Give infections a rain check this monsoon: Immunity-boosting tips

“Rain, rain go away, come again another day, Little Johnny wants to play!”
This nursery rhyme reminds that no matter how much we like the monsoon, it does get in our way to work, one way or another. Either it’s the traffic, an untimely downpour, humidity, mosquitoes, or diseases.

Now, most of us love street food and don’t mind a plateful of piping hot street
chat patas now and then. The rain drops lure you to loosen up and get wet. You might be a different breed who loves watching the pitter-patter from the window while enjoying a homemade cup of coffee, you can’t run away from common infections like a cough, cold, fever, food poisoning, etc.

When the weather gets cold, metabolism gets sluggish and immunity is compromised. Digestive diseases go rampant in monsoon. Hence, special measures are required to boost immunity and here are seven of them:

• Yogurt and probiotics:
  Probiotics strengthen the population of healthy bacteria in your gut which prevents the growth of food poisoning causing bacteria.How and how much: A bowl of plain, unsalted yogurt with parathas, or with fresh fruits once a day, every day.
• Garlic:
  Allicin, a compound found in garlic, is extremely effective against seasonal infections and bacteria. It targets H. pylori which cause ulcers and cancers.How and how much: A clove with lukewarm water every day or 3 cloves in hot vegetable soup.
• Ginger:Ginger not only helps in a sore throat. It works wonders for internal inflammation — it reaches where topical ointments can’t.How and how much: A small cup of Ginger green tea twice a day is sufficient.
• Turmeric: Another item from kitchen pantry renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties is Turmeric. It is recommended to osteoarthritic and rheumatoid arthritic patients for the same reasons.How and how much: ½ Tsp of turmeric in lukewarm milk before you hit the hay.
• Sunflower seeds: These seeds are full of micronutrients like phosphorous, magnesium, vitamin E, and B6 which are powerful antioxidants. Sunflower seeds regulate and maintain immune system function.How and how much: Grind sunflower seeds to a powder and sprinkle on your daily salad. You could also mix 1 tbsp of it into the dough and make parathas.
• Jaggery: Sweet Ol’ jaggery of India is loaded with antioxidants and minerals like zinc and selenium which provide relief with symptoms of cold and cough.How and how much: Swap regular sugar with equal amount of jaggery in your milk or tea and drink it up.
• Amla: Amla is Jeff Bezos of Vitamin C — the richest source. It is extremely effective against viral and bacterial infections, mouth ulcers, dry skin & hair, and boosts immunity.How and how much: 2 Tsp of amla juice or one whole amla each day is enough.

Over to you

With wet and cold outside, your heart craves to play outside in rain and munch on deep-fried spicy snacks all day. However, with diseases so rife during this season, you need to be mindful of your health.

Don’t let the season blow away your immunity and keep you indoors. Keep an extra eye out for hygiene and stock your pantry with natural immunity-boosters. Prepare your inner Johnny from the inside and enjoy the showers to the fullest!