Five Easy Ayurvedic Food and Drinks You Should Add to Your Diet to Build Immunity
Ayurveda emphasizes your diet to maintain overall health and well-being. Eating Ayurvedically is not the same as choosing to eat vegan, paleo or gluten-free. There is no one size fits all approach, it’s about creating the best meal plan for your unique physiological, mental and emotional makeup. This individual makeup is known as our dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). It’s super helpful if you know your primary dosha when deciding to eat according to Ayurvedic principles, but it’s not always required to kick off the process. If you don’t know your dosha, but are interested in getting nourishment and building your immune system with Ayurvedic food, here are our top five food and drinks that are nutrient rich. Eat these daily or weekly, as a way to ease into the process and sustain long-term immune building rituals:
Pomegranate juice
- Good for blood and kidneys because it removes toxins
- Acts as an immune system booster
- Helps relieve nausea
- Aids your metabolism by regulating fat
Tulsi tea
Considered the queen of herbs, Tulsi is an invigorating herbal drink that promotes natural health. In Ayurveda, it is can be used to treat viral and bacterial infections, including insect bites. It helps with issues like respiratory, sinusitis, recurrent cold, asthmatic complaints, and more. Check out these other benefits:
- Acts as a stimulant for the digestive system
- Helps purify blood and boosts circulation
- Is an Anti-bacterial/viral/fungal
- Is a brain tonic, enhances memory, acts as a mood stabilizer
- Relieves asthma, cough and chest congestion
Turmeric latte
This is referred to as golden milk, which has made its way into the mainstream. Here are a few benefits:
- Brings sound sleep when taken at night
- Fights inflammation and infection because it is an antioxidant
- Relieves acidity and prevents ulcers
- Helps with the regeneration of brain cells
- Helps with age-related wrinkling, freckles, etc.
Kitchari
A wonderful healthy Ayurvedic food made of rice, mung beans/or any other pulses/lentils, seasonal vegetables of your choice like carrot/potato, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, etc. This nourishing dish also includes important spices like ginger, garlic, asafetida and cumin. Here are some key benefits:
- Improves appetite and relieves nausea
- Helps stop hair loss, improves bone density and mobility
- Alleviates joint pain
- Fights anemia
- Improves vision
Ghee
Superior among all the fats and oils in Ayurveda. Ghee has been referred to as a treatment for almost all diseases due to its amazing health benefits. It is a memory booster, rejuvenator, clarifies the senses and is a digestive tonic. A small teaspoon of ghee at least three times a week is found to improve general health and prevent disease. Ghee can be used as a topping for a variety of foods. After ghee consumption, it is always advised to drink warm water to facilitate quick absorption.
- Fights degenerative diseases like Alzheimers and dementia
- Improves skin quality and appearance
- Regulates digestion and appetite
- Improves longevity and promotes cell regeneration
Food is considered one of the three pillars of life and contributes to your immunity. Enjoy these foods as a part of your daily or weekly menu to help detoxify your body, prevent disease and improve health.
WRITTEN BY ASWATHY
