Ojas Honey In The Heart Building & Moon Milk

What is Ojas?

Ojas is the essence of vitality and immunity.

It provides stability and nourishment to the body's tissues, moisture to the skin, and clarity to our mental processes.

It is the subtle essence of the kapha dosha, existing both as an energy and, according to the ancient Ayurvedic texts, a physical serum that resembles honey, measured as 8 drops that stay in the heart. As my Ayurvedic and yoga teacher Linda of Shakti Yoga puts it, “our glow of health, virility, fertility, luster, juiciness, reproduction, regeneration and life itself all depends on a healthy supply of ojas.”

Ojas is the refined substance produced after digestion, once all seven dhatus—the tissues responsible for the functioning of the systems and organs of the body—are fed and nourished. The classical Ayurvedic texts state that it takes 27–30 days to build ojas.

Basically it takes a lunar cycle to make.

My teacher explains her understanding of ojas, “It is like honey, ojas, the pure essence of all bodily tissues circulates via the heart and throughout the body to maintain a natural resistance and order of the bodily tissues. Ojas fights against aging, decay and disease. A person who has good ojas rarely becomes sick.”

One way to feed this process of ojas making is with moon milk sipping in a ceremonial way. 
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So “Moon Milks” have been intriguing me for a while. I’ve learned that not all recipes are great either. Golden milk is another old favorite as well with turmeric and honey. Slowly, I’ve found my way to a recipe I love that I’m ready to share.

Whispered Prescriptions

One can always enjoy a tea with the moon, yes. And I often do…

A“build ojas” whispered prescription is something I keep sensing again and again. Building vital essence, power, luster, strength. It’s the task internally and externally as we face life each day. 

Some prescriptions are divine.
Interpretation is personal, I know.

Let's consider these as a starting point for flow:

Go to bed early. Rest more. Sauna. Visit the ocean or wild water. Eat clean. Make your desserts with fruit. Fresh lemon in your water daily. Move your body. Soak in a tub. Sunbath nude in early morning or late day sun. Make tea daily. Get a massage. Paint a picture for Earth and gift it. Make a fire and speak prayers for the world. Massage your feet before bed. Meditate while gardening. Meditate in stillness. Play your instrument for the Wind. Or the Moon. Get up with the Sun. Go down with the sun. Eat dinner early. Eat a satisfying midday meal and skip dinner for enjoying moon milk and rest instead. Listen to a book or great music 2 hours a day. Drink Moon Milk 2x/week for 1 month.

Not all “prescription medicine” has to taste horrible, hurt, costa a lot, or feel like deprivation. Nor does it have to come from a doctor outside of you. That’s my point.

I’ve decided to drink this as a ritual brew twice a week for the next month, up to the next new moon to build ojas, honey in the heart. New moon milk stokes the fire gently as we find rest and restoration. 

Listen inward for more personal prescriptions as our needs vary and the moon will inspire you with more.

So this recipe is quite easy to make too - in the morning put up your almonds to soak. When ready to make, peel the almonds as your milk warms with spices on the stove. Then add all to blender. That’s it. ✔️

Mid-day or evening dosing is the suggested time for taking this.

RECIPE: Delicate Moon Milk 

It’s silky smooth, warm, and so delicately spiced that you want to just linger between the sips… build luster… ya know, all the things.

​INGREDIENTS:

• 10 raw almonds - soaked and peeled.
• 1 medjool date
• 1 cup pure water - split
• 1 cup milk (organic or coconut milk is good too and I use 1 can full fat coconut milk with 1 can full of water for the liquid component)
• 1 TB organic rose petals (optional – cooling, secretion thinning, rejuvenates)
• 1 tsp ghee (optional - rejuvenates)
• 1/4 tsp saffron (increases digestion & rejuvenates) - saffron is preferred but pricey so if you choose to substitute turmeric powder for this then only use 1/8 tsp. to keep things delicately bold.
• 1/8 tsp ground cardamom (increases digestion)
• Pinches of clove, cinnamon, and turmeric powder (improve immunity and digestion)
• Pinch of fresh cracked black pepper (thins secretions, supports immunity)
• 1 tsp of honey, maple syrup or agave (optional - rejuvenating, immune supportive, (honey is traditional and increases lactose digestion if using cow milk)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Soak almonds in 1/2 cup water for 4 hours to overnight. Drain off the water and slip the almonds out of their skins.
2. Bring 1 cup milk of choice and 1/2 cup water to barely a boil on the stove.
3. Add rose petals, saffron, cardamom, clove, and black pepper, let simmer for 5 minutes. Cover, remove from heat.
4. Allow milk mixture to cool covered for 10-15 minutes for more infusing of the spices.
5. Pour mixture in to the blender with date, peeled almonds, and add ghee and honey. Blend until smooth.
6. Enjoy warm in a favorite mug with a sprinkle of spice you love or few rose petals on top as you sit, moon gaze, and allow the moon to have all of you.

So delicate and delicious... enjoy.

What else builds vitality and increases our golden ojas heart drops?

What else builds our vitality and increases our golden ojas heart drops?

• Ample sleep—seven or eight hours is not enough for most people - the human body requires hours of wakeful meditative states and / or naps to fulfill our rest requirements.
• Following your heart’s desire, whatever lights you up.
• Volunteering, supporting a cause near and dear to you.
• Yoga, pranayama, and meditation
• Whole, fresh, organic foods, preferably home-cooked.
• Know your farmers and bee keepers.
• Spending time in nature; gardening, hiking; swimming.
• Hugs with pets, friends, family.
• A good book, read or listen - both do the same internally.
• Laughter.
• Love, Love, Love
• And my favorite ghee company - Goddess Ghee
• I Release Control - song by Alexa Sunshine Rose

​xo-Jen ​