With spring in full swing, consider yourself fortunate if you are not affected by seasonal allergies or other respiratory issues. On the other hand, if you do experience sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and other respiratory allergy symptoms, you may find yourself looking for new methods of respiratory support. Or, perhaps you simply want to have some dependable herbal allies on hand in case of the occasional cough or cold. Sitopaladi churna is a classical ayurvedic formula that offers respiratory support for colds, coughs, and seasonal allergies.

Respiratory Support And Allergies: The Big Picture

Since Ayurveda is a holistic system, one always takes into account the big picture view before suggesting targeted herbs or herbal formulas to an individual. In this post, I will not explain the underlying causes of seasonal allergies in great depth. However, you may want to read my Herbal Academy post, Herbal Allergy Support Using Ayurvedic Herbs, for insight into the broader ayurvedic view on allergies, as well as some specific herbal supports.

Without going into great depth, it is important to remember that in Ayurveda, everything begins in the gut and in the mind. When digestion goes awry, other problems will inevitably ensue. Similarly, the mind is the subtle root of illness, and psychological burdens will ultimately have ripple effects if left unresolved. That said, balancing digestion and taking measures to unburden excess stress are foundational for any wellness protocol. However, in addition to diet and lifestyle, sometimes we need to call upon extra support, particularly during acute symptom flare-ups. Also, no matter how healthy our lifestyle, most of us come down with a cold virus every now and then. This is where sitopaladi churna comes in.

Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog HERE.

Most herb lovers have their shortlist of herbal essentials. These are the single herbs or formulas that you are sure to keep in stock, the ones that you always throw in the travel suitcase or day bag. If you were stranded on a desert island, which three herbs would you want to have with you? After reading this post, the answer just might be triphala. Triphala, meaning “three fruits,” is actually a combination of three herbs: haritaki (Terminalia chebula) fruit, bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) fruit, and amalaki (Emblica officinalis) fruit. It is a time-tested classical ayurvedic formula with many usages. 

Three Fruits

The three fruits which triphala is composed of aren’t the kind of fruits you would want to mix into your yogurt or serve with whipped cream. What these fruits lack in taste appeal they make up for in health benefits—these fruits are as beneficial as they are bitter and astringent! What are these three fruits and what can we learn about their energetics and usages? By better understanding each component of triphala we see how these three remarkable fruits fit together to compose this renowned ayurvedic blend.

Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog HERE.

Chutney…you can make it!! Spices, pickles, chutneys, and condiments certainly make food more flavorful and fun. Homemade chutneys are a great way to provide a flavor accent to your everyday dishes. Also, there are a plethora of easy chutney recipes that utilize a host of beneficial herbs, veggies, fruits, and spices. Every time I make chutney I remember how fun and simple it is and wonder why I don’t do it all the time. Here are two easy and delicious chutney recipes that are especially fitting for late winter and spring. Check out the full post on the Herbal Academy blog HERE!