Preparing for Winter with Ayurveda

Winter is a quiet, shimmering pause in the rhythm of the world, a season that invites both reflection and renewal. The air, crisp and pure, carries with it the promise of fresh beginnings, while the earth, blanketed in soft snow or muted in shades of grey, seems to rest and breathe in a deeper silence.

It’s a time when the simplest things become the most precious: the warmth of a cup in your hands, the sound of the wind against the window, the glow of a fire flickering in the hearth. Winter invites you to slow down, to savor the quiet, and to find beauty in the stillness.

Winter season is known as Hemanta ritu in ayurveda, the cold atmosphere causes the body to conserve its internal heat through constriction. This results in an increase in digestive fire. If adequate heavy foods are not consumed during this season, there is a risk that the intensified digestive fire could potentially burn away cells and tissues. Hemanta is the time when kapha accumulates and pitta is pacified. the duration of night is long when compared to other Ritus. Due to this, feeling of hunger starts from the early morning.

We can start by using warming spices while cooking staples, such as Ginger, Cinnamon, Pepper, Turmeric, Garlic, Clove, Basil, Rosemary.

Herbal teas  may be used to warm the body frequently, like ginger tea, cinnamon tea, basil

·       Herbal tea with a combination of sliced ginger, crushed pepper, two cloves will be beneficial. Add a pinch of jaggery or molasses.

·       Boil a couple of cinnamon sticks and 2–3 cloves in water for 10–15 minutes. Sweeten with  palm sugar or molasses.

Diet in Winter season

·       Consume foods that are sweet, sour, salty, and oily.

·       We should regularly eat preparations of cow’s milk, sugarcane juice, fats, oils (like sesame oil), beverages made with molasses & rice              flour, pastries made with wheat.

·       We should also regularly drink warm water throughout the day in winter.

·       Well-seasoned meat soup of a healthy animal is also a wonderful option .You can often opt for sea foods such as crab, shrimp or                     lobster which are also good sources of hot potency.

·       Vegetable soup made up of sour vegetables, onion, garlic, potato, carrot, leeks, squash, kale are ideal. You can make use of other                    seasonal vegetables.

·       Prepare gingerbread cookies.

·       Include more garlic, onions, radish, fennel, coriander, capsicum in your daily diet.

·       Fruits like apple, pear, gooseberry are good to use.

Lifestyle

·       Engage in body and head massages.

·       Perform vigorous exercise routines.

·       Apply gooseberry powder to the body before bathing, followed by a hot water bath.

·       Wear thick clothing made up of wool or silk.

·       Spend time in the morning sun rays.

·       We should avoid foods and drinks that are very light.

·       We should also avoid fasting in winters.

·       Raw foods, and uncooked salads can unfortunately dampen Agni.

Home remedies to treat cold and flu

Try to diagnose the disease first by finding out the root cause of your cold and flu. Then try to avoid that cause and start your treatment. For this you may need to consult a competent ayurvedic doctor.

Keep in mind that vitiation of kapha dosha results in the nasal congestion and sneezing. Whereas vitiation of vata impairs the body’s digestive fire which results in chills and fever.

Following are a few simple advice which have proved quite efficient in treating cold and flue:

·       Make a herbal drink by boiling 5 basil leaves, 1 piece crushed dry ginger, 1 teaspoon crushed pepper in 2 glass of water and reduce             that mixture into one glass. Then take 60 ml morning and evening by adding a pinch of salt or honey.

·       Mix 1 teaspoon turmeric with honey and have it before bed time.

·       Gargle warm salt water with a pinch of turmeric powder.

·       Put 2-3 drops of oregano or eucalyptus oil in water then vaporize your upper respiratory tracts.

·       Prepare a ball with dry ginger powder, jaggery, a pinch of turmeric and a little amount of ghee. Make a ball using this mixture and try            to chew one ball daily.

·       Drink hot soup by adding ingredients like onion, garlic, ginger.

   Practice jala neti, a cleansing therapy using water through nostrils. For this use a neti pot. Warm saline water is useful for doing jal neti. Stand over a sink or in the shower. Tilt your head at a 45-degree angle to one side. Your forehead should be at the same level as your chin. Keep your mouth open so you can breathe while using the neti pot.  Place the spout of the Neti pot in one nostril. Gently tilt the Neti pot to allow the saline water to flow into the nostril. The water should flow through the nasal passages and out of the other nostril. Breathe through your mouth and relax. The flow of water will help wash out mucus, dust, and impurities from the nasal passages. Once the water has flowed through one side, remove the Neti pot and tilt your head slightly to drain the water from that nostril. Now, switch sides: tilt your head in the opposite direction and place the Neti pot in the other nostril. Repeat the process until all the water has flowed through both nostrils. After both nostrils have been rinsed, gently blow your nose to clear any remaining water and mucus from the nasal passages. Dry your face with a towel and take a moment to relax. For childrens above the age of 12 can practice this.

Yoga for winter 

According to Ayurveda, winter is a time when you can exercise at your fullest strength. Engaging in yoga can help protect you from the chill of the season. During winter, practicing yogasanas that help warm up the body is especially beneficial. Postures that you can practice

·       Surya Namaskar

·       Padahastasana

·       Paschimottanasana

·       Ardha Matsyendrasana

·       Vakrasana

·       Mandookasana

·       Pavanamuktasana

·        Dhanurasana

Your Prakriti and Winter

Vata Prakriti

·       In winter season coldness will be more so chance of increase of vata and kapha is more. During the late winter dryness will be more so along with coldness vata will show cracks on foots, dryness on skin, various joint disorders.

·       Take food which are warm, oily and heavy.

·       Hearty, grounding meals with sweet potato or carrot and beetroot

·       Stew with warming spices (e.g., cinnamon, cloves) would be the best to include.

·       Incorporate other root vegetables, warming spices, and whole grains.

Pitta Prakriti

·       Winter is more pleasing to pitta prakriti. But use of too much spicy foods will hamper the inherent nature of pitta. So moderate level of spicy foods are preferable.

·       Use naturally cooling foods like pomegranate or sweet potato, but in moderation, since winter is a less aggravating season for Pitta. Still avoid too much sour and salt.

Kapha Prakriti

·       Choose warm and spicy foods like ginger garlic infused soups. Increase warm spices like black pepper and turmeric in dishes which helps to heat your body.

Kapha pitta prakriti

·       Include warming yet light foods, like soups with ginger or turmeric and steamed vegetables like carrot and pumpkin.

Pitta Kapha Prakriti

·       Enjoy grounding foods like soups and steamed vegetables to counter balance Kapha without causing heaviness.

Vata pitta Prakriti

·       Warmer, grounding foods like soup of pulses and rice with very mild spices are ideal.

Vata kapha Prakriti

·       Warm soups, stews are beneficial. Use spices liberally to keep warm.

Are you curious to know about your body’s unique blend of nature’s elements and energies? You can find out yours with the help of the ‘Prakriti’ questionnaire.

https://www.cognitoforms.com/AyurTreatment1/PrakritiQuestionnaireOnMindAndBodyTypeAccordingToAyurveda