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.