This is the time when a lazy wind starts blowing during the day and the winter responds by showing a reluctance to leave while the summer tries desperately to rush in. An ideal time to fly kites, no doubt, but the body too has to weather the change. Our body is programmed to take care of the changes, but occasionally you may have to aid the process of adjustment through food and suitable alterations in lifestyle!<\/p>\n
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When a cold, dry wind begins to blow, the vaata (the air in the body system according to Ayurveda) responds, because it too is cold, dry and moving. It senses that something akin to itself has begun to dominate the scene. ‘Like speaks to like’ Vaata starts accumulating.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, Ayurveda advises everyone to follow a seasonal routine to preserve balance as the seasons change. This routine does not involve major alterations in your lifestyle, only a shift of emphasis.<\/p>\n
During winter, agni (digestive fire) becomes stronger and it can effectively digest heavy and large quantities of food. If you do not eat the right food, agni may even absorb the dhaatus (tissues). To arrest this, take plenty of food. Consume milk, ghee, fat, oils and new rice as dietary staples. Include sour, sweet and salted soup or meat of aquatic and marshy animals in the diet if you are not a vegetarian.<\/p>\n
Try wine, vinegar and honey in the diet. Regularly massage the body with oil. Apply oil on the head. Use room heaters or spend time in heated chambers. Expose the body to the sun’s rays. Avoid light and cold foods. Also avoid bitter, pungent and astringent tastes. To prevent drying up of the skin, take 100ml milk, add 5 drops of olive oil and 8 drops of rose water to it. Apply on the skin gently and smoothly. Then expose yourself to the mild sun for ten minutes before a warm water bath. To keep the face glowing, wash it at least two times a day with lukewarm water. Make a paste of pure flour of bengal gram by adding raw milk. Apply on the face, neck, etc., both in the morning and evening. Alternatively, you can apply the expressed juice of cucumber with 5 drops of mustard oil and rose water to it.<\/p>\n
Massaging the skin with mustard oil is good for the skin during winter. Sunrays will enhance the good effects of this procedure. Eat plenty of greens and seasonal fruits. They contain the micro and macro elements, which are required for the smooth functioning of the body.<\/p>\n
Soyabeans and other pulses are good for cracked lips. Take two teaspoonfuls of castor oil. Add a pinch of Tankana bhasma (borax) to it. Apply it on the cracked lips.<\/p>\n
Cream of milk is also good for cracked lips, if used as an application. Honey is a good and valuable natural healer. Apply it over cracked lips after diluting it with double the quantity of water<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"