Seasonal Guides
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Our physiology senses a natural opportunity for a fresh, clean start; our bodies are primed to lighten things up, cleanse ourselves of any accumulated imbalances, and rejuvenate our deepest tissues. As the natural world emerges from its long winter slumber, it is common to experience a renewed sense of joy and inspiration. -
Summer, like each of the seasons, arrives with its own distinct personality. Depending on your constitution, summer may increase your internal sense of harmony, or it may aggravate one of your innate tendencies. -
The fall brings with it a predominance of air element and prana, the vital breath, the subtle essence of life, is abundant in the atmosphere. Autumn is dry, rough, windy, erratic, cool, subtle, and clear. These are all qualities shared by vata dosha, and because like increases like, autumn is considered a vata season.
Related Articles
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’Tis the season—the season for joy, celebration, family, friends, lights, gifts, and yes—challenges to our health. While the holiday season is rich in activities, the hustle and bustle can leave the immune system compromised. Here are six immune-boosting tips to help you stay happy and healthy this season!
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Ayurveda recommends a counterbalancing lifestyle approach to help prevent imbalances: in the winter, balance the cold with warmth. Herbal spiced chai is a delicious beverage for generating internal warmth and keeping the digestive fire burning.
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Adaptation. Without this remarkable quality, life as we know it would not exist. It is only through the ability to adapt that humans, plants, and animals have evolved to their modern-day capacity. There is a fascinating concept at play here, and that is the fact that plants have actually helped us to adapt to our changing environments and circumstances. Plants have helped us cope—and adjust—with the stressors in our lives. These types of plants have come to be known as adaptogens.
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One of the most important qualities of self-massage is using warm oil. It’s not just about moisturizing—it’s about getting the vata-balancing qualities of oily and warm into your life, and onto your skin. Here are four ways to warm your oil, guaranteeing a perfectly warm, but not-too-hot oil, that can be easily and quickly incorporated into your daily routine.
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Spices are an incredible way to bring the six tastes into a meal and can have a powerful effect on the body and mind. Read this article to learn how to make some invigorating seasonal masalas, along with tips on purchasing, storing, toasting, grinding, and blending spices at home.
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Learn this fresh new recipe for toor dal! Called pigeon peas in English, this legume does not often get the attention it deserves. One reason could be the time it takes to cook them; however, the flavor and nutrients are worth it. And with a good soak or a pressure cooker, they’re ready to eat in no time at all. This recipe easily transforms from a creamy, heavy soup to a light dal, which can be served over your favorite grain, perhaps with a veggie or a freshly made relish to add an array of qualities.
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Whatever the season, sometimes our immune system can use a little boost. We are excited to announce our new immune formula to help support your overall health and immunity. Please welcome Immune Strong to our family of herbal tablets and liquid extracts. With a superstar blend of Ayurvedic herbs traditionally used to support the immune system, this formula is a successor to Immune Support—with a few changes and improvements.
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A soothing rub to nourish the lungs and sinuses is a staple in many household cabinets. Adults and children alike want to be able to do the most basic function—breathe—with the greatest ease. It is vital to our daily and nightly life.
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As you recall from your elementary science classes, our heart and blood vessels make up the cardiovascular system. Its primary role is to carry blood full of oxygen and nutrients to our tissues and move waste for disposal to their proper sites for elimination. From an Ayurvedic perspective, there’s a missing layer that your science teacher may not have been privy to.
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While many people associate licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) with the chewy, black candy we knew as children, the licorice plant has a much broader therapeutic appeal and widespread historical fame. Sure, licorice has fifty times the natural sweetness of sugar, making it a powerful confectionary flavoring, but it’s not all about the sweet taste with this incredible herb.
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Have you ever questioned the value of your heart? Probably not. The heart is known for being the powerhouse of the body, as vital as the brain. The heart muscle plays an integral role in our physical health; we wouldn’t survive without it. However, we value it for more than just its physical function. Our language and its metaphors—heartfelt, heavy-hearted, light-hearted, broken-hearted, having the heart of a lion, and so on—show that our culture associates the heart with psychological, emotional, and even spiritual importance.
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This asparagus soup is light enough for a nice simple meal, but filled with warming spices that are great for kapha. Asparagus is a beautiful, tridoshic vegetable. In addition to all of the fantastic dietary benefits, asparagus helps nourish the entire digestive tract, and it is packed with antioxidants—perfect for the winter season when our immune systems can become compromised.
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Fire Cider is a wonderful and protective winter brew that boosts the immune system and warms you right up. If you haven’t heard of it or if it seems daunting to make, now is your chance!
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Chyavanprash is like the multivitamin of Ayurveda—many Ayurvedic and Indian families incorporate it into their daily routine to promote health and longevity. But what’s the big deal? Why has this ancient formulation withstood the test of time?
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Pippali or Piper longum is a small shrub and grows all over the tropical forest of India. It has a special affinity for the respiratory system, and it also supports the digestive, reproductive, circulatory, and nervous systems. Commonly known as long pepper, pippali is the fruit of the plant (although sometimes referred to as the flower) and one of the most precious herbs in Ayurveda and Indian cuisine. In its dry form, pippali has a pungent or sharp taste.
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The best way to approach holiday feasting is by finding balance. Who says you can’t indulge with the rest of your family and friends? There are definitely delicious and healthy ways to do this.