BREATHLESS IN DELHI

Air quality in Delhi NCR, in fact in other parts of country is dismal. Here are a few simple measures that you can take to curb the effects inside your house/office.

Breathing in this rancid air can cause lung/respiratory diseases, cough, irritation in eyes and several other ailments. While we can wear masks outside we need to keep inside of our homes and offices safe as well. Read on to know how.

1) Invest in an air purifier. There are several in the market, but we would recommend the ones that have either HEPA or EPA technology. The present level of particulate matter is 2.5 microns, which is very small in size. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filter traps particles as small as 0.3 microns. While HEPA is the best option to buy, EPA (Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filters are also effective in filtering particles of size 2.5 microns.

2) Essential oils can be another solution for combating the effects of air pollution. Aromatherapist and chakra healer, Jhelum Biswas Bose suggests two ways in which oils like rosemary, cinnamon, eucalyptus and lemon can be used. First, mix few drops of each oil in water and spray it in the house frequently.

Second she recommends making your own potpourri. Take dried sage, rosemary leaves, lavender flowers, resins like myrrh and benzoin/loban, sandalwood wood/powder, havan samagri and add these essential oils to them. You can make this potpourri in separate bowls with crystals like rose quartz, amethyst, moonstone and black tourmaline. Place them in different rooms to cleanse the air.

3) Deteriorating air quality might cause breathing problems. Bose recommends practising nasyam to deal with them. The ayurvedic procedure involves administering medication through nostrils. These medicines are usually in the form of powders and herbs blended in oil. To know more about the process read our story “Nose Job”.

Bose also suggests trying steam inhalation adding 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil. The essential oil can help in reducing the inflammation of airways and clear the mucus. Know more about this versatile oil, read our story “Lavender Dreams”.

4) Avoid burning incense and candles as they will only add to the particulate matter worsening the problem. However, you can burn beeswax candles, they burn slowly without any smoke and scent. They are believed to ionise the air, separating the electrons/particles, and neutralising toxic compounds from the air.

5) While cleaning the place instead of using vacuums or brooms start doing wet mopping. Frequently doing it during the day can help reduce air pollution in the house.

6) Indoor plants like aloe vera, bamboo palm, peace lily and spider plant can be the best medium to purify air and protect you from the side-effects caused by toxins.