As we enter the second half of winter in the northern hemisphere, many people feel congested and sluggish. This feeling is perfectly described by the word phlegm. My brother's post about phlegm on UPenn's Language Log is indeed timely. https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=50260 You can reduce phlegm in your system by avoiding heavy, sweet, creamy and gooey foods including ice cream, milk shakes, puddings, and creamy sauces this time of year. Instead eat foods that provide a warm, comforting feeling while maintaining a vital digestive fire - winter vegetables, clear broths, beans, whole grains and citrus fruit. Herbs and spices enliven the taste of our food and our health - dill, turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper to name a few. I use a neti pot nearly every morning supplemented by nasya once a week. I rarely feel congested or get a head cold in the winter.
