The new year is quickly moving and February is almost here. The holiday party is over and it left some of us with a few extra pounds and bit run down from overeating and drinking. The winter is with us now, gloomy grey days, less daylight with shorter days. This keeps us cooped indoors, with little time to walk and exercise. We depend on yoga studios, fitness centers or gyms for exercise. We are exposed to many germs and not a homey atmosphere. It is time to start over and begin to find balance. Some areas of the Country experiencing the coldest winter ever.
Here in Florida many of our bodies are in shock and our nervous and respiratory systems are beginning to feel the stress of the weather conditions. Sore throats, colds and sinus infections are increasing. Children are bringing stuffy noses and coughs home from school. Now is a great time to boost our immune systems with herbs and essential oils. By bringing medicinal plants and flowers into our home; such as eucalyptus, angelica and helichrysum, and adding some spices into our diet like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, thyme, oregano, spruce – and don’t forget the melaleucas. Lavendar, geranium and orange bring out the joy in our lifes. All these clean, refreshing and energizing oils are good to diffuse and keep the home free of viruses and bacteria.
And do not forget some sinus, headache and depression free. Gargle with eucalyptus, sandalwood to prevent sore throats. Two drops in an 8 ounce glass of warm water in the morning. Remember abyangha (self message) for grounding and energizing. Nourish yourself with thiese wonderful healing plants. Massage at night by the fire. Use nasya (nose drops). Nette in the morning and nasya at night for restful sleep and clear breathing.
Use amalaki, one of the highest sources of vitamin C – one berry contains 3000 milligrams of it. Steep one teaspoon of amalaki and one-half teaspoon of fennel, strain and add a little honey with milk. You can also put it in the blender with honey and Goji berries, blueberries or any fruit of your choice. In Ayurveda, we call this fruit dhatri. It acts as a nurse or a mother in its healing qualities.
One of the most ayurvedic rejuvinators, amalaki is the basis of the medicinal tonic, herbal confection called chaywanprash. Some spiritual benefits, sattvic, encourages love, longevity and good forture.
For children who have lost their mother, it nurtures them and feel as if there mother was there. The original formula for Chaywanprash includes over fifty traditional Ayurvedic herbs. Build yourself with Ashwaganda (the vitality of a horse). More tonics for the winter could include ashwaganda, elederberry, ginger and scilopadi for colds and flu. Astralagus for soups and rose petals and rose hips for jams. Drink plenty of decaf chai with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, clove, and tulsi (indian basil).
Add to your diet, whole grains, such as barley, brown rice, wild rice, and spelt. For those with gluten intolerance, I recommend the heirloom grains, quinoa and amerynth. Nuts and seeds can also be helpful. Make them into butters, milks, salad dressings and smoothies. For a complete winter diet, your root vegetables such as beets, carrots, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can be delicious. Recently, I have been experimenting with the amazon root maca and fruit camu camu, great super food in smoothies. Maca root is a nutritional storehouse of minerals, vitamins and fiber including vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, proteins and tannins. Camu camu is an incredible source of Vitamin C and is flush with antioxidants, amino acids (rarely found in fruit) and phytochemicals.
Feel free to write to me if you have any questions about the information that I have presented here. I hope these quick tips will serve to keep you and your family happy and healthy through the winter and into the new year!
Light Miller