Ayurvedic Routine for Winter

As promised earlier in my previous blog about Ayurvedic seasonal routines,I’ve thus begun writing an article series of ayurvedic routines for each season. As this is winter in southern hemisphere, let me start with ayurvedic routine for winter itself. I hope you would enjoy this article series and it will help you maintain good health.

Following regimes will help to balance your doshas and improve health during winter.

 State of body in winter

During winter, internal metabolism is increased. All doshas are in balance in early winter, so increase your inner strength at your best. During winter healthy people will be healthier and digestive power is increased. Later on kapha starts to accumulate in body.

Ayurvedic winter regimes

• Wake up with sun. Sleeping beyond sunrise can easily cause respiratory and/or sinus diseases. Brush your teeth with cinnamon and/or clove powder, which can protect your teeth and stimulate you. Gargle and massage your gums with warm sesame oil which can protect your oral cavity and prevent gum bleeding.

• Drink a glass of warm water, which can stimulate your system.

• All sorts of massages (preferably with warm sesame oil or with the oil recommended by your Ayurvedic practitioner) and exercises (within you limits) are good during winter. Start yoga with intensive pranayamas. Asanas which increase power and immunity are recommended.

• Shower in warm water (better if boiled with astringent herbs like nut grass, pomegranate leaves, rose petals or sandalwood). Use warm water for your ablutions.

• Cosmetic pastes like saffron and musk are advised to increase vitality of skin.

• Fumigation with herbs of hot potency is also good (or you can add these herbs your fire place).

• Due to long nights and sharp digestive fire, we will feel hungry early morning, so it is important to take breakfast early. Heavy foods (within your limits of digestion) are recommended during this season. Eat sweet, sour and oily foods (but not artificial sweets or fried foods). Have some porridge of oats, rice or barley for breakfast. Eat wholesome food (which contains carbohydrates, proteins and vegetables) for lunch and dinner.

• Make your food a little bit spicy to warm and stimulate you. If you are easily disturbed by cold, you can take trikatu after discussing with an Ayurvedic practitioner. Organic chyavanaprasa is also advised during winter to increase immunity and to control kapha of late winter.

• Food prepared from flour of wheat, black gram, freshly harvested corn and milk are good during winter. If you are non vegetarian, you can use meat soup with ghee and red meat during winter.

• Induce perspiration with warm cloths and live in warm place. Footwear should be always worn.

• Exposure to sunlight (during mornings and afternoons when it is sunny) and fire is good.

• After day’s hard work, relax in evening. You can enjoy sex daily.

• Avoid excess sleep and day sleep. Sleeping late is fine. Nutmeg can be added to your milk to induce sound sleep.

• During late winter care should be given to follow these regimes more intensely, as doshas can be imbalanced easily. But food should be warm and easily digestible than early winter.