Ask the Expert – Health (Ayurveda) – Dr. Smita Gaikwad
As winter sets in, many residents experience seasonal health issues such as frequent cold and cough, joint stiffness, body pain, digestive discomfort, and recurring illness in children. In this Ask the Expert – Health section, readers from Vile Parle shared their winter-related concerns. Below are the responses by Dr. Smita Gaikwad, based on classical Ayurvedic principles.
Q1. During winter, I frequently suffer from cold, cough, and throat irritation. How can Ayurveda help prevent this?
Answer:
In winter, Kapha accumulates in the respiratory tract and Vata increases due to cold-dry weather, so the chest and throat area becomes a weak point.
Ayurveda advises consuming warm, heavy, and slightly oily food and avoiding curd, cold drinks, and refrigerated items to prevent Kapha stagnation.
Practical measures include:
Daily intake of warm water or herbal tea with tulsi, dry ginger, and black pepper, adding a little honey only when the drink becomes lukewarm (avoid honey in hot water)
Local protection through steam inhalation with ajwain or eucalyptus
Warm salt and turmeric gargles
Regular nasya using simple warm sesame oil or prescribed medicated oil to protect the nose and throat
Q2. Joint stiffness and body pain increase for me in cold weather, especially in the morning. What does Ayurveda suggest?
Answer:
Cold and wind aggravate Vata in asthi (bones) and sandhi (joints), leading to morning stiffness, cracking, and increased pain in winter. Ayurveda recommends heat, oil, and gentle movement to restore lubrication and circulation.
Daily routine suggestions include:
Abhyanga: Full-body massage with warm sesame oil or medicated oil before a hot shower, with special focus on knees, back, and small joints
Diet and movement: Include sesame seeds, ghee, warm soups, and turmeric
Avoid raw salads and cold foods
Add gentle yoga, stretching, and short walks to keep joints mobile
Q3. My digestion becomes slow in winter and I experience gas and bloating. What dietary changes are recommended as per Ayurveda?
Answer:
Slow digestion, gas, and bloating occur when Vata in the colon combines with wrong food combinations in winter, leading to heaviness despite strong seasonal Agni. Ritucharya for Hemant–Shishir advises warm, unctuous, well-spiced meals taken on time, with minimal snacking on dry or packaged foods.
Simple dietary changes:
Favour: Fresh, cooked, warm foods—kichadi, soups, one-pot meals—with hing, ajwain, jeera, and dry ginger for deepana–pachana
Avoid: Cold water, carbonated drinks, excess bakery items, and eating late at night
Encourage early dinner, slow eating, and short post-meal walks
Q4. Children in our area are falling sick repeatedly during the school season. How can parents improve children’s immunity naturally?
Answer:
School-going children face crowding, irregular eating, junk foods, and inadequate sleep, which diminish ojas and immunity. Ayurveda suggests strengthening agni, maintaining a regular routine, and using gentle rasayana support rather than only treating repeated episodes.
Suggestions for parents:
Daily habits: Fixed sleep–wake time, simple warm home-cooked food, and avoiding cold drinks, ice creams, and packed fried snacks on routine days
Protective support: Age-appropriate chyawanprash, guduchi, tulsi–ginger herbal teas, and regular oil massage with mild sesame oil or prescribed baby oil to improve strength and resistance
Expert Details
– Dr. Smita Gaikwad
Ayurvedacharya | BAMS, EMS
Vile Parle
Contact: +91 88793 00764
Website: www.swarayu.in
