Ayurvedic Treatment for Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a type of mental illness in which there are alternating emotional highs and lows in mood. In this state, one either feels high, when they feel uplifted and have pleasant thoughts, or … Continue reading →
Ayurvedic Treatment for Tinnitus Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears. It causes a feeling of ringing or humming in the ears. About 15 – 20% of people face this problem. This condition usually does not … Continue reading →
Simple Rules about Food Ayurveda has long used diet as a primary means of healing the body and mind. Hundreds of years before Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine,” Ayurveda laid down the principles for putting this advice into … Continue reading →
Jackfruit – the Largest Fruit in the World Jackfruit is the fruit of the Jack tree (a tropical fruit tree in the Moraceae family that is a relative of breadfruit, mulberry, and fig trees). It is considered the largest fruit … Continue reading →
General Therapy for Psoriasis According to Ayurveda, psoriasis occurs due to a decrease in all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) to varying degrees, but mainly in Vata and Kapha. Vata causes pain, dryness, and flaking of the skin. An imbalance … Continue reading →
If you are Fatigued From the Ayurvedic perspective fatigue results from the misuse of the resources of the mind, emotions and body. For example, when your job is simple, but you have to work a lot and overtime. This leads … Continue reading →
Hawaiian Healing Mantra ho’oponopono – a method of correcting mistakes. The word ho’oponopono roughly translates to “cause things to move back in balance” or to “make things right.” In Hawaiian, “pono” means balanced life, order, harmony. This method is based … Continue reading →
Headache. What We Can Do. Headache is one of the most common symptoms that doctors encounter. According to numerous studies, about 70% of the population of developed countries suffer from it. From the Ayurvedic point of view headache is one … Continue reading →
Ayurvedic Cough Remedy Any cause of disease in Ayurveda is considered an imbalance of the dosha. Ayurvedic doctors divide coughs into three types – kapha, pitta and vata, depending on which of the doshas is out of balance. With appropriate … Continue reading →
Mustard – Tiny Seeds with Huge Potential. Mustard is an annual plant of the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae). It is now widely distributed in North Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Due to its high taste characteristics and delicate aroma, mustard … Continue reading →
Chestnut – the Rice that Grows on Trees Ayurvedic properties: Rasa (taste in the mouth): sweet and astringent Virya (potency): cold in the first degree Vipak (final transformation, post digestive effect): sweet Prabhava (specific potency): positive – for the heart, … Continue reading →
Kitchari Cleansing Diet (3-7 days) Food can both harm and benefit the body. The health and well-being of the whole human body as well as its vigor and activity depend on what and how a person eats. If the balance … Continue reading →
How to Determine your Dosha (Prakriti / Prakruti) from your Birth Chart Prakriti is one’s unique constitution, an inborn metabolic pattern. Prakriti also means Nature, the set of tendencies that was set up at the time of our conception. Prakriti … Continue reading →
What Time Should You Wake Up? In my previous articles, I have already touched on the importance of doing things at the right times, especially waking up and going to bed, but it appears to me more and more important … Continue reading →
Acne Part Two I published the post “Acne – the Pitta Imbalance” in 2011. Since that time, I have received numerous comments and questions asking for recommendations that are more detailed in terms of diet and lifestyle in order to … Continue reading →
Insomnia, Ayurvedic Recommendations Sleep is time for recharging and filling the body with energy. In today’s society, which is exposed to a constant, stressful rush, this basic physiological function has become a luxury for many of us. Almost every day, … Continue reading →
Chandra Namaskar vs. Surya Namaskar Chandra Namaskar (salutation to the Moon) is designed to enhance the lunar energy in our body. It gives peace and relaxation, and helps to recuperate. It is particularly useful for both men and women with … Continue reading →
Ritucharya – Lifestyle Adjusted to Nature When seasons transit, the change is very evident in the environment we live in. We see various changes in bio-life around us, such as flowering in spring and leaf shedding in fall, hibernation of … Continue reading →
Asthma treatment in Ayurveda The most important fact about respiratory diseases, including asthma, which everyone must know, is that they become incurable only when they are allowed to become chronic. If handled in the initial stages by Ayurveda, respiratory ailments … Continue reading →
What plates to dine with Ayurveda states that every aspect of food has an impact on our health: freshness and quality of food, its constitution (every single type of food has its unique Vata, Pitta and Kapha percentage just like … Continue reading →
Asafoetida (Hing) for Better Digestion and Circulation Asafoetida or Hing (botanical name Ferula narthex) is an essential ingredient in most Indian food that is almost unknown in the West. It is famous for its anthelminthic, stimulant, carminative (relieving flatulence), antiseptic, … Continue reading →
Ayurveda on Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fibromyalgia and CFS are affecting more and more of the population of developed countries. Modern medicine admits its inability to cure these maladies that are characterized by generalized fatigue, chronic headache, sleep disorder, … Continue reading →
Premature Graying of Hair. To Care for your Hair. Part Three. The Sanskrit word for hair graying is Palitya. A white hair is produced by the formation of numerous air spaces throughout the cells composing the hair. Since old age … Continue reading →
Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis. Lusterless Hair. Ayurvedic Remedies to Care your Hair. Part Two. Anyone suffering from hair loss must be patient. The re-growth time for hair is about two years with three months resting phase. Hair grows at the … Continue reading →
Hair Loss. Ayurvedic Remedies to Care for your Hair. Part One. Hair Loss One thing should be said upfront, hair and skin issues can’t be relieved overnight, and if you are not open to a possibility of making changes in … Continue reading →
Ayurveda on Juices First of all let’s make it clear, that what Ayurveda calls juice is a fresh beverage made from fresh fruit, vegetable, or herb which is consumed right away at room temperature. All other beverages are not juices … Continue reading →
Adjusting Food to my Dosha When you look at the food list for your constitution you notice that food is gradually divided in categories from “best for your dosha” to “eliminate from your diet”. Does it mean that Vata for … Continue reading →
The Ayurvedic Vegan Kitchen Finding Harmony through Food Is it possible to eat Ayurvedic and vegan at the same time? The answer is yes. I came across Talya Lutzker’s book The Ayurvedic Vegan Kitchen and was amazed at how well … Continue reading →
Ayurvedic Healing of Colds Which dosha causes colds? Winter is the time when Kapha dosha (water and earth) accumulates. Too much of it produces mucus, which results in colds. Lungs and stomach are the sites of Kapha. Phlegm is produced … Continue reading →
Pitta Season The three Ayurvedic Seasons, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, change each other in everlasting cycle. In India there are six seasons; we here have only four, and they can be divided between the three doshas as following: Vata: … Continue reading →
Ayurvedic Face Diagnostic. For an Ayurvedic doctor the face features can be distinctive beacons showing the condition of inner organs. Every wrinkle or “casual” line provide diagnostic information for one who understands. We also can tell what system needs attention … Continue reading →
How to Choose Food The rule of thumb in Ayurveda is: any diet is supposed to promote self-development. If our food choices improve our concentration on the positive, and make us open and friendly they are good for us. … Continue reading →
Where do Vata, Pitta and Kapha Come From To act in the material world a soul (Atman) needs a material body, which is comparable with clothes or a car. We use them but it is wrong to identify ourselves with … Continue reading →
The liver has a fiery energy and can cause a variety of Pitta disorders, such as inflammation and infection. Pitta is translated as bile and is prone to the range of diseases rooted in the improper function of the liver … Continue reading →
Time for Fall Detox The period from September 15 to October 15 is considered in Ayurveda an optimal time to get rid of toxins that the body has accumulated during the hot Pitta season. Ayurveda offers us Panchakarma, the five … Continue reading →
The Nightshade Family The nightshade family of vegetables includes tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, chili peppers, white potatoes, and tobacco. They are called so because they grow at night, absorbing “deadly night energies”. Ayurveda says they should be avoided or minimized … Continue reading →
Ayurveda on Grains Grains and vegetables should form the basis of a healthy diet. Grains are a very balancing food for all constitutions in proper amount. The Kapha type should make sure not to overeat them but Vatas and Pittas … Continue reading →
Diet For the Dual –Dosha Types Everyone has all three doshas present in their unique constitution. However, one or two doshas are usually dominant. It is rare that someone is a pure Vata (V), Pitta (P), or Kapha (K) type. … Continue reading →
Herbal Remedies for Prostate Problems There are many herbs used by both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. The yin – yang theory of Chinese herbalism and the dosha theory of Ayurveda provide a similarly balanced approach to the understanding of health, … Continue reading →
Cook your Food with Love The preparation of food is an art, but even if you are not the best cook, there are things you can do to improve the nutritional value and enjoyment of the food you prepare. Ayurveda … Continue reading →
Acne – the Pitta Imbalance See also Acne-Part two Acne vulgaris or cystic acne is large pimples, which show a Pitta or Kapha imbalance. It is aggravated by overconsumption of sweets, fats, oils, red meat, seafood, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco, … Continue reading →
Ayurveda on Wine and Hangover Wine consumption Vedas are against the drinking of any alcohol considering it tamasic (ignorant, lethargic and destroying). One who seeks liberation should certainly avoid all kind of intoxication including coffee, tea and coffeinated drinks. See … Continue reading →
Food List for the Kapha Person Best – consume freely Good – 2 – 3 servings daily Fair – 1 – 2 servings daily Allowed occasionally – 3 – 4 servings weekly Avoid – 1 – 2 servings weekly Eliminate … Continue reading →
Food List for the Pitta Person Best – consume freely Good – 2 – 3 servings daily Fair – 1 – 2 servings daily Allowed occasionally – 3 – 4 servings weekly Avoid – 1 – 2 servings weekly Eliminate … Continue reading →
Food List for the Vata Person Best – consume freely Good – 2 – 3 servings daily Fair – 1 – 2 servings daily Allowed occasionally – 3 – 4 servings weekly Avoid – 1 – 2 servings weekly Eliminate … Continue reading →
Benefits of Meditation Meditation is a culmination of the Yogic and Ayurvedic knowledge. Meditation is not just a matter of closing one’s eyes and sitting silently. It is our ability to contact our true Self which is the source of … Continue reading →
How to Meditate Meditation works for everyone who is willing to devote some time to the practice. For a beginner, a successful meditation is simply one that leaves you feeling tranquil and rested. Find a place in your home where … Continue reading →
Meditation for Kapha Kapha types (see Portrait of Kapha) should practice meditation in order to let go of emotional attachment and to counter mental stagnation and lethargy. Meditation helps them release possessiveness and heaviness. Kaphas may require encouragement or motivation … Continue reading →
Meditation for Pitta Pitta people (see Portrait of Pitta) need to meditate in order to release their anger and aggression and let go of their controlling approach to life. They usually have good concentration and meditate more easily than Vata … Continue reading →
Meditation for Vata Vata types (see Portrait of Vata) should practice meditation in order to calm their restless minds and nerves and to relieve their inherent tendency to fear and anxiety. Meditation helps them sleep, alleviates their digestion, and strengthens … Continue reading →
Neem – Indian Heal All Herb In India the Neem tree is variously known as “Divine Tree”, “Heal all”, “Nature Drugstore” and “Village Pharmacy”. Neem (Azadiracta indica) is one of the most powerful blood-purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurvedic usage. It … Continue reading →
Natural Care for Beautiful Breasts Every day we hear about new wonder skin care formulas claiming to make us look great. That means to me that whatever we already have in our bathroom cabinets is not working. I quit using … Continue reading →
Aphrodisiacs in Ayurveda Ayurveda has a whole science of Aphrodisiacs. It is one of the seven branches of its medical system. Ayurvedic Aphrodisiacs (Vajikarana in Sanskrit) are more than substances exiting sexual activity; they are tonics that nurture and give … Continue reading →
Lotus – India’s Most Sacred Plant Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a symbol of spiritual unfoldment. It has many names in Sanskrit, for example Padma, Kamala, and Pushkara. Lotus is good for all constitutions, but it can aggravate Kapha when taken … Continue reading →
Premature Balding or Graying of the Hair Balding and graying of the hair does not necessarily indicate old age and poor health. It occurs earlier in the Pitta (fiery) constitution, sometimes in the late twenties and often in the thirties. … Continue reading →
Triphala – an Ayurvedic Panacea “When in doubt, give Triphala” could easily be the Ayurvedic motto. Triphala (Trifala), which means the three fruits, is one of the main Ayurvedic compounds. It can be used to shampoo the hair or wash … Continue reading →
What and How Much Should I Drink? Many health practitioners advocate daily consumption of large amounts of water. Ayurveda doesn’t agree with this mechanical approach to the body. Different people have different needs when it comes to fluids. The general … Continue reading →
What is Yoga? Yoga is a common term in our culture today, and yoga classes can be found in every city or neighborhood. Most people identify yoga with the physical postures that are the most evident side of the system. … Continue reading →
The Three Gunas- the Never Ending Play of the Universe Everything in the universe has three primary phases of activity called the three Gunas. Sattva – creative phase – brings life into manifestation. Rajas – organizing, activating phase – builds … Continue reading →
Lassi – Yogurt that is Good for You From Ayurvedic point of view yogurt is heavy and mucus forming, not the weight reducing food it is fought to be. Especially unhealthy is yogurt when eaten cold and with fruits or … Continue reading →
Why is it bad to work at night? Why is it bad to work at night? Many artists or other people find it a good time to work. Let’s see what happens in our body if we break the nature’s … Continue reading →
Why Herbs will never get approved by the FDA There are few mysteries when it comes to our health. Common sense tells us that our basic habits and attitudes in life determine our overall state of health. The quality of … Continue reading →
Do Man Made Supplements Really Get Absorbed? Did you ever wonder why your urine is always so yellow when you take vitamins? Because you are either unable to use or do not need this portion of the vitamin. Do humans … Continue reading →
Are You Special or Just a Number? It takes very little observation to realize that we are all different types of individuals. Why does one diet program work for your friend and not for you? Why one medicine or herb … Continue reading →
Raw or Cooked? Yoga’s and Ayurveda’s recommendations about eating raw food seem to be opposed but only at first sight. Ayurveda generally does not recommend raw food for a long term diet but only for short term detoxification. That is … Continue reading →
Sweet or Bitter The Ayurvedic diagnosis of disease is based on the three Doshas (see What is Ayurveda; Dosha test; Portrait of Vata, Pitta and Kapha). In treatment of diseases, the Six tastes are used (see Six tastes). Each taste … Continue reading →
Ten Things that Affect your Health 1. Like increases like. A dosha is increased by things with qualities similar to it. Vata is light, dry, cold, and mobile. That means that dry foods, dry fruit, cold, windy weather, running, being … Continue reading →
Why We Get Sick Disease grows in the body according to a process known as Samprapti, literally ‘the birth of pain’. Ayurveda recognizes six stages of disease: 1) Accumulation; 2) Aggravation; 3) Overflow; 4) Relocation; 5)Manifestation; 6) Diversification. Disease does … Continue reading →
Portrait of Pitta Pitta = Fire + Water Key word: Intensity People in whom Pitta predominates are intense and fiery, with strong drive, self-control. They are alert and intelligent and have good powers of comprehension and concentration. They are usually … Continue reading →
Portrait of Vata Vata = Air + Space Key word: Irregularity Vatas are as light, changeable, and unpredictable as the wind. They have a light thin build; flexible mind and body and tend to be slim or even underweight. They … Continue reading →
Portrait of Kapha Kapha = Water + Earth Key word: Stability Kapha people are blessed with a strong, healthy, well developed body. Their chests are broad and expanded, and they have strong muscles and large, heavy bones. One of the … Continue reading →
Ayurveda and Fasting Long-term fasting is not recommended in Ayurveda. Over restriction aggravates Vata in nearly everyone who attempts it. To fast regularly for one day every week or two is far better than to fast and then to binge. … Continue reading →
Sun Salutation Surya Namaskara is a salutation to the sun, the source of our life. Sun Salutation is a flowing, full body exercise that is designed to work all the major muscle groups and joints and massage our internal organs. … Continue reading →
Yoga Postures in Ayurveda Ayurveda recommends asanas (yoga postures) as its most important lifestyle recommendation for exercise. It also prescribes asanas as an important treatment measure to cure different diseases. Asanas and food are the two most important physical treatment … Continue reading →
The Four Stages of Life Yoga and Ayurveda divide human life into four stages of twenty five years each. Each stage has its appropriate behavior and activity that is the same for everyone. Stage of life Behavior Period Activity 1. … Continue reading →
Prakruti (Prakriti) – Know Yourself Better Ayurveda is a very common – sense sort of medical system. It uses very simple principles to determinate one’s unique constitution, inborn metabolic pattern called Prakuiti. Prakruti also means Nature, the set of tendencies … Continue reading →
Dinacharya – Daily Routine For Your Dosha As long as we are not living in harmony with our constitution we can’t really be healthy. There is no substitute for our own right lifestyle. It cannot be bought at any price … Continue reading →
Brahmi (Gotu Kola) Botanical names: Hydrocotyle asiatica; Centella asiatica; Bacopa monniera Gotu Kola (Brahmi) is a renowned rejuvenative herb for the brain and nerves in Ayurvedic medicine. It is traditionally used to promote the intellect, enhance mental performance, and support … Continue reading →
Kitchari – Your Body’s Reset Button Kitchari (Kicheri, Kichadi, Khichari), a soupy porridge made from rice and mung beans, is used to purify digestion and cleanse systemic toxins. Ayurvedic physicians often prescribe a kitchari diet before, during, and after panchakarma, … Continue reading →
Hair And Your Dosha The hair and its luster are important indicators of overall health. Hair is closely related to Prana, the body’s vital force. Vata hair is usually dry, but may vary from dry to oily in different spots … Continue reading →
Oil Massage (Abhyanga) Abhyanga is one of the several purification techniques known as pancha karma. Applying oil to your skin lubricates, protects, detoxifies, and rejuvenates your skin and nervous system, while soothing your endocrine system. The best time to do … Continue reading →
Ayurvedic Skin Types All skin types look clear and radiant when the doshas are in balance. No skin type is better than another. They are simply different in design, and all perfect in their own right when undisturbed. But, depending … Continue reading →
Seasons and the Doshas In the life of everything that exists in nature, there is always a beginning, a middle and an end in regards to time. Ayurveda uses the doshas to designate these three divisions in a way that … Continue reading →
Spice therapy, six tastes In Ayurveda, foods are classified into six tastes –sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. Many foods have more than one taste–Turmeric, for example, contains three–bitter, pungent and astringent. Ayurvedic healers recommend that you include all … Continue reading →
Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that is designed to help people live long, healthy, and well-balanced lives. It has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years and has recently become popular in Western cultures. The basic … Continue reading →
