How we can go into spring full of energy and free of guttural
by Carmen Gheorghe and Dana Oarga
Nature amazes us every time we walk through a
All we have to do is remember that our body understands the language of flowers, rain and wind, and stop for a moment to
Indians have known these rhythms since ancient times. Traditional Asian medicine has studied the rhythms of both nature and the human being in detail. Ayurveda is virtually the oldest system of healing in the world and is the body of Indian medical knowledge that comes from the sacred texts of the Vedas. It is based on the belief that health and harmony depend on maintaining a delicate balance between mind, body and spirit.
The main objective at ayurvedic medicine is to promote good health, rather than battle with disease. To understand the mechanism of our own body and, with it, to constantly give us what we need.
The temperate zone in which we live has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine, however, divides the time of year into only three, with each Ayurvedic season lasting four months. During this period, the predominance of one of the three fundamental life energies is cyclically manifested: Kapha life energy, Pitta life energy and Vata life energy. Calendarically, the beginning of the new year corresponds to 15 February. The transitional period between winter, when the cold, dry Vata vital energy predominates, and spring, when the cold, wet Kapha vital energy predominates, can be extremely favourable for a beneficial reawakening for every human being who is attentive to the vital energy changes that occur, and who seeks to be aware of the specific way in which they are reflected in his or her inner universe, in accordance with the particularities of each human being.
The traditional system of Ayurveda is both a precise and well-founded science, including general concepts and categories as well as therapeutic modalities, and a true art of healing. Knowing the subtle way in which nature prepares itself for a new time cycle will also allow us to easily and harmoniously overcome all the symptoms and discomforts that modern medicine encompasses in the generic expression "spring fatigue". Because this spring fatigue is nothing other than the transition to
Ayurveda is, in fact, a true way of living or, in other words, a profoundly spiritual, simple and natural way of life, which restores the full harmony of every human being both with himself and with everything that surrounds him, enabling him to
In general, the wet and cold nature of the new season we entered on February 15 predisposes to colds with mucus accumulation, worsening sinus attacks, inflammation and a some slowing of digestion.
The first step is to figure out our personal way of moving into this new time cycle. Let's take a look at the past years and all the symptoms that we-
Because now it is most important to take the right herbs and make warming and purifying therapies. But one remedy can never be a panacea. Each of us has our own history and s-
Fresh ginger
Ginger originated in Asia and was later cultivated in South America, Australia, Jamaica and the USA. Chinese sailors were given ginger to avoid sea sickness and dizziness, and ancient Greeks ate it to aid digestion after a feast. Indians claim it gives clarity of mind.
Ginger is considered an outstanding treatment for various ailments and for its rapid effects on the digestive system. It has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times to relieve rheumatic problems and treat signs of colds and flu. Research on ginger has also revealed some anti-cancer properties.
Ginger contains calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, protein, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, selenium, sodium, vitamins C, E and B6. The volatile oils in ginger have analgesic, sedative and anti-thermal effects. They give it its specific taste and aroma and promote the movement of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to better digestion.
It is important to know that to benefit from all the qualities of this plant, ginger must be eaten fresh. It is soothing for abdominal pains, aids digestion, eliminates gas, gives appetite, neutralizes toxins, while a cup of juice from the same part of the plant can get rid of a rebellious hiccup, nausea or vomiting, or even a food poisoning. It works by breaking down proteins to rid the stomach and intestines of gas. It's so effective at this because it has 180 times more protein-digesting enzymes than papaya. These enzymes play an essential role in helping to absorb nutrients from the diet efficiently. It also helps digest fatty foods by stimulating saliva production and easing the swallowing process.
In the cold season we use it in the prophylaxis of colds, but also in their treatment. It acts on the lungs, stomach and spleen. We can use the healing effects of ginger to combat respiratory ailments. It is particularly effective in expectorant cough, by clearing the lung, but also in allergic respiratory problems such as bronchial asthma accompanied by dry cough, bronchitis, angina. Ginger tea helps in colds and flu by inducing sweating and invigorates the immune system. It is beneficial for getting rid of coughs and throat irritations. It also thins bronchial mucus and stimulates blood circulation, eliminating symptoms of cold hands and feet, lowers cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of blood clotting and prevents cardiovascular disease.
Ginger reduces joint inflammation and is often recommended in rheumatoid arthritis. Also, drinking a cup of ginger tea after physical exertion can prevent muscle fever and joint pain in general. For local inflammations, ginger compresses work wonders.
A cup of ginger tea reduces prostaglandins that sensitise pain receptors in nerve endings, demonstrating powerful analgesic effects. It is a good remedy for stress, and according to experts, the effect of ginger tea is similar to that of mild anxiolytics.
Although many of us associate the nuanced taste of the plant's rhizome with Asian cuisine, there are many ways to include raw ginger in our diets, as it offers the taste palette many nuances: spicy, aromatic, fresh tasting and refreshing.
Raw ginger is primarily recommended for those with a sweet tooth and a sweet tooth. If you fall into the category of skinny, dry, cold and unappetizing, or with a rather capricious appetite, ginger is not the best choice. For those who fall into this category there is another herb, Pippali, Piper Longum, or Indian long pepper.
Also beware of those with gastritis and peptic ulcers.
The Nests
It is said that in 3 BC, Chinese dignitaries who came to the Emperor for an audience had to chew cloves to freshen their breath and ward off evil thoughts.
The corms contain tannin, an essential oil in which the main component is eugenol, with antiseptic properties. They have a soothing, disinfectant and antiviral effect. Thanks to their chemical content and the eugenol-rich oil, cloves exert a range of therapeutic effects: antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anaesthetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, tonic, stomachic, carminative, antiulcer, anthelmintic and antiplatelet. They are excellent for treating digestive ailments, for treating colds and other respiratory ailments, having antibacterial, diaphoretic and smooth muscle relaxing effects in the lungs. They also fight infections in the ears, nose, throat and genitals.
Stimulates appetite, aids digestion, acts against vomiting, colic and hiccups. Fight intestinal worms, strengthen immunity, are diuretic and depurative. Helps in eye diseases and inflammation of the middle ear.
Both prophylactically and therapeutically we can chew whole cloves several times a day. As well as freshening our breath, they will help us feel great.
Tinctures
Tinctures are extractive alcoholic, hydroalcoholic or heteroalcoholic solutions obtained from medicinal plants (leaves, flowers, roots or all together), depending on the nature of the disease to which they are applied. The active principles of the plants contained in tinctures are in relatively higher concentration than other liquid herbal preparations and retain their therapeutic quality for a long time.
Simple herbal tinctures can relieve and cure various health problems, from bronchial asthma, tonsillitis, sinusitis, flu, adnexitis, to cancer, meningitis, tuberculosis, hepatitis C and B, or fungal phobias.
Tinctures are very good remedies for this period. Besides the fact that just a few drops of tincture can equal a cup of tea, their nutrients are assimilated extremely easily. They boost the body's self-defence capacity and balance the functions of the respiratory system.
You can take propolis tincture, tinctures with an anti-flu effect, tinctures with an immunostimulant effect, for example echinacea tincture, or other simple tinctures that are suitable for this period. It is always a good idea to find out in advance about the effects of each individual tincture before you start using it. In practice, for effective action, the recommended dose is always diluted in water or herbal macerate and sweetened with honey.
Diet
This period is characterised by a certain slowing down of digestion. That's why it's necessary to eat something lighter, reduce dairy products (even eliminate them from the diet for a while), and very heavy foods. We can use spices in abundance. In this way we can help our digestive fire and soon, once the weather warms up, we will start cleansing cures.
Of course, we'll switch to a new diet, aiming to replace the dairy and foods we've been used to with something more suitable. So, if you are among those who eat cheese at every meal, now is the time to indulge in tofu, in all its flavours and forms of presentation. Milk can be successfully replaced with almond milk, soya milk or rice milk. You can buy them or prepare them at home, in the latter case you can add and even experiment with a mix of flavours. If you can't cut out dairy altogether, then it's good to spice up the food you cook more than usual.
Clarified butter, ghee, is also suitable. It's much healthier than commercially bought butter and doesn't require a lot of preparation, just a little more patience and time on your part to make it at home.
Cooking oils, even if cold pressed, are best used sparingly.
Likewise, if you're one of those with a sweet tooth, it's best to skip the creamy, sweet cakes you've felt the need to indulge in until now. Honey is a great substitute for sugar in general, not just at this time of year. From an Ayurvedic point of view honey that is more than a year old is good at this time, so there is no need to find last summer's honey or very runny honey. You can consume sweetened honey without any problems. You can also take pollen. If you haven't taken it before, we urge you to test several varieties of pollen (you can find them at specialist shops), either stored raw or dried. You'll be pleasantly surprised, because pollen can also have countless flavours and scents depending on the flowers from which it was picked.
Heat
The characteristic of this period is cold and wet. That's why it's important, even if it's already sunny outside, to dress thickly enough. Dry heat is recommended during this period. Long baths and wet sauna should be avoided for a while.
If somehow you have been sitting in the cold or draught for a while and feel that something is wrong, it is advisable after a hot shower to retire to bed with a blanket around your body. Now is also the time for tinctures, necessarily mixed with a warm herbal liquid preperat and honey. Feel free to use the wide range of tinctures that are available for this season.
Don't worry if you sweat profusely, this is one of the ways the body heals itself.
It is important to understand that when we are exposed to cold or wind for longer periods of time, our bodies are forced to adapt to these conditions very quickly. If you know you are a sensitive person, don't let the sun outside steal you away and dress-
The warmth and care that we-
Since April is the most suitable month of the year to start cleansing cures, in the next issue we will talk about detoxification, its importance and the correct ways to apply it.