Health Remedies - Kashaya in Times of Corona

Green leaves tea with whole lime pieces and boiling water - Kashaya

We learn from mistakes. We also learn from experiences. The experience of chronic illness of Ulcerative Colitis enabled me to experiment with a number of things. I read a number of scientific articles published in research journals to see what the doctors were doing with me. In order to heal my Ulcerative Colitis, I tried medicines from Allopathy to Ayurveda, Homeopathy to Siddha. There is nothing wrong in experimenting. My argument is that by consuming various kinds of medicines there might be some chance for healing. In other words, a particular component of medication might be able to fix the imbalance that was set in the body.

Every illness is the result of some sort of imbalance in our body. Medical practitioners may call such imbalances as lack of immunity, or lack of nutrition or proteins or vitamins, etc., in the body. The Ayurveda pandits would name this imbalance due to three Doshas in one's being, that is, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. We say the individual constitution of a person is in balance that is when Vata-Pitta-Kapha is inherently at ease and in harmony. Unfortunately, that is not possible. Whether we like it or not imbalance is part and parcel of our growing, maturing, ageing and dying process. Otherwise, we would live just like Adam, the first human being on the earth according to the Bible, who lived for 930 years! (Genesis 5:5).

We have been hearing that the present Corona virus infiltrates into one's body through inhaling it either through your nose or through your mouth. It might be when the carrier of Corona is in close proximity to us. It might also spread through the hands or any other part of the body due to touch. Therefore, we are advised by the medics to stay away from the Corona infected person, as well asked not to shake hands with him or her. So, in principle, we might come to a conclusion is that better we keep our breathing system (throat, windpipe) from any kind of infection. Unfortunately, the virus of Corona first makes its home in our throat and begins to germinate virus. Within no time virus enters the lungs and gets infected. It means lungs swell, and when a swelling takes place of the lungs then the person cannot breathe, when the person cannot breathe, then oxygen is to not pumped into the heart adequately. At that time heart stops for eternity (cardiac arrest)! This is neither rocket science nor a million-dollar question to understand. It is simple logic, which many, the so-called intelligent people don't want to understand. 

Therefore, what we need, firstly, is strong immunity, secondly, keep our throat/breathing canal clean and disinfected.  

I have been taking a particular kind of drink which has kept my throat and breathing system intact. I would like to share with you what I have been doing. This has helped me in three ways, firstly to improve my immunity by taking lime, garlic, B-complex Vitamin C tablet every day morning and other immunity boosters. Secondly,  following No. 2 recipes (explained below) has kept my throat disinfected and clean. Thirdly, by following this first and two, I have a positive attitude and strong faith that Corona will not come to me, because I'm taking precautions. Of course, I am very particular in keeping a safe distance and taking care of myself hygienically. 

1. Whenever I notice there is some congestion in my throat or feel that it needs clearing or cleansing, I gargle using salt (stone type) in hot/warm water, either early in the morning or in the night before I hit the bed.

2. I add one teaspoon of Green leaves (not powder) in a pot, then slice half a lime with skin

and put it in the same pot and fill it with boiling water. I also add a few leaves of Sambarballi/Doddapatre, a few slices of ginger and few leaves of Tulasi (Krishna Tulasi - leaves happen to be slightly darker). If you need still stronger one then you may fry a few garlic cloves and put it in the same. Since this concoction tastes a bit bitter I seldom add a teaspoon of honey to a glass and drink. From morning till night I drink this water from the same pot by pouring, again and again, boiling water. (The picture is above). I don't change the ingredients because by evening the concoction becomes lighter. Green leaves tea is antioxidant. Lime is high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Because limes are loaded with nutrients, they may help boost your immunity, reduce heart disease risk factors, prevent kidney stones, aid iron absorption, and promote healthy skin. [Update: I have been drinking this Kashaya since I wrote this blog post in August 2020. So far, I have not been infected with Corona in spite of my travels and visit to various places to teach, preach and conduct retreats.)

According to medical experts, Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. Antioxidants are said to help neutralize free radicals in our bodies, and this is thought to boost overall health. In other words, oxidants tend to increase the capacity of viruses to multiply at a faster rate.

3. I have dried up pomegranate skin which is used to prepare another kind of drink. The procedure is same: Add one or two pieces of dry pomegranate skin in a pot and add boiling water. This water is also good as pomegranate skin/peel seems to have a lot of health benefits. First of all, it is an antioxidant. Secondly, pomegranate is thought to contain natural antimicrobials from vitamin C, which may help fight bacteria. It is used highly in Ayurveda medicines especially its powder.

4.  I also take a drink prepared from Sambarballi/Doddapatre, Tulasi leaves and young pomegranate leaves. Put them all in a pot and pour boiling water. As always you might like to add slices of a whole lime (skin included).

5. I also found whenever there was a cough with phlegm munching a Sambarblli leave with a piece of stone salt clears your throat at least for some time.

6. Drink made out of Amrutha balli is also a very good herbal recipe.

7. For wet cough which is not getting cured: Take half a teaspoon of sugar put it in your mouth along with one teaspoon of ghee (home, original), keep it sometimes in your mouth allowing slowing entering into your throat. This takes out fungus which is formed around your throat. I tried this and it made a difference (Feb 6, 2022)

All these are antioxidants. Please don't end up drinking just one or two glasses of kashaya, instead, drink a lot of this kind of water whole day.  There is nothing wrong in trying them in good faith. This will surely keep your throat in good condition during this corona warfare. At least it has done to me so far!

 Please Note: These are my personal views. If you have any other options I would love to hear from you. It is your body and you have to take care of it and not the doctors. This is the big lesson that I learnt while treating my disease by taking cortisones, tablets, biological medicines, various therapies including FMT. 

We learn from each other! 

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

09 August 2020