Why Some Coughs Linger and Others Don’t

Do you have the coughs as well? A particularly nasty bug has been around this year, creating a terrible cough for weeks. Did you catch one of those?

We can do nothing; bugs are a natural part of our life. Inevitably, we catch them. What’s interesting is not that we catch them but how our body reacts to them. Some people get ill and are off work for weeks. Others seem to shake those bugs after a few days.

The difference between these scenarios is the strength of your immune system.

Ayurveda sees the immune system as the essence left over when our body has digested food through all seven tissues. This essence is called Ojas, your immune system. Your heart is seen as the place where Ojas is stored.

 

What strengthens your Immune System?

But let's go back to how you get your immune strength:

• The food that you eat.

• The ability to digest food efficiently through the body's seven tissues.

If the food is the base, its quality is undoubtedly essential. It must be at its best to distil the essence of the digestive fire, which is the transforming force behind the process. Each tissue has its digestive fire, its own Agni. If any of the Agnis are weak, it impacts the quality of the essence. Do you agree?

Ayurvedic Principles for Better Immunity

 You might already know Ayurveda's basic recommendations, but here they are again:

• Eat seasonally.

• Eat local.

• Let lunch be your main meal.

• Have a light but nutritious breakfast and dinner.

• Have sufficient rest.

The Enemies of a Strong Immune System

Apart from the quality of your food and the strength of your digestive fire, stress is the biggest enemy of your immune system. To maintain immunity, prioritise high-quality food and restorative sleep.

That's why sufficient rest is not just a luxury; it's a necessity for a robust immune system. The quality of the rest is essential. There is a difference between a 7-hour sleep between 12 and 7 am and a 7-hour sleep between 10 pm and 5 am.

Utilising the body's nocturnal householding and sweeping processes strengthens the immune system. On the other hand, being busy between 10 pm and 2 am, when the bulk of the householding takes place, weakens the immune system. Our cerebral fluids get drained into the lymphatic system, creating a clear mind in the morning. If this opportunity is missed by being up checking emails or browsing social media, we feel foggy in the morning.

 

Immune-Boosting Foods for Winter

 

Let's get back to the food. Certain foods are particularly effective in supporting immunity during winter:

• Ghee and milk: Digest through all tissues and nourish the body deeply.

• Wholegrains and fermented foods: Natural yoghurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi support gut health, which is directly linked to immunity.

• Seasonal fruits and Amla (Indian gooseberry), rich in vitamin C and a powerful immune booster.

• Chyavanprash: A rejuvenating Ayurvedic supplement and excellent immune strengthener; one teaspoon daily suffices.

• Tulsi (Indian basil): This herb boosts immunity and uplifts your mood—perfect for the darker winter months. It can be taken as a tea or as an herb with Ghee.

• Leafy greens: Essential for overall health and an essential part of immune-boosting foods.

But above all, eating seasonal, fresh and good quality food is the key.

 

Simple Immune-Boosting Winter Recipes

 Try these simple, healthy winter recipes that nourish and strengthen your body:

Kitchadi: A nourishing, tridoshic dish made with rice and lentils, perfect for maintaining balanced digestion and immunity.

Kale and Carrot Soup: A warming and nutrient-dense soup to pair with kitchadi for a complete meal.

Both are easy to prepare, packed with immune-boosting foods, and perfect examples of winter immunity foods that align with Ayurvedic principles.

About Carrots:

Carrots are sweet with a little bitter taste as well. They are nourishing, easy to digest, and have plenty of fibre. This makes them ideal for the winter months. They are great for when you recover from those coughs, colds and flues.

Carrots purify the blood, are alkalising and nourish the liver which improves skin, cools they eyes and helps reduce inflammation. Despite their sweet taste, carrots stabilise the blood sugar.

According to Joyful Belly, boil 4 carrots with 2 tbsp coconut butter to restore the liver.

About Kale:

Kale, like all leafy greens, has a bitter taste. Kale, however, is cooling, which makes it perfect for Pitta dosha. A bitter taste improves the bile flow, reducing congestion of the gallbladder and liver. The bitter taste also encourages regular bowel movements and prevents dreaded winter constipation.

Kale is excellent for spring and autumn cleanses, as it helps release toxins from the blood.

Both are easy to prepare, packed with immune-boosting foods, and perfect examples of winter immunity foods that align with Ayurvedic principles.

Final Thoughts

Eat for Winter Immunity

Your immune system is the cornerstone of good health, especially during the winter months when bugs are out to get you. Ayurveda teaches us that the foundation of immunity lies in the food we eat, how well we digest it, and how we care for our bodies.

This winter, focus on eating warm, seasonal, and high-quality meals. Embrace immune-boosting foods like ghee, whole grains, and Tulsi, and prioritise restorative sleep and stress management.

These simple yet profound steps can boost your immune system naturally, help you recover faster from seasonal bugs, and enjoy vibrant health throughout the colder months.