September brings in the last golden rays of Summer heat. The days slowly become shorter and the early mornings and evenings feel cooler. This can throw our immune system for a loop!
Ayurvedic herbs are a great place to start to assist the body through the month. Below are three go-to Ayurvedic herbs that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine and provide support through the tail end of the season.
GINGER
Ginger with its spicy and warm taste, helps to fire up digestion and assist with blood circulation to keep our bodies warm. Ginger is also antioxidant rich and the compound gingerol acts as an anti-inflammatory and which supports the immune system. The center of our immune system resides in the gut, so supporting it with warming herbs like ginger can be beneficial.
Enjoy it first thing in the morning as tea or after meals. Add fresh ginger to salad dressings and marinades. My favourite way to enjoy ginger is making a decoction (concentrated tea) and keeping it in the fridge.
ASHWANGANDHA
Transitioning to cooler weather puts some stress on our bodies. Adaptogens like Ashwangandha help our bodies adapt to stress and support a feeling of general calm. If your sleep feels a little off balance due to the changing light, this herb helps to encourage deep and restful sleep. Curl up with a good book and a warm cup of tea and you’re a few steps away to absolute blissful rest!
ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera - while you can find it in the fruit section at your local grocery store, is technically an herb, and is a fantastic way to cool down in the last bursts of summer heat. You can buy it fresh and add it to smoothies or buy its juice and add it into mocktails and smoothies. I love mixing it with sparkling water, tart cherry juice and fresh lime. It also supports elimination, especially if your body is feeling off kilter during this period. It also helps deeply hydrate the body, so it can be beneficial if your skin is feeling dehydrated.
Author: Andrea Ingles
Andrea Ingles is part of the stellar Operations team at Sahajan. She is passionate about all things skincare and wellness and is currently a holistic nutrition student at CSNN.