The world is unlocking and most of the people have gotten back to living their normal lives, except with a little more precaution now. However, a little carelessness is being observed amongst people, which clearly justifies the rapidly rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. The situations are so worse that all the beds in hospitals are occupied and there is no room left for new patients. The situations are difficult to handle. This is why, it has now become the duty of the citizens to follow the preventive measures strictly because undoubtedly, prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, the best way to avoid getting affected by the novel coronavirus boosting up your immunity. In the same regard, the ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to Dr. Vivek Mantare, BHMS and BAMS, General Physician, and here is what he recommends.
How to Boost Immunity?
Dr. Mantare explains that our body is that machine, which is capable of healing on its own and keeping itself healthy, provided that our diet, lifestyle and daily routine are proper. All these also help in enhancing one’s immune system. Also, there are certain simple yet special food items available in almost every household, which can be very helpful in keeping this disease away or even help in a faster recovery in those who have already been affected with COVID-19.
Our expert also says that apart from this, maintaining proper personal hygiene and ensuring sanitization of your surroundings is necessary. It is important to wear a mask while stepping out of the house. It is also important to understand that the mask should always be above the nose, i.e. it should cover both nose and mouth properly. People should not touch it again and again with their hands. Hands should be washed thoroughly and immediately after cleaning the house or any other items bought from the market. Bathing is also necessary once you are back home.
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
In this unsafe environment, Dr. Mantare says that one must prefer eating simple and safely prepared home-cooked food, over junk, and spicy food available outside. Our ‘Hindustani Thali’ (basic Indian meals as were prepared by our grandmother) is full of all types of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Therefore, the consumption of traditional Indian food is recommended. Other important things apart from this are:
- Avoid eating non-seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Consume only seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Ensure regular intake of milk and ghee in your daily diet
- Include curry leaves, lemonade, buttermilk, and amla (Indian gooseberry) in your diet to increase the amount of vitamin C naturally in the body.
- Increase the use of hot spices like ginger, basil, cinnamon in food.
Consumption of Hot Water and Turmeric Milk
Drinking warm or lukewarm water is always beneficial for health, but in this era of the corona, it is said to be a panacea remedy. As far as possible hot water should be consumed instead of cold or normal water. Besides this, drinking slightly hot or lukewarm milk, with ginger and turmeric added to it, before sleeping is quite beneficial.
Ensure Physical Fitness
To increase the body's immunity, control of food alone is not enough. Light exercise or yoga should also be practiced regularly. This way, the muscles of the body and all the systems will remain healthy. If all this is not possible, a little exercise and pranayama will suffice and will be helpful. It is to be noted that pranayama is to be practiced only after exercise or yoga, otherwise, it won’t benefit much.
Tips to Remember
Drink as much warm water as possible. Turmeric or golden milk can be consumed during bedtime.
- Use more turmeric, garlic, ginger, etc.
- In case of sore throat, slightly stir-fry a small piece of ginger, keep it in your mouth and suck on it, to extract its juice in the mouth itself.
- Cloves can also be used if ginger is not available. You can take clove powder, mix it with honey, and consume it for a sore throat.
- Drink a basil decoction. You can also add black pepper, ginger, cinnamon to it. It is one of the best ways to boost immunity.
- Immunity is also strengthened by using licorice (mulethi), Giloy, Tulsi, and Ashwagandha.
Therefore, boosting your immunity is the best way to stay away from this rapidly spreading virus. All the aforementioned things will also be helpful in a faster recovery of the person. Also, the best way to avoid the infection is by staying at home as much as possible.
