Ayurvedic Detox Ingredients In ancient times food was considered medicine. This being the case, people valued food much differently then. For example, considerations such as from whom and where we buy our food, the state of mind when preparing and eating food all matters and has subtle effects upon our state of health and well-being. Therefore, always seek out locally grown organic sources of food and eat in a peaceful manner in order to help nourish your body and mind. Likewise, from an ayurvedic perspective, the setting which one eats should be as clean and pure as a sacred temple. This same sense of austerity should also be projected upon oneself [i.e. state of mind] when eating. Also, when eating we should eat with a balanced state of mind in order to appreciate the nourishing q...
Coffee – An Ayurvedic Perspective For many of us, our mornings are just not complete without a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Whether you’re a local at Starbucks or scoff at Starbucks Venti Caramel Macchiato as not being a real macchiato – the fact remains, we love coffee. According to some research, 54% of Americans over the age of 18 years drink coffee everyday. Let us therefore, explore some of the health concerns centered around American’s favorite drink – coffee! The Ayurvedic Perspective: According to Ayurveda, “every type of food can be a poison or a medicine” – depending on what your individual constitution is and how and when you consume it. Ayurveda, is a comprehensive science which takes into consideration one’s unique dosha type – vata, pitta, and k...
Healthy Living With Ayurveda “Samadosha, samagnischa samadhatumala kriyaha prasanna atmenindriya manaha swasthya ityabhidheeyate” Acharya Susruta has described the features of a healthy person in the above quote. It follows that the doshas must be in equilibrium, the digestive fire must be in a balanced state and the tissues (dhatus) and malas (wastes) must work in a normal state. The sensory and motor organs and mind, atma must be also in a pleasant state. Such a person is called a healthy person or “Swastha”. Samadosha: The doshas that are present in the body and mind, namely vata, pitta and kapha, must be in a balanced state in order to keep a person healthy. When the balance of the doshas is disturbed, either aggravated or decreased (vitiated) it produces a state of Dosha V...
Ayurvedic Nutrition Tips For Autumn Autumn brings shorter days, longer nights, and cooler weather which invites a new menu of seasonally appropriate foods – ultimately to keep the body well-balanced. Autumn is considered a transition period characteristic of being dry, light, cool, rough and windy – all which naturally increase vata conditions [i.e. dry skin, constipation, arthritis, stiffness of the joints, rheumatism]. Seasonal Considerations For Autumn: – eat warming, soothing, and easily digestible meals – eat foods which are primarily sweet, sour and salty in taste – drink warming herbal teas such as ginger, cinnamon and cardamom tea – keep warm and stay out of strong winds – do regular yoga, meditation, and pranayama breathing exercises Ayurvedic Recipe For “Tridos...
The Divine Healing Digestive Drink Takra or buttermilk, is a liquid preparation prepared by continuously churning yogurt in water. This preparation increases your digestive power and is often used in many health conditions. Takra is considered beneficial for many G.I. conditions such as IBD and Crohn’s disease as well as poor digestion, hemorrhoids, tumors, edema, diarrhea, anemia, urinary diseases and many other health-related conditions. “He who uses takra daily does not suffer from diseases, and diseases cured by takra do not recur; just as amrita [divine nectar] is for the gods, takra is to humans.” – Bhavaprakasha Chpt 6.7 The Benefits Of Homemade: This type of buttermilk is not like the fermented buttermilk you often find in the stores. Likewise, the properties of regula...
“Ice Is Not So Nice” We add it to beverages. We use it to chill food. We apply it topically and we use it in food, like smoothies. The question is, is ice the best for our health? In traditional Chinese medicine, ice is considered a poison when ingested. Ayurveda says the same. Why would these age-old medical systems say something against what so many of us have found great pleasure in? I mean, we use ice in smoothies, cocktails, chilled water with our meals and other similar instances. Why would ice be looked down upon? According to Ayurveda, ice is an astringent that causes vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels. When we ingest ice, it enters into the cavern of the mouth, which has a direct relationship to important organs in the brain, such as the hypo...
Sitopaladi – The Sweet Cough Remedy Sitopaladi is an ayurvedic formulation made up of five main constituents. The name Sitopaladi indicates the sweet rock candy it contains. It works primarily as an expectorant and is therefore particularly beneficial during the seasonal changes that bring a rise in colds and flus. Sitopaladi also works as an antiasthmatic, febrifuge and a diaphoretic. It is therefore useful during shortness of breath and bronchitis as it helps to clear the congestion and allows prana to flow when it is obstructed by excess mucus and sputum. Clear Throat Clear Throat is a fast-acting formula that cools and soothes the throat, and aids in removing impurities from the respiratory system. Properties Sitopaladi is a light, oily herb and has a sweet, pungent...
Ayurvedic Home Remedies For A Sore Throat At one time or another almost everyone has had a sore throat. A sore throat is caused by irritation and inflammation of the throat and is most commonly due to a virus and to a lesser extent by bacteria. That said, if your sore throat lasts more than a few days or if it’s accompanied by fever, nausea, or abdominal pain, see a doctor. Bio-Immune Supports natural immunity; helps detoxify blood and promotes cellular regeneration Cold Weather Defense Supports the body’s natural defenses; helps remove toxins; useful as an all-season defense. Common Causes of Sore Throat Viral infection Bacterial infection Fungal infection Smoking Shouting Allergies Catch It Early – Gargle! In order to catch your sore throat early, consider a gargle with tur...
The Three Phases Of Life Ayurveda relates the five elements to three phases of life — Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The five elements dance through time and space and become the biological medial terms of Ayurveda: Vata, made up of ether/space elements; Pitta, the combination of fire with water; and Kapha, comprised of water and earth. These three “doshas” are describing qualities, tendencies, characteristics and attributes relative to the phases we all go through. Kapha The first phase begins with Kapha, the “Spring Type.” We all begin in the womb, a womb of sorts, and this environment is very watery. We establish the solidity of earth known as immunity. This happens from in utero and until the onset of puberty — traditionally from birth and until 15. The word “kapha” means to grow, to cr...
Emotional Eating – An Ayurvedic Perspective “Food nourishes the body; love nourishes the Soul.” – Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic Physician “Emotional Eating”… Overeating may occur occasionally and often due to various reasons. However, overeating often takes place because of emotional factors. From an Ayurvedic perspective, when there is undue stress or other emotional factors this can increase the uncoordinated movement of ‘prana vata’ within the mind. This increased movement of prana can then stimulate the gastric fire [Agni] – which produces the “experience of hunger”. However, this experience of hunger may not actually be real but rather an emotional craving for nourishment [i.e. love]. What Am I Hungry For? In a recent book, ‘What Are You ...
Ayurveda – A Guide To Happiness “When the emotional heart is balanced, one gains pure knowledge, the desires of the mind are always righteous, and one experiences unbounded bliss.” – Sushruta Samhita Digesting Our Experiences … Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. One of the characteristics of modern life is that we are moving at an ever-increasing rate. However, the wise resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life. In the last 150 years, our relationship with time has radically changed. That said, our ability to metabolize our daily experiences have also changed greatly. In a way, the body metabolizes the emotional content and feeling of every experience. With increased demands of daily living and limited time for ones...
Improving Brain Function With Ayurveda According to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, health rests upon a foundation supported by three pillars – sleep, diet, and overall balance of life. If any one of these three pillars becomes weakened, our overall health and well-being may become affected. Therefore, in order to function optimally especially during modern times, let us look at specific ways to help maintain a healthy balance for the brain. Intelligence Plus – with Gotu Kola, Ashwagandha, & Bacopa!! ~The Healthy Brain~ It’s to no surprise that the brain requires oxygen. In fact, the brain can only survive for about four minutes without oxygen before suffering from irreparable brain damage. Not only does the brain require oxygen – the brain requires glucose, f...