Vd. Aanandita Budhiraja

BEAT THE WINTER WITH THE HEAT OF AYURVEDA

- Vd. Aanandita Buddhiraja

This winter, follow the principles of Ayurveda and Enjoy the season of abundant Vegetables, Hot Beverages & Traditional Sweets

The winters can be really chilly and our body adapts during the cold weather. Lets provide it a helping hand by planning our meals ayurvedically.

Ayurveda, the science of life, suggests an ideal winter platter have been to give our systems the required boost. Knowledge from ancient and modern researches of Ayurveda are presented here.

Hemanta and shishir Ritu : The Winter months

(magha-phagun-chaitravaishakha – Winter Months according to Hindu Calender) (November-December-January-February Winter Months according to Modern Calender)

1. Body massage & steam Bath:

Beginning the day with a regular light body massage with oil, succeeded with a steam bath (swedana) gives a calming sense to the morning chills.

Sitting or walking in winter sun is very relaxing after the bath.

2. staying Physically Active:

Doing mild exercises and some breath-work helps keep the insides warm. This brings in freshness and liveliness to be active throughout the day.

3. staying in or staying Covered:

One should not be exposed to the cold environment directly. Keeping the body covered prevents from the ailments of winter season.

4. local Application:

Paste of Aguru (Aquilaria agallocha) and Kesar (Crocus stavis) The ignited digestive fire, Jatharagni suggests we consume heavy meals during these months. The appetite increases and we are hungry repeatedly. Heavy melas, guru aahar (kaphaja ahaar) should be consumed, otherwise the strong Jatharagni begins to digest the body tissues, leading to weakness and emaciation.

This metabolism should be kept in balance by doing regular exercise and avoiding excess of ‘bad’ kapha promoting diets, otherwise we are just one step away from going fab to all flab.

Ayurvedic diet:

1. Non-Vegetarian Diet: Properly cooked bird or animal flesh, or Soup of meat of birds or animals for the warmth.

2. Vegetarian Diet:

I. Though, all 6 six tastes should be taken in balance, 3 tastes for consumption during this season are preferably advised – • Sweet • Sour • Salty

“For Maintaining Balance of All 6 Tastes: Cumin, Coriander, Ginger, Hing (Asafoetida), Ajwan, Turmeric, Fenugreek, Garam Masala, Cinnamon, Clove And Cardamom.”

II. Dry Fruits/Seeds/Nuts Breakfast rich in Dry-Fruits, Nuts and Seeds maintain warmth throughout the day: • Dates – Khajur Figs – Anjeer • Sesame Seeds – Til Cashew Nuts- Kaju • Walnuts – Akhrot Almonds - Badaam • Pistachio – Pista Forty-Nut - Chilgoza • Black Currant – Kali Kishmish Currant – Munakka • Raisin- Kishmish Peanuts – Mungphali Beat the Winter

III. Dairy Products • Milk Balances Kapha

• Ghee, butter • Cottage Cheese IV. Vegetable Soups & Stews • Moong Dal Soup • Broccoli Soup • Mushroom Soup • Sweet Corn Soup • Mix Vegetable Soup • Tomato-Carrot-Beetroot Soup

V. Other Winter Delicacies: • Sweets & Kheer -> Milk-Rice Kheer; Urad Dal Kheer • Tea spiced with Black Cardamom, Black Pepper, Cinnamon • Pinni- Winter special Dry • Fruit Ladoo (with a bit of Ashwagandha added in it) • Chyawanprash • Milk boiled with kesar or Turmeric or chhuara (dates)- to be consumed at night

** For Kids: Avoid giving them brandy or any alcohol to keep them warm. Instead give them 1-2 drops of shilajeet (available in ayurvedic stores) with ½ cup of milk.

To be Avoided or taken in minimal quantities:

A lot of cakes, pies and sweets and puddings during the winters may cause chest congestion due to the accumulation of kapha dosha. This dushita kapha tends to melt in the upcoming spring season and cause disease. Therefore recommended.

lifestyle additions:

- 10– 20 minutes warm up before pranayama & exercises. Warm up before Pranayma prevents catching cold. - Agnisaar kriya - Udavartan – dry scrubbing • (Cosmetic Relevance) Ayurvedic O3 Scrubbing • (Dosha Relevance) staying in moderation is highly

Avoid sleeping during day time- they promote kapha. Avoid super oily foods.

When we look towards our Mother Nature, we understand that winters are meant to take care of what is inside. The life on the planet during winters is dormant on the outside, but the flora and fauna conserve their energy to focus on the life within. Similarly with us, human beings, we need to prepare ourselves for the year ahead, and winters is the best time to do so.