing you the bliss of perfect balance.
Linda Sinden
Maharishi Ayurveda Practitioner
Get Balance Team