I used to rely on my morning cup of coffee like a lifeline—without it, my day was sluggish, my energy hit rock bottom by noon, and I caught myself grabbing yet another caffeine boost. Ring a bell? What if I told you that there's a smarter way to maintain energy, one without the jitters, caffeine crash, or dependence? Come in amla juice, the Ayurvedic superpower that can naturally make you feel refreshed, active, and lively throughout the day.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian science of life, identifies three essential energies—Ojas, Tejas, and Prana—that control our metabolism, digestion, and general energy. If these energies get drained through wrong lifestyle choices, stress, and inappropriate food intake, we become tired all the time, sluggish, and lose motivation. Coffee may give a quick burst of energy, but it derails the natural rhythm of the body, which eventually results in energy crashes and adrenal fatigue.

Rather than turning to quick fixes, Ayurveda suggests fueling the body with foods and beverages that boost our internal energy stores. One of the most powerful natural remedies? Amla juice.

Amla (Indian gooseberry) is a mainstay in Ayurvedic medicine and is renowned for its amazing health benefits. This tiny green fruit is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, iron, and essential minerals—all of which are instrumental in keeping energy levels and overall health in check.

Dr Sachin BAMS describes, "Amla juice is extremely rich in vitamin C, which is a very important factor in combating fatigue and enhancing the energy level as a whole. It also has antioxidants, iron, and other minerals that aid the body's metabolism and assists in the process of converting food into energy."

How Amla Juice Boosts Your Energy Naturally

Enhances Energy Metabolism: Amla juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps combat fatigue and boosts metabolic function, ensuring your body efficiently converts food into energy.

Uplifts Immunity: The high antioxidant content strengthens your immune system, preventing illnesses that can drain your energy.

Improves Digestion: Amla supports gut health by promoting better nutrient absorption, which directly influences how energized you feel throughout the day.

Regulates Blood Sugar: In contrast to coffee, which leads to energy crashes and spikes, amla juice keeps blood sugar levels stable, eliminating dramatic drops in energy.

Boosts Oxygen Flow: Its iron content increases oxygen delivery throughout the body, lessening fatigue and enhancing stamina.

Detoxifies: Amla removes toxins, which otherwise could result in lethargy and fatigue.

How to Make Amla Juice Part of Your Lifestyle

Having amla juice is easy, but the impact is immense. Here's how you can incorporate it as a regular part of your daily routine:

Morning Boost: Begin your morning with a glass of fresh amla juice on an empty stomach for optimal absorption and energy kick.

Mix It Up: If the sourness is too overwhelming, water it down or blend it with honey and lemon for a zesty spin.

Consistency Is Key: Regular use is essential for long-term benefits—make it an absolute part of your morning routine.

Benefits of the Amla Juice

• Uplift Immunity – Amla juice has the high vitamin C content that makes your immunity system strong and assists you in remaining healthy and energetic.
• Helps in Better Digestion –It enhances the gut health that makes nutrient absorption better, which directly impacts energy levels.
• Regulates Blood Sugar Level – Amla stabilizes the blood sugar level that avoids energy crashes.
• Boosts Oxygen Supply – Amla contains a lot of iron that aids in improved oxygen supply that avoids fatigue and enhances body stamina.
• Flushes Out Toxins from Body – Amla juice aids in flushing out the toxins from the body, which keeps you fresh and energetic all day long.

How to add Amla Juice into Daily Life

• Morning Boost: Consuming the fresh amla juice on an empty stomach each morning provides you with numerous advantages
• Mix It Up: In case the taste is too overpowering, you can mix it with honey, lemon, or the diluted water.
• Be Consistent: Consuming amla juice regularly can assist in keeping high energy levels in the long term.

5 Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips for Long-Lasting Energy

Amla juice is only one component of the formula. In order to actually sustain maximum energy levels, Ayurveda suggests incorporating conscious lifestyle routines that complement your body's natural cycles.

1. Develop Healthy Habits

A planned day avoids energy drain. Attempt to eat at regular times, sleep at regular times, and exercise at regular times. Begin the morning with gentle yoga or a contrast shower (switching between hot and cold water) to stimulate your senses and get circulation going.

2. Make Physical Activity Top Priority—But Don't Overexert Yourself

Exercise is important to sustain energy, but excessive exercise can have the opposite effect. A gentle 15-minute morning walk or yoga can clear mental fogginess and enhance oxygenation of the brain.

3. Rest and Regenerate

Rest is as critical as movement. Ensure you sleep well at night and have short breaks in the daytime to recharge. Ayurvedic massages with herbal oils can also be used to open up energy paths and revitalize the body.

4. Eat According to Your Ayurvedic Body Type

Keeping your diet in harmony with your Dosha (constitutional type) is the best way to keep your energy level balanced. Emphasize whole, raw foods that are good for digestion, like seasonal fruits, lentils, and healing herbs.

5. Fortify Digestion with Spices and Herbal Combinations

Effective digestion is the key to getting energy out of food. Ayurvedic spices like ginger, cardamom, and turmeric not only aid digestion but also purify the body and maintain stable energy levels during the day.

Dr Sachin is BAMS and Medical Advisor at Rasayanam in India

Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest medical systems. Its origins go back over 3,000 years, found in ancient Indian writings called the Vedas. Today, it's still widely used as an alternative medicine. Ayurveda looks at health in a complete way, believing our bodies are made of five elements: air, space, fire, water, and earth. These elements form three parts called "doshas." When these doshas are out of balance, that's when illness is thought to happen.

While there isn't much scientific proof that Ayurveda directly cures common sicknesses like colds and flu, some of its herbal remedies might help you feel better and manage symptoms.

Ayurvedic Remedies to Know During Seasonal Change

For a Dry Cough (No Mucus)

In Ayurveda, tulsi is often called the "queen of herbs." It's a popular choice for dry coughs. Some small studies suggest tulsi might help loosen phlegm and improve coughs caused by allergies, asthma, or lung problems. One older study even showed it might help asthma patients breathe better. Tulsi is generally safe and might also help keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels healthy.

For a Wet Cough (with Phlegm)

Ginger is a very common herb in Ayurveda. It has properties that can fight off bad stuff in your body and reduce swelling. Early studies on human throat cells suggest that parts of ginger might relax your throat muscles, which could ease coughing. More research is needed to be sure if ginger helps with cold or flu coughs.

For Cough and Sore Throat

Licorice Root is a herb that contains things that can help reduce swelling and pain. Studies have shown that licorice applied directly can help with sore throats after surgery. One study found that gargling with licorice extract greatly reduced sore throats after an operation. While we need more studies for sore throats from colds or flu, it looks promising.

For Cough and Fever

Sudarshana Powder is a traditional Ayurvedic powder is often used to treat fevers. It's a bitter mix of 53 different herbs. It might help with fever that comes with not wanting to eat, feeling tired, sick to your stomach, or having an upset stomach. But more research is needed to know how well it truly works.

For General Cough and Cold

Garlic is believed to have properties that fight germs and viruses, which might help you avoid getting a cold. One small study found that people who took an active ingredient in garlic (allicin) had fewer colds. However, more research is needed to be certain about garlic's benefits for colds.

Other Helpful Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

Here are some other common home remedies that can help with cough and cold symptoms:

Honey Tea: Mix about 2 teaspoons of honey with warm water or tea.

Saltwater Gargle: Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and gargle. This helps loosen mucus in your throat.

Steam: Breathing in steam can help clear mucus from your lungs. You can do this by filling a bowl with hot water and leaning over it (carefully!) or by taking a warm bath or shower.

Bromelain: This is an enzyme found in pineapple. Eating pineapple or taking a bromelain supplement might help break up mucus in your throat.

Peppermint: Peppermint can soothe your throat and help break down mucus. You can drink peppermint tea or add peppermint oil to a steamy bath.

Skin care has become all the rage recently. There are many products and skin care routine tutorials that can help you find what products you should use and how you can go about building your own skin care routine. However, an issue you may face with these products and routines is how expensive and inaccessible they are. There are products that may not be available to you or may be way beyond your budget. If this is an issue for you, you can try ayurvedic remedies.

Ayurvedic skincare is a beauty approach rooted in ancient Indian medicine. It involves special Ayurvedic facials, treatments for various skin problems, and natural herbal products for your skin. While there are many Ayurvedic skincare products available today, it's important to know their quality and ingredients to get the best results. Ayurvedic home remedies for skin care are also popular and are thought to work best for specific skin types and needs.

However, before you go ahead and try ayurvedic recipes, one must know what kind of skin type they have, this will help you identify what kind of skincare you need.

Skincare for Each Dosha

Vata Skin (Dry & Rough)

If you have a dominant Vata dosha, your skin tends to be dry and rough and can wrinkle easily if not kept moisturized. According to ayurveda, Vata skin has less fat and needs more moisturizing, both from the outside (creams) and inside (food). She suggests using oil-based moisturizers and eating warming spices like ginger. The herb ashwagandha can also help reduce dryness when used in a face mask.

Pitta Skin (Oily & Prone to Breakouts)

People with high Pitta often have oily skin that might be prone to acne and redness (rosacea). Experts advise using cooling ingredients like aloe vera, turmeric (which helps with swelling), and sandalwood (which reduces pimples and redness) for this skin type.

Kapha Skin (Cold, Oily & Congested)

Kapha skin is typically cold and oily, and it might be prone to pimples, whiteheads, and puffiness. Experts recommend dry brushing to clear blockages, boost circulation, and exfoliate. They also suggests avoiding oil-based creams and using face masks regularly.

Easy Homemade Face Mask Recipes

Many Indian homes already have the ingredients for traditional face masks in the kitchen. Chickpea flour is a common base. You can mix it with a pinch of turmeric and milk, lime juice, or rose water to make a classic paste. Remember, Ayurveda teaches that different skin types need different care. If you're unsure about any ingredients in a DIY mask, it's always best to ask a medical professional.

Vata Face Mask (for dry skin)

Mix 1 tablespoon chickpea flour, a pinch of turmeric, and 1/4 cup rose water, yogurt, or cold milk to form a paste. Apply for 10-15 minutes (or until almost dry), then wash with lukewarm water and apply an oil-based moisturizer like sesame oil.

Pitta Face Mask (for oily, irritated skin)

Dab rose water on your skin to cleanse. Then apply 1/4 cup pure aloe vera gel for 10-15 minutes. Wash with lukewarm water and use a gentle moisturizer (like one with geranium oil). Repeat 2-3 times a week.

Kapha Face Mask (for oily, congested skin)

Mix 1 teaspoon honey with a pinch of turmeric. Apply for 10 minutes and wash with lukewarm water. Or mix Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) with water to make a paste. Apply for 10-15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

Face Mask for All Skin Types

Mix 2 tablespoons fine oat flour, 2 teaspoons almond flour, a pinch of turmeric, and 2-5 drops of an oil of your choice. Apply a thick layer for 15 minutes, then wash with lukewarm water. This paste can also be used for your whole body.

Ayurveda is known as a way of living, adapted by the nature surrounding us. Many of us are not even aware of how many ayurvedic remedies we consume daily and how it helps our health. There are you will find in ayurvedic texts about lifestyle habits like how to sleep, eating cleanliness as well as when and how to exercise, all as a part of healthy ayurvedic living.

What you eat can either strengthen you internally, boost your digestive system and overall well-being, or it can smother it. Harmful foods like fried items, processed meats, and very cold foods can create undigested residue, known as "ama" (toxins), which Ayurveda considers the root cause of disease.

Ayurvedic Remedies For Digestive Issues

We have all had days when we wish to indulge in junk food, and most of the time they do not cause many problems. However, sometimes these indulgent moments can end up causing you digestive issues and causing a lot of discomfort. To tackle these, one can try these readily available ayurvedic remedies.

Ghee, Salt, and Warm Water Remedy

For occasional constipation, a simple drink of ghee, salt, and hot water can help. Ghee lubricates the intestines, while salt aids in cleansing. Another suggestion is eating a ripe banana two hours after dinner, followed by a glass of hot milk or water. A tablespoon of castor oil before bed may also provide relief; however, always consult a healthcare provider before using it, especially if pregnant or for children/elderly individuals.

Warm Water, Fennel, and Ginger

To ease bloating, using warm water with various additions is highly recommended. Combining warm water with fennel seeds or a mixture of ginger and honey can be very effective. Simply chewing on fennel seeds after meals also aids digestion and reduces gas. If you prefer teas, opting for mint or fennel tea can provide soothing relief from bloating and discomfort.

Natural Spices and Homemade Drinks

To counter acid reflux, chewing on fennel seeds, holy basil leaves, or a clove can stimulate saliva production, which helps balance stomach acidity. Freshly made drinks are also beneficial, such as coconut water with tender coconut bits or homemade buttermilk (takra), made by churning water and plain yogurt together. Buttermilk is believed to soothe the stomach and reduce irritation in the stomach lining.

Gourds and Consistent Hydration

For diarrhea, easily digestible foods like bottle gourd (cabalash), prepared as soup, curry, or stew with rice, are excellent. This vegetable is rich in fiber and water, making it gentle on the stomach. Crucially, staying well-hydrated is vital; drink more fluids than usual. Plain water is best, but buttermilk, apple/pomegranate juice, or ginger tea can also help rehydrate and replenish lost nutrients while gently stimulating digestion.

Cooked Vegetables and Soothing Soupy Dishes

If you're suffering from indigestion, review your recent diet and seek a "counterbalance." Avoid dairy, large grains like rice, raw vegetables, and anything hard to digest. Instead, opt for steamed or stir-fried cooked vegetables with digestion-aiding spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper. Soupy and liquid-like dishes are also very helpful meals. Additionally, juices like equal parts onion juice and honey, or buttermilk with garlic paste, can offer relief.