Much precious advice from Himalayan medicine
towards a healthier behaviour and diet for the season

Peace Times 11

Our behaviour is one of the factors that directly affects the humors in our body, causing them to either increase or decrease. Due to the natural pattern of these very energies in the outer world - also responsible for creating the seasons - our behaviour and diet should be adjusted according to the time of the year.

In spring time our digestive heat starts to decline, allowing the phlegm humor to become more predominant. At this time of year we could experience disorders such as skin problems, indigestion, arthritis, pains in the joints and kidneys.

One of the best remedies to counteract the effects of the phlegm humor is to drink boiled water or a ginger decoction in the morning. We should eat light cooked foods, in particular those with bitter and astringent tastes: rice, pasta, toasted barley, pulses, sesame oil, fish, lamb and chicken are all good for a healthy and balanced spring menu.

However, sweet and salty tasting foods, cold drinks, pork, beef and goat meat, unripe fruit and raw vegetables should be avoided. We should be careful not to over eat or drink.

It is also advisable to take some light exercise after eating, as staying immobile or sleeping aggravates the phlegm humor. We should try to avoid staying in humid and damp places for long periods of time and we should not expose ourselves to cold temperatures after taking a shower or bath.

In early summer, our body strength is at a low point and the manifestation of wind humor disorders begins to increase. At this time of year we could suffer from muscle and joint pain, constipation or diarrhoea, feelings of nausea, stress and tension.

To control the excessive wind energy in our body we should eat sweet, oily and cool foods: vegetable oil, animal fats, butter, beef, rabbit and lamb, eggs, cheese, onions, garlic, ginger and alcohol are all good to bring the wind humor back into harmony.

However we should be careful to avoid strong tea and coffee, unripe fruit and vegetables, sugar, cold food and drinks. We should, in particular, avoid any kind of un-nutritious or junk food.

We should also avoid too much physical exercise and washing in cold water. It is advisable to wear warm clothing and sit in warm and shady places.

s.d.