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Writer's pictureMonique Rey

Ayurvedic Tips for Gut Health



Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest healing systems. In Ayurveda, Agni (your digestive fire) is viewed as the source of life. It’s literally the gatekeeper of good health and a metaphor for all metabolic functions in the body.

What you eat can nourish and strengthen this fire, boosting your digestive system — or it can smother it, leading to an impaired, weakened, or imbalanced Agni.

Foods that aren't so nourishing and can dampen that fire include fried foods, processed meats, and very cold foods. These can create an undigested residue that forms toxins, or in Ayurvedic terms “ama.” Ama is described as the root cause of disease.




☀️Here are a few suggestions to follow, according to Ayurveda to keep your Agni digestive fire fueled during fall and avoid a sluggish digestive system:

📌 Incorporate spices like turmeric, cumin, fennel seeds, and coriander in your diet.

📌Drink ginger or cumin tea once a day.

📌Avoid ice-cold drinks or food.

📌Don’t drink ice water as it slows Agni and digestion.

📌Don’t snack, if not hungry.

📌Take small sips of warm water during a meal to aid digestion and absorption of food.

📌Avoid contradicting food combinations, such as very hot and cold food or raw and cooked food together.

Soups are a great way to incorporate warming and nutrient-dense ingredients to maintain your digestive fire and restore immunity, adrenal, and gut health.


Ayurveda is really the mother of all health practices and it is based on two guiding principles:

1. The mind and body are inextricably connected

2. Nothing has more power than the mind to heal and transform

This means in Ayurveda, there is no separation between the body and the mind. You may see a cardiologist for your heart in Western society but in Ayurveda, the practitioner address all systems (gastrointestinal, endocrine, emotional etc), much like a holistic practitioner or functional medicine practitioner would.

A major cornerstone of Ayurveda is treating based upon bio-individuality with the unique mind-body types, referred to as "Dosha". These Doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Characteristics of the Doshas

Vata

  • The "wind" dosha - cold, dry, and ever-moving

  • Frequent or excess gas due to lack of digestive balance

  • Chronic Bloating & Constipation

  • Possible occurrence of hormonal issues

  • Dry skin and hair

  • Difficulty falling asleep, anxious

Pitta

  • Hot, fiery, powerful

  • Can frequently get heartburn, hyperacidity, and ulcers

  • Always hot, easily break a sweat

  • Organized and sharp, but sometimes impatient and agitated

  • Can become hangry

Kapha

  • Grounded, soothing, calm, and heavy

  • Can sometimes feel low in energy & takes a while to wake up

  • May gain weight easily + sluggish digestive system

  • Mucus buildup, frequent colds, coughs, and infections

  • Sometimes cold hands and feet may have thyroid issues

  • Sometimes neglect self-care

With these doshas (you can be more than one), you are looking to strive for balance in your digestive, hormonal, and mental/emotional health. Balance decreases inflammation in the body and stress management allows the body to heal itself when provided the right conditions.

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