I recently had the chance to interview Khulan Enkhtaivan, Co-Founder of Amu Nutrition (www.amu-nutrition.com); Holistic Nutritionist, about Amu Nutrition, tea, and health.
Why was Amu Nutrition created?
Amu Nutrition was founded by me and my partner Daria out of personal necessity. My second child, Tuvshek, has suffered from asthma since she was just one year old, largely due to air pollution in Ulaanbaatar. I turned to food as medicine and Mongolian traditional medicine to heal her. For Tuvshek, her asthma was linked to a weak spleen. Traditional medicine emphasizes nurturing the spleen and lungs to alleviate asthma symptoms, and this approach worked well for her. I want to share these healing methods with others facing similar challenges.
What sets Amu Nutrition teas apart from other tea brands?
Our teas are unique because they are formulated with functional benefits grounded in oriental medicine. We source our ingredients directly from Mongolia, including many wild-foraged herbs. Wild foraged ingredients are often more potent because they absorb the natural energy of their environment, balancing the yin and yang elements that contribute to their healing properties.
What are some differences in the way tea is viewed in Mongolia compared to the US?
In Mongolian culture, tea is seen as a vital healing tool. For any discomfort, we commonly use herbal teas for their therapeutic properties. Many families have their own traditional tea recipes for common issues like colds, flu, and digestive discomfort, passed down from grandparents and ancestors. This contrasts with the U.S., where tea is often viewed more as a casual beverage rather than a medicinal remedy.
What are some ancient wellness philosophies that Americans might consider incorporating?
One important aspect of Oriental medicine is the concept of seasonal changes and their impact on our bodies and minds. Each season affects us differently. For instance, in winter, as external temperatures drop, our internal heat rises, enhancing our digestive fire and allowing us to digest richer, more nourishing foods necessary for warmth and energy.
Longer nights naturally encourage more sleep, making quality rest crucial. Three key elements—seasonal foods, healthy digestion, and quality sleep—form the foundation of rejuvenation during winter.
As temperatures fall, our pores close, raising our internal body heat, an adaptation intensified by vāta. Insufficient nourishment can lead to weakness, highlighting the need for a diet rich in the primary tastes: sweet, sour, and salty.
Seasonal Advice:
- Sleep more—go to bed early and rise with the sun.
- Eat warm and nourishing foods—favor sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
- Drink bone broth or, if vegetarian, enjoy lentil soups and vegetable broths.
- Practice warm oil self-massage (abhyānga) with sesame oil to nourish your skin and body.
- Protect the "wind gate" (the back of your neck) and "jade palace" (sides of your neck) from cold winds to prevent illness.
- Store ambitions and embrace introversion, finding strength in stillness.
- Practice meditation to enhance mental clarity and emotional balance.
- Engage in gentle exercises like standing qigong and slow hatha yoga to maintain physical health.
No comments:
Post a Comment