Ayurveda during the Winter Months

Winter, the dark and cold season can really test our body and minds – with a plethora of coughs, runny noses, sinuses, joint pains and depression, just about everything is slow and dull. It thus becomes important to strengthen our immunity system. One might have noticed that people feel hungrier during winters, which is quite normal given the fact that digestion is stronger in winters. Hence, the body is capable of nourishing itself better.

Hectic lifestyles, pollution and irregular dietary habits result in the accumulation of toxins in the body - which contribute to a general imbalance, ultimately resulting in illnesses of various sorts. Ayurveda recommends releasing these toxins, and the ideal time for this is during the onset of Winter, Spring and Fall. Mild therapy is strongly recommended by Ayurvedic doctors to beat the winter blues too.

For starters, this is the time for the body to balance. Panchakarma and detoxification does exactly that for our body by eliminating toxin. Because of this, the absorption of the nutrients within food also increases drastically. Light therapeutic body massages with Vata balancing herbal oils, head massages and Shirodhara are highly recommended for this period. It is often seen that allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies and cough and cold problems get aggravated during the winters. Ayurveda suggests a Nasya therapy, one of the popular therapies of Panchakarma to get rid of these symptoms if treated on timely basis. It is a short course of 8-11 days carried out under the supervision of expert Ayurvedic doctors.

As per the general myth, Panchakarma is not only about oil therapy. Oil therapy pertains more to the Purvakarma which is performed before Panchakarma and involves oil massages, herbal steams, etc. While Panchakarma refers to five treatments that purify the body and soul and evacuate the vitiated Doshas from the body. The five elimination techniques are Basti (medicinal enemata), Vamanam (induced emesis), Virechan (medicinal purgation), Nasya (nasal administration) and Raktamokshan (blood-letting). Which Panchakarma therapy will suit a given person as per their constitution and ailments or complaints is prescribed by the Ayurvedic doctor.

As far as the toxins are concerned, they are primarily accumulated in the large intestine, which acts as a waste bin for the body. This causes symptoms like the fullness of the abdomen, gas formation, excess belching and yawning, headaches, hyperacidity, irritability and joint pains. Hence, it is important to improve the digestive system and clear the large intestine. Basti plays a significant role in such conditions. Basti is a therapeutic process in which medicated oils and herbal preparations are used to flush toxins from the intestinal tract. Basti offers greater healing benefits than traditional water-based colon cleansing because the herbalized oils enter the deeper tissues and eliminate fat-soluble toxins.

The quality and efficacy of the oil used plays an important role in such therapies. Unlike most small setups, special care should be given on hygiene and cleanliness. Since Panchakarma and other therapies involve sensitive treatments like Basti, Vamanam, Virechanam and Netratarpana, it is important that the room is dust free. The clinics must use disposable items only and specially sterilized equipments. In addition, there should be expert doctors present at all times at the time of the treatment along with well-trained therapists.

There are special therapeutic Yoga classes held at the Baidyanath Life Sciences clinic every morning. These classes are open to all of the public at very nominal prices and is complimentary for most of the patients in the clinic. Asanas, meditation, pranayam and kriyas are all part of the Yoga classes. To provide the best in Ayurveda for Nagpurians, medicines, doctors or mental and physical balance is what the Baidyanath clinic aims for. A lush green garden and a soothing ambience , and helpful and smiling staff makes one instantly comfortable.

This blog is powered by Baidyanath Life Sciences, who bring about authentic Ayurvedic wellness treatments through its centres in Nagpur. Contact us at (0712) 2551413/(0712) 2440020 to schedule an appointment.