About Ayurveda

Ayurveda and Your Energy

Everything in the universe, living or dead, is interconnected, according to the foundation of Ayurveda. When your body, mind, and soul are in balance with the cosmos, you are in good health. You become ill when something upsets this equilibrium. This equilibrium can be upset by a variety of factors, including age, emotions, injuries, climatic and seasonal changes, and genetic or congenital disorders.
Space, air, fire, water, and earth are the five fundamental elements of the universe, according to ayurvedic practitioners.

Three life forces, or energies, known as doshas, are created in the human body when these unite. They govern the functioning of your body. They are pitta (fire and water), kapha (water and earth), and vata (space and air).

Each person inherits a different combination of the three doshas. But one is usually stronger than the others. They each regulate a distinct bodily function. It is thought that the balance of your doshas is related to your likelihood of becoming ill and the health problems you experience.

The Ayurvedic Doshas

Vata dosha

Of the three doshas, ayurvedic practitioners consider this to be the most potent. It regulates the division of cells and other extremely basic bodily processes. It also regulates blood flow, heart rate, respiration, mental processes, and the elimination of waste products through the intestines. Fear, grief, staying up too late, and eating again too soon after a meal are some of the things that can interfere with it.

Having vata as your primary dosha might make you intelligent, creative, energetic, and prone to mood swings. You may have a slender build, lose weight quickly, and are typically cold.

You may become overstimulated, have anxiety, phobias, and forgetfulness when you are out of balance. Additionally, you may have a higher risk of developing diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, heart disease, and skin issues.

According to Ayurveda, like breeds like. You may balance out too much vata for this dosha (space and air) by engaging in grounding activities like massage, meditation, maintaining a regular sleep and wake routine, and eating warm, soft meals.

Pitta Dosha

This energy regulates your metabolism (the rate at which food is broken down), digestion, and some hormones related to appetite. Missing meals, eating sour or spicy foods, and spending too much time in the sun can all interfere with pitta.

You might be goal-oriented, competitive, self-assured, and a born leader if you are pitta dominant. In terms of appearance, you might be medium-sized, muscular, and generally attractive.

When you’re out of balance, you may be impetuous, grumpy, competitive, and easily agitated. It is said that if pitta is your primary dosha, you are more susceptible to ailments like fever, indigestion, high blood pressure, heart disease, and Crohn’s disease when you are out of balance.

Pitta (fire and water) can be restored by concentrating on cooling and light foods, such as cucumbers, salads, moderation, and slow or restorative yoga.

Kapha Dosha

It is believed that your kapha dosha regulates your immune system, weight, muscle growth, and body stability and strength. Napping during the day, eating too many sweets, and consuming foods or beverages that contain excessive amounts of salt or water can all throw off kapha.

You may enjoy regularity, adhere to rules, and be patient, calm, and accepting if kapha is your primary dosha. It is more likely that you will have a broad body and gain weight easily.

You can quickly become exhausted, shy away from taking on new tasks, and become possessive, obstinate, and unhappy when you’re out of balance. You may be at a higher risk of developing cancer, diabetes, nausea after eating, obesity, and other respiratory conditions if you are kapha dominant.

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables and engage in blood-flowing exercises like yoga sun salutes or running to balance your body and minimize excess kapha (earth and water).

Treatment with Ayurveda

A customized treatment plan will be developed by an ayurvedic practitioner. They will consider your primary and secondary doshas, as well as your distinct physical and emotional characteristics. In order to achieve the treatment’s objective of restoring equilibrium between your mind and body, they will use that information.

Ayurvedic medicine employs a number of instruments to assist you establish balance, prevent illness, and cure any ailments you may be experiencing. These consist of:

Herbal remedies

Depending on your dosha, this essential ayurvedic ingredient is utilized in various combinations with licorice, red clover, ginger, and turmeric.

Yoga

Meditating

Programs for purification

These are also called panchakarma and include blood cleansing, massage, medical oils, herbs, enemas, and laxatives to rid your body of undigested meals.

Guidance

Understanding your dosha, how it affects your life, and how to modify your lifestyle to achieve more harmony and balance are all things your practitioner will assist you with.

Oil massage, pranayama (breathing techniques), and reciting mantras (phrases) are other ayurvedic remedies.

The beneficial effects of Ayurveda

Clinical studies on Ayurveda have been less extensive than those on Western medicine, as is the case with many alternative therapies. However, a number of ayurvedic techniques have been demonstrated to enhance health and wellbeing.

The symptoms of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis may be lessened by ayurvedic therapies.

Ayurveda has also been demonstrated to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

An ayurvedic diet emphasizes consuming less meat, especially red meat, and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Heart disease risk may be decreased as a result.

Yoga can help with digestion and circulation, as well as chronic pain and anxiety.

Fenugreek has been demonstrated to raise HDL and decrease LDL, or bad cholesterol.

Reduced anxiety, improved attention, better stress management, and better sleep are all possible benefits of meditation. It may also assist you in managing the symptoms of diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, cancer, depression, and chronic pain.

It is crucial to remember that ayurvedic products are not reviewed or approved by the FDA. Indeed, since 2007, it has prohibited some of them from entering the nation. Furthermore, the FDA has issued a warning that harmful metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic are present in 1 in 5 ayurvedic medications. Particularly in youngsters, these heavy metals might result in potentially fatal disorders.

Before attempting ayurveda or any other alternative medical treatment, always consult your physician.

Ayurvedic Way of Life

Ayurveda could sound strange to someone who has only utilized Western medicine. There are numerous easy ayurveda exercises you may perform at home to support the balance of your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being if you’re not yet ready to see an ayurvedic practitioner for a consultation.

To relieve stress and promote sleep

Try improving your sleep hygiene and maintaining a consistent sleep/wake pattern. Before going to bed, make sure your bedroom is dark, peaceful, and at a suitable temperature. At night, avoid using phones or laptops in the bedroom.

If at all possible, schedule meditation time each day.

Use deep breathing exercises such as box breathing, which involves inhaling for four counts, holding your breath for four counts, exhaling for four counts, and then holding it for four more. Three or four times over, repeat this.

Exercise

Attend a yoga class. You can attend classes online, visit a nearby studio, or look for free ones on YouTube.

Increase the amount of movement you do throughout the day. Observe your body; perhaps you require a vigorous run one day and a long, leisurely walk the next.

Ayurvedic food

Replace processed foods with homemade, fresh meals.

Enjoy your meal and eat when you’re relaxed rather than agitated or upset to promote healthy digestion.

At lunchtime, when your digestion is at its peak, eat your largest meal. Also, if you aren’t trying to digest a large dinner, this might help you sleep at night.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, rice, almonds, honey, and other foods that balance all the doshas.

Herbs

When cooking, you can utilize a variety of ayurvedic herbs. Consult your doctor before using herbal supplements to ensure they are safe and won’t interfere with any prescriptions you are currently taking. Among the most often used and accessible herbs in Ayurveda

Include:

Ashwagandha, which promotes better sleep and lowers stress

Ginger is a root that can lessen nausea, and turmeric is an anti-inflammatory.

The spice cumin aids in digestion.

Black pepper has decongestant properties.