Common Cold

According Naturopathy principles Common Cold is an acute disease. Actually it is not a disease but an indicator of accumulation of morbid matter in excess quantity in the body. Therefore, it is believed as a friend of body, not the enemy. It`s main symptoms are following:

• Constant watery discharge from nose
• Uneasiness, pain and heaviness in body
• Slight fever and bodyache
• Pain and heaviness in head
• Loss of appetite
• Distaste in meals

Common Cold if not treated properly, may be a cause of Chronic cold, Cough, Constant Headache, Weak eyes and Sinusitis etc.

Causes:
Numerous toxic and morbid matters are produced in the body due to day to day irregular eating and its improper digestion. Nature tries to eliminate them when the body seems to be fully packed with morbid matter. There are four channels in our body for elimination of the morbid matter. These are-Skin, Lungs. Kidney and Intestine. When the morbid matter accumulates in such a quantity that the job of its elimination goes beyond the capacity of normal channels then the body performs this job with the help of other abnormal channels. Therefore Common Cold is a process of elimination of morbid matter from the body and is an indication that our eliminative organs need our support for better performance. Morbid matters accumulate in the body due to improper blood circulation caused by the absence of exercise which is virtually the basic cause of Common Cold.

Usually it is observed that most of the patients of Common Cold suffer from Constipation or digestive disorders also. Therefore, the removal of constipation should be the main aim of treatment. The principal cause of common cold is neither the change of weather nor any thing else of this type. Actually it is the accumulation of morbid matter caused by the disorders of G.I.T.. Sometimes common cold is produced by apparently walking in scorching sun shine, drenching in rains, waking up till late hours in night or walking in cold. Virtually these external causes may be regarded merely as a spark over a heap of gun powder.

Treatment:
Since the main cause of Common Cold is the lethargy of eliminative organs mainly of intestines therefore, on noticing the symptoms of common cold the cleansing of stomach should be taken up. If an individual co-operates in cleansing process of Nature by performing Enema, Kunjala and Jala Neti & Kapalbhati etc.. and gives rest to his digestive system by observing fast since the very beginning of cold, he gets rid of this problem within 48 hours. During fast half lemon juice mixed with a glass of warm water may be taken several times a day. One-two spoon honey may be added to this if desired. It will be better to revert to normal daily meals after taking only fruits or Dalia and green vegetable for one day after fast.

The Chronic patients of Common Cold or the patients with recurrent cold should cleanse their bowels by taking lemon water enema daily morning. Hot foot bath and steam inhalation are the specific treatments of Common Cold and may be taken on alternate days in a week.

After doing Kunjala, Jala Neti and Sutra Neti empty stomach, first to fifth Kriyas of Udara Shakti Vikasaka exercises described in SukshmaVyayama should be practised. Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Dhanurasana, Vajrasana, Mandukasana, Gornukhasana, Ardhamatsyendrasana and Matsyasana etc. are beneficial for this disease. Laghu Shankhaprakshalana may be performed once a week. Ghrit neti may be practised with cow`s ghee in the evening.

Surya Namaskar may be practised daily in the morning. The practice of Suryabhedana and Bhastrika Pranayama alongwith Agnisara is also very effective. One should avoid excess physical work in the condition of Common Cold and try to maximally breath through Right Swara (Surya Nadi) till the disease is fully cured.