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Ayurvedic hEALING 101:

3 SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE STRENGTH

Awesome Ayurveda | Beginner

By: HAYLEE MAGENDAS

We know it’s true; as the weather changes, we are called to rebalance and adjust our diet and lifestyle. This can be a hard time to manage for some, as the onset of the colder seasons can mean a heightened vulnerability to illness.

Luckily, we have some simple and natural home remedies you can use to strengthen your immune system and beat the cold and flu this winter season.  Managing your lifestyle accordingly during the changing seasons can help bring you into balance within and without. 

The Ayurvedic Perspective

From an Ayurvedic perspective, the cold and flu season begins as we start to transition from the hot, bright and intense summer months (governed by Pitta), into the autumn / fall (Vata) season.

As the seasons change, the qualities in and around us become cooler, drier, lighter, and windier. This transition can weaken our immunity and make us more susceptible to illness. When the winter (Kapha) season arrives with its qualities of cold, wet and damp, heaviness and stagnation—the onset of illness can increase even more.

HOW Each Dosha Reacts to The Seasons

Vata is cold and dry by nature, as such when the outside atmosphere is similar, Vata individuals tend to go out of balance.  Vata people need warmth & moisture to stay balanced.  They typically stay healthier in the spring and summer; whereas the fall and winter months require more nourishing attention.

Pitta is hot by nature and when it gets too warm outside in the summer, they are more prone to inflammation, rashes, blood, and liver based health concerns.  Pitta needs to stay cool and as such, when the fall and winter seasons arrive they have a much easier time.

Kapha is cool and moist by nature.  As the weather becomes more rainy, humid and colder, Kapha individuals need to find ways to keep warm and dry.  The rainy and winter seasons are particularly challenging for kapha, who needs to keep active, when the tendency is towards stagnation.

Not sure what your ayurvedic constituion is?

  • Am I Vata (Space & Air)? 17% 17%
  • Am I Pitta (Fire & Water)? 63% 63%
  • Am I Kapha (Water & Earth)? 20% 20%

HOW TO FIND BALANCE IN THE FALL & WINTER SEASONS

The first step to staying healthy is to balance and strengthen the Vata dosha during the cooler autumn seasons. We do this by favoring Vata’s opposites: warmth, wetness, heaviness, and stability. Doing so grounds the body, mind, and spirit while strengthening the immune system for winter. When winter arrives, you could introduce some of Kapha’s opposites, which are: warmth, dryness, lightness, and mobility.

FEEL A COLD COMING ON?

When we are affected by a cold or flu, we should try to eat light, warm & simple foods such as soup, whilst resting, and drinking plenty of warm water in small sips regularly to stay hydrated. Avoid congestive foods such as dairy, sugar, fried foods, meat, wheat, bananas and yeast. Also avoid all cold food and drinks. Fresh ginger tea is excellent as it increases circulation, promotes sweating and digests mucus, relieving congestion. Try the recipes below to help ward off colds and flus:

CHAI POWDER POWER MIX

This flavorful herbal mixture helps to build heat in the body and boost the immune system

Servings

12

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cooking time:

n/a

Good For:

anytime of day

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tbs ginger
  • 1/2 tbs black pepper
  • 1/2 tbs cardomom
  • 1/2 tbs clove
  • 1/2 tbs turmeric
  • 1/2 tbs cinnamon
  • 3 tsp jaggery or any natural sugar

Mix 1 tsp of this mixture with honey and eat, or mix with a small amount of warm water and drink twice a day.

Simple IMMUNE BOOSTer

This soothing tea aids in digestion, helps remove toxins and excess mucous.

Servings

1

Prep Time:

2 mins

Cooking time:

10 mins

Good For:

anytime of day

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp fresh ginger root
  • 3 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 pinch cardamom

Soak in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Add ½ tsp of jaggery or honey once it has cooled (optional). Drink a glass of this tea several times a day.

GOOD NIGHT ALMOND DRINK

This delicious drink soothes the nerves. In addition, it benefits digestion and removes toxins from the deep tissues.

Servings

1

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cooking time:

2 mins

Good For:

Evening

Ingredients

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp grated ginger
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cardamon
  • 1 pinch black pepper or pippali

Bring the almond or coconut milk almost to a boil, turn off and whisk/stir in the turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. Let steep for around two minutes, then add the jaggery or honey.

THE KEY TO Seasonal BALANCE

Ayurveda teaches us that the best way to stay balanced each season is to use the law of opposites.  When the colder seasons approach we should favor all that which warms the body and nurishes the mind.  If you want to discover a perfect ayurvedic meal that will keep all 3 doshas balanced throughout the seasons don’t forget to check out our Cosmic Kitchari recipe – a perfect accompaniment to help you feel warm and grounded.

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About The Author

Haylee Magendans

Haylee has been a student of yoga for over 15 years and has explored many teachings and styles, but her real journey began in recent years where she found herself drawn to Vedic teachings, mediation and left a stressful corporate job to pursue yoga full time.


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