‘Ayurvedic health’ guidelines to stay healthy in winter

Winters are accompanied by dwelling inside the blankets, sitting beside a hearth, enjoying the pleasant sun and lazing around. However, it also brings with it cold, cough, joint pains, rough, dry skin, indigestion, etc. Dr.Pradeep Neupane (BAMS), one of the most experienced Ayurvedic Doctors in Australia said, “This is the season of Kapha, which means our solid and fluid energy is more active. When balanced, kapha supplies strength, vigour, and stability to both body and mind.

This subtle energy is responsible for lubricating the joints, moisturizing the skin, and maintaining immunity. However, if our kapha becomes unbalanced, we may become sluggish and contract mucus-related illnesses i.e. cold and cough.”

He further added, “If the weather is windy it can also provoke vata (movement energy) and lead to dry-rough skin, joint pain, indigestion, etc. Therefore it is very important to adapt diet and life-style that balances Kapha and Vata energy in our body and mind during the winter season.”

With the help of Dr.Pradeep Neupane, we bring before you, some simple, yet important Ayurvedic guidelines.

Tips to cure Coughs and Colds

1) Keep warm at all the times, ready to break into a sweat.

2) Eat only cooked, warm food.

3) Drink boiled, warm water only.

4) Drink tea made with fresh ginger, turmeric, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, lemon juice and honey at least thrice a day.

5) Include products like Chyavanprash and herbal preparations like Sitopaladi Churna, Talisadi Churna, Laxmi Vilas Ras, etc.to increase immunity.
Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, if cough and cold persist even after following these steps.

Lifestyle to follow in Winter-

Ayurveda recommends-
-Waking up a little later,(around 6-7 a.m.) than you would in other seasons.

-Upon rising, it is recommended to scrape the tongue to remove the dead bacteria and yeast that have accumulated overnight, and to improve circulation to the visceral organs.

– Brush your teeth with toothpaste made from heating herbs such as cinnamon, clove, bilva, and haritaki.

-Drink one to two cups of warm water with ginger paste, lemon juice and honey to stimulate bowel movement and energise the body.

-Give yourself a quick massage by rubbing warmed sesame oil all over the body (the oil is warm and good for all body-types in the winter). Let the oil soak in to the skin for 5 to 10 minutes, then have a hot shower and exfoliate the skin.

-Before breakfast, it is recommended to do some vigorous exercises, especially, pranayama, meditation and yoga asanas such as surya namaskara (sun salutation) and poses that open the chest, throat, and sinuses and remove congestion in the respiratory organs. Try fish, boat, bow, locust, lion, and camel poses, along with a shoulder stand and maybe even a headstand, if you can do it.

Follow these steps with a systematic relaxation and a few rounds of bhastrika, the breath of fire. This breathing practice builds heat and eliminates mucus from the respiratory tract.

Diet to follow in winter

It is important to eat a nutritious breakfast after yoga and meditation,

• Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal, barley, cornmeal, tapioca, or poha (basmati rice flakes) mildly spiced with cinnamon.

• An hour after breakfast, boil 1/2 teaspoon of fresh or powdered ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of ground clove in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Drink this tea to increase your digestive fire, improve circulation, and reduce excess mucus. (Skip the tea if you have an ulcer or another inflammation-oriented problem).

• Incorporate whole wheat unyeasted bread, cottage cheese, steamed vegetables, warm soup cooked with ghee (clarified butter), and spicy food into your meals.

• Eat more protein like beans, tofu, eggs- and if you’re not a strict vegetarian, chicken, turkey, and fish.

• Add warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper to promote digestion. Opt for hot water, hot tea, and occasionally a hot cocoa or chai.
Avoid- cold drinks, fasting, late nights, naps, exposure to cold drafts and wind to stay active.

(Dr.Pradeep Neupane (BAMS) can be contacted at- 43 Vulture Street, West End, QLD-410, 07-33426048, 0452506389, www.vibrantayurveda.com.au, info@vibrantayurveda.com.au)