The wonder of AYURVEDA
- bey0ndM@gz!ne
- February 1, 2021
- Default, Health-Wellness
- 0 Comments
India’s ancient school of traditional medicine is one of the oldest models of holistic health care and is said to date as far back as three to five thousand years!
In Sanskrit ‘Ayur’ means life, and ‘Veda’ means science, which translates as “the science of life.”
Ayurvedic medicine is comprised of the five elements – earth, wind, fire, water and ether. These elements are said to be the basic principles of the universe and an important part of all living beings. These elements are manifested by three types of energy VATA, PITTA and KAPHA.
Winter – VATA
The colder months tend to bring along with them drying skin, joint pains and sinuses. As our sinuses begin to dry up our mucus membranes, get irritated, and produce more mucus! More mucus can mean more coughs, flus, colds and a build up of bacteria. Nature, in all her simplicity and bounty, is ever so magical!
By choosing to consume foods that are particular to the cold season we can avoid these winter issues.
Here are four simple winter warmers that help build immunity, improve digestion, maintain a clean gut and keep us from getting sick, especially after overindulging during the festive season.
- Grounding veggies
- Squash
- Beets
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
All of which are heavy and dense, making them ideal for the VATA winter season. Brimming with nutrition, these veggies are rich in fibre, Vitamins A and C, and loaded with antioxidants.
Good Fats
A diet high in good fats may sound intimidating, but in all honesty, there is nothing to fear! During the colder months, a higher quantity of fat can help provide the body with insulation and the nutrients needed to rebuild, repair and rejuvenate the body: all in preparation for the upcoming spring months. Including small amounts of healthy fats like coconut oil, ghee and nut butters into your daily diet are just a few ways to implement this into your lifestyle!
Probiotics and Prebiotics
In ancient times, fermenting foods was a means to preserve fruits and vegetables for the winter.
Loaded with probiotics, fermented foods, such as Kimchi, Sauerkraut and Miso supports gut microbial immunity and also helps keep the body warm.
Along with probiotic rich fermented foods it is important that we also add some prebiotics, such as leeks, onions, garlic and asparagus to feed the friendly bacteria in our gut. Probiotics are living strains of bacteria that add to the population of good bacteria in your digestive system.
Prebiotics are specialised plant fibres that act as food for the good bacteria. This stimulates growth among the pre-existing good bacteria.
Basically, probiotics and prebiotics both go hand-in-hand; probiotic foods and supplements add soldiers to your army, and prebiotics give the soldiers the support they need.
Powering up with protein
If you are vegetarian, I strongly recommend adding protein rich foods such as spirulina, nuts, seeds and yoghurt into your daily diet. Proteins are the building blocks for our body, and are essential nutrients needed for bodily strength and skin health, especially during colder periods.
