5 Ayurvedic Secrets to a Happy Monsoon Stomach
During Varsha Ritu, the digestive fire (Agni) naturally weakens due to increased moisture content in the environment. Foods that were well-digested during summer or spring can suddenly feel heavy or undigested causing bloating, gas, infections, or acidity. This slows down metabolism, making the gut more sensitive and prone to imbalances.
Afterall, all the dampness promotes microbial growth in uncooked and improperly stored foods (disturbing gut health). Hence, ayurveda warns that during monsoon, the accumulation of Vata and aggravation of Pitta can lead to weakened digestion, loss of appetite, acidity, and even diarrhea or IBS-like symptoms if not cared for properly and timely.
5 Gut-Healing Foods To Eat During the Monsoon (According to Ayurveda)
If you want to take extra care of your gut during this rainy season, incorporating the warm, simple, and easily digestible foods that support gut health will help you a lot. Follow the five practical and Ayurvedically-approved food choices that will keep your gut happy this Varsha Ritu.
1) Warm Cooked Meals with Cow Ghee & Digestible Grains
It’s amazing to see that you have decided to care for your gut this pouring season. It begins with taking the simplest of steps like always choosing to eat freshly prepared, warm meals, over refrigerated or stale foods.
It is advisable to add a teaspoon of pure cow’s ghee that helps lubricate the gut lining and enhance the digestion process. All you need to put on your plate is easily digestible grains like rice, barley, wheat, green gram (mung dal), and other light legumes.
Although raw vegetables are usually healthy, Ayurveda advises avoiding raw salads during monsoon, as high humidity can promote bacterial growth.
Pro Tip: Prefer to steam your vegetables well and season with digestive spices like cumin or ajwain to improve agni (digestive fire in the gut).
2) Start Your Day Correct
Beginning your day correctly and ayurvedic way can prove to be a game-changer. Make infused warm water with few drops of honey, ginger, fennel seeds, tulsi, or cardamom. Also, these herbs are naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and help reduce bloating and indigestion.
Why Does Ginger Work Magically? – Ginger stimulates digestion and reduces gut inflammation, fennel helps with gas and bloating, and tulsi improves immunity and fights pathogens.
3) Vegetable Broths & Soups with Digestive Spice Blend
Warm soups or broths are not just for the winters. If they are made from seasonal vegetables like bottle gourd (lauki), ash gourd, carrots, and ridge gourd, it is ideal. Prefer to spice it lightly with ginger, cumin, garlic, and coriander, which are known to kindle the digestive fire and reduce toxins (ama).
Even if your taste buds crave for deep-fried, chatpatta, masala-e-daar or spicy, don’t give in so easily as they can irritate the already sensitive gut and disturb Pitta dosha.
Practical Advice – Never overeat too much, especially with heavy foods. Keep your meals light, warm, and soupy, which is perfect for soothing the digestive tract while nourishing the body.
4) Ayurvedic Immunity-Boosting Herbs are Pure Gold
Support your gut with ayurvedic herbs that are your kitchen staples like –
- Ashwagandha – Make a herbal tea and consume it in the morning empty stomach that will strengthen gut lining and reduce stress-related gut issues.
- Amalaki (Amla) – Amla or Indian Gooseberry is a superfood that is a storehouse of Vitamin C. Not only does Amla aid in digestion but also improves liver function.
- Guduchi (Giloy) – Known to detoxify and boost immunity, Giloy reduces inflammation.
- Triphala – Triphala has several therapeutic uses in Ayurvedic medicine, some of which are balancing of bowel movement, relieving constipation, and detoxification.
Pro Tip: Take these in churna (powder) or tablet form after consulting an Ayurvedic doctor. Consuming these herbs in moderation is healthy for your gut, immunity, and more.
5) Make Way for Probiotics and Hydrating Fruits
I can’t emphasise enough the proportionate relationship of natural probiotics with gut health. Hence, include gut-friendly natural probiotics like fresh yogurt and some fermented foods in moderation.
Don’t forget the prebiotic-rich foods like bananas that boost the gut flora. Coming to hydration, include fruits like apples, pears, and water-rich cucumbers, which flush out the toxins and keep you hydrated.
However, avoid eating fruits at night or mixing with dairy. Also, note that avoid sour curd, citrus fruits, and melons, which may aggravate pitta and vitiate digestion in humid weather.
10 Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Digestive Problems During Monsoon
Now even if you are eating foods aligned with Ayurvedic principles, your daily habits (lifestyle) have a huge impact on how your gut behaves. Ayurveda recommends a supportive lifestyle to maintain balance in Agni (Digestive Fire).
Following are 10 lifestyle tips to help you avoid bloating , acidity, indigestion, and infections during Varsha Ritu.
1) Follow a Dinacharya
One thing we all take very granted for is “Rhythm of Life.” Waking, eating, sleeping, at the same time is a testament to leading a healthy life. Ayurveda suggests eating your heaviest meal at lunch when your digestive fire (Agni) is the strongest.
Dinner should be light and eaten early because the body prepares for detox at night. Furthermore, eating late or snacking at night can slow down digestion and disturb the body’s natural rhythm.
2) Eat Mindfully (Say No to Multitasking)
The process of digestion begins not in the gut, but first in the mind. If you watch TV or use phones while eating your meals, you are making a mistake. The best way to eat mindfully is to sit in a cross-legged position on the floor or chair with back support.
Following, chew each bite slowly and thoroughly, which helps in early and better digestion due to proper saliva mix. Also, note that drinking large amounts of water during meals can disrupt digestive fire and delay digestion.
3) Use Herbal Digestive Aids Post Meals
We all have seen our forefathers having digestive aids after every meal. It’s time to bring these old practices back.
- Chew on roasted fennel (saunf) or ajwain seeds
- Try a pinch of trikatu churna, which is blend of black pepper, long pepper, and ginger with honey
- Mix a small piece of jaggery with ghee at the end of the meal
4) Do Vajrasana After Meals
Usually it’s said to do yoga on an empty stomach. But, Vajrasana is the only yoga posture recommended immediately after eating. After you are done having your meal, sit on your heels for 5 to 10 minutes. It not only promotes digestion but also supports gut circulation.
Note: If you feel pain in your heels, dont worry and bear it. (The pain is normal)
5) Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry
Not many know that the state of your feet can affect your digestion. Coldness in the extremities affects Vata, which impacts the gut health. Hence, avoid walking barefoot after rain exposure. If your feet are wet, dry them immediately. Also, soak your feet in warm water at night if you feel bloated or cold.
6) Self Massage Twice a Week (Abhyanga)
Self oil massaging has several benefits besides pacifying aggravated Vata dosha. You can use warm sesame oil or Dhanwantharam thailam and massage gently for 10 to 15 minutes before bathing. For a happy and active gut, focus more on the abdomen area and massage it in slow circular motions.
7) Do Not Nap After Meals
Sitting or lying down just after meals can lead to a sluggish digestion process. Can’t blame you, as post-lunch naps are quite tempting. Let at least 2 hours pass between lunch and any rest. Also, if you feel sleepy, try walking slowly or doing deep breathing. However, don’t ignore the night sleep as it is crucial for much needed recovery.
8) Light Early Dinners (Before Sunset)
Ayurveda recommends eating dinner by 7:30 pm or before it gets completely dark. Also, keep the dinners very lightly and avoid deep-fried, yogurt, or anything heavy. (As the digestive fire weakens as the day progresses)
9) Power of Pranayama (Deep Breathing)
If you begin your day with deep breathing or other pranayama, it acts like a miracle. 5 to 7 minutes of Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) or Bhramari can reduce anxiety and calm the gut. Note to keep your stomach empty during the practice.
10) Sleep on your Left Side
Sleeping on your left side makes a big difference in gut health as it supports the natural direction of digestion. Also, it can prevent the problem of acid reflux, bloating, and improve bowel movements the next day. (Apana Vayu Flow – Downward Energy)
Final Thought
With these ayurvedic secrets for a happy gut during monsoon season, you are sorted. Also, caring for your gut doesn’t require a lot of effort or changes. All you need to be is just – MINDFUL of what you eat, how you live, and more.
Yes, monsoon is a sensitive time and even a small shift in eating, moving, and rest can bring powerful benefits to your digestive system.
