Ayurveda is based on terrain theory. Your terrain is your microbiome, roughly 30 trillion microorganisms living in and on your body. Most of them live in your gut. When immunity matters, you focus on terrain. Susan Bass on the two first-line terrains to tend, and the products and practices that keep them clean.
What terrain theory means in Ayurveda
Ayurveda is based on terrain theory. Your terrain is your microbiome. It is estimated that there are nearly 30 trillion microorganisms living in or on each person. The lower gut (large intestines and colon) contains 99% of all the microorganisms in the body. It is primarily composed of bacteria living in a densely populated ecosystem. This is why it is said that 80% of your immune system is in your gut, and that the gut is the second brain.
The two first-line terrains for immunity (respiratory and GI)
What are some first-line terrains in the body that we should be considering when we want to support immunity?
- Your respiratory tract (prana vaha srotas)
- Your GI tract (anna vaha srotas)
In Ayurveda, there is a functional relationship between the lungs and the colon. If we keep them both clean and healthy, they support each other. These two terrains have the most impact on preparedness because they are both responsible for the intake of Prana (life-force).
Susan's favorite products for these two terrains
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Organic Ceylon Cinnamon. Buy it whole and grind it in the spice/coffee grinder right before using. This provides a potent antiviral that has an affinity for lungs. The Vedic texts say that Ceylon Cinnamon dispels all deep cold in the body. According to Ayurveda, whatever you mix with cinnamon will be delivered to your lungs.
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Organic Cardamom. Ayurveda's #1 anti-mucus spice. Spring is the season of mucus. Too much mucus gives lots of hiding places for pathogens. EXCESS mucus makes it harder for the immune system to do its job.
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Tulsi tea with Ashwagandha. Tulsi is a go-to tonic for the heart and lungs. It is a diuretic and diaphoretic, so don't overdo Tulsi if you are feeling dried out. Ashwagandha is Ayurveda's powerful and world-famous adaptogen because it helps your body combat the effects of stress. One cup of Tulsi is all I can drink a day, but a hardy Kapha may be able to have 3 cups a day in spring.
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Moringa powder. Ayurveda's potent antioxidant green powder from the Moringa tree leaf. Can be sprinkled onto anything (porridge, smoothies, teas).
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Frankincense. There is a reason that so many temples and churches burn Frankincense all the time. It energetically and physically cleans the air. It also retards mold growth in buildings where it is used.
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Bronchial Wellness Tea from Gaia. A strong tea formula for the respiratory tract (prana vaha srotas). Some people really love it; some people find it too strong. It has everything from Helichrysum (fantastic for nervous system support and trauma) to Thyme and Eucalyptus, for someone who feels heaviness in prana vaha srotas.
Routine and mindset are also terrain
Don't forget to:
- Go to bed early, 10:30 PM at the latest.
- Meditate every day.
- Eat three warm, fresh-cooked, SEASONALLY appropriate meals each day at the same time in a RELAXED environment.
What to reduce so you don't build excess mucus
So that you don't build excess mucus in the lungs or GI tract, consider reducing:
- Wheat
- Sugar
- Dairy
- Heavy foods
- Cold foods
- Processed foods
- Frozen foods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is terrain theory in Ayurveda? Your terrain is your microbiome, nearly 30 trillion microorganisms living in and on your body. Ayurveda's view is that supporting the terrain is the foundation of immunity.
What are prana vaha srotas and anna vaha srotas? The respiratory tract (prana vaha srotas) and the GI tract (anna vaha srotas). These are the two first-line terrains for immunity in Ayurveda because they govern intake of prana (life-force).
Which spices does Susan recommend for the lungs? Organic Ceylon Cinnamon and Organic Cardamom. The Vedic texts say Ceylon Cinnamon dispels all deep cold in the body. Cardamom is Ayurveda's #1 anti-mucus spice.
What is Tulsi tea good for? Tulsi (Holy Basil) is a tonic for the heart and lungs. It is a diuretic and diaphoretic; if you are dry, don't overdo it. A hardy Kapha may handle 3 cups a day in spring; a Vata is closer to one cup.
What foods build excess mucus (and should be reduced for terrain support)? Wheat, sugar, dairy, heavy foods, cold foods, processed foods, frozen foods.