One of my favourite discoveries in India is Ayurveda. The other is dates: khajoor. Dates in market boxes, seemingly from all over the world. not the plastic wrapped rarities I found my Australian supermarlet. Of course I also knew of Ayurveda before coming to Bharat, I had studied it extensively. Yet, seeing it used first hand in the tribe or amongst skilled professionals excites me.

I have never been the hyper energetic type, so finding foods that help add zing and balance my Pita disposition is always welcome.

Here are a few Ayurvedic recommendations for fatigue. Of course, to on the energy boosting list is khajoor. I’m a fan of the date recipe below, and I love the mango cure.

Self observation: The power of prevention. Unusual mental or physical exertion, lack of sleep, can make you tired. So can  lazing around. A short walk or a little exercise may be all that i needed.

However, fatigue may be caused by anemia, low gastric fire, and a weak liver.

For fatigue caused by physical exertion, drinking fresh orange juice with a pinch of rock salt gives a quick boost. Add 10 drops of lime juice to help the body cool down.

Drinking Ginseng or ashvaganda tea twice a day may help.

For anaemia eat eating iron-rich foods and blood builders such as pomegranate juice, grapes and/or grape juice, beets and beetroot juice, carrot juice or the herbs abrak bhamsa or loha bhamsa. Also check out the date recipe below. Right nostril breathing (Surya Pranayama) stimulates the liver, which plays an important role in building the blood.

Fatigue induced by Epstein-Barr virus is treated as a Pita disorder and a pita pacifying diet is recommended. Meanwhile, to strengthen the liver mix together:

Shatavari 5 parts
Bala 4 parts
Vidari 3 parts
Kama dudha ¼ part

Take ½ tsp of this mixture with 1 tsp shatavari ghee 2 or 3 times a day.

When agni (the digestive fire) is low, digestion will be sluggish, bringing the energy level down.

To raise agni chop or grate a little fresh ginger, add a few drops of lime juice and a pinch of salt, and chew it before meals.

It is best to avoid cold or iced drinks, as they reduce agni and impede effective digestion. Instead, take small sips of warm water while eating.

Or take 200mg tablets of chitrah-adivati tablet twice a day, after lunch or dinner.

Any stretching yoga postures include will help kindle agni. Alternate nostril breathing can also help.

Dates and Mangoes help build strength and energy

Dates

Soak 10 dates in a quart of ghee with 1 tsp of ginger,  1/8 tsp cardomon ad a pinch of saffron. Covr and keep warm for two weeks.

Then eat 1 date daily! Besides tasting delicious, Dr Vasant Lad[1] assures us it helps anemia, sexual debility and Chronic fatigue.

For a quick Date pick me up soak five dates in a glass of water over night, then puree the contents in a blender next morning. Just make sure you remove the date pits before you blend the mixture.

Mangoes

For increased vitality eat one ripe mangoe daily and an hour or so later drink 1 cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of added ghee .

Another variation is to drink 1 cup of fresh mango juice followed an hour later by ½ cup of warm milk with a pinch or cardamom, a pinch of nutmeg and 1 teaspoon of ghee.

Sit back, drink, enjoy and feel the zing.

[1] Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., is the founder and director of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, NM. His excellent books include The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies and also Ayurvedic Perspectives on Selected Pathologies.