Roots For Winter Wellness

The wintry weather has caught up to us, and my body craves nourishing and grounding roots such as potatoes, carrots, rutabagas and beets. Did you ever wonder why you crave roots in the winter? Roots take up a lot of space on your plate in the winter, not just because they are easy to store in a root cellar and, therefore, were traditionally a staple but also because they are highly nourishing, grounding and, in some cases, healing. Roots for stoking the digestive fire: If you feel like crawling under a blanket and hibernating until spring, know you are not alone. Winter is a time for slowing down, including your digestion, which becomes sluggish. Most roots are grounding; they pull you down. Only a small number of roots move energy upward; these are aromatic and pungent roots like onion, garlic, ginger and horseradish, which are potent foods and medicines. Aromatic plants: Scent is carried by air. Therefore, aromatic herbs were associated with the air element in the body. The respiratory system is related to the element of air, but so is the digestive system, when air gets trapped in the small intestines, leading to bloating and gas. The presence of aroma in plants signifies the presence of volatile oils. Volatile oils protect plants by boasting antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal compounds. Our ancestors learned to use aromatic plants to cleanse and purify their temples and homes. Aromatic herbs were used as traditional herbal medicine worldwide. Volatile oil tends to dissipate upward, an energy pattern on the opposite pole from roots that pull you down and ground you. Pungent herbs are a subtype of aromatic herbs that are warming and drying. Their spicy taste is created by the presence of aromatic volatile oils, resins and mustard glycosides, which stimulate the tissues and nerve endings of the mouth with a sensation of sharp and fiery heat. In fall and winter, when the flow of Qi in the body slows down and life processes, including digestion, tend to become stagnant, aromatic roots like ginger, horseradish, onion and garlic can light a fire under our inner cauldron, aiding digestion, assimilation of nutrients and elimination of toxins. Nourishing Roots: Roots were a prime source of energy for our ancestors, the hunter-gatherers. Imagine them digging out roots with no pitchforks; it was hard work. Without a refrigerator, meat got spoiled very fast, and the aerial parts of plants provided only minuscule calories (as anyone who has ever tried a vegan raw diet knows). Polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates that slowly break down in digestion, allow the slow absorption of sugars into the blood, providing the body with a steady energy source for longer than leaves or fruits. Roots contain a lot of fiber, too. The digestive system lacks the enzyme needed to break fiber; therefore, it passes out undigested. Although we don't directly digest and absorb fiber, it plays a crucial role in digestion and metabolism. Fiber comes in two forms, both beneficial in different ways: Soluble fiber Soluble fiber dissolves in water and can help lower glucose levels and blood cholesterol. Prebiotic fiber is a type of soluble fiber that feeds your gut bacteria. The ecology of healthy gut bacteria is linked to better mood, immune system and metabolism. Foods with soluble fiber include oatmeal, chia seeds, nuts, beans, lentils, apples and blueberries. Insoluble fiber Insoluble fiber, which does not dissolve in water, can help food move through your digestive system, promoting regular bowel movement and helping prevent constipation. Foods with insoluble fibers include whole wheat products (especially wheat bran), quinoa, brown rice, legumes, leafy greens like kale, almonds, walnuts, seeds and fruits with edible skins like pears and apples. Some roots contain longer and more complex carbohydrates than others. Also, some roots contain more fiber than others. Potatoes, for example, are a simple carb with relatively short chains of carbs and minimal fibers. Beets, sweet potatoes, celeriac and rutabaga contain much more fiber and complex carbohydrates. Roots that boost the immune system: Fall and winter are characterized by dramatic environmental changes that require constant adaptation in the inner ecology. These changes stress the body, specifically the immune system. Roots can help ground the body when dramatic fluctuations in weather make us more susceptible to illness. Many factors influence immune function, including stress, age, lifestyle and nutritional status. Adaptogen herbs nourish the body and support it in response to stress. One way that adaptogen herbs support the body during stressful times is by boosting the immune system. Adaptogen herbs: Adaptogen herbs help the body adapt to stress due to drastic environmental changes. These herbs increase the body's resilience to stress by strengthening the immune, nervous and endocrine systems. Adaptogens increase the production of Natural Killer cells, a type of immune cell that targets and eliminates virus-infected cells and cancer cells. In addition, Adaptogens increase the production of adaptive immune cells (T helper cells and B cells) that coordinate the immune response. Astragalus root: Astragalus is an herb that can support you in the fall and winter because it is indicated for strengthening the body's resistance to external environmental influences and systemic weakness. Astragalus is an adaptogen herb that protects the "Wei Qi." The "Wei Qi" is a protective layer around the body, and every cell of the body, making us less permeable to outside influences. Astragalus's role as a guardian of the boundaries means it also prevents leakage from the body. An astringent herb, astragalus tightens tissue and prevents relaxed tissue due to fluid loss, such as congestion or a leaky nose. Roots are a prime source of nutrition and medicine in the winter. They are warming and grounding and help build tissue and energy when the winter weather is weighing you down. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation.