“Ojas and strong immunity are dependent upon robust agni, a healthy diet, a supportive lifestyle, and a balanced nervous system. This is why basic self-care is so vitally important.” , Shiva Rea
If you’ve been in the holistic and wellness world for a bit, you may have heard the word “ojas” (OH-JUS) before. You may have even visited a spa or salon that has the word “ojas” in the business name. So what exactly IS ojas? In Ayurveda, ojas is a beautiful, popular and all around, lovely word. Ojas translates to our radiance and vigor. It rules our immunity, strength and happiness. It is the pure essence of the Kapha dosha and circulates via the heart and throughout the body to provide immunity. Healthy ojas also provides the body & mind with the mental and emotional strength and resilience needed to overcome life’s challenges. It is the refined substance produced after all seven layers of tissues are nourished.
In modern medicine, ojas corresponds to the immune system, endocrine, nervous, skeletal, muscular, hematopoietic and digestive systems. The strength of ojas is what determines whether factors will progress further to disease. If ojas is weak, a person can develop a chronic illness from a bacteria or virus. If ojas is strong, a person will rarely get sick. Ojas is influenced by the power of digestion, lifestyle, stress, trauma and quality of relationships. According to Ayurveda, all dis-ease & imbalance begins with the agni-our digestive fire.
Just like Vata, Pitta and Kapha have certain qualities (also known as the 20 gunas in Ayurveda), so does ojas. The qualities of ojas are: pleasing, unctuous, white, cold, stable, spreading, pure, soft, smooth. It is liquid, slimy, cooling, sweet to the taste and slightly yellowish-white in color. Ojas is rich in soma, which gives a blissful state of awareness. In modern medicine, soma is comparable to serotonin.
There are certain foods, beverages, lifestyle habits, emotional responses and experiences that can deplete ojas. Selfishness will contract the mind and dry up ojas. Trauma, poor nourishment, excessive sexual release, excessive travel and excessive exercise, smoking, recreational drugs, emotions such as anger, grief, worry, and stress all deplete ojas. Alcohol has many of the exact opposite qualities of ojas, therefore will decrease ojas. Certain foods will cause ojas to deplete and dry up like: processed foods, heavy and fried foods, refined flour and sugar, dry, raw and undercooked foods.
There are many different ways and severity levels in which decreased ojas can show up. Some common signs of ojas depletion (from mild to more severe) are: fatigue, weak sense organs, dull complexion and dryness of body, depression, slackened joints, emaciation, imbalanced doshas, impaired bodily functions, stiffness, heaviness of body and mind, swelling, change in complexion and severe fatigue.
How do you know if you’re experiencing low ojas? You feel heavy and fatigued throughout the day. Your mind is often scattered and unorganized. There is a dullness & dryness to your complexion. You are often sick and feeling unwell. Your life contains little laughter, joy, and fulfillment. If this sounds like you, do not panic, there are many ways to work on increasing and enhancing ojas with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and working with an Ayurvedic Health Counselor.
Reversing ojas depletion can be treated with diet and lifestyle habits such as: nourishing foods, self care techniques, regimens and herbs that promote rejuvenation. Foods that boost Kapha will typically bolster ojas like milk and ghee. Chyavanprash is one of the best rejuvenates. You can mix it into your tea, use as a jam, or my personal favorite way-by the spoonful! Practicing meditation and present moment awareness can enhance ojas…enter into an effortless state of meditation and just float. (Sarah Blondin's meditations are my favorite).
There are also many ways to build ojas that involve lifestyle habits, such as: laughter, cuddling with loved ones, spending time in nature, restful sleep, breathwork, meditation, yoga, mindful movement/exercise, and eating fresh, organic, home cooked foods. Here’s a quick list of foods to favor for boosting ojas: bananas, avocados, dates, figs, yams, tofu, almonds, whole grains, and mung beans.
If you like dates, maple syrup, cacao powder, pecans and almonds, check out this delicious recipe of chocolate covered Ojas bars by Kate O’Donnell. It’s seriously so tasty and satisfying! For more Ayurvedic recipes, check out her incredibly popular book, Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook. For a warm, ojas boosting drink, check out this recipe and consume with mindful awareness. According to Ayurveda, HOW we eat and drink is just as important (if not more important) than when we eat and what we eat.
For more information on ojas (and how to boost libido), check out this podcast featuring the amazing Larissa Hall Carlson on the Nourished Nervous System Podcast.
Because every person is so unique in their constitutional makeup of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, it is highly recommended to work with an Ayurvedic Health Counselor to receive personalized suggestions based on your health and wellness to seek balance. We are all a combination of all three doshas, in varying amounts. Sometimes it may appear that there is a doshic imbalance happening, when really there could be ojas depletion, an imbalance of the qualities of the mind-known as Rajas and Tamas, and/or even undigested foods and emotions which we call Ama.
Life can be tremendously challenging and also breathtakingly beautiful. If you feel like you are suffering from ojas depletion, please know that you are not alone. Show yourself grace and compassion. Ask for help if you can. Introduce new self care practices to invite joy and lightness in your life. Working with an Ayurvedic Health Counselor can truly be life changing.
“Meg took the time to get to know me on a deeper level and was truly invested in helping me achieve optimal wellness. I continue to incorporate what I learned into my daily wellness routine and have noticed a huge difference. My spirit has lifted as we continue to focus on cultivating more joy, ojas and lightness into my days.”
~ Anonymous
Meg Visnaskas is a NAMA board certified Ayurvedic health counselor and has a passion for helping others using the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. For more information or to set up an initial consultation, contact her directly via email at Meagan@nhhealthwellness.com. She looks forward to connecting with you.
