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While western medicine is fixated on naming diseases and finding one treatment protocol for the varying symptomatology such as vaccination, the Āyurvedic perspective does not require a previous encounter with a pathology to treat it nor does it use a one-size-fits-all approach. Ayurveda guides us to use foundational principles for intelligent disease management by investigation of pathogenesis or saṃprāpti and resulting symptomatology as it manifests in the individual. We can apply these principles to better understand SARS-CoV-2 and what effective management might look like.

The principle concern and cause for renaming of this virus is the pneumonia and severe difficulty breathing (śvās) that develops in a very small percentage of those infected.

From an Āyurvedic perspective this can be viewed as kapha blocking vāta in prāṇa vaha srotas.

Prāṇa vaha srotas refers to that those pathways which conduct or move prāṇa throughout the body.

According to Dr. Vasant Lad the root, pathway, and opening of prāṇa vaha srotas are as follows

Mūla: left chamber of heart (hṛdayam), gi tract

Marga: 10 great vessels (arteries which transport nutrients)

Mukha: nose (nāsā)

This makes sense when we recall prāṇa is absorbed through our heart, lungs, and food, and is distributed via the arterial bloodstream. Further the nose is what we should be breathing through, not our mouths, and is considered the primary entry and exit point of our breath. Why the left chamber of the heart as the mūla? Because this is the entry point for oxygen rich blood from the lungs which is then pumped to the rest of our bodies.

Srotas refers to a passage, path, or stream, and we have many different systems of srotas in the body. Each srota has a mūla (origin), marga (passage), and mukha (exit/opening).

The Caraka Samhitā, a primary text of Āyurveda, describes the 4 types of abnormalities (srotoduṣṭi) which may arise due to compromised function of the srotas.

1)Ati pravṛttiḥ- excess flow such as diarrhea

2)Sanga- obstruction

3)Vimarga gamanam- wrong flow, false passage

4)Sirā granthi- growth as in swelling of tumor

The first 2 indicate functional disorders of the srotas and are common features of SARS-CoV-2.

Let us examine these symptoms from the Āyurvedic perspective. Symptoms reported include

Fever

Diarrhea

Loss of sense of smell

Malaise

Dry cough

Difficulty breathing in a small percentage of severe cases

Diarrhea and loss of sense of smell

Microbiota play a tremendous role in promoting and calibrating all aspects of the immune system, and our “guts” or microbiomes are a critical point of defense against viral invaders, housing 70% of our immune systems (1). Sanskrit literature reflects the role our guts play in immunity by describing the primary function of samāna vāyu as “viveka”, or discrimination. When a virus enters our bodies, these commensal bacteria are on first watch as our guts are their homes and helping secure our health simultaneously supports their survival.

Diarrhea may result from our bodies trying to expel the virus, and digestion is shut down as our organisms now shift their internal resources to immune defense.  A resultant loss of sense of smell helps relieve us of the desire to eat, which is desirable because when digestive power (agni) is diminished eating may result in the formation of toxins (āma) within the body. Thus reduced sense of smell helps suppress our appetites as our bodies are now otherwise engaged. If you are able to notice this and start supplementing with herbs immediately this may be helpful in reducing the severity of symptomatology one experiences.

Fever and Malaise

Called jvara in Sanskrit, fever is an indicator that toxins are circulating within the body in rasa dhātu. Loosely translated as plasma fluid, rasa is the first tissue to be formed from food, called āhāra rasa thus illustrating its intimate connection to rasa. Fever is managed by burning out toxins within the body and is facilitated by our organism’s loss of appetite and increased body temperature. 

Of further interest is that our stomachs are called āmaśaya in Sanskrit,  indicating the relationship between āma and digestive capacity. Āma, or toxins, cloud our cellular intelligence, and in this case denotes the confusion created when viruses enter our bodies as our immune systems must interpret what is self and not-self. Viruses, in contrast to bacteria, require host cells to reproduce, and their entry acts as a signal for “sorting” to rapidly occur lest the virus overtake us and decimate the host organism completely. This is no small task, and no wonder that we feel tired when we consider the immensity of such an undertaking in a body comprised of trillions of cells!

Dry cough and difficulty breathing

Known as khās and śvās respectively, cough and difficulty breathing are the most feared aspects of this virus. To understand what is happening doṣically, let us recall that kapha is comprised of earth and water, and has the following guṇas.

Snigdha- oiliness, unctuousness

Śita- cold

Guru- heavy

Manda- dull

Ślakshna- smooth

Mrtsnah- greasy

Sthira- stable

Hima- cold

Mrdu- soft

Why is understanding the guṇas so important? Identifying the guṇas at play allows us to employ opposite qualities to bring about relief of symptomatology. Difficulty breathing is caused by blockage of the lungs by heavy, cold, and oiliness that may become hard or heavy. This blocks our airways and thus vāta doṣa, so we look to medicines or auṣadhi that have the opposite qualities to create balance much like we use hot mixed with cold to create warm. Classically this means we employ herbs that have hot (uṣṇa), sharp (tīkṣṇa), and penetrating qualities as well as those that support correct movement of vāta doṣa. Further examination reveals this pathology is primarily located in urdhva sthāna, or the upper portions of the body, and this information may be used to refine modes of administration of medicines. It is also important to understand that the stomach and lungs are primary sthānas or sites of kapha doṣa.

Management

The number of remedies that can be used in such treatment are vast and limited primarily by accessibility. Common herbs that may be suitable to support kapha blocking vāta in the lungs may include

Tulsi

Cinnamon

Cloves

Cardamom

Ginger

Turmeric

Black pepper

Pippalī

Honey

Sitopalādī

Sitopalādī is a traditional preparation containing a number of the aforementioned herbs and has an affinity for the respiratory tract thus making it a good choice under the guidance of a qualified Vaidya or practitioner of Āyurveda.

This list is by no means exhaustive but is meant to give you an understanding of the principles employed in treatment of such conditions.

Preventive care

The pathology of SARS-COV2 produces kapha symptoms in kapha sites of the body, and springtime may be a kapha season depending on the deśa, or climate, in which one resides. Thus it behooves one to follow a kapha pacifying diet and lifestyle during this time. Āyurveda teaches us that our daily routines must shift according to climate and prakṛti, so simple steps to be taken may include

Cooking all food lightly

Favoring soupy, well spiced, easy to digest foods

Avoidance of wheat, dairy products, and cold foods

Prāṇāyāma practices of bhastrika and kapālabhātī

Teas such as tulsi, ginger, and lemon honey

It's also good practice to AVOID foods with sticky and heavy quality if you are worried about your lung health as eating stick and heavy foods exacerbates those conditions in the body.

However these measures should not be construed as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle which promotes healthy ojas and immunity year round. Viruses will continue to circulate across borders as long as the human race continues to move about, and vaccines are but a symptomatic treatment. Sanskrit literature teaches us it is best to arm yourself with habits that promote strength and vibrancy daily, undergo seasonal cleansing therapies such as pañcakarma, and surround yourself with beings of high vibration such as found in the presence of a Sadguru.

“As the bees collect honey from the fruits and flowers, ojas is similarly collected in the body by the actions, qualities, habits, and diet of the human being.” Ca:SU 17:76

Please note this article is not intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any disease. If you are having a medical emergency please call your doctor or dial 911.

Citations

1)Role of the Microbiota in Immunity and inflammation

Yasmine Belkaid, Timothy Hand

Cell. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2015 Mar 27.

Published in final edited form as: Cell. 2014 Mar 27; 157(1): 121–141. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.03.011

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4056765/

Caraka Samhitā

Copyright 2020 Sarah Otto-Combs

It appears SARS-CoV-2 is spread via the virus entering your mucous membranes, so protecting your MEN (mouth, eyes, and nose) is a critical component of preventing both infection and transmission. The virus spreads via droplets inhaled into our mouths and noses, so let’s learn how to protect and flush that stuff out by following these simple steps using both modern and 5,000 year old techniques of Āyurveda.

We are learning more about SARS-CoV-2 every day and while it can feel overwhelming and intense, the BEST thing you can do for yourself and others is to remain cool, calm, and collected. Your daily routine plays a huge role in supporting stress and immunity so please take this time to make your body happy through some critical wellness practices that you should be done all the time, not just when there is a fear of getting sick going around.

That being said, I have also compiled some extra steps you can take to keep your mouth, eyes, and nose well protected! Why do we care about that?

Nasal care

Most of us breathe through our noses, so protecting and cleansing your nasal membranes is an important part of staying disease free. Remember that SARS-CoV-2  is spread by inhaling droplets that contain the virus from people sneezing or touching infected surfaces and then our faces. Cue these two ancient practices to help save the day!

PLEASE NOTE YOU SHOULD NOT OIL YOUR NOSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER NETI AS THIS WILL TRAP WATER WHICH IS NOT GOOD. Nasya should only be done when your nasal passages are dry. Neti can be done anytime.

Neti pot

This ancient practice involves the use of saline water to rinse the nasal passages and is a good ritual for coming home after being out in potential transmission zones. Don’t have a neti pot? A saline spray is also helpful, but the best thing is to get a neti pot or try to fashion your own. Salt water is an inhospitable environment for viruses and bacteria, not to mention that rinsing the nose with a neti pot will expel anything that may have snuck in while you weren’t looking including dust and dirt. It’s also a great practice to do at night all the time for all of the aforementioned reasons and is an easy addition to your regular Āyurvedic routine. 

Nasya

Nasya is the word for medicated nose oil. What the hell is that? It is a specialized oil used in the nasal passages.  Why is this useful? Putting oil in your nose provides an extra barrier to the membranes of your nasal passages and may slow the contact of undesirables like viruses, bacteria, and dirt from reaching your mucous membranes!

An easy way to take advantage of this is by dipping your finger into ghee or sesame oil then swabbing the inside of your nostrils. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just enough to lightly coat the inside of your nose. Do not double dip as this will cross-contaminate the oil or ghee and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after. This is completely safe and can be done daily in the mornings or right before you go out to give extra protection to your nasal membranes. It is also a nice thing to do if you live in a dry climate.

Mouth

How can you protect your mouth from the virus? Number one, no mouth breathing! Keep your mouth shut for Pete’s sake😂! Number two, sip on warm, non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day. Coffee is no bueno as it is acidic and increases anxiety, so put that down and sip on some tulsi, hot water, or chamomile tea instead. It is thought that taking a sip of warm water every 15 minutes will flush any potential invaders into the stomach where they are neutralized.

Gargling with salt water is also really helpful and can be done when you get home from going out or if you feel a sore throat coming on. Oil pulling with coconut is another great addition to your mouth care routine as it is thought to have antimicrobial properties.

Eyes

While the data on COVID transmission through the eyes is minimal at best, there are some steps you can take if you would like to add extra protection. One is to wear glasses when you go out. No prescription? No problem? There are lots of prescription free lenses used in blue blocking or fashion glasses. If you are extra worried, you can always flush your eyes when coming home using a saline solution for the eyes. Other than that I think your eyes will be just fine!

In Āyurveda we often recommend applying oil to eyes at night to help improve dryness, redness, and inflammation, such as putting a drop or two of castor oil or ghee into the eyes before bed. However this is not an effective method for protecting your eyes in public because it clouds your vision thus is not safe if you are driving or need to see clearly. Medicated rinses are also used but not necessary in this case.

Of course washing your hands, staying home as much as you can, and being a loving force in the world are all important aspects of what we are being called to do. So don’t overthink things, take daily walks in nature, and see how you can contribute to vulnerable populations in your community.

And a HUGE SHOUTOUT to those people who are keeping us fed right now. Thank you so much.

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We do our best to support you with free content, and right now we need your support now more than ever as a small business, and these small actions add up in a big way.

With love,

Sarah

©2020 Siddha Labs

With the current hysteria flying around about contracting the corona virus, the question everyone is asking themselves “What can I do to prevent myself from getting sick?”. In my opinion it’s not a vaccine or covering yourself in saran wrap- the bigger question we should be asking ourselves is if we are living a lifestyle that promotes healthy immunity, and if not, what we can do to change that. 

The best way to prevent yourself from getting sick is to increase your OVERALL health, which means supporting your digestive capacity and ojas, or deeper immunity through a healthy diet and lifestyle. Getting stressed out and hysterical about things you can’t control does not help, and in fact weakens your immunity. So let’s get smart and review what steps we can take to support our health both short and long term.

Digestive Health is Queen

Why is supporting your digestive health such an important component of immunity? Because healthy digestion supports healthy immunity, overall vibrancy, and directly contributes to building up your ojas. You are not what you eat, you are what you can DIGEST, and when you are digesting good foods per your constitutional needs, you will have a stronger body that can handle exposure to viruses better than those who don’t. 

What are some markers of healthy digestion?

-Lightness after eating

-clean tongue (no coating)

-steady weight

-stable energy levels

-contentment and satisfaction

-regular bowel movements without odor

-strong immunity

-hunger without getting hangry

What are some markers of impaired digestion?

-gas and bloating

-tiredness after eating

-irregular bowel movements (come at random intervals)

-lethargy

-coating on the tongue

-strong smell to your stool

-gets sick easily

-acid reflux/hyperacidity

-lack of appetite

-excessive appetite

If you are having any of the above symptoms, please refer to this article to learn more about cultivating good digestion through proper food combining and eating habits. 

What is ojas and how does it relate to my immunity?

Your ojas IS your immunity, and so much more. It is your vibrancy, emotional and physical stability, contentment, and overall resiliency.

The Charaka Samhita, one of the classical texts of Āyurveda, gives clear reference to cultivating ojas, and it is not done by one action alone. It is rather the sum of your thoughts, habits, diet, and lifestyle that yield the quality of ojas we need to stay happy and healthy.

“As the bees collect honey from the fruits and flowers, ojas is similarly collected in the body by the actions, qualities, habits, and diet of the human being.” Ca:SU 17:76

This is why your daily routine, diet, and lifestyle are critical for health. They directly inform your ojas, which is why Āyurveda places such strong emphasis on cultivating correct habits.

What are signs of good ojas?

-radiant eyes

-compassion

-control of emotional fluctuations

-good memory and concentration

-stable body temperature

-strong immunity

-glowing skin

-healthy digestion

What are signs your ojas is depleted?

-fatigue

-increase of dosha

-heaviness of body

-loss of muscle mass

-excess sleepiness

-pallor (pale skin)

-dry skin

-constipation

-cold hands and feet

What can you do to cultivate ojas?

As mentioned above, the best way to cultivate ojas is to cultivate a healthy lifestyle that includes yoga, prānāyāma, exercise, healthy eating, and contemplative practices like prayer or meditation. Your body loves routine like the one I outline in my 10 Step Daily Routine Guide, and habits like this take you a long way towards building strong immunity.

Cultivating emotional stability is also CRITICAL FOR HEALTH, as emotional fluctuations really take it out of you. Ever notice how exhausted you get after intense outbursts? That’s because they deplete you on a deep level. Thus why daily meditation and controlling your mental fluctuations are so critical to good health. 

Diet is also a wonderful way to increase ojas, and here is a list of foods that help to increase it.

-soaked and peeled almonds

-ghee, fats, oil

-amla fruit or herb

-spices to balance digestion

-honey

-milk

-dates

-figs

-avocados

-mung beans

-ancient grains

-local food from your farmer’s market

The truth is, outbreaks like the Coronavirus are likely to continue in the years to come as our communities have become so connected through travel and world commerce, and while we should definitely follow best practices like handwashing, avoiding travel in contaminated areas, and quarantining ourselves voluntarily when sick, we also need to show up for OURSELVES by taking responsibility for our health on a daily basis.  Taking the steps I’ve outlined will not only help you stay healthy during outbreaks, they are going to keep you healthy long term. So get awesome, get healthy, and tread the path of wellness daily.

May the force be with you.