Q: What foods can help to combat tiredness? ​

Agni Aunt, Dr Deepa Apte answers:

Ayurveda believes that tiredness is due to weak digestive fire or Agni which may cause the production of toxins (Ama) that make the body heavy. Hence the main aim is to strengthen the Agni. Upon waking up on an empty stomach, consume 200 ml of warm/hot water to stimulate the Agni or fire. Make the following Ginger-Honey Chutney ® and take ½ teaspoonful of it mixed in a cup of hot water after every meal including breakfast. The combination once again helps to regulate the digestive fire to give you a feeling of lightness.

INGREDIENTS:

• Fresh grated ginger – ½ a cup

• Lemon juice - ½ lemon

• Honey - 2 tablespoons

• Crushed black pepper – ¼ teaspoon

• Salt to taste - pinchful

Likewise, another suggestion or alternative is the Agni Drink ® to boost energy and relieve tiredness. Take equal amounts of the following:

INGREDIENTS:

• Ginger powder

• Cumin powder

• Mustard powder

• Black pepper

• Cinnamon

• Cloves

Mix together equal portions of all the above ingredients. Add ¼ teaspoon of it to hot water and drink it as a herbal tea 2-3 times a day. The above helps to strengthen the digestive fire and hence alleviate tiredness. According to Ayurveda certain faulty food combinations may lead to fatigue and tiredness, including the combination of fruit and dairy, especially in the morning, as these lead to sluggishness of the system and may cause a feeling of heaviness.

Focus on fruits like apples, berries, cherries or prunes as they help to get rid of Kapha-related sluggishness and heaviness from the body. Many people talk of an energy slump around late afternoon. The best remedy for this is to consume Chyawanprash (Ayurvedic jam made of approximately 36 herbs and spices, a vegan preparation), approximately 1 teaspoonful in a mug of hot water. It is also high in vitamin C, which helps to boost the nervous system and the immune system.

A good night’s sleep ensures that there is no tiredness the next day. To ensure a good night’s sleep, take a mug of nutmeg milk every evening around bedtime. To make this, take ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg in hot milk (dairy, almond, rice or coconut milk) and mix well. Along with this, soak your feet in a bowl of hot water with a pinch of salt and a few drops of lemon. Leave your feet in for 15 minutes for a soothing effect.