The shrotas, physical channels, in the body are given immense importance in Shakha Vansya Ayurveda. The Ayurvedic texts are also very emphatic about their role: shroto mayo purusha, “The whole body is nothing but shrotas.”
In a nutshell: only when our physical channels are healthy can we truely feel balanced and blissful. But what does a healthy channel mean? It means it is not shrunk, not dried up, not obstructed. Only then can they serve their primary role of being pathways to circulate nourishment to all the layers, surface and deep, and into into the different tissues and organs, and cells. Only then can they also serve the purpose of supporting the evacuation and elimination of toxins. This is why, many a times, detox goes awry with the best of protocols – because the shrotas are not part of the equation. This is also why in cold winter weather, we may experience fatigue and sluggishness, sharp hunger, and also cold hands and feet. It all comes down to the shrotas and to supporting circulation in them through good food but also spices and herbs. In the wintertime, when we crave more somagenic food – heavy, sweet, proteinous – it is easy to feel sluggish and tired afterwards. Sometimes we also end up eating too much good heavy food and experience numbing or tingling in our extremities due to slower circulation. This is one of the many reasons Vaidya made his Shroto Shuddhi tea and spice mix. But another reason is just as fascinating.
One of the beautiful aspects of knowledge from Vaidya Mishra was not just the way he explained soma, what it is and how it helps us, but also how he differentiated between earthy vs liquid soma. This idea of distinguishing between earthy and liquid soma is not just on the level of the food items (dravya) but also on the level of digestion and post-digestion. Depending on whether the soma you ingest is solid or liquid, there are specific spices and herbs that are used to help with digestion and absorption.
This is another reason why he made the Shroto Shuddhi tea and the Shroto Shudhi Masala.
The tea targets channels in the body carrying liquid soma (water soluble materials). Note that both the tea and the spice mix support the physical channels and burn/ ama (partially digested food material) without aggravating amavisha (reactive toxins sitting in the body).
What’s in the Shroto Shudhi tea? Allspice, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Mace, Black pepper, Green Cardamom, Ginger, White pepper. A highly aromatic delicious blend that you can make on its own (1/4-½ tsp per 10 oz of water) or add to Vaidya’s Cup. You can alternately also add fresh almond milk and drink anytime of day – first thing in the morning or later in the day after lunch or dinner.
Shroto-Shudhi Tea compliments the Shroto-Shudhi Masala perfectly. The masala targets channels in the body which carry earthy soma (food materials) and, when cooked with oil in the food (ghee, olive oil), the masala targets channels in the body which carry lipid soluble materials.
When you need more channel opening power, this masala starts where Mom’s Masala leaves off. It is great when you have a cold, are feeling sluggish, anytime in winter, or when the body’s shrotas (physical channels) are blocked.
Shroto-Shudhi Masala opens the shrotas, and burns ama (partially digested or metabolized food material) without aggravating amavisha (reactive toxins sitting in the body). As mentioned, in Shakha Vansya Ayurveda, open and balanced channels are understood to be crucially important for good health in order to deliver nourishment deep into the body and to remove toxins safely. What’s in the Shroto Shuddhi Masala, and why?
Ingredients
Turmeric: Supports the intellegence of the liver and cleanses the liver and blood.
Cumin: Enhances absorption, burna ama (toxins from undigested food particles), supports digestion and metabolism without overheating the system.
Coriander: Helps to remove toxins through the urinary tract, cools and balances the other warmer spices, protects from acidity by having an alkalizing effect on digestion.
Fennel:Cools and enhances the coordination between the other ingredients and spices.
Fenugreek: Supports sugar and fat metabolism.
Black Pepper: Opens the micro and macro channels of the body and brain, enhances the oxygenation in the channels of the brain, supports the kidney channels.
Cinnamon: Encourages glucose and carbohydrate metabolism.
Kalonji: Balances the hormonal system, adding a distinct aromatic flavor, and balances the subdoshas of the colon and stomach.
Green Cardamom: Supports the metabolism of protein, and balances the coordination of the three subdoshas of the stomach: samana vata, kledaka kapha, and pachaka pitta.
Black Cardamom: Supports protein metabolism, and adds a nice unique flavor.
Nutmeg: Establishes a deeper connection between the mind, stomach and colon, helping retain the integrity of intelligence in the channels when they become overwhelmed.
All-spice: Opens the channels without overwhelming them.
White Pepper: Adds a unique flavor, opens the micro and macro channels of the body and brain, enhances the oxygenation in the channels of the brain, supports the kidney channels.
Pink Pepper: Adds unique fruity flavor, opens the channels deep within the cellular system, brings a deeper sense of satisfaction.
Mace: Unique flavor, opens the channels and calms the mind, enhances the connection between the mind and the digestive tract.
Clove: Opens the channels and cools the digestive system.
Size
Choose between 6 oz. and 2 oz. (loose, ground spices)
Directions
Add to any savory dish as the main cooking spice mix. It tastes great in lentils and vegetables.
This masala has been not been pre-toasted so it should not be used to sprinkle on top of food. It should be used only as a spice mix for cooking. Cooking with water and oil, or ghee, allows the water soluble and lipid soluble components of this masala to reach their targeted destinations in the body.
Do not use if you experience stomach acid or heartburn or tend to have very high sharp metabolism (high pitta/ high agni). Try Vaidya Mishra’s Pitta Masala instead.
Join Brenda, virtually, as she shares knowledge of Love and Prana from the ancient text on Ayurveda, The Charak Samhita, and from the ancient lineage of SVAyurveda. She will teach techniques for maintaining unconditional love, with quick everyday tips.
Brenda is a devoted student and practitioner of Yoga and Ayurveda, committed to living a healthy lifestyle including eating natural and organic foods, prepared fresh on a daily basis. Brenda follows daily and seasonal protocol according to SVAyurveda.
All are welcome. No knowledge of Ayurveda, the holistic healing system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent, is necessary.
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