Answers to your Winter Worries
Winter is nearing, and as winter hits our doorstep thoughts about cold, flu and sniffles are worrying us.
Is winter dangerous to overall health?
Not at all. Winter is a period when you have a strong digestive fire and anything eaten will be digested well. And once you have proper diet and regimen during winter days your natural immunity will be increased and you won't be susceptible to diseases.
Is there an ideal diet for winter season ?
1. Vegetables of the season, Greens like Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Amaranth makes a good winter choice
2. Avoid Cold food, especially direct from refrigerator
3. Use of Heating spices like Cloves, Fenugreek, Turmeric, Basil, Ginger, Nutmeg, Oregano, Saffron, Thyme etc
4. Lunch should be the main meal of the day, since digestive fire is maximum at that time and should be hot and fresh
5. Avoid canned and tin foods
6. Keep on drinking warm water throughout the day
7. Avoid cooling fruits like Melons
8. Favor Ghee and oil in cooking
9. Avoid excess pungent, salt and sour foods. These can improve appetite, which is undesirable, because appetite is already high during this season. Foods that are sweet, salt and sour tastes are recommnded during this period.
10. Because there is scarcity of Vitamin D, due to lack of sunlight, food rich with Vitamin D is recommended – Salmon, Tuna, Cod liver oil, Fish, fortified cereals, oysters, fortified soy products, ham, dairy products, egg, mushroom, yogurt, cheese, orange juice, zuccini, tomato.
What is an ideal regimen for winter season ?
1. Oil massage is highly recommend. It improves blood circulation and prevents dry skin.
2. Hot water Bath
3. During night, before going to sleep, apply a bit of ghee or coconut oil to the dry parts of the body.
4. Don't stay awake at night, as it causes Vata increase and can increase the dryness of the body
Are there any home remedies for improving the immunity during this period ?
1. Golden Milk / Turmeric Milk
Ingredients -
1 cup of whole organic milk
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
A sprinkle of black pepper
A dab of ghee
Method of preparation-
Boil the milk. Add turmeric powder and pepper. Simmer the heat and keep on stirring for 2 minutes. Serve warm.
This can be taken daily in winter at bedtime.
2. Carom water/ Ajwain water
Carom seeds water is used in cooking process to make the dishes flavor and to increase its medicinal properties. Its powerful flavor makes it the favorite spice in the Kitchen during winter.
How can skin be taken care of during this season ?
As odd it may seem, winter is the best time to nourish the skin, because of rooksha (dry) property of Vata ,skin is more receptive during this season.
Common issues of winter include dryness, cracking, dullness and roughness. Vata imbalance on skin becomes even stronger if the person is
Vata prakriti
Above 60 years of age
Has a vata aggravating diet and regimen
Ayurvedic facewash- 1Tspn oats+ 1 tspn curd+ turmeric powder( oats should be soaken in curd for atleast 2 hours before applying) Gentle washing can be done over face with this paste. It can do wonders.
Pamper your skin in winter- Avoid long hot showers and bath. Totally avoid head bath in hot water, for it is detrimental to eyes and hair. Ayurveda stresses on massaging body with oil for winter.
Seasame oil is ideal for body massage. Do massage on daily basis at least 15 minutes before bath. Mixing of olive oil in little water and rubbing it all over body after bath gives the effect of a natural moisturizer.
