Ayurvedic Fasting: Revitalize Your Health with Ancient Wisdom

Introduction

Recent research suggests that digestive issues play a significant role in many illnesses and diseases, making them a potential root cause. Ayurvedic fasting, gaining popularity worldwide, offers fast and effective health benefits. While abstaining from food might seem daunting, following Ayurvedic guidelines for a full system reset can lead to a well-rested and rejuvenated body and mind. This ancient healing science paves the way for improved overall well-being, making the seemingly impossible task of fasting much more accessible and beneficial.

What is Fasting ?

Kshut Nigraha – to control or hold hunger. Fasting means to not eat any food for a period of time or following a mono-diet of an easily digestible food. Fasting is a practice of abstaining from food for a set period. It can help boost metabolism, promote weight loss, and improve mental clarity.

Why Fast?

If you suffer from indigestion, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, a severe cold or congestion.
To help rekindle the digestion, clear out toxins, unblock the bodily channels, enhance immunity and clear the mind.
It helps to reset the digestion and bring back a true appetite.

Which fast is best for you?

Vata (erratic digestion): mono-diet of an easily-digestible food like kichri, vegetable soup or steamed vegetables.
Pitta (strong/steady digestion): fruit or vegetable juices, steamed veggies or mung dal.
Kapha (slow digestion): fruit or vegetable juices, vegetable soups or even just warm water or herbal teas.

How long should you fast?

Vata (erratic digestion): once a week or a few days per month.
Pitta (strong digestion): once a week / upto 5 days per month.
Kapha (slow digestion): definitely every week and even for up to 7 days a month.

Ideas for fasting:

Remember, fasting doesn’t have to be no- food and no-water for everyone, here are a few alternatives:

Making dinner a vegetable-only meal.
Having a simple herbal tea for breakfast.
Eliminating processed, frozen, canned and/or fast foods from your diet.
Eating 3/4 or 1/2 the quantity you are used to eating.

When not to fast?

If you are young, very elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, are underweight or undernourished, or have a chronic illness.
You should not feel weak, irritated, depleted or hungry while you fast.
If symptoms like headaches, light- headedness or tiredness persist (experiencing these for a short period means toxins are being released).

Fasting and Spirituality:

The point of fasting in these circumstances is so you can simplify your day, spend less time on cooking and eating, and therefore spend more time remembering God.
If fasting leaves you feeling weak, irritated and unable to focus on God – then consider forgoing the fast for the higher principle of remembering God.