For those of our readers still new to the concept of Ayurveda, you will find that this healing modality is one of the most efficient ways to taking preventative precautions. These precautions encourage a healthy immune system, ensuring a long, healthy, and sustainable life. If you haven't yet, check out our Introduction to Ayurveda blog post. It offers a basic foundation of what Ayurveda is and how you can start living an Ayurvedic lifestyle.
Building Immunity Naturally
Nowadays, social media and western beliefs have swayed us into a narrative of "don't fix it if it ain't broke". While the ancient healing system of India takes a more preventative approach to wellness and health. By actively supporting and nourishing ourselves with our diet, environment & mindset, we can live comfortably and mindfully knowing our bodies can rely on the good choices we make in our everyday life.
How does this relate to immunity, you ask? Well, certainly most of us are aware by now of the devastating side-effects that many pharmaceutical drugs have. And waiting for the disease to take place before addressing the symptoms is simply not sustainable for anyone's well-being. In knowing this, we can lean in to our daily routines and lifestyle choices to support us.
Ayurveda urges society to rethink health, wellness, and optimal well-being in what you do to continuously strengthen your immune system, nourish your nervous system, and find time to live in the moment. One of my favourite sayings from Ayurvedic philosophy is, it is not what you do sometimes, but what you do everyday that defines our mental, spiritual and physical well-being.
With all this being said, check out these Ayurvedic lifestyle tips to keep your body feeling strong, supported and loved!
Spice Your Meals
Include herbs & spices like turmeric, ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, oregano, rosemary & reishi mushrooms. By adding these into daily meals, digestion is supported and the immune system has phytonutrients to work with.
Drink Herbal Tea
Coriander, Cumin & Fennel tea, Chai, Echinacea tea, and Elderberry teas, specifically. Keep in mind that you may be able to find syrups that include some of these herbs to which you can add to your morning oats, smoothies or any other meals that could use a little sweetener! (Elderberry syrup is delicious on French toast - mind you I make my own, so use store bought syrups at your own risk). Also, a little lemon water never hurt anybody. And mint water is especially fantastic in the warmer summer months to keep your mind and body cool.
Take Hot Baths for Your Immune System
On a weekly basis. Or, if you don't have a bath, try to take warm showers. This is fantastic for drawing out toxins and killing bacteria in the body. Through increasing and facilitating blood flow, your body is better equipped to take on any unwelcome bacteria and viruses, therefore boosting immunity.
Massage Your Body aka Abhyanga
Similarly to taking hot baths, self oil massage (known as Abhyanga in Ayurveda) draws out toxins in the body by moving the lymphatic system which governs the removal of toxins from the body. Unlike the our circulatory system (blood), our lymphatic system doesn't have its own pumping mechanism, so it's important to stimulate it ourselves to ensure a happy, healthy system as a whole. Shop our body oils here. You can also help your lymphatic system to draw out toxins through exercise and dry brushing.
How do you support your immune system on a regular basis? Comment below! We'd love to know.