Winter in Ayurveda - Kapha Season
de Winter is usually cold, wet, gray. The nights are long and the days are short... Nature is at rest. It's time to do the same!!! Be careful however if too much laziness, nap, idleness, Kapha increases even more with the risk of sinking into inertia. The symptoms caused by Kapha are: -a tendency to overeat, a craving for carbohydrates, sugar-weight gain-laziness-lack of activity, no longer wanting to go out-depression, depressionKapha dosha predominates in winter. It is the dosha to be observed and appeased during this season. However, beware, dry and windy days have Vata characteristics. Thus, people with Vata predominance, must be careful to monitor the latter as well.To live this season at best, Ayurveda recommends some recommendations:-Expose yourself to the sun as soon as possible-Practice pranayamas -Practice Dinacharya : Scratch your tongue (scratch- every morning, in order to remove toxins (Ama), Do Jala Neti -Practice Kriyas that stimulate metabolism and warm up like Agni Sara, Nauli (abdominal churning),-Meditate-Massage your body with hot sesame oil before showering to tone up and energize your body; insisting on the joints.-Practice before your shampoo a care of the head with sesame oil or medicalized for stress, insomnia, migraines ... -Use your food to strengthen your immunity that is weakened by the cold. Foods that are difficult to digest weaken your immunity; such as industrialized products, even organic ones ;-), canned food, frozen food, leftovers, everything that is grown or raised with chemicals, that contains preservatives, additives. During the cold season, eat warm, creamy, nutritious food, favouring acidic, salty, sweet and spicy flavours, which are real sources of energy.Avoid bitter and astringent tastes which are chilling.Seasonal vegetables: pumpkin, pumpkin, potato, beetroot, cauliflower (to be cooked with oil and spices to avoid the formation of gas). Avoid eating raw and cold vegetables. It is therefore advisable to avoid raw vegetables except the spicy ones (radish, black radish...) Winter fruits: eat bananas and dried fruits (apricots, dates, figs) outside of meals. Favour warm and nourishing cereals such as wheat, barley, buckwheat, corn, rice. Limit sticky cereals such as oats and tapioca.For legumes, use lentils with a seasoning.Be generous in the use of oils by favoring the most nutritious such as sesame oil or ghee that stimulates the digestive fire.Take advantage of oilseeds that are an important contribution in calcium, poly and monounsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins. Take advantage of oilseeds which are an important source of calcium, poly and monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamins: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc. Sources of protein to be favoured: eggs, fish, meat (in moderation as it is very slow to digest), tofu, soya and lentils. Dairy products should be consumed in moderation (ideal for their heavy quality but difficult to digest). Main source of heat: spices to warm up the stomach, stimulate digestion, circulation and tissue production - Spices that are warming but not drying: cinnamon, cardamon, cloves, juniper berry, aniseed, basil, fresh ginger, black pepper, pippali (long pepper), tarragon. Warming and drying spices are good if the weather is humid: cumin, mustard seeds, parsley, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, fenugreek.Abuse spicy herbal teas, with thyme! In conclusion: Winter and its "cocooning" days allow us to appreciate the virtues of Kapha, namely anchoring. It is not a question of trying to eliminate Kapha completely! Always be in harmony with nature by promoting good nights. It is best to avoid napping except in cases of very heavy fatigue Napping tends to slow down the metabolism and Agni (the digestive fire).
