Do you know why milk is so special in Ayurvedic nutrition? Discover the powerpack of ayurvedic benefits milk provides and choose the best for your baby!
Introduction
We all know the never-ending benefits milk provides us. Being used as a breakfast beverage, it holds a significant value in our lives. There are not many people who know the Ayurvedic significance and importance of milk in our kids’ lives.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that originated over 5,000 years ago. It focuses on achieving harmony between mind, body, and spirit. Although Ayurveda uses food, herbs, and lifestyle changes to achieve physical and mental wellness, milk has always been a valuable element in the Ayurvedic diet and nutrition practices.
The role and benefits of milk in Ayurveda.
Milk plays a vital role in terms of Ayurveda. It is considered to have a 'sattvic’ nature, which means that it has a pure, balancing, and nourishing nature. It enhances mental clarity and strength and supports a calm and peaceful mind.
Classified as a Rasayana food It helps in tissue regeneration, promotes longevity, and restores vitality, rejuvenating both the body and mind. It regards the balance of all three Ayurvedic doshas, i.e., vatta, pitta, and kapha, if consumed properly. And it helps in complete Ayurvedic nutrition with its so many benefits, like:
- Supports vital energy: In Ayurveda, milk nourishes ojas (vital energy), which is the essence of vitality and immunity. It strengthens the body’s ability to fight illness and brings overall energy for well-being.
- Enhances strength and stability: Milk is the key food for tissue regeneration and supporting muscle mass, bone health, and overall vitality.
- Calming for the mind: Milk has many soothing properties that help calm the nervous system, hence promoting a calm and peaceful sleep.
- Promotes digestion: Milk works to improve nutrient absorption, balancing the stomach fire referred to as Agni in Ayurveda, and soothes the digestive system to promote healthy digestion when combined with beneficial spices like cardamom and turmeric.
Types of milk in Ayurveda
- Cow’s milk: It is the most common type of milk and is considered to balance all the doshas.
- Buffalo's milk: This milk is richer and heavier. With more fat and cream, it is suitable for people with pitta-dosha imbalance.
- Goat’s milk: This is more light and digestible. It is most recommended for people with kapha dosha.
- Other milks: Many people suffer from lactose intolerance and these non-dairy milks are some safe and nutritional alternatives for them to use. Milk extracted from nuts like almonds, coconut oat milk, etc.
Ayurvedic guidelines for consuming milk
In Ayurveda, everything is done in a systematic manner with reasons and facts behind it. There are certain guidelines for consuming milk as well to optimize its benefits to their full potential:
- The ideal time to consume milk is in the evening, as it has calming properties to soothe your mind and body. So it is recommended to drink milk before sleeping.
- The temperature of the milk is also a crucial thing to keep in mind. Warm milk is considered healthy for consumption as cold milk disturbs the digestion process and imbalances the kapha.
- You can use healthy combinations to make milk more nutritious and healthy for your kid. Spices like cardamom, saffron, turmeric, ginger, and nutmeg can help to improve the digestibility of the milk and give it an interesting taste.
- There are several foods you should avoid pairing milk with to prevent indigestion, like sour foods, fish, meat, etc.
Ayurvedic recipes to prepare milk for your baby
- Turmeric milk: Turmeric is a potent herb in Ayurveda, known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and nutritional properties. When paired with the healing elements of milk, it creates an exceptionally beneficial beverage called golden milk.
How to consume: Take 1 cup of warm organic milk and ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder; add a pinch of black pepper to enhance turmeric absorption. You can add ½ TSP of honey for sweetness.
- Ashwagandha milk: Ashwagandha is also a beneficial organic herb and works to vitalize and strengthen the body and help with stress and anxiety. Adding it with milk makes a calming and soothing beverage that relaxes the mind and energizes the body to gain ojas (vital energy).
How to consume: Take 1 cup of warm organic milk, add ½ tsp of ashwagandha powder and you can add ½ tsp honey for sweetness.
- Milk with cardamom and saffron: Cardamom has many digestive properties, while saffron is known for its mood-enhancing benefits and rejuvenating elements. And with milk, all three make a power pack of soothing and energizing drinks that heal the inner body and aid digestion.
How to consume: Take 1 cup of warm organic milk and add 2-3 crushed cardamom pods or ½ tsp of cardamom powder. Add 3-4 saffron strands and mix well. For additional sweetness, you can add ½ teaspoon of honey.
- Milk and honey: The combination of milk and honey is flexible and beneficial. It boosts ojas and provides rejuvenating properties. Honey is a healer and milk provides the base and nutrition, making the combination a perfect and healthy everyday beverage.
How to consume: Take 1 cup of warm milk, add ½ tsp of raw honey, and mix well. Make sure that the milk is too hot, as it can cause honey to lose its beneficial properties.
It is advised to consult your doctor for lactose intolerance and take a proper prescription before consumption. Lactose intolerance in babies should be examined to avoid any potential risks.
Conclusion
Milk has always been a valuable food in Ayurveda and provides many exceptional benefits. Being a sattvic, rasayana food, it has Ayurvedic nutrition properties like the ability to nourish, rejuvenate, and balance the body, mind, and spirit. And with proper consumption and pairing with the right herbs and spices, it significantly helps in improving digestion, strengthening the body, and enhancing mental clarity.
Shop for the Best Baby Care Products
FAQs
Q1. Can milk help balance my doshas?
Ans: Yes, milk is considered balancing for all three doshas. When consumed mindfully, it can ground Vata, soothe Pitta, and nourish Kapha.
Q2. Can I drink milk before bed?
Ans: Yes, drinking warm milk before bedtime is ideal in Ayurveda. It helps calm the nervous system, promote restful sleep, and reduce stress.
Q3. Can milk improve digestion?
Ans: Yes, milk has soothing qualities that can support digestion, especially when paired with spices like ginger, cardamom, or turmeric.
Q4. How does milk support Ojas?
Ans: Milk nourishes Ojas, the essence of vitality and immunity, helping to boost energy, enhance resilience, and promote overall health.
Q5. Can I add honey to milk in Ayurveda?
Ans: Yes, combining raw honey with warm milk is believed to rejuvenate the body, improve digestion, and promote restful sleep.
