Kanji drink in question is a deep purple to reddish-brown fermented North Indian beverage made with black carrots, mustard seeds, water, black salt, red chilli powder, sugar, jaggery, and ginger. Caraway seeds or ajwain are sometimes added as an optional ingredient. Known for its tangy and spicy flavour, kanji is especially popular during the winter months in North India.

Ayurvedic Health Benefits Of Kanji

Aids Digestion, Especially During Hormonal Fluctuations

Kanji is a fermented drink packed with probiotics, which means it helps populate the gut with healthy bacteria. Regular consumption of kanji has been found to improve digestion, particularly in women facing hormonal imbalances that cause bloating, gas, or discomfort. As gut health is deeply linked with overall well-being, drinking kanji can be a natural way to maintain digestive balance during difficult hormonal phases such as PMS or menopause.

Acts As A Natural Detoxifier

If you're looking for a traditional drink that supports clearer skin and reduced inflammation, kanji may be a great option. The fermentation process not only enhances its probiotic content but also helps flush out toxins from the body. This detoxifying effect can help improve skin clarity and reduce breakouts or puffiness that are often triggered by internal inflammation or gut-related issues.

Low In Calories, Helps Control Hunger

Kanji is low in calories but rich in flavour, making it an ideal replacement for sugar-loaded beverages. Despite its low calorie content, it helps control hunger pangs, offering a feeling of fullness that can prevent overeating. Women looking to cut down on processed sugar or manage their weight in a healthy, sustainable manner may find kanji a useful addition to their diet. It satisfies cravings without the calorie overload, making it suitable for mindful snacking or as a mid-meal drink.

Boosts Immunity And Wards Off Illnesses

With its high antioxidant and probiotic content, kanji also strengthens the immune system. This is particularly beneficial for young women leading hectic lives, who are often prone to falling ill due to stress or poor dietary habits. Regular consumption can help build resistance to common seasonal infections and reduce the frequency of digestive or respiratory issues, thanks to the natural immune-boosting properties of the ingredients.

Incorporating kanji into your daily routine during the winter can be a simple yet effective way to support your digestive health, detoxify your system, control cravings, and strengthen your immune system — all without reaching for processed supplements or sugary alternatives.

How To Make Kanji Drink At Home

Traditionally, this drink is made with black carrots. Kanji is spiced with ground mustard seeds, red chilli powder and black salt or salt. The carrots, spices, seasonings are mixed with some boiled, cooled water and kept to ferment for a few days. The entire drink with its ingredients is filled in a glass or ceramic jar. These jars are kept in the sunlight and the drink is allowed to ferment for 2 to 3 to 4 days. So the drink can be kept for 4 to 5 days if the sunlight is not enough sunlight. But if it is hot or very hot, then 1 to 2 to 3 days are enough for the drink to get naturally fermented.

Ayurvedic herbs have been proven to improve our health in many ways. While many people disregard historical practices, many studies show how good they are. These herbs have been in use for years in the ayurvedic practices and many people now are adopting the same practices that people ignored for modern medicine.

One such herb that is not only good to reduce inflammation but also keeps oral infections away is Boswellia. Available in the forms of resin, pill and cream, Boswellia, also called Indian frankincense, comes from the Boswellia serrata tree-which is used to make natural medicine. It could be helpful for folks who have certain health problems where swelling is an issue, making it a natural way to try and feel better.

Important Facts About Boswellia

According to journal LiverTox , for a very long time, people in countries like India and Africa have used Boswellia tree resin as natural medicine. They believed it could help with illnesses that cause long-lasting swelling, like arthritis, and also with other health problems.

The journal suggests it might really help with inflammation in the body. Because of this, it could be useful for people who have conditions like osteoarthritis, which causes joint pain, or rheumatoid arthritis, another type of swelling in the joints. It might also help people with breathing problems like asthma or with tummy troubles like inflammatory bowel disease, offering a natural way to manage these issues.

How Does It Help Inflammation And Swelling?

When your body gets inflamed, it makes certain tiny helpers called leukotrienes. These leukotrienes can cause swelling and can also make asthma symptoms worse. Some research shows that the special stuff in Boswellia, called boswellic acids, can stop your body from making these leukotrienes. By doing this, Boswellia might be able to calm down the swelling in your body and help ease things like joint pain or breathing difficulties in a natural way.

Boswellia can also help with swelling, it might also work to make pain feel less intense. If you have sore joints from something like arthritis, Boswellia could potentially help them feel better. Also, some studies think it might even help protect the soft stuff in your joints, called cartilage, from breaking down. Interestingly, very early research suggests it might even have a role in fighting some types of serious illnesses like leukemia and breast cancer, but more studies are needed.

Even though boswellia is natural, it might not always work well with other medicines you are taking, especially those that also help with inflammation, like ibuprofen or aspirin. Boswellia could possibly make these other medicines less effective. So, it's really important to talk to your doctor before you start using any boswellia products, especially if you are already taking other medications to make sure everything is safe for you.

As conversations around clean beauty grow louder, many are turning away from chemical-heavy products toward time-tested, natural alternatives. At the heart of this shift is Ayurveda—India’s ancient system of healing that emphasizes balance, plant-powered formulations, and sustainability. With skincare products now being scrutinized not only for their results but also for their origins and impact on the planet, Ayurveda has emerged as a compelling and conscious choice.

Why Ayurveda is More Than a Trend

Ayurveda is not just a buzzword—it’s a philosophy that approaches skin as a mirror of inner health. It believes that nature holds the key to both prevention and cure. Long before skincare became a billion-dollar industry, Ayurvedic practices had already perfected the use of oils, herbs, and natural extracts tailored to different skin types and concerns. Unlike many modern formulations, Ayurvedic products are often free from synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives, and unnecessary fillers. This makes them not only gentler on the skin but also safer for long-term use.

Ingredients That Heal and Protect

One of the most celebrated Ayurvedic skincare formulations is kumkumadi tailam—a blend of powerful botanicals that have been used for centuries to brighten and rejuvenate the skin. Central to this oil is saffron (kesar), known for its antioxidant properties and its ability to enhance skin tone and texture. Saffron helps reduce pigmentation, improve blood circulation, and impart a radiant glow.

Turmeric (haldi) is another star ingredient. Packed with curcumin, it offers anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. Turmeric also supports wound healing, soothes redness, and fades scars—making it a multipurpose powerhouse in any routine.

Kakumundi (or Kakmachi), a lesser-known yet potent Ayurvedic herb, is often used to treat skin conditions like eczema, dark spots, and inflammation. It helps balance skin tone and promotes a healthy complexion, especially when used in oil infusions or herbal pastes.

What sets these ingredients apart is that they’re not only effective but also derived from renewable sources, often cultivated in eco-conscious ways. They don’t strip the skin or disturb its natural pH but instead work in harmony with its needs.

Conscious Formulation and Minimal Waste

Ayurveda doesn’t just influence what goes into the products but also how they are created and packaged. Traditional formulations use minimal water, relying instead on herbal oils and powders. This waterless approach aligns with today’s sustainability goals by conserving a precious resource and reducing the need for preservatives.

Additionally, Ayurvedic brands are increasingly moving toward zero-waste packaging—using glass instead of plastic, biodegradable wraps, and compressed wood in place of plastic caps. These thoughtful changes reduce landfill waste and lower the environmental footprint of skincare.

Skincare That Serves All

Another reason Ayurveda fits seamlessly into the future of skincare is its inclusivity. Ayurvedic principles do not divide products by gender or skin type but focus on individual needs and dosha imbalances—making the system highly customizable and universal. Whether someone has dry, oily, or sensitive skin, Ayurvedic ingredients can be adapted to suit their constitution and climate.

Going Back to Roots to Move Forward

As we move toward more mindful consumption, Ayurvedic skincare offers more than just visible results—it brings together efficacy, sustainability, and heritage. In a world filled with overwhelming choices, these age-old remedies stand out for their simplicity, honesty, and deep-rooted connection with nature. By returning to the basics of skincare—natural ingredients, clean processes, and conscious choices—we're not just caring for our skin but also for the planet.

From endless deadlines and social comparison to financial insecurity and digital burnout, anxiety has become a permanent resident in our lives. It’s the gnawing pit in your stomach before a big meeting, the racing heart before sleep, the pounding heart at bedtime, the looming specter that refuses to dissipate. In response, some reach for traditional anxiety pills, widely regarded as the gold standard of mental health treatment. But as the discussions of holistic healing and natural medicine take hold, more and more people are wondering: is there a kinder, gentler, more sustainable path to feeling better?

The hustle culture glamorizing being busy, running after deadlines, and proudly wearing stress like a badge of honor—anxiety has crept into our daily lexicon unobtrusively. From the pressure to deliver, scroll-induced comparison fatigue, or playing a constant balancing act between life and work, stress doesn't knock; it barges in uninvited.

And whereas pills promise to keep us calm, many wonder- can nature provide a kinder, gentler, more sustainable alternative?

Ashwagandha—a humble herb from Ayurveda slowly making its mark on the world. Researched for its adaptogenic properties, it's being touted as the natural solution to our stress-filled lives. But how does it compare to prescription anxiety medication? Is it really a true alternative, or another fleeting wellness trend?

Ashwagandha is not a fad—it's a centuries-old herb with profound Ayurvedic heritage," asserts Dr. Sachin, Ayurvedic consultant. "Where it truly excels today is in the overlap of traditional understanding and modern science-based proof.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogen—a natural substance that assists the body in adapting to stressors by modulating physiological reactions. Unlike traditional anxiety medications that act directly on neurotransmitters like serotonin or GABA, Ashwagandha acts slowly. Its mechanism is to decrease cortisol (the stress hormone of the body), aid the adrenal system, and enhance overall mental and physical resilience.

What Prescription Medications Do—And What They Don't

Pharmaceutical drugs for anxiety, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and benzodiazepines, are effective and necessary for many suffering from chronic or severe anxiety disorders. Yet, their action upon the brain, changing brain chemistry, can have both immediate improvement and long-term consequences.

Side effects like weight gain, sleepiness, sexual dysfunction, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms are not rare. "This is where Ashwagandha offers a milder alternative," says Dr. Sachin. "Its effects accumulate gradually but lastingly. It's not a matter of covering up symptoms but of assisting the body in attaining hormonal balance."

Does Science Support the Ancient Testimonials of Ashwagandha?

Current scientific research confirms Ashwagandha's potential. In a 2019 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, subjects who took Ashwagandha for 8 weeks reported over a 40% decrease in self-reported stress and a significant reduction in cortisol levels. Many also reported improved sleep and enhanced emotional control.

"Although Ashwagandha will not act immediately like a few medications, its cumulative action is what makes it worthy," states Dr. Sachin. "The idea here is not a quick recovery, but healing in the long run."

Is Ashwagandha Risk-Free?

Ashwagandha is relatively safe and non-addictive for long-term use. Most individuals tolerate it well, but a few can experience minor side effects like gastrointestinal upset or mild drowsiness. Keep in mind that though it is derived from plants, it is nonetheless a powerful herbal supplement and must be used carefully.

Dr. Sachin emphasizes, “As with any supplement, consult a healthcare professional before starting Ashwagandha—especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or have an existing health condition.”

Who Can Benefit Most from Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha isn’t a cure-all, nor is it a replacement for all forms of medical treatment. However, it holds particular promise for:

• Individuals with mild to moderate anxiety
• People who prefer holistic or plant-based remedies
• Those looking for a long-term stress-management solution without the risk of dependency

If you’re managing occasional stress or want a natural option to complement therapy or lifestyle changes, Ashwagandha might just be the botanical ally you’ve been missing.

Ultimately, the question isn't whether Ashwagandha is superior to anxiety drugs—it's whether it provides something new and worthwhile. For some, medication is life-saving. For others, a natural solution such as Ashwagandha might be more in line with their values, way of life, and long-term health objectives.

"Modern health care is such that we can borrow from both schools of thought—evidence-based medicine and traditional holistic therapies," says Dr. Sachin. "You don't always have to use one or the other."

Ashwagandha is no magic concoction, but it is an intriguing natural remedy that enhances the body's ability to adapt and recover. With anxiety on the increase worldwide, so too is interest in finding alternatives that are sustainable, non-harmful, and derived from nature.

Dr. Sachin BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is a Ayurvedic Consultant and Medical Advisor at Rasayanam in India, and specializes in natural nutrition, detoxification, and lifestyle.management.