Every time I fall sick, I am reminded of how much we interfere with the body’s natural intelligence. This time was no different. A simple change in sleeping arrangement, a cold breeze through the window, and I was dealing with a cold followed by a throat infection. What followed, however, reaffirmed my long-held belief in fasting as the body’s first medicine.
Of course, one could argue that if I hadn’t slept in that room that night, I would have been fine. And I agree. But something else could have happened on some other day. That is simply how life unfolds.
Every time I get sick, for anything, I try fasting first. This is an ancient remedy in Ayurveda. It is called Lankhanam in Sanskrit. It is quite simple. One should not eat anything or drink anything other than water. I do make an exception though and have coffee couple of times, as I do on other days.
Lankhanam is to be done up to five days depending on severity and recovery. If there has been no or little recovery within five days, then we can resort to medicines, be it Ayurvedic or allopathic. In my case, I go to antibiotics straight away if my infection or fever hasn't reduced substantially within that time.
Yes, it is hard. But it is more hard mentally than physically. In a modern society, when eating three meals a day is the norm, skipping even one of them bothers many. When I do it, I tell myself very strongly that this is to avoid taking pills. To me, taking pills is taboo.
Medicines, especially when used casually, do more harm than good in the long run. They progressively reduce the body’s capacity to self-heal. The way nature exists, sickness once in a while is part of how it is.
Bacteria and viral bodies are also part of nature. They attack animals and try to live off and prosper. But all animals, after allowing them after a short while kick in their immune systems and throw antii bodies to destroy all bacteria or viruses like in a war. Other than human beings, no other animal takes medicines, other than eating herbs in some cases when digestion is disturbed.
All our bodies are designed to self-heal. When sickness is high, Lankhanam allows the body to focus all its energy towards the foreign bodies and repair damage, if any. Eating food diverts energy and focus towards digestion. When you eat food, digestion takes priority mostly.
This does not mean I am against medicines. Humans are the most intelligent species. We have progressively figured out and enhanced average life span through timely medicine. Surgeries surely improve outcomes for people who meet with accidents or suffer from serious ailments for example. But you don't need them all the time.
I feel, at least for something as a common cold followed by infection and resultant fever, one does not have to pop pills. Just after one day of fasting, all my high fever and chills are gone. Another day should make sure it does not come back with a vengeance.
And hunger troubles more on the first day than the second. It is doable. You may want to consider giving Lankhanam a chance next time there is some sickness at home. It works like miracle and far more effective than medicines.
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