5 Ayurvedic Herbs to Protect Your Body in Winter

Reader Contribution by Bipin Baloni
Published on November 14, 2019

The Vedic sages had understood the rhythm of nature and forces – the rhythmic cycle of seasons – alteration of night and day can affect us as cycles and seasons in human life. Being in tune with nature also means being in tune with the individual constitution – Pitta, Kapha, and Vata – the energy of metabolism, lubrication, and movement.

It is important to make peace with the natural cycles and adjust with the changes in the environment by making little changes in food, ingestion of herbs, and exercise for staying healthy all year long. You cannot control external factors but small changes in daily meals can make a big difference. Cloudy and grey sky often cause an imbalance in Kapha, which is responsible for lubricating the joints, maintain immunity and moisturize the skin. In excess, it can persuade mucus related illness, sluggishness, negative emotions such as greed, envy, and excess weight. You can learn in detail by enrolling yourself in Ayurveda courses in India

As we know, food plays a crucial part in keeping us healthy. Incorporate buttermilk, unyeasted bread, steamed vegetables, cottage cheese, ghee, warm soup, and warming spices like cloves, cinnamon, black pepper to improve appetite, promote digestion, and increase circulation. For more details, you can go for an Ayurveda course in Kerala. Here is Ayurveda’s view on winter and a guide to help you stay balanced all winter long by adding a few herbs in your diet.  

Brahmi

Brahmi – a blessing for the brain! In fact, the leaves of Brahmi have the appearance of the human brain. The word Brahmi describes two different herbs for instance Bacopa Monnieri and Centella Asiatica. Its leaves help in balancing the left and right hemispheres of the brain. You can nurture both the intuitive and analytical side as well as both Shakti (feminine) and Shiva (masculine) aspects so that you can become whole. It stimulates the pineal gland as well as the endocrine gland located within the brain and assists with intuition. You can take Brahmi in the form of powder or syrup. Many brain-boosting supplements have Brahmi.

Peppercorn

Peppercorn – king of spices has a mild and sharp spicy flavor that enhances the taste of many dishes. This ayurvedic medicine has been used for thousands of years because of its beneficial plant compound and concentration of potent. Free radicals can damage our skin and leads to premature aging, certain cancers, and heart diseases. Peppercorn has a plant compound that helps in protecting it from free radicals and their effects. It has shown potential benefits for severe degenerative brain conditions, for instance, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Daily consumption of peppercorn leads to the absorption of nutrients like selenium and calcium. A study shows that it can be a natural pain reliever.

Cloves

This versatile spice is a staple of Indian cuisine. Found in both powder and whole form, it can be used in hot beverages, cakes, cookies, and pot roasts to add aromatic and sweet flavor with medicinal properties. It will be surprising to know cloves include minerals, fiber, and vitamins with some crucial nutrients. Cloves are rich in antioxidants and vitamins C. Cloves have antimicrobial properties that stop the growth of microorganisms, for instance, bacteria. A study shows that cloves are capable of killing three types of bacteria including E. coli. It can use as an herbal mouthwash for proper oral hygiene and improves gum health. Cloves promote liver health and regulate blood sugar.

Cardamom

An intense, sweet flavor spice used in ancestral medicines for centuries and both savory and sweet recipes – cardamom can easily be found in Indian kitchens. Cardamom – a simple spice has immense health benefits. It is highly beneficial in high blood pressure, contains cancer-fighting compounds, and has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps in protecting you from chronic diseases. This is not it cardamom has used to treat digestion problems for thousands of years. It often uses with other medicinal spices for treating vomiting, nausea, and discomfort. It improves oral health and treats bad breath. In some cultures, it’s common to eat cardamom after meals for freshening up your breath.

Cinnamon

A delicious spice prized for its medicinal properties. Modern science has confirmed what humans know for ages – cinnamon has effective medicinal properties. In Egypt, it was valuable for gifting to the king. There are two types of cinnamon – Ceylon (true cinnamon) and Cassia (we generally use). Cinnamon is stuffed with antioxidants like polyphenols and can be used as a natural food preservative. Cinnamon protects from the world’s common problem for early death – heart attack. As we all know, Insulin imbalance leads to diabetes. Regular use of cinnamon boosts metabolism, controls blood sugar and shows effective benefits on insulin resistance. It also treats diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and protects from cancer. A study shows cinnamon can treat HIV – 1.

You can include these ayurvedic herbs into your diet for immense health benefits. You can also take a break from the hassles of your life and go for a yoga retreat in Nepal. Hopefully, this little guide will be helpful for you in this winter. These spices will not only help you keep warm but also make you healthy. I hope you’ll adopt these habits in your daily routine for a healthy winter. 


Bipin Baloni is a yoga teacher from India and his core specialization is in Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga. He organizes 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. Bipin Baloni conducts Yoga Teacher Training in India in different cities. He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda and Health.

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