Feed your hunger without clogging channels

After the heat of summer and the body's response to the cold weather, we start to build up more Agni (loosely translated as heat or fire) in the body. All the Agnis in the body (stomach, liver, pancreas) become more active to compensate for the heat loss to the cold environment. Therefore we need richer food to feed the Agni or fire to maintain it. But the food should not be clogging as the channels of the body naturally shrink in the winter.  Clogged channels prevent flow of prana or life force.

If this increase in Agni or fire is not fed then the lubricating elements (Kledaka Kapha) are burned up, Vata increases fanning the fire which begins to burn higher and the proper formation of tissues is effected: all 7 tissues - plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and reproductive tissues.

One very interesting point is that the plasma (clear blood ) supports the nourishment of the skin so if plasma is "burned or drying " by excessive Agni then the skin becomes dry. If this dehydration reaches the blood the result is anemia. It can then spread down the chain of tissue formation effecting muscle, bone bone marrow and reproductive tissue and finally impact prana and our immune system.

To prevent this cascading effect the digestive fire must be appeased in winter. Unless intelligent, heavy food is taken both in quality and quantity, the digestive fire cannot be satisfied and it begins to consume the doshas, tissues and even our immunity. But most importantly this food must not be clogging.

Here I will comment on "fasting" as some Ayurvedic texts recommend it in the winter. The Carak Samhita,, the definitive text on Ayurved, warns against it saying, "fasting in winter season aggravates and increases the digestive flame. High flame and nothing to feed or pacify it can burn up the entire physiology."

How do we prevent the clogging of channels.

Maintain our environment free of negative emotions such as anger, jealousy and hatred; avoid loud noises; keep a balanced routine - do not be to much on the go; minimize EMF/EMR exposure

Avoid things in our diet that can block the physical channels such as: processed food, left overs, cold drinks especially milk. Also specifically winter squashes, large beans (pinto, black etc, soy, deep fried food, over eating. Eating before previous meal digested, Eating when not hungry. Eating while under stress. Staying up late regularly.

Fresh nourishing good quality food and a restful routine makes winter a perfect time to build our good health.