Are the rising swine flu casualties giving you jitters? Not sure how you can avoid falling prey to the growing epidemic? First and foremost, there is absolutely no need to panic.

Watching television to keep tabs on the progress of H1N1, particularly in the badly affected areas like Pune, is all right. But don't let the hysterical anchors get under your skin and start wearing a mask each time you step out of the house, unless you are visiting a very crowded area. Then too, the mask will protect you only for a specified period.

Without giving in to the swine flu panic and creating a stockpile of Tamiflu and N-95 masks at home and enriching pharma companies, there are a number of other measures you can take to ensure that the virus is not able to get you, irrespective of which part of the world you are in.

It is essential to remember that all kinds of viruses and bacteria can attack you when your immune system is weak, or they can weaken it easily. Hence, building your own defences would be a better, more practical, long-lasting and much more economical idea.

Here are some easy steps you can take to tackle a flu virus of any kind, including swine flu. It is not necessary to follow all the steps at once. You can pick and choose a combination of remedies that suit you best. However, if you are already suffering from flu, these measures can help only up to an extent. And, if you have been infected by H1N1, visiting a hospital and staying in solitary confinement is a must.

1. Have five duly washed leaves of Tulsi (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum sanctum) everyday in the morning. Tulsi has a large number of therapeutic properties. It keeps throat and lungs clear and helps in infections by way of strengthening your immunity.

2. Giloi (medicinal name Tinospora cordifolia) is a commonly available plant in many areas. Take a one-foot long branch of giloi, add five to six leaves of Tulsi and boil in water for 15-20 minutes or long enough to allow the water to extract its properties. Add black pepper and sendha (salt used during religious fasts), rock or black salt, or Misri (crystalised sugar like lumps to make it sweet) according to taste. Let it cool a bit and drink this kadha (concoction) while still warm. It will work wonders for your immunity. If giloi plant is not available, get processed giloi powder from Hamdard or others, and concoct a similar drink once a day.

3. A small piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken once or twice a month. It can be swallowed with water by adults while children can take it along with mashed potatoes or banana because they will find it difficult to have it without any aides. Please remember camphor is not to be taken everyday, but only once each season, or once a month.

4. Those who can take garlic, must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning. To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like the earlier measures mentioned.

5. Those not allergic to milk, must take a glass of hot or lukewarm milk every night with a small measure of haldi (turmeric).

6. Aloe vera (gwarpatha) too is a commonly available plant. Its thick and long, cactus-like leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon gel taken with water daily can work wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.

7. Take homeopathic medicines — Pyrogenium 200 and Inflenzium 200 in particular — five tablets three times a day, or two-three drops three times a day. While these are not specifically targeted at H1N1 either, these work well as preventive against common flu virus.

8. Do Pranayam daily (preferably under guidance if you are already not initiated into it) and go for morning jog/walk regularly to keep your throat and lungs in good condition and body in fine fettle. Even in small measures, it will work wonders for your body's resistance against all such diseases which attack the nose, throat and lungs, besides keeping you fit.

9. Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. Since fresh Amla is not yet available in the market (not for another three to four months), it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amla juice which is commonly available nowadays.

10. Last but not the least, wash your hands frequently every day with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds; especially before meals, or each time after touching a surface that you suspect could be contaminated with flu virus such as a door handle or a knob/handle, especially if you have returned from a public place or used public transport. Alcohol-based hand cleaners should be kept handy at all times and used until you can get soap and warm water.

Indian homes are usually stocked with spices and herbs which are used in everyday cooking. But these can also be used to make desi decoctions which not just improve overall health but also help relieve ailments. Here are five such Ayurvedic kadhas that you should try. 

What is kadha?

Kadha or karha is a drink wherein herbs and spices are boiled usually in water for a very long time to extract all their benefits. The choice of herbs is based on what ailment you are suffering from. The taste also varies accordingly. Once boiled, you can sip the kadha multiple times during the day. You can even store it and then heat it just before you have to drink it.

Dry ginger, black pepper and honey kadha for cold and cough

Gita Ramesh, Joint Managing Director of Kairali Ayurvedic Group and author of The Ayurvedic Cookbook recommends making a decoction of dry ginger (sonth), black pepper and honey. According to her, ‘Both dry ginger and pepper are pungent in taste and excellent for pacifying Vata and Kapha. They help maintain respiratory system’s health and enhance digestion and circulation.’ These ingredients also generate heat in the body.

Steps:

Add dry ginger and black pepper to water and boil the mixture till it reduces to half.
Add honey to it and mix well.
Have this kadha 3-4 times a day to get relief from cold and cough in the winter.
Herbal kadha with mixed herbs to increase immunity

If you often fall ill, it means your body’s immunity is low. You can strengthen it with the help of this herbal kadha which has a mix of several Ayurvedic herbs. These pacify the Vata and Kapha, stimulate digestion, increase immunity and also detox our body. This herbal mixture is also offered by the brand Kairali as its herbal tea.

Steps:

To boiling water add green cardamom, cinnamon, dry ginger and white pepper.
Let them boil for some time and then switch off the gas.
If you do not like the taste, you can add a few drops of honey to it.
Drink this every day to improve immunity.
Fenugreek and turmeric kadha to control blood sugar level

Are you prediabetic who constantly needs to monitor their sugar level? This kadha is suited for you. It has methi and haldi which help keep the body’s sugar level in-check says Gita. You can have it first thing in the morning for better results.

Steps:

Get powdered fenugreek and turmeric in equal quantities.
Add them to milk and boil it.
Have one glass every morning to see results.
Saunf and ajwain kadha for better digestion

If you often suffer from stomach ailments such as an upset stomach, gas, indigestion, constipation, bloating it is often due to the fact that your digestive system isn’t functioning well. To rectify this, you can make this effective kadha of saunf or fennel seeds and ajwain or carom seeds. Both have carminative properties which prevent the formation of gas and help in better digestion.

Steps:

To boiling water add one teaspoon each of ajwain and saunf.
Let the decoction boil for several minutes and then add honey to it for taste.
Drink this after your meals for improving digestion.
Holy basil and clove kadha for fever

Fever is quite common in winter months but this decoction can help treat it. Recommended by Swami Ramdevji in the book Secrets Of Indian Herbs for Good Health it is easy to make and allows the body to sweat which helps get rid of one’s fever.

Steps:

Take 7 tulsi leaves and 5 cloves or laung and crush them.
Add them to a glass of boiling water.
Let the water boil till it reduces to half and then add a pinch of rock salt to it.
Have this kadha twice a day for 2-3 days.