What I Take When I Get a Cold
Jun 12, 2026
I'm finally on the other side of a week-long bout of sickness. I rarely get sick so when I do, I take it seriously.
For me, sickness always starts in my throat (my khavaiguna, or weak space). A sore throat and fatigue are the first signs - if it progresses, it moves up into a runny nose and sinus pressure, and then drops into my lungs with a ticklish, dry cough. Finally, a productive cough with yellowish phlegm in the throat or nose signals an infection has settled in.
Here's my typical self-treatment plan for a generic cold or flu:
- Cancel everything and GO TO BED. This can be the hardest step for me - admitting I'm sick and stopping. If I resist this step and keep going, then frankly, all is lost - I am GOING to get sicker. However, if I cancel everything and go to bed, I may be able to make a quick turn-around.
- Kalmegha, or Andrographis paniculata - for immune suypport. This powerhouse herb is known for its antiviral, antibacterial and antiinflammatory effects. It is part of the classical Ayurveda formula Sudarshana, which targets fever and other flu-like symptoms. An incredibly bitter herb, it's best used in combination like in Banyan's Immune Strong formula.
- Licorice tea (and stop talking!) - to soothe the throat. Licorice herb is one of the main ingredients in Throat Coat tea, which adds the excellent herbs marshmallow (not the candy!) and slippery elm.
- Talisadi with honey - for dry cough. This combination of gently warming herbs is a classic for a dry cough. Mix 1/2 teaspoon with a teaspoon of honey and lick it over the course of 30 minutes or so. It is soothing AND tastes delicious.
- Amalaki (also known as amla) - for the vitamin C. This herb is actually a dried fruit, and it's one of the three ingredients in Triphala. It reduces excess Pitta dosha, and It is very high in vitamin C. I take 1/2 teaspoon in a little warm water at bedtime.
- Lots and lots of herbal tea - for hydration and good-friend-herbal support. It's so vitally important to keep fluids running through us when we're sick. Some of my favorite teas are lemon balm, honeybush, raspberry leaf, and chamomile in the evening.
- Eat warm, cooked, easy-to-digest foods - for healing power and to reduce āma. By definition, when you have a cold or flu, digestive power is reduced and there is more toxicity inside. It's really important not to make life harder for the body by eating heavy, large meals. Grandma's chicken noodle soup and kitchariboth make the cut!
Now that I'm over the hump and my energy is returning, I have MUCH to share with you in the days ahead.
Keep your ears out for more from me about....
- The Inner Wisdom Retreat for Women: 3 Pillars of Vibrancy, July 31-August 2, in the gorgeous Virginia foothills
- Foundations of Vedic Chanting, a 6-week online introductory course with me starting June 24
- A free webinar "Perimenopause from an Ayurveda Perspective" coming in August - such needed info!
- Panchakarma Healing Retreat in India, with me and my own dear doctor, November 4-27. I just bought my airline ticket - prices are NOT as bad as I feared!
- Photos from our fabulous Vedic Wisdom Retreat that happened in May in Taos, New Mexico with my teacher Dr. Ramkumar.
