Agni

Walk into any drug store in America. The number of over-the-counter antacids, laxatives, and gas relief medications makes it clear that as a society, we've got a digestion problem. According to Ayurveda and corroborated by modern medicine, good digestion is one of the most important keys to well-being and longevity. In Sanskrit, the word for digestion is agni, meaning living fire, and it must be kindled and tended to with care and attention. There is an ayurvedic saying that goes "a man is as old as his agni and that when agni is extinguished, he dies." In other words, agni is life. Every person has a unique mind-body constitution and a particular digestive tendency, and most Ayurvedic recommendations depend on the person, time, and place. Here I’d like to share my top 5 Ayurvedic recommendations to help all mind-body types achieve optimal digestion.

1. Hot water

Starting your day with a big glass of hot water is one of the best things you can do to kick start your metabolism and help your body eliminate the rest of yesterday's food. I like to fill a quart-sized mason jar with boiled water and some slices of fresh ginger and lemon for an extra cleansing effect (skip these if you tend to run hot or deal with acid reflux or heartburn). Throughout the day, sip warm water or digestive teas, but drink only sparingly during meals as too much liquid will douse your digestive fire. Stay away from iced drinks, especially while eating; the cold will clog up your digestion. Imagine trying to wash your dishes with ice water!

2. Spices

Spices improve the taste of your meals and work synergistically with your food to help your body digest and absorb nutrients. Cooking with spices and drinking spiced tea is one of the best ways to help your body assimilate and eliminate what you eat. Some of my favorite spices that also help aid digestion are ginger, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cumin, fennel, basil, coriander, and cloves.  Learning your unique mind-body type is important in knowing which spices are most appropriate for you. Cumin Coriander Fennel Tea is a popular Ayurvedic digestive tea mix because it balances all mind-body types. Just mix the seeds in equal parts. I prefer to boil the whole seeds for at least 5 minutes. You can make a big batch, pour it in a thermos, and sip it throughout the day.  I like to add cinnamon for flavor, (as long as it's not too heating for your constitution.)  If you find yourself dealing with problematic digestive symptoms like gas, cramps, or bloating after food, make ginger tea by boiling a few slices of fresh ginger for a few minutes. If, on the other hand you experience acid reflux, heartburn, or indigestion, try fennel-mint tea instead. 

3. Timing

Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at about the same time each day establishes a healthy routine for your mind and stokes your body's metabolism. Occasional fasting, depending on your mind-body type, can be appropriate for removing the build-up of ama, aka toxins, but generally, eating complete meals at regular times is the healthiest way to go. Aim for a warm breakfast based on whole grains and cooked fruit, make lunch your biggest meal to coincide with the hottest part of the day when your digestion is strongest, and sup lightly to allow your body to rest at night rather than needing to digest a heavy dinner. Avoid snacking much between meals to give your previous meal time to digest fully. If you must snack, favor fresh fruit, or try drinking golden milk instead to quench between-meal cravings. 

4. Relax

We all know by now that "you are what you eat," but Ayurveda understands that you are also HOW you eat. Eating while on the go or stressed wreaks havoc on your digestion as your sympathetic nervous system deals with stress first and food later.  Make some time before each meal to take a few deep breaths, calm your nervous system, and give thanks for your food. Chew each bite well; remember, digestion starts in the mouth! Also important but challenging (for me!) is to take a few minutes AFTER your meal to sit peacefully and allow the digestion process to start. During times of stress, eat lightly and never have difficult conversations over a meal.

5. Enjoy

Eat foods that are appealing, wholesome, and enjoyable to you. If you force yourself to eat something you don't like because you think it's healthy, your body will have trouble digesting it. On the other hand, pay attention to your cravings. Ayurveda says you should honor your body's natural impulses, but when you are out of balance, your body often craves quick fixes that tend to perpetuate the imbalance. If you pause, get curious and look to the root of your cravings, you may be able to gently replace unhealthy impulses with more wholesome alternatives. For example, caffeine or sugar cravings are usually your body's way of asking you to get more rest. Fried foods or fatty cravings can be satiated by incorporating moderate amounts of healthy fats into all of your meals.  Above all, taking time to lovingly prepare wholesome meals that are appealing and balancing to your mind-body type will help reduce unhealthy cravings.