Ayurvedic Tips and Reminders

ByGedalia Genin

 I have been thinking about  “ojas” lately; one of the most influential factors of optimal health according to Ayurveda. With such confusion these days on this diet, that diet, no this , no that ;with somewhat of a negative toward food, I choose to contemplate food and the cooking of it in a more positive and nourishing way. Here’s what I have discovered.

 According to Wikopedia,Ojas (pronounced oh-jus) is the substance created after digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. There’s really no word for it in the English language other than “bliss”. It is “bliss’ in pure form!!

 It is the substance that  makes your eyes sparkle, and gives your skin it’s luster. It’s what creates the vitality we are all looking for!

 Some examples of ojas-producing foods are milk; ghee; whole grains; fresh, organic vegetables and fresh, sweet, juicy fruits, like ripe grapes. From an Ayurvedic perspective food is not looked at from a calorie, protein, carb content formula( let  the scientists do that); but rather; how much pure “bliss” does it give you? Leftovers, red meat, “junk” food, and canned, processed, packaged or frozen foods are what creates “ama’ toxic waste which underlies most disease; non-bliss creating foods.  Foods alive with intelligence create this amazing elixir in the body called “ojas”.Blisssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!! Don’t you love this word?In the original Ayurvedic texts, it clearly says that the following depletes Ojas:

  • Trauma
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Malnutrition / wasting diseases
  • Starvation
  • Unfavorable environmental factors, such as too much sun, air or water, etc.

So if you need to increase your “ojas” here is a recipe you may follow:

This recipe is said to rapidly increase ojas in the pulse and is very nourishing and strengthening to all the tissues. It is best recommended in the morning. It is from The Raj Ayurvedic Spa.

Directions:

Start with a cup of organic whole milk, raw, or 2% milk. Slowly bring it to a boil for a moment and lower the heat. This makes the milk more digestible. Make sure you watch it so it doesn’t boil over. Let the milk cool to lukewarm.

Once the milk has cooled down a bit, mix in and blend the following ingredients:

  • 1 tsp organic ghee
  • 1 tsp organic honey
  • 1 tsp fresh organic yogurt
  • 1 tsp organic brown sugar

Optional: a pinch or two of cardamom and a teaspoon of Organic Rose Water

Drink this with pure” bliss” in mind and it will certainly nourish your “ojas”- which by the way resides in the heart!( No ojas, no life.)

Stay tuned next week to the second most influential health factor according to Ayurveda..

Namaste’

Gedalia

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