December is the time of year when the cold air hits the lungs first. If you've ever felt that contracting pain in your chest on a frigid morning, that's the message. Your respiratory channel is the most vulnerable terrain in winter. Ayurveda gives us specific practices for this month: how to protect the lungs, how to tend the internal terrain, what to put in your diffuser, what to eat, and how to honor the winter solstice.
Why your lungs are the December terrain to protect
If you go outside and feel cold, contracting pain in your lungs as you inhale, your lungs are too cold. That makes you especially vulnerable to respiratory imbalance: cough, cold, flu.
When you breathe really cold air in through the nose, the immune system of your sinuses and respiratory system gets temporarily weakened. You may find that all of a sudden you have a runny nose. Your body is trying to flush out bacteria and pathogens. That's an early warning signal. The respiratory channel, which is how you take in prana, is compromised.
Our job in winter is to create an internal ecosystem that fortifies these incredibly important organs, so we don't set the stage for pathogens to set up shop inside of us.
How to actually dress for winter cold
The #1 cause of disease in Ayurveda is mistaken intellect: doing things you know are not good for you, and not being present to the message the body is sending. If you feel cold or pain in the lungs, stop and notice. Breathe through the nose. Put on a scarf. Cover up your head, neck, chest, and ears. Don't fritter away the valuable resources you need to keep your body warm because you aren't dressing properly in winter. That's one of the things that opens the door to seasonal cough, cold, flu.
The three internal terrains you actually control
You're in charge of your internal terrain. We do this by paying attention to what we're thinking, focusing on, and the messages our body is sending us. We create a terrain where it's not easy for imbalance to take over.
There are three terrains in your body with the greatest and most far-reaching impact: mind, respiratory system, GI tract.
What kind of visual and thought information are you taking in? What you focus on has an impact on your internal chemistry. It becomes you, or you become it. News, conversations, things you read, the internal dialogue you allow to go on.
What are you breathing? Is the air the right temperature for your body? Is it pure?
What food are you taking in? It becomes your physical tissue. The channels in your body are called srotas. Some things we don't have control over. But we have an impact on these intake channels: what we eat, breathe, and focus on. We have a choice. There are choices we can make to create internal terrain that supports health.
Plants and oils for the December air
Tulsi tea (Holy Basil) is a go-to tonic for the heart and lungs in Ayurveda. It's a diuretic and diaphoretic, which means if you overdo it you'll feel dried out. If you're a dry Vata, steep it in a cup of warm milk to counter the dehydrating effect.
Moringa powder is Ayurveda's potent antioxidant green powder. The amino acids can be sprinkled on anything: porridge, smoothies, teas.
Frankincense as incense or essential oil energetically and physically cleans the air. It raises the vibration and slows mold growth in buildings.
In a diffuser, the aromatic powerhouses are cinnamon, cardamom, and clove. They clean the air. Back in the plague, people wore these aromatics inside their masks. All essential oil companies have this blend because it's so powerful: thieves, onguard, legends, to name a few. Lava beads are another way to carry the oil on your body for protection. Never put essential oils directly on the skin; always use a carrier oil. Some oils aren't okay for cats, dogs, or young children. Do your research.
Why December is the right season for nasya
Nasya supports sinus decongestion, immunity, headache relief, mental clarity, and focus. When indoor heating dries out the nasal passages, nasya oil moisturizes them. It's even said to be useful for neck and shoulder tension.
Buy a nasya mix from a company. Don't be careless about what you put up your nose, as it goes to your brain. Nasya would not be used if you have an active infection. Talk to your Ayurvedic professional.
What to eat in December
Chestnuts are a perfect December snack. They're fiber-rich but keep your blood from getting congested, thanks to antioxidants including Vitamin C. A creamy chestnut pumpkin soup is December comfort food.
For Vata in December, muscles can get tense and constricted in cold weather as they brace your body against plummeting temperatures. You have to work harder to keep your muscles limber this time of year to avoid cramps and neck and shoulder pain. Mahanarayan oil daily, abhyanga before a warm shower. Double down on avoiding dehydration. Cold air holds less moisture and causes the body to constrict, which increases urination. That makes one vulnerable to dehydration. Sip warm nourishing beverages, electrolyte drinks, or broths all day.
How to honor the winter solstice
At the solstice, we do a small mono-diet, two or three days of something really simple and nourishing. The Ojas drink is the warm cozy chair by the fire, lights outside the window version of nourishment.
(Susan's full solstice teaching lives in her annual solstice email. Linking when she shares.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the #1 thing to focus on in Ayurveda in December? Protecting your lungs from cold air, and supporting the three internal terrains: mind, respiratory system, GI tract. Cover your head, neck, chest, and ears. Breathe through your nose.
What is internal terrain in Ayurveda? Your terrain is the three intake channels with the greatest impact on your health: mind, respiratory system, and GI tract. You influence each by what you focus on, what you breathe, and what you eat.
What is nasya, and why is December a good time for it? Nasya supports sinus decongestion, immunity, headache relief, mental clarity, and focus. When indoor heating dries out the nasal passages, nasya oil moisturizes them. Do not use during an active infection; consult an Ayurvedic professional.
What should I eat in December for Ayurvedic balance? Chestnuts are the December snack: fiber-rich, with antioxidants and Vitamin C. Warming nourishing foods overall, with broths and electrolyte drinks for hydration. For Vata, daily abhyanga with Mahanarayan oil keeps muscles from constricting in the cold.
What does Ayurveda say about the winter solstice? Susan teaches a small mono-diet around the solstice, two or three days of something simple and nourishing like the Ojas drink. It's a way to honor the season.