Tea to Restore Internal Fire

In Ayurveda the concept of digestive power or digestive strength is called Agni. And, it is a terribly important concept because Ayurveda says that if your Agni is great, if you are so blessed in this lifetime to have a good Agni, you will have excellent health.

Agni is the "fire" that drives all digestion and metabolism  The digestive and absorption process is called Pakwagni (digestive fire). Agni is all of the enzymes systems for digestion from the mouth to the anus as well as  all the bacterial systems from the mouth to the anus. Yes, the main center is in the stomach; however, we need to think of Agni as a force that gives vitality, transformation and clarity of mind when it is balanced.

If our Agni is strong, we’re able to digest food efficiently and easily assimilate our daily experiences. On the other hand, if the Agni is weak, our body won’t digest well, creating toxic residue or Ama that lodges deep in our cells.

Our lifestyle, poor knowledge of food combinations, excess of food or eating with no hunger disturb our internal fire. This simple tea can restore your internal fire. Use the tea with a few days of simple food like soupy oatmeal.

Ingredients:

1 tsp dry ginger powder

10 to 12         tulsi leaves, you can use dry tulsi ( 2 tsp)

10         mint leaves

2-3 cloves garlic

1 tsp honey (add at the end) or jaggery

Directions:

Boil the ingredients in one cup of water and reduce it to ½ cup.  Drink the tea every 2-3 hours for 2 or 3 days.

Baby massage: what oils to use.

Baby massage has a long tradition in India. Just after birth, a cleansing massage is done with a soft wheat-dough ball, to which a little almond oil and a dash of turmeric is added. Just before rubbing the ball is dipped in a bit of almond oil. This practice is continued for the first six days after birth, before the bath. Ayurvedic baby massage enhances circulation, helps in the expulsion of toxins and aids the digestive system of the baby.

The emotional and Mental influences of the Six Tastes in ayurveda

Ayurveda recognizes that each element in nature has a subtle impact on us. It is not only because we are ingesting the substances but also because we are made of the same resonance. It is hard to believe that there are already the elements of an apple, a rock and a river inside of us.

Each of the tastes we put in our mouth produces a secretion in the stomach, an emotional response and a mental attitude. The importance of taking all six tastes is not only for optimum digestion and balance but is also a way of maturing our senses, emotions and intellect.

Quality of the Food to Balance Pitta Dosha

Pitta is oily, sharp, hot, light, spreading, and liquid, so eating foods that neutralize these qualities – foods that are dry, mild, cooling, grounding, stabilizing, and dense – serve to balance excess pitta. This section offers a closer look at the qualities of various foods. An improved understanding of these qualities can guide you in making specific dietary choices that will better support pitta.

Qualities of Food to Balance Vatta Dosha

Vata is cool, dry, rough and light, so eating foods that neutralize these qualities – foods that are warm, moist, oily, smooth, and nourishing – can help to balance excess vata. This section offers a closer look at the qualities of various foods. An improved understanding of these qualities can guide you in making specific dietary choices that will better support vata.

Qualities of food for Kapha Dosha

Kapha (Earth and Water) is heavy, cool, oily, and smooth, so eating foods that neutralize these qualities – foods that are light, warm, dry, and rough – can help to balance excess kapha. This section offers a closer look at the qualities of various foods. An improved understanding of these qualities can guide you in making specific dietary choices that will better support kapha.

Tastes to Balance the Kapha Dosha

Kapha is pacified by the pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes and aggravated by the sweet, sour, and salty tastes. Understanding these tastes allows us to better navigate a kapha pacifying diet without having to constantly refer to extensive lists of foods to favor and avoid.

Tastes to Balance the Pitta Dosha

Pitta is pacified by the sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes and aggravated by the pungent, sour, and salty tastes. Understanding these tastes allows us to better navigate a pitta pacifying diet without having to constantly refer to extensive lists of foods to favor and avoid.

Tastes to Balance the Vatta Dosha

Vata is pacified by the sweet, sour, and salty tastes and aggravated by the pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. Understanding these tastes allows us to better navigate a vata pacifying diet without having to constantly refer to extensive lists of foods to favor and avoid.

3 Milk Restorative Evening Drinks

Having a good bedtime routine can help with better sleep.A bedtime routine is almost essential in Ayurveda. Apart from doing some moon salutations to cool the system, I choose spiced milks to restore the nerve and aid full regeneration. It’s best to drink the milk about 2-3 hours after dinner and 1-2 hours before bedtime. You don’t want your digestion working hard while you’re trying to sleep. You can add ginger, cardamon or cinnamon any of these to make them a