Ayurveda’s Finest: “Golden Milk” It’s to no surprise to that turmeric has fast become a popular remedy for just about everything that ails you. Traditionally, turmeric milk has been used for conditions such as colds, congestion, headaches, and sore throats due to turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. What is more interesting is that Ayurveda [and other ancient systems of medicine] have used turmeric for health and wellness since for as long as historical records have existed. Makes 2 servings 1 1/2 teaspoons powdered turmeric 1/8 teaspoon each: nutmeg, coriander, cardamom, fennel, ginger, cinnamon, Chinese 5-spice, black pepper Pinch each: cloves, sea salt 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoon coconut oil 1 cup water 2 cups mi...
LOVE – Mind, Body & Soul By Priya Singh The vast magnificence of Love is a power that has never been fully understood or explained. It is an idea, a feeling, an ethos, a concept – and it is not tangible. Even though it is one of the most powerful emotions on the planet – it is not quantifiable. Not in actual scientific terms where a chemist could put your ‘love’ in his test tube and weigh and measure the love you feel for your partner, child, parents or anyone. You own your love. And that is why, even the person you profess to love has no idea of how much you love them. You own your love. It is your sorrow, your joy, your suffering and your delirium. It is your dragon to fly. It is your unicorn to ride. Where does this love come from? Where does love exist in our body? Is ...
Health Benefits Of Pomegranate Revered since ancient times, this bright beautiful red fruit has become well known for its sweet astringent taste and healing properties. It also plays a role in myths and poetry! In fact, in one of the most popular Olympian telling of the story of Persephone, pomegranate seeds play an important role! Premium Amla Berry According to Ayurveda, amla is the best among rejuvenative herbs. This is an excerpt of the story: Zeus, the king of the gods, it is said, permitted Hades (god of the underworld), who was in love with the beautiful Persephone, to carry her off as her mother Demeter was not likely to allow her daughter to go down to Hades. Persephone was gathering flowers in a field when Hades came to abduct her, bursting through a cleft in the earth. De...
Making Health Happen There are ideals and there are realities when it comes to health. We almost all know how profoundly different our lives could be if we ate right, exercised regularly, and rested when required. But life happens. We have soaring, sparkling goals but our ability to follow-through can fall short – the realities of social gatherings, packed work schedules, and life-long less-than-ideal living habits make health a true hurdle. So the question stands, how do we make health happen without making ourselves inflexible or insane in the process? How do we find balance between holding ourselves accountable for necessary growth and transformation, and simultaneously allow space for spontaneity and enjoyment. Our reality is that what we set out to do isn’t always as easy to ac...
Don’t spray that! It’s Medicine! Dandelions Each spring, I witness the pesticide trucks arriving to spray down perfectly manicured lawns to rid them of the well-known ‘weed’, the Dandelion. Taraxacum officinale is a common meadow herb of the Asteraceae or sunflower family. There are about 100 species of dandelion, and all are beneficial. It is a native of Greece, but grows in temperate regions throughout the world. The perennial dandelion grows freely wherever it can find a bit of earth and a place in the sun. Dandelion’s nutritive and medicinal qualities have been known for centuries. On a sunny, spring day, I find joy in locating a lovely patch of organic land and slowly gathering the bright, yellow beauties (with their leaves and roots) for my basket. Da...
An Integrated Approach To Inflammation & Immunity From An Ayurvedic Perspective There has been a rising buzz in medical science around the learning of inflammation and epigenetic factors that contribute towards disease. In over a decade of practicing Ayurvedic Medicine and Advanced Yoga Therapy, I have noticed a trend where patients and students presenting (even sitting around randomly in public and observing the populace) with certain ailments such as bacterial infections, virus’, candida and cancers and other related imbalances seems to come down to the lowest common denominator being inflammation. Inflammation produces an acidic environment and an acidic environment creates inflammation in the body. In an acidic biosphere we create a foundation in which diseases are rooted in. Mod...
Think Yourself Healthy & Happy We’ve all heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” While this certainly has some truth in it, an even deeper level of examination reveals that we are what we think. For thousands of years the great Yogis and Vaidyas (Ayurvedic physicians) have observed the nature of the mind-body relationship. What they analyzed, understood, and taught was the direct, undeniable, interconnected matrix of our thought process creating either health or dis-ease. Fast forward approximately 5000 years to today…here we are in a fast-paced, technologically-driven, goal-oriented, productivity-based society; striving to get ahead, make more money, look younger and feel more relaxed. Stress has an impact on our well being, on our nervous system, blood pressure, and every sy...
Ayurveda Tips For Healthy Skin Everyone wants to be beautiful. Yet throughout time, the concept of beauty has varied from various cultures around the world. It seems that all the teachings of Ayurveda are simply a means to remember the truth of who you are; you are inherently beautiful. One aspect of beauty that has remained consistent throughout time has been – good health. The ancient teachings of Ayurveda explain that beauty arises only after one has fully considered the foundation of good health; i.e. healthy digestion. Ancient Wisdom … “When the foundation of good health has been laid, by making the most of sunshine, fresh air, sleep, water, and food, it will be time to turn to the little details about the care of one’s complexion, hair, teeth, and nails.” – Vatyaya...
The Alchemy Of Bliss – “Soma” We all want to be happy yet one of the most elusive questions which involves our day-to-day reality is “what does it mean to be happy?”. We also know that happiness is key for overall health and in one form or another we are all seeking it. Could it be that we are searching for happiness in all the wrong places? For many of us, happiness is in the next purchase – the bigger home, the nicer car, and the newer gadget. However, the teachings of Ayurveda explain that behind all these diverse pursuits is an aspiration for happiness at the core of our being. In other words, within each one of us resides a sense of bliss called “Ananda” which is lastingly satisfying, refreshing, and that which does not diminish nor die. Blissful Joy To help ...
“Auspicious Ghee” – Making Ghee On A Full Moon Every thing around us has an effect on something within us. Everything in the Universe – the stars, planets, satellites, and even the moon have a certain frequency. For example, the frequency of the moon affects the mind and influences our feelings, emotions, and desires. In ancient times, it was common to make ghee as the moon developed into a full moon. This practice of making ghee on a full moon is considered auspicious because the moon is thought to influence “Soma” – the source of nourishment, nectar, and bliss. Soma is a Sanskrit term which is derived from the root word “su” which means ‘to energize, stimulate, expand, and grow’. “Soma is the nectar of immortality.” Soma is also called “amrita” which means nectar and is...
Can Suppressing Natural Urges Cause Disease? Ayurveda is one of the oldest, most complete and amazing natural holistic systems of medicine in the world. It’s a fascinating science and art of living (Ayu=Life, Veda=Science.) There are three primary biomedical terms of Ayurveda that are essential components of this system that allows us to navigate through our lives and our health. These three terms are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which are derived from the composition of the five element theory; the five elements being Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space/Ether. In Ayurveda we categorize Vata, Pitta and Kapha into “biological humors” that are configured uniquely in each one of us and determines our physiological and psychological output. Vata Dosha Vata, is a Sanskrit term that ...
One Thing We All Have In Common … One thing we all have in common is that we all want to be happy. How we imagine our happiness may differ from one to another. Interestingly, our thoughts form our character and if we want to be happy in life, we must ensure that we keep our brain happy and healthy. When we are relaxed and happy, we exist in a state where our body is significantly different biologically than when we are tense, angry, and sad. Dr. Deepak Chopra in Quantum Healing states, “to think is to practice brain chemistry.” In other words, every thought releases brain chemicals and thinking positive, happy, and joyful thoughts decreases cortisol and produces serotonin which creates a sense of well-being. The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda teaches that anyone can achieve this state o...