Often we think about boosting our immune system during cold and flu season, but throughout the entire year things come up that can throw us off-kilter and create havoc to our system and energy levels.
Last week, I talked about Ojas and Ama and explored how food choices can affect toxin-levels in our bodies. Today, I’m going to share a few more strategies that I use with my clients to help them stay healthy and energized 365 days a year.
Spices
In Ayurveda, we use a lot of herbs in natural medicine and cooking, and spices play a very important role in assisting our bodies to absorb the intelligence that we eat. When you add spices to your cooked vegetables, grains, and legumes, the food can more quickly convert into the essence of Ojas that helps naturally build our immune system and increase our energy. Try some of these spices the next time you’re whipping up a meal:
Turmeric
This spice has an immune-modulating effect. It is a detoxifier and enhances the intelligence of the immune cells. Turmeric is really delicious and is often found in East Indian cooking.
Cumin
Often found in Latin dishes, this spice burns away the Ama in the digestive tract. It has a great smell and tastes wonderful.
Black Pepper
This spice clears tissue channels so the essence of the Ojas travels deeper into the body and builds a healthy and stable foundation for good health.
All three of these spices are great for any dosha type.
Fruit
The main goal of eating fruit is to keep your bowel cleansed and free of undigested foods that can create Ama. Organic, tree-ripened fruit is the best option. If you don’t have access to fresh fruit, frozen is next best, but be careful to avoid canned fruit. It’s dead, it’s dead, it’s dead.
Apples contain antioxidants and insoluble and soluble fiber which helps cleanse the bowel. They are also sweet and juicy. Whoever said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away was really tapping into some higher intelligence.
Pears, peaches, plums, sweet pineapples, and mango are some fruits that transform quickly into the essence of Ojas. Pomegranate seed juice or chutney keeps the body in balance as well.
I love having some papaya after a big meal to satisfy my sweet tooth without adding excess fat in the middle of my waist.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a really powerful way to support the immune system.
Peppermint Essential Oil
naturally supports the respiratory system and is awakening and energy enhancing. It gently increases the essence of Ojas in the body.
Lemon Essential Oil
helps to naturally jumpstart the liver into detoxification mode and push Ama out of the body. It’s great at assisting the body in absorbing the nutrients from our food without over-taxing the system (it’s also really great for naturally increasing energy levels).
If you do all these things, in no time you will be digesting your food in a much more healthy and productive manner!