Concept of Fasting In Ayurveda
In Ayurveda fasting is defined as “Upavasa ” .
It is not necessary to do fasting without consuming any food throughout the day .We should not deprive ourselves from food as it leads to hunger pangs and craving . Ayurveda fasting is all about removing toxins , improving digestive fire and cleanse your body . To achieve this goal we need special food and herbs during fasting .A light and clean diet helps to improve your current health status . It not only gives you physical strength but also improve psychological and spiritual strength.
IMPORTANCE OF FASTING
When we consume more processed foods, food containing pesticides, fungicides, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and chemical additives than ever before, it can lead to disease in the body .Additionally, when we overeat and choose poor quality foods, digestion suffers.
If you dump too much fuel on the digestive fire all at once, you will simply put out the fire. Fasting is a powerful approach to ignite the digestive fire which leads to burning away all accumulated toxins which are stored in the body and mind.
Due to weak digestive fire person is not able to digest food properly which lead to the accumulation of toxins or “ama” (undigested food) in the body . According to Ayurveda “Ama” is the cause of all diseases in the body . That is the reason why complete fasting (no having anything entire day) is not recommended in Ayurveda
How to do fasting as per Ayurveda
Start your day with vegetable juice (chose any seasonal vegetable) , in the mid morning have some fruit or coconut water , in lunch have vegetable soup/ Salad / Rice + dal Khichdi with black pepper and ginger . In the evening take 1 bowl of vegetable soup . Avoid meat , egg , fish and dairy product during fasting as it leads to inflammation in the body . Light food and spices like black pepper and ginger improves the digestion .
Ayurvedic food supplements such as Triphala, Trikatu, Amla, Aloevera juice can also support the digestive process.
Best season to do fasting
Ayurveda also states that spring (Shishira Ritu) is the best time for fasting, according to which the cold and moist period from the finish of February onwards is exceptionally appropriate for fasting. Self-cleansing forces are aroused in the body when the force of the sun begins to boost.
In the present worldwide situation, individuals are continually presented to various poisonous substances through water, air, nourishment, and medicine alongside expanding way of life issues which leads to higher collection of different toxins in the body. Due to which, the regular procedures of the body to remove unhealthy things and purifying remains inadequate so at that time fasting can serve all the purpose in precautionary and remedial contexts too.