Winter in Ayurveda

For some, winter is the most beautiful time of year. The days get shorter, darker and cooler. The perfect time to snuggle up in a blanket at home, read a good book and drink a warm cup of tea. Ayurvedic health teachings explain why this is also good for your health, as winter begins in October.

Seasons in Ayurveda

Seasonal factors play an important role for health in Ayurvedic medicine. This is because the interaction of the doshas and agni in our organism, which are largely responsible for our physical and mental well-being, changes with the seasons. Winter, for example, which is characterized by cold weather, is a time when Vata increases and the immune and nervous system reacts particularly sensitively to irritating external factors. Plenty of rest, warming teas and calming tonics are particularly beneficial at this time. On the other hand, the digestive power of Agni also increases, which makes us hungrier and helps us to metabolize more easily. The Susrutha Samhita explains: "When it is cold, the fire in a clay oven burns even hotter than in the open air. In the same way, Agni also increases in the cold season, protected by our body shell."

Anabolic and catabolic metabolic phases in winter

As the weather gets colder, the metabolic system reacts with ever-increasing digestive power, allowing us to consume somewhat more sumptuous meals and even hard-to-digest foods without regret. However, the cell metabolism processes the rich food before Christmas in a different way than after the festive season. In Ayurveda, the early winter (Hemanta Ritu) from the end of October to the end of December and the late winter (Shishima Ritu) from the end of December to the end of February are distinguished primarily by the different quality of the tissue metabolism (dhatvagni):

• In the early winter months, food is utilized in a catabolically dominated and therefore energy-releasing manner

• In the late winter months, a distinctly anabolic metabolic phase sets in, which serves to store energy and build up tissue.

These different metabolic qualities should also be taken into account in personal activities and eating habits . The early winter months, for example, are ideal for weight-reducing and performance-enhancing measures. After Christmas at the latest, the body and mind need a break to strengthen health and recharge the batteries.

Performance and immune strength for early winter

The period leading up to the end of the year is often characterized by hustle and bustle and productivity. December is filled with tight deadlines and projects that need to be completed by Christmas. Fortunately, at this time of year our inner biorhythm also provides us with an extremely dynamic force that is driven by a powerful combustion engine. The digestive fire (Agni) ignited by winter Vata increases digestive capacity and enables us to enjoy the many sweet treats and festive menus of the pre-Christmas period in the best possible way. The catabolically burning tissue metabolism also increases physical performance and efficiency.

But be careful - the increased activities of early winter can also increase stress and vata dosha, which leads to an increased susceptibility to colds or flu-like infections. From an Ayurvedic point of view, all warming, restorative and immune-boosting foods and herbs, such as high-quality oils, fermented dairy products, strong broths and hearty stews made from cabbage and root vegetables should be given preference in order to improve the body's own defenses. Those who do not follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet can also include a little more animal protein in their diet. The moderate consumption of animals from wetlands is expressly recommended in Ayurvedic literature for therapeutic dosha and agni balancing in early winter. In the northern European vegetation zone, this primarily includes poultry such as duck, goose and turkey as well as freshwater fish, which can be eaten in moderate quantities (max. once a week) to strengthen health. If you prefer a vegetarian or vegan diet, you should include enough oils, nuts and protein-rich energy sources such as seitan or tofu in your diet to make it sufficiently heavy and nourishing.

Recharge your batteries in late winter

From the end of December, we begin to hibernate inside and out. Nature quiets down - everything becomes calmer and slower, and our metabolism is also at its peak with its anabolic and energy-storing functions. The body now stores more Kapha, which protects it from cold and emaciation. This also provides the immune system with lasting protection against the Vata factors of the cold, frosty winter weather, which are detrimental to health.

If we want to survive the dark and harsh winter days in good health, we need a calm everyday life adapted to the slower metabolic rhythm with plenty of sleep, relaxation phases and nourishing food that warms, protects and strengthens us. To stimulate inner warmth, circulation and metabolic activity, it is advisable to drink plenty of warm, boiled water or ginger water throughout the day.

Hibernation instead of winter blues

Cold weather, lack of light and little fresh food weaken the body and make the respiratory tract, musculoskeletal system and psyche more susceptible to illness. Almost everyone suffers from a persistent cold or low mood in winter, also known as the winter blues.

The better we manage to keep the seasonal Vata in check, the healthier we feel . Sufficient sleep, exercise in the fresh air, regular oil massages and mentally strengthening food supplements, so-called Medhya Rasayanas - such as Amalaki and Ashwanganda - help as proven remedies against the winter blues.