By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) SPRING GINGER DAL Easy to digest foods is critical this time of year. The Agni, digestive fire, must be kindled and protected. This dal recipe provides easy to digest protein, functional foods that aid in digestion and is hearty without being heavy. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup yellow lentil (toor dal) ¼ teaspoon green chilis 1 cup whole spinach 2 tablespoons ghee ½ teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 pinches dried red chili flakes (optional) 3 inches of fresh chopped ginger 1 teaspoon CoCurcumin Kosher salt to taste ¼ cup cilantro...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) As we wind into the fall, vata is on the rise. With school starting, many kids are feeling a little restless and put off. For adults, the changing season reminds us that the relaxation found during the summer is reducing. Sweetness is needed for this recipe; feel free to use either maple syrup OR honey. These recipes will help reduce vata and keep us warm as we watch the changing leaves. NIGHT TIME MILK FOR FALL This milk drink will ease vata and allow us to get a good night’s rest. Saffron will help...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) KHEER Makes 4 servings During this hot season, sweet foods can be our friend-in moderation. Kheer provides an easy-to-digest dessert that is not too sweet but can ameliorate the symptoms of pitta. Be advised that honey is a great sweetener but it is not to be cooked. There are several options to make this dessert listed below. 2.5 cups coconut milk (from the can) 2 tablespoons organic raw sugar 2 cups water ½ cup basmati white rice ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon cardamom ¼ cup raisins (optional) ½ teaspoon rose water (optional) Chopped pistachios...

As the harvest moon approaches, the season of fall is in full swing. The air is brisk, and the hours of daylight are noticeably diminishing. Often, we begin spending more time indoors, enjoying the warmth and comforts of home. We tend to exercise less and eat a bit more, usually, craving foods that make us feel good, temporarily; foods that contain increased amounts of sugar and fat. With Halloween right around the corner, it is important to avoid overindulging in sugary treats in order to maintain balance in mind and body. Similar to the autumn air, the qualities of vata...

Of the three doshas described in Ayurvedic medicine, Pitta is the one that is associated with water and fire. The interplay of these elements creates a transformative property and is associated with processes such as digestion and detoxification. When Pitta is too hot, the Ayurvedic practitioner will look to cooling herbs to bring the body back into balance. Traditionally, Pitta imbalance is generally characterized by night sweats, irritated skin, and anger. Western trained providers tend to think about systems involved in the presentation of an illness, such as the nervous or endocrine system, as do providers trained in Eastern disciplines...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) Food is essential for life. Yet, many individuals develop an unwholesome relationship with food to the extent that it negatively affects their health. In the United States, it is estimated that up to 30 million people suffer from an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. Worldwide, the figure increases to nearly 70 million sufferers. Generally speaking, anorexia is depriving the body of food, bulimia is eating a large amount of food and then purging it, and binge-eating involves the excessive intake of food at one sitting without purging...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) There is nothing like a beautiful sun-filled day outside. However, too much sun exposure and too little sun exposure both may have significant consequences. Like most things in life, balance is key. The challenge is to maximize the benefits of the sun and at the same time protect the body from damage. The skin uses sunlight to help manufacture vitamin D, which is important for normal bone formation. Sun exposure also plays an important role in reducing blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, and improving mood by releasing endorphins. Sunlight can also be hard on...

Ayush Herbs’ Carditone® is a commonly used herbal preparation designed to support healthy blood pressure levels. Formulated by the Sodhi brothers, it has been utilized by naturopathic physicians and like-minded practitioners for 35 years. One of the most common questions we get at Ayush is do you have any studies on Carditone? We are happy to announce that now we do! The National University of Naturopathic Medicine’s Helfgott Research Institute performed a study on Carditone® to assess its safety profile. This was a single-arm, open-label clinical trial using 30 adults over a six-month period. It was recently published in the...

By Dr. Anju Sodhi (Bams, ND) The air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing colors, and the Vata aspects of fall are upon us. The cold, quick, dry, mobile, and clear qualities of Vata in the fall can cause a lot of disturbance in our skin. As the breeze picks up and the trees lose luster, we notice similar changes to our skin. We will discuss some ways to nurture the skin during this transformative season. Many people find their skin getting generally dry or in specific patches. This season can also cause skin eruptions both with singular blemishes...

We are sure you have seen many back-to-school articles discussing immune health and protecting against allergies. However, has anyone thought about discussing mental health with their kids during this jarring transition back to school? Fall is a time for Vata energy to collect. It gets dry, cold, and windy, all Vata qualities. Additionally, changing from a lax summer schedule to a rigid one, such as the start of school, is a Vata event. This is a beautiful season, but if we are not careful to change with autumn, many issues that correspond to Vata can occur. Having a conversation about...