Can I Prevent Frequent Colds?

How do i prevent getting colds?

• This is my 4th cold this year and it's really annoying me. I've read on other questions for this to eat vegetables etc. but i do... It's not like my immune system is bad because I never catch anything else other than a lot of colds (last year I think I had about 12) My dad has told me it's because I don't get enough fresh air, could that be why or is he just pulling my leg? But I live in the middle of nowhere anyway so i'm not gonna go out just to go see some sheep or something.

• Answer:

  Ayurveda: Colds are a kapha-vata disorder, says Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., director of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He explains that when you get a cold when your body has an excess of kapha's cool, moist characteristic, causing a stuffy or runny nose and lots of sneezing. And, he says, excess vata energy reduces reduces agni, or gastric fire, s0 you get the chills. But according to Dr. Lad, ginger can reduce excess kapha and restore agni, making it "the best cold medicine for colds and flus." Here is Dr. Lad's recipe for ginger tea; Add just under 1/2 teaspoon each of ginger powder, fennel seeds and cinnamon and a pinch of clove powder to one cup of hot water. Let the herb steep for about ten minutes then strain them out the tea before drinking. Drink as much of the tea as you wish, Dr. Lad says. because aspirin and ginger are both blood thinners, Dr. Lad recommends drinking ginger tea at least two hours before or after you take a dose of aspirin.