Ayurveda for Autumn

Autumn is cold, dry and windy and the time when Vata Dosha dominates the constitution. Vata Dosha is composed of the elements Space & Air and as the environment around us cools down and dries up, so Vata Dosha will increase within us - remember one of the golden rules of Ayurveda ‘like increases like’. For people with a predominantly Vata constitution, Autumn and early Winter can be a particularly uncomfortable time. For those with more Pitta & Kapa constitutions, there will be a relief in the cool, dryness which comes with Autumn. If you’re in balance you should naturally start to crave warm, moist, grounding foods - tune in and see what nature has to offer, Vata season foods will be in abundance all around us. Below is a guide to help you through this wonderful season with ease:

Signs of Vata Aggravation 

  • Worried;

  • Tired, yet can’t relax.  Fatigue, poor stamina;

  • Nervous, can’t concentrate;

  • Anxious, fearful;

  • Agitated mind;

  • Impatient or hyperactive;

  • Spaced out;

  • Self-defeating;

  • Shy, insecure, restless;

  • Cannot make decisions;

  • Weight loss, under-weight;

  • Insomnia, wake at night and can’t get back to sleep;

  • Generalised aches, sharp pains, arthritis, stiff & painful joints;

  • Agitated movement;

  • Very sensitive to cold;

  • Nail biting (or any habits like this);

  • Rough, flaky skin, chapped lips;

  • Fainting spells;

  • Heart palpitations;

  • Constipation, intestinal bloating, gas, belching, hiccups;

  • Dry, sore throat, dry eyes;

In summary, if you are suffering from anxiety, worry, a tendency to overexertion, insomnia, chronic tiredness, mental and emotional depression, physical tension and other symptoms of stress, a weakened immune system, headaches, underweight, constipation, skin dryness, mental confusion, emotional conflict, inability to make decisions, impulsiveness, fast and disconnected speech, fantasy, illusions, and sensations of being lighthearted and removed from thoughts, feelings, or circumstances, then there is a very good chance that your Vata is aggravated.

General guidelines to pacify Vata  

  • Consume warm, moist, heavy foods and well spiced drinks. Avoid skipping meals and do not fast;

  • Meals should be small but frequent, at regular intervals;

  • Favour foods which are sweet, sour & salty in taste;

  • Introduce a daily, warm, full body oil massage using Sesame oil. You can add a few drops of a warming, grounding essential oil such as Vetiver;

  • Introduce a really good bedtime routine - no stimulation after 8pm and try to be in bed by 10pm. Hot baths or a warm, salt foot bath at night followed by rubbing warm sesame/vetiver combination on soles of feet;

  • Keep ears and head covered and warm when outdoors;

  • Stay very hydrated with lots of room temp water and herbal teas;

  • If you are prone to colds/flu in winter season begin Jala Neti, followed by nasya oils as early as possible in Autumn;

  • Rest, relax and practice slow yoga and warming pranayamas;

  • If possible have a monthly oil therapy. Choose from Shirodhara, Mukhaabhyanga, full body Abhyanga or Marma Point Massage;

  • Herbs to consider - Chyawanprash, Triphala, Brahmi, Shatavari, Ashwaghanda & Tulsi. Golden Milk at bedtime with turmeric, ginger, coconut oil & honey.

Foods to favour

  • Root veggies like sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, beetroots and winter squashes;

  • Cooked cold weather greens like kale & Swiss chard;

  • Warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cumin, fennel, & salt;

  • Warm, spiced cow’s, almond or goat’s milk. Spiced lassi (diluted yoghurt);

  • Raw or fresh roasted seeds and nuts;

  • Rich cold-pressed oils, ghee and avocados;

  • Moist grains like wheat, basmati rice & cooked oats;

  • Sweet & heavy fruit like bananas, mangoes, pears, apples & cranberries;

  • Proteins from red lentils, mung beans, split peas, adzuki beans, tofu, eggs and most meats

Foods to reduce

  • Dry foods like crisps, crackers, dry cereal etc;

  • Coffee & other forms of caffeine;

  • Carbonated drinks;

  • Large wind causing beans like cannellini, kidney & pinto

  • All raw foods (except fruit as long as eaten alone)

Autumn shopping list

  • Beetroot, broccoli, carrots, kale, parsnips, pumpkin, spinach, squashes, Swiss chard & turnips;

  • Apples, bananas, cranberries, dates, figs, pears & raisins;

  • Brown rice, Oats (rolled & cooked), basmati rice;

  • Red lentil, yellow split, peas, mung beans;

  • Avocados, coconut milk, cows milk, eggs, goats milk, raw nut butters, raw nuts, tahini;

  • Cardamom, cloves;

  • Cacao powder, coconut sugar, maple syrup;

  • Neti pot, nasya oil, sesame oil & vetiver essential oil

Happy Autumn!

Mairead MoodieThe Sacred Space