Stay healthy this winter with some simple Ayurvedic tips which will keep your immune system strong…

Start the day (and drink throughout the day!) with a warming cup of tea such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and honey. These herbs are most beneficial for vata and kapha as they warm the body, promote good circulation and assist in the clearing of mucus.

A spoonful of Chyawanprash (Ayurvedic Herbal Jam) in the morning is a great way to increase energy and give you an extra immunity boost.   Chywanaprash is a classic remedy for building your resistance to colds and flus.  Ashwagandhadi Lehyam (Ashwagandha Jam) is another powerful tonic formula to feed the nervous system and improve stress resistance during the changing seasons.

A diet for this time of year should consist of warm foods that are mildly spicy, slightly oily and nourishing.  An herbal soup broth with many great tonic herbs such as astragalus, codonopsis, licorice root, atractylodes and shitake is another great way to keep your immune defenses strong this season. 

Treat yourself like a king or queen and massage yourself with warming herbal oils!  Self-massage can be beneficial to every constitution at this time of year. Herbal body scrubs are another great way to awaken your senses, stimulate circulation and penetrate the tissues to induce ultimate vitality.

And what better way to relax and rejuvenate then with a hot bath!  Herbal healing bath salts gently remove toxins, balance each dosha and provide a luxurious experience.

After a hard day’s work, settle in for a relaxing evening. Ayurveda suggests that an occasional small glass of warming herbal wine is beneficial in the winter to encourage circulation and stimulate digestion.

Before bed, try a delicious cup of hot milk with grounding and warming herbs such as nutmeg and cardamom.  This classic ayurvedic drink promotes sound sleep nourishes the tissues.