July 10th, 2009 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Welcome back!
It is amazing how Prakruti (nature) has made each of us so unique! Fingerprints, eye images, foot prints and even our DNA are so unique that people can be identified on the basis of many such codes that nature has designed.
Humans are made of the same materials as the rest of the Universe, but the composition, the ratio and the complexity of each design is so different that it makes us all unique! So it makes sense for us to treat each human being differently when it comes to healing.
Most of the analysis and examination by Ayurvedic practitioners are performed by observation and question and answer sessions. Rather than getting input from a blood pressure monitor reading, it is easier for the physician to understand why the person is so nervous or anxious. This helps the doctor get closer to the root cause.
Ayurvedic practitioners question their patients on more than where a pain is felt or which part of the body aches. They may ask questions like:
1. What makes you happy?
2. What makes you sad?
3. Are you tired a lot?
4. Are you anxious or worried about something?
5. Are you eating a well balanced diet?
6. How do you relax?
7. Do you know meditate regularly?
8. Do you visualize a healthy body always?
9. Are you a positive thinker?
10.Do you have consistent sleep patterns?
11.Do you speak the truth always?
12.Are you spiritual?
13.Do you play childhood games and have fun when you are with children?
14.Do you feel good when helping others?
15.Do you laugh often when you hear jokes?
16.How do you deal with change?
17.Are you happy with family life?
18.Are you satisfied with your job?
19.Any aches and pains?
20.Any breathing problems?
21.Any excretory issues?
22. What is a day like for you?
23. What do you do in your spare time?
24. Are you fulfilled?
25. Are you looking forward to the holidays/summer/future?
Remember, these are just examples of what an Ayurvedic doctor may ask you. Of course, if the diagnosis is simple, such as a common cold, then they don’t need to ask you so many questions. The patient is usually sent home and asked to gargle with salt water and take lots of fruits to allow the body to heal and to coax the immune system to get ready to thwart the next attack. Instead of a cough syrup and decongestant, we may be asked to use honey + lemon juice mixture or something similar to soothe the throat and prevent unproductive coughs. Here you see a difference in the way simple conditions are “not” treated with harsh chemicals.
Another way by which an Ayurvedic doctor may decide on the treatment is by looking at our personality (prakruti) profiles. As mentioned earlier, there are three major types of personalities among people. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Most people are a combination of two of these three doshas. Rarely, you will find people who have all three doshas combined.
Vata is the electric component of our body which creates movements such as breathing, excretion, menstruation, etc. Pitta is the tool of transformation; it controls the physical, mental and emotional elements. Kapha is believed to be responsible for our structure (bones, muscles, joints, etc.)
Food is our fuel. Just as a petrol or gas dependent car splutters and comes to a stop if we pour cooking oil into the gas tank instead of premium gasoline, our bodies get blockages and disease if the food is not of the optimum quality. The Ayurvedic sages knew that “food is our medicine”. Eating the right foods at the right time in the right quantities makes a person, healthy, wealthy and wise!
According to Ayurveda, food is complete only when it has each of the following added to it in the correct proportion:
1. Salt
2. Sweet
3. Sour
4. Hot/Pungent
5. Bitter
6. Astringent
Anyone who has had Indian or Thai food can understand the idea behind the amazing ways in which it is prepared. Most of the dishes in a Thai restaurant usually have a majority of these flavors. The balance of these flavors makes us satisfied with less amounts of food. That is because our body is satiated and we feel content. On the other hand, food in many countries lacks most of these flavors (except sweet and salt maybe! ) and people tend to continue eating without feeling satisfied. This is a major reason for obesity.
Tender coconuts
To get rid of addictions and to remove disease from the body, Ayurveda recommends juices and sprouts. Juices are amazing because pure fruit juice not only has the healthiest form of water, it also has the purest ingredients that nature makes for us. The body can easily and efficiently absorb natural fruit juices even when the person is in a very weak state. There are cases when the diseased body cannot absorb or retain solid food, and this is the time when fruit juices save lives. One of the best juices that Ayurveda recommends is tender coconut water. Ayurveda lists about 20 healing properties from the simple coconut water. Just imagine how much information the practitioners have gathered over the centuries of practice!
Also, when there are toxins in our cells, the best way to remove them is with a juice only diet. This may be the juice of fruits as well as vegetables. Sprouts also are held in high esteem by Ayurvedic practitioners. Maximum nourishment is attained when we ingest a seed that has begun sprouting since the life giving energy of the seed is beneficial to the body types that can digest it.
In addition to fruit juices, Ayurveda uses moong sprouts, fenugreek sprouts and other lentil sprouts depending on the diagnosis. Ayurveda believes in cleaning the body so that efficient digestion can take place. One of the problems with eating meat is that it is believed to take longer for digestion and it may even decay or get trapped between the intestines. This may lead to toxic conditions even if the meat was pure and fresh. The meat we usually eat contains hormones, preservatives, additives, coloring, curing chemicals and what not; it may just be an impediment to efficient digestion.
Although Ayurveda does not encourage eating meat, many of the people in cooler countries get most of their protein from meat. The only way to eat healthy meat is to buy it fresh and prepare it well with spices and herbs to encourage the digestive enzymes to help clean the colon well after digestion.
Regardless of the problems a person may have, it is important to determine what is the best type of food they need and also the best way to prepare it.
Ayurveda also believes in the transfer of energy between all living things. If we destroy nature, some of the negative energy created during this onslaught will be transferred to us. Similar to the practice of “libation” that the old pagans had, we should also thank a tree for its fruits, water it to show our gratitude and preserve our environment so that every individual in this world can enjoy this beautiful planet for generations to come.
Ayurveda Herbs – Ayurvedic herb formulas and vitamins from well known companies plus extensive reference books and guides on herbal treatments, remedies and individual herbs.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/ayurveda-in-practice-1024333.html
July 10th, 2009 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Ayurveda encompasses all types of healing. Almost every health problem in the world can be removed from the body and the body brought back to health with the help of Ayurvedic treatments. In this fast paced world, the pace of Ayurveda seems quite slow. However, for all the abuse we give our body over the years, a few weeks in a year may not be much if we can return our body to its balanced condition.
“Prana” is the term for “life energy” that courses through our veins. It is believed that most of the fuel we take in releases prana at various stages of digestion. Those foods that release energy in the upper body are beneficial to some people while the foods that release energy in the stomach or the colon may be beneficial to other types. Again, it is through experience and practice that an Ayurveda practitioner determines the type of doshas we have in our body and the corresponding food that is beneficial.
In Ayurveda different people with the same disease sometimes receive different diet and herb plans. The constitution, the imbalance, and the various nuances of the development of the disease in each individual must be studied to determine the nature of the imbalance whether Vata, Pitta, or Kapha for that disease. Also two people receiving the same advice may have two very different and diverse health problems.
By allowing the body to heal itself, we set the stage for a stronger immune system so that when/if we get another, more serious infection, the body will be prepared for it. However, if we take commercial cough suppressant syrups and anti-biotics, it may just weaken the natural defenses leaving the immune system weakened for the future onslaught of disease.
Ayurveda also delineates food depending on whether it cools or warms up the body. Sweet, bitter and astringent foods are considered to be cooling. Hot, pungent and salty foods are believed to be warming. These two types of foods affect the body’s pre-digestion and post digestion state in different ways. By studying the effects of all herbs and spices as well as all foods, Ayurvedic doctors can implicitly point out the ones that cause problems as well as the ones that are beneficial to each and every one of us.
Our genes, our temperament, philosophy of life, spirituality, experiences, emotions, injuries, lessons from life, teachers, spouses, children, our friends and family, all combine to make us the people we are today. A mother with two children will never treat both of them the same way. She always considers their history, their likes and dislikes, their age and their moods before attempting to advise them on anything. Both of them may have the same symptoms, but she may watch the one who is more lethargic and not eating well compared to the other child who may be outside happily playing with friends.
Likewise, when a person is having problems with health, the best option is to take a survey of the way s/he thinks feels and emotes. In practice, Ayurveda gets a good deal of the information from the person even before the practitioners consult a medical book or come up with a diagnosis for the person.
Remember that Ayurvedic practitioners discourage the habit of snacking. They believe that the stomach and the digestive organs need time to digest the food well and send it out through the intestines. Eating while the food is being digested is a big NO-NO in Ayurveda. If you are really hungry in between meals, some fruit juice may be okay. Also, while taking Ayurvedic medicines (or any herbal remedy) it is wise to keep stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, etc to a minimum. These are believed to reduce the effectiveness of herbal medicines. In addition to herbs and caplets available online, there are Ayurvedic centers where people can avail of multitude of treatments.
Types of treatments available for customers are:
1. Panchakarma This includes a synchronized oil massage, sweat therapy using herbs, a personal assessment and evaluation, and other therapies to eliminate latent doshas and toxins
2. Kizhi
This is the treatment using warmed up herbs and oils tied into cloth bundles. These bundles are pressed and pounded on the patient’s body to enable the body to release the pent-up stresses and latent issues which may be holding back the immune system. This massage may be performed using the heel of the hand, the fingers or by using the palms of the therapists/assistants.
3. Pizhichil
This treatment is used for rheumatic disorders, general weakness, sexual problems, etc. Again, warm medicated oil is squeezed all over the body to enable maximum relaxation. The whole body feels energized and alive after this therapy
4. Shirodhara
Medicated milk (or oil) is poured on the forehead continuously using specialized equipment which sways rhythmically providing a gentle, soothing atmosphere. This therapy works on enhancing your mind so that you can relax and get rid of anxiety, depression, tiredness, etc.
5. Sirovasthy ( or Shirobasthy)
This procedure starts with the therapists tying a belt around the head covering to make a deep well into which medicated oil is poured. The deep and slightly heavy feeling of the warm oil on the head triggers changes in your thought process and heals any head injuries as well.
6. Vashpaswedanam
This treatment removes impurities including fat from the body. Many skin disorders disappear with this process which passes medicinal vapors over the body.
7. Nasyam
Medicated oil poured through the nostrils to give strength to the head, nose and neck. This treatment is believed to improve the endocrine system, reduce stress on the head, neck and jaw as well as tooth ache and other disorders.
There are many more procedures that are available at various clinics all over the world. The prices may be steep for the therapies that use rare herbs or oils. Some of these therapies require multiple attendants and many specialized preparations and apparatus. The prices for these treatments vary widely.
Many of these procedures are performed for more than one condition. Most of the massages are meant to calm the mind, energize the body, trigger circulation and remove stress to induce healing. The medicated oils do their part in hastening the healing as well.
It is believed that for each year of self-abuse or ill-health, we need at least one month of Ayurvedic treatment. Many people stay at these treatment centers (called “Aushadashala” or medical facility) while experiencing the treatment.
Ayurvedic shops usually stock various herbs and spices for individual use. If you are familiar with an herb and know that it is helping you, by all means get the herb and use it. However, it is preferable not to self-medicate. As we have mentioned before, these herbs are designed to specifically meet the demands of certain types of personalities. Unless you are an Ayurvedic practitioner, it is best to leave the diagnosis and treatment to the experts.
Some of the popular herbs and their uses are:
Ashwaganda – Soothes the mind and reduces stress and anxiety. It also helps us sleep better.
Arjuna – Helps the heart function better. It rejuvenates and helps boost the immune system.
Guggul – This magical herb reduces triglyceride levels fast! It is also believed to reduce cholesterol numbers as well.
Haritaki – As a mild laxative and anti viral remedy, it helps with hemorrhoids and bleeding gums.
Kava – Reduces anxiety and sleeplessness
Passionflower – Reduces blood pressure and helps during menopause.
Sage – This herb is known all over the world as a digestive aid, diuretic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory support.
Basil – This is a wonderful plant that has unsurpassed medicinal qualities. One article mentions fifteen different uses of this plant. It helps with fever, colds, respiratory ailments, heart problems, kidney problems, mouth infections, insect bites, teeth disorders, headaches and many others!
As for the above list of herbs, we have not touched even 1/100th of the number of natural resources that we can use for our health. In addition to each of the magical plants, there are combinations of two or three of them (ex. Triphala – three fruits) that has even more enhancing properties in healing.
Ayurveda has been studied for thousands of years. And we are still finding new plants in the rain forests every year. As we can see, the science of healing is not bounded by time or distance. The Universe is always here to help those in need of a cure.
Ayurveda Herbs – Ayurvedic herb formulas and vitamins from well known companies plus extensive reference books and guides on herbal treatments, remedies and individual herbs.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/ayurvedic-resources-1024362.html
July 10th, 2009 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Can chronic health conditions be reversed? Osteoporosis is one of the chronic conditions that you will never look at the same after you review The Longevity Now Program.
Do you know why so many experience sore knees and leg muscle cramps when taking calcium supplements? Osteoporosis has been used to sell an unending number of calcium fortified products and supplements that could be causing great harm to those of us who consume them - too much of the wrong kind of calcium can make you feel old and creaky.
David Wolfe in The Longevity Now Program has identified excessive calcification as one of the major causes of premature aging. This review of the Longevity Now program looks a little closer.
- Calcium supplements in almost every single case cause decalcification of the bones, cause osteoporosis and calcify us in our joint in our muscle tissue and cause us to age prematurely. –David Wolfe
Why Does So Much Of Our Medicine Just Address Symptoms And Not Cause?
There is no question about it that the body needs calcium but if it cannot be absorbed and used, then it gathers in places where it is not needed and causes trouble. This is what happens when we just look at symptoms rather than the underlying cause of our conditions. In the Longevity Now program you’ll find the natural, absorbable sources of calcium that will cure the problem and not just build up in the body and cause other problems.
Ancient Wisdom And The Latest Advances In Science
Do you remember a few years ago when eggs were bad for you, when cholesterol was bad for you? And now we find that things aren’t so simple. Eggs turn out to be good for you and there are several types of cholesterol - good and bad; this is David Wolfe’s point about calcium in supplements and in the body. David has gathered the latest scientific information about longevity and the bodies immunity system and put it together with ancient wisdom and herbology to create Longevity Now.
Pumped Up Immune System, Increased Energy And Vigor At Any Age
I bought the Longevity Now Program because it is the first thing I’ve seen in a long time that makes sense. Our bodies have natural healing and rejuvenation processes built into them, why not activate and take advantage of them. I invite you to have a look at the program and decide for yourself: http://www.FitnessAndHealthBlog.com/LongevityNow
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/david-wolfes-longevity-now-program-review-can-chronic-conditions-like-osteoporosis-be-reversed-1024387.html
