One key tenet of Ayurveda is that food is thought of as medicine. Thus, when you fall ill, food can be used to heal our bodies and and restore balance. The Ayurvedic remedy, Chyawanprash, is particularly useful for this. In fact, Chyawanprash was first described in the ancient Ayurvedic text, Charaka Samhita, within the section called The Place of Chikitsa. Chickitsa means treatment or medicine.
Chyawanprash has a number of healing properties, including the ability to build ojas (vitality) and boost the immune system and soothe cold and influenza symptoms, like coughing and sore throats. This versatile polyherbal jam even stands up to Western medicine. Here are some of the key reasons why.
Rich in Nutrients
One of the main reasons Chyawanprash is particularly effective against cold and influenza strains is due to its breadth of ingredients that are rich in nutrients. The prime ingredient, Amla or Indian gooseberry, is an important – if not the most important – medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of Ayurvedic medicine. This particular plant possesses potent antioxidant, polyphenol and flavonoid properties and is one of the richest sources of vitamin C in the world. The high concentrations of nutrients make this herbal jam helpful in boosting the immune system for prevention, healing and recovery.
Antimicrobial
Chyawanprash also contains a number of ingredients which are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic in nature. Amla and ginger, for example, help to kill pathogenic bacteria, while long pepper is believed to be effective against parasites and other infectious agents.
Soothes Coughs and Sore Throats
In addition to preventing and healing illness, Chyawanprash also works to soothe your symptoms. It is known to be particularly good for the lungs because “it nourishes the mucous membranes and helps keep the respiratory passages clean and clear.” In addition, sesame oil and honey are known to have soothing effects on sore throats while cardamom, ginger and amla are powerful ingredients that help to reduce inflammation.
Preventive Medicine
Chyawanprash is also beneficial as a preventive medicine. When researchers studied the effect of chyawanprash on healthy children, they found the children who received Chyawanprash showed more than 2 times protection from episodes of infections or allergy related conditions as compared to the control. Besides improving immunity, the kids also showed better percentage improvement in energy levels, physical fitness, strength, stamina and quality of life.
Using Chyawanprash for Cold and Cough
Whether you’re in the midst of a cold or flu, or are looking to boost your immune system to ward off illness, Chyawanprash is a popular natural remedy. To start incorporating Chyawanprash into your diet, take 1 to 2 teaspoons each morning on an empty stomach at least 15 minutes before breakfast. When choosing a brand of Chyawanprash, be sure to review its ingredients and authenticity for quality. The best Chyawanprash for cold and cough will have organic and wild-crafted ingredients, and will be made according to ancient Ayurvedic recipes.