The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Creating Health in Winter and Spring

The Individual Is Cosmic

According to Maharishi Ayurveda the individual is cosmic. Individual human life cannot be lived well without taking into account the fact that we are embedded in an ecosystem that spreads to all of nature. Ancient Vedic knowledge and modern science both show that in order to be healthy and successful in life we must understand and act in accord with the laws and forces of nature that conduct all of cosmic life

This fact is expressed in the most fundamental principle of Maharishi Ayurveda which says we must "live in accord with natural law" and "gain support of nature" for our activities if we are to be healthy, happy and successful.

An everyday example of this Ayurvedic principle is to eat the largest meal of day when our digestion is strongest. Since the sun enlivens the heat of digestion and metabolism in us, digestion is strongest between 12:00 and 1:30. As a result Ayurveda recommends the largest meal of the day be at lunch. Thus we gain the "support of nature" by eating heavy food at the exact time nature most enlivens digestion.

The seasons are profoundly different in climate and have profoundly different influences on our body. A major factor for good health is preparing properly for seasonal changes and having diet and lifestyle matched to the seasons. Winter and Spring are certainly thought of as a time of health challenges with the increase in cough, cold and flu. However Ayurveda helps us understand how to avoid ill health during Winter and Spring and actually turn the special qualities of these seasons to our benefit.

Avoiding Disease and Nourishing the Body in the Two Parts of Winter

According to Ayurveda there are two periods of Winter each offering special opportunities and requiring special diet and behavior. The first part is "Hemant, November and December and the second is Shishira, January and February.

Hemant: The First part of Winter. A Time to Enliven Immunity

During November and December the sun is setting earlier and the amount of night time is increasing. In Vedic terms the solar effect is decreasing and the lunar effect is increasing. Lunar influence is associated with the buildup of immunity and integration ("ojas" and "soma") in the body. We can be in tune with natural law and gain great support of nature if we favor foods that increase soma and ojas at this time. In fact, Ayurvedic tests hold that if soma and ojas are enhanced sufficiently during this period it will be difficult to fall sick during the rest of the year.

Foods especially high in their soma and ojas creating effects are:

1. rice pudding with almonds or cashews, dates and spices like saffron and cinnamon.

2. blended hot milk and date shake

3. ghee (clarified butter) used in judicious quantities ideally sautéed with spices

4. soaked almonds

5. milk boiled briefly and drank while still hot separated from other foods by at least 3 hours.

Hemant, early winter is the best time to rejuvenate oneself. If you wish to take Ayurvedic rejuvenative herbal preparations called "rasayanas" be sure to take them during this period and ideally continue at least through the January and February.

Lunar times are more associated with rehydration and solar times with dehydration. Ayurveda recommends more liquids in November and December which can be accomplished through sipping hot water throughout the day or having judicious quantities of fresh fruit and vegetable juices. To maximize the build up of immunity at this time avoid impure, processed and junk foods. Instead nourish your body with fresh, wholesome foods cooked with proper spices and oils. The best oils are organic, cold pressed, olive oil and ghee. Favor olive oil if you excess weight or high cholesterol. Cumin, cloves and ginger are good spices for most people at this time.

Shishira: The second Part of Winter:

Managing Digestion and Metabolism for Health

Once the sun starts to increase its time in the sky in late December a new influence is created in the body. The rise of the heat element in the cosmos enlivens the fires of digestion and metabolism (Agni) inside of us. This increased solar influence in January and February is different than that experienced in late summer. In January and February the rise of the solar influence is beneficial and enlivening and in late Summer the heightened solar influence is more imbalancing and aggravating.

Also, just as our home furnaces run more strongly in winter, Agni, the fire of digestion and metabolism in the body increases in response to the cold weather. The second part of Winter is also a nourishing time as our digestion and metabolism are capable of handling more nutrition dense foods.

Then why do so many people get sick then when winter comes if our digestion and metabolism are stronger? The problem is usually the foods we turn to when our digestion and hunger increases.

If we start eating heavier junk foods, with large quantities of refined sugars and impure oils, then we build up toxins and impurities (Ama) in the body. Ama is created from the indigestion of foods resulting in the body absorbing large, heavy and clogging molecules. These molecules accumulate in tissues and disrupt the delicate biochemistry of tissues and block the channels of circulation and elimination. If ama accumulates in the circulation cardiovascular disease, the number one killer in America, can result. When ama accumulates in the chest asthma cough and colds increase. Ama accumulation is also behind endometriosis, fibroids, arthritis, constipation etc.

If we have bad eating habits in winter and eat more desserts, heavy meats and frozen and processed foods then we accumulate ama. The cold weather further solidifies the ama creating a more permanent home for bacteria and a lowered resistance. This is why we fall more ill in Winter.

As we naturally eat more in Winter it is important we favor more pure and wholesome foods. We should favor foods that are warm, cooked and unctuous with proper spicing during this time. Cooked sweet fruits, dates, wheat and rice and mixed grains are recommended. In addition to cutting back on junk food have less dried foods, raw fruits and raw vegetables.

Another major issue during January and February is to overcome the fact that the cold weather closes, shrinks and clogs the pores of the skin. The increased heat created by this period can't get out though perspiration. This blocked sweating builds up impurities in the skin and can lead to conditions like increased rashes and the killing of "good" skin bacteria resulting in flaky, dry spots. This is why people have many skin problems at the height of Winter.

Increased metabolic heat that cannot be released can also create increased emotional heat leading to more anger and irritability in late Winter.

The other major effect seen in late Winter is a drying out of the body and loss of inner lubrication. This can have a weakening effect on our nervous system, which is mostly fat in nature, and our joints.

Spring Cleaning

The change of seasons is always a delicate time for our health requiring internal cleansing if we are to stay healthy. At the end of Winter biochemical waste products have accumulated from 4 months of cold and dry climate and they need to be eliminated. We also need to relubricate our body.

It is very important in Spring to go through the classic herbalized oil cleansing treatments of Ayurveda called Maharishi Rejuvenation therapy or Panchakarma. These treatments use herbalized oils in a series of massage, heat and internal cleansing therapies to pull out the accumulated impurities from Winter and relubricate the physiology.

Spring Ayurveda cleansing treatments are an essential aid in avoiding sickness as the climate changes from Winter to Summer.

Summary

Ayurveda sees Winter as a time to nourish the body and Spring as a time to cleanse it. Following diet and behavior matched to the seasons can be a great aid in the prevention of disease and experience of greater health and vitality throughout the year.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. Please consult your physician regarding any symptoms you have or before you make changes in lifestyle and diet.