Weather woes

The weather has been playing naughty over the past week. The scorching sun was taking its toll on the poor mortals with heat strokes being reported at different parts of the State when it began raining cats and dogs all on a sudden. The hide and seek has anyway left people coughing and sneezing and battling other viral infections. We asked for a few experts and gathered some easy home remedies to keep infections at bay as the summer rains pour down. Medicines are best avoided as common flu has no real cure. Instead, devouring a lot of ‘amla’ or Indian gooseberry can help build your immune system, says Dr Murali, Special Officer at Global Ayurveda Village in Kinfra. “Gooseberry, taken in raw from or as juice, can boost up your immunity. It is important to keep the natural defense of your body intact this season. You can also ground dried gooseberries and have it mixed in honey or hot water. You can also take a little of ‘triphala choorna’ which contains amla in the same way,” he says. Children are the most preferred incubators of viral sniffles. So do not hesitate to convey an emphatic no to tantrums for ice creams and cold shakes. “Let them drink a lot of lukewarm water and have spoonfuls of honey,” says Dr Murali. “Honey can do a lot of good when it comes to fighting viral afflictions. You can also soak dry black grapes overnight and let them have it in the mornings.”He advises parents to avoid bathing in hot water if the climate is not very cold. “It is always best to take your bath in normal water and even if you prefer a hot shower, be careful not to pour hot water over your head. For those suffering from cold or sore throat, having a cup of coffee made from tulsi leaves, dry ginger, pepper, palm jaggery and jeera will be soothing. While this helps to sweat out fever and relieve you of sore throat, you can always have it as a regular drink during rainy days, says Dr.Lalitha Appukuttan, specialist in Preventative Medicine. But, this home remedy will be effective only during the beginning stages of fever and cold,” she warns. “Inhaling steam from ‘panikoorka’ (Country Borage) is good for clearing blocked nose. Another hot coffee mix to get rid of sneezing and cold is gambooge (kudampuli), onion, pepper and jeera, she says. Dr MKC Nair, Director and Professor of Pediatrics, Child Development Centre, Medical College, says, “All children like the taste of honey and fortunately it’s a good remedy for cough and itchy throat. Sipping hot water is also good to some extend to keep them warm.” For children who are showing signs of cold and fever, it is advisable to cover their chest with warm clothes. During rainy season it is better to keep children away from ice creams, fruits like bananas, orange, watermelon and chilled soft drinks.