[yogivivek]

there where a lot of people talking about starting a thread about the ayurvedic science and all things around it.
so i thought THEN IT SHALL BE.

the things is to post all the things that have to do with ayurveda in this thread.

it will be so much more easy to have one thread on the ayurveda subject then so many with all different questions


bring it on!!!!!!

cya all

[Nick-H]

I'm going to make this thread sticky.

I hope it will get contributions, even debates...

[yogivivek]

beautifull!!!!

[Nick-H]

Ground Rule: Let there be controversy here, by all means...

I have some serious doubts that Ayurvedic medicine is, in some ways (specifically in the use of poisons or substances with side effects) any better than allopathic medicine.

But anyone who thinks it is just nonsense can go and start their own thread on it if they must. Lets have conversation here, not just denunciation. But lets talk about the negative as well as the positive.

[PeakXV]

Wow! Where do you start on a branch of medicine so diverse. I guess my concerns being which company's products are reputable that sell at the many Indian chemists - and which are not? - a list would be a good start. With that in mind which companies are known/audited for their quality control and stringent listing of their ingredients. My concerns are not so much for the plant drugs used but more for the use of heavy metals that may be occassionally splashed into the concoction - and not listed.

[lotus blossom]

i love ayurveda. in fact, it is what first took me to india. i researched for months to find a vaidya to study with and ended up at the chakrapani clinic in jaipur. unfortunately, the doctor had never had an apprentice, and did little in the way of pancha karma, whcih is what i specifically went there to study since i had already obtained a teaching certificate and had the book knowledge. long story...short thread...

although i am a doctor of nutrition and have a masters in herbology, and an assortment of other certifications (all things that look impressive in a gold frame but really have little meaning), i know longer work in this capacity. but as someone who has studied nearly every sort of natural healing modality, i can say with no hesitation that ayurveda is the most impressive form of healing that i have studied. it is an exquisite system of healthcare - simple yet comprehensive.

i'm with nick re the use of poisonous metals for medicine, but the herbs are another story. like luckywoman's story, when i have been ill in india, it is ayurveda that has cured me. since i started taking triphala many of my health problems are no longer an issue. triphala effectively clears the body of ama or sticky toxicity, that clogs the channels and contributes to most every ailment.

i could go on and on with the benefits of ayurveda, and am happy to contribute to a thread that i considered starting a long time ago, so thanks yogivivek. i could even post some published articles that i've written, if there is any interest in that.

[anjunaangel]

anyone know the best place for ayurdvedic massage and treatment in anjuna goa

[lotus blossom]

Originally Posted by Luckywoman

Please do, lotusblossom. I'm sure many will be interested.

alright, in a few days time, when i reach my home, i'll do that.

[lotus blossom]

Since we are in Summer Pitta I decided to first post an article on that. This comes from an online newsletter that I used to have: Dharma News.
---
Ayurveda: Pitta Dosha

Fiery, passionate, ambitious – these are traits of Pitta dosha. Pitta is the most outspoken, assertive and charismatic of the doshas, traits that come natural to them. An overabundance of fire in Pitta however, can turn these traits into rage, fierce competition and aggression.

Composed of the elements fire (predominately) and water, Pitta is responsible for metabolism. It is the energy of Pitta that transforms the food that we consume into usable substances and nutrients. This same fire also metabolizes our thoughts and feelings.

Pittas are generally of a medium build with well-proportioned bodies. They are often fair skinned, freckled and blue eyed, with red or blonde hair that tends toward gray early in life. Pittas are noted for the intensity of their eyes, with their deeply penetrating gaze.

Because of their inherent fire, they can quickly overheat and become easily irritable and impatient. The summer season can be particularly challenging for an active Pitta.

Since Pittas generally have adequate digestive fire, they are often blessed with fewer health challenges. However, when their internal fire is running too hot, they experience diseases that indicate an overheating in the body: angry, red rashes, inflammation, fevers, ulcers and liver ailments.

I think of Pitta people as the “Type A” personality, often with issues of workaholism. Because of their powers of persuasion and determination, Pittas are often found in positions of authority and power. An unbalanced Pitta must be careful of this power, taking steps to insure that they do not become tyrannical and impossibly demanding, especially with themselves. This can happen when they become obsessed with a project and are unable to rest until they have completed it. Anything that gets in the way may be met with resistance and resentment.

Pitta corresponds to the ages of approximately 25-30 to 65-70, the years that we are out in the world, inventing ourselves and making our mark. The fiery energy of Pitta fuels our dreams, ambitions and goals, helping to manifest them into reality.

Here are a few suggestions for keeping Pitta balanced:

1. Be willing to be flexible. Relinquish control.
2. Let others take the lead sometimes – don’t always be in charge.
3. Learn to say no, without guilt and the realization that you do not have to accomplish everything today, right now.
4. Play a game just for the fun of it. Don’t even keep score.
5. Be patient and accepting of others, not everyone has Pitta stamina or zeal.
6. Take time out of the day to nourish yourself with wholesome food. Pitta doshas often experience low blood sugar because they do not stop and eat.
7. Listen to and respect the wisdom of your body when it says STOP.
8. Surround yourself with cooling colors of blues, silver and white. Shy away from warming colors of red, orange and yellow.
9. Don’t rush through life. Everyday make a point to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Bathe under the luminescent moon.
10. Spend time with people that you love rather than working your life away.
11. Avoid hot showers, baths, hot tubs, saunas, competitive activities, arguments and anything that is generally heating, which will throw Pitta into irritability.


Nutrition: Pitta Dietary Guidelines

Pitta is soothed by cool foods such as salads, starchy foods (vegetables, grains, and beans), particularly in the summer. Foods that heat the body (salt, oil, fried foods, heavy foods, and spices) or make it sour (pickles, yogurt, sour cream, cheese), fermented foods, alcohol and coffee, all aggravate and increase Pitta.

While Pitta digestion is strong and efficient, caution is advised in overeating or overindulging, especially in sour or spicy food. Bitter and astringent foods like salads are best. Sweet and astringent fruits are preferred to sour ones, such as citrus.

Summer is a good time for all of us to adopt a Pitta diet of cooling foods. It is one of the few times that most doshas can get away with eating ice cream since we have the assistance of the sun to help our bodies digest it before it has a chance to become congesting.

A Pitta diet is also recommended for individuals who have too much fire (irritable, easily angered, jealous, controlling, etc.) And conversely, for those of us who need more fire (often cold, sluggish digestion, lack of energy or motivation) eating spicy, hot and sour tastes will help feed the essential agni to help us digest and assimilate our foods.

[Sama]

lotus blossum, you should post a dosha quiz, so people can see a little bit about what doshas they are, altho those quizes just give you a hint.

I'm vata/pitta, pretty much 50-50....

[lotus blossom]

Yogagal - good idea.

Here is the test that i devised to give to patients (when i was in practice). i also have a test to detemine Vikruti (imbalances) since many of the dosha tests do not differentiate, which can be confusing. i can post that too.
---

Determine your Prakruti

Your Prakruti or Dosha is your inherent nature or constitution. To determine your Prakruti, circle the appropriate letter (V = Vata P = Pitta K = Kapha) of the statement that best describes you. If two describe you equally, circle both.

Body Type

V Light, thin build
P Medium frame
K Large, solid frame

Joints

V Stiff, cracking
P Flexible
K Strong, solid

Body Fat

V Around waist
P Evenly distributed
K Hips and thighs

Hands

V Small, thin, dry
P Medium, warm
K Large, thick, firm

Hair

V Dry, coarse, kinky
P Fine, straight, thin, early graying, balding
K Oily, wavy, thick

Lips

V Thin, dry, cracked
P Medium, soft, pink
K Thick, large, firm

Skin

V Prominent veins, dry, thin, rough
P Warm, freckles, moles
K Soft, thick, oily

Nails

V Dry, rough, brittle
P Pink, flexible, sharp
K Thick, hard

Eyes

V Small, narrow, nervous
P Intense, penetrating
K Large, calm, loving

Eyebrows

V Dry, thin
P Moderate
K Thick, bushy

Eye Lashes

V Short and scant
P Average, oily
K long, thick

Teeth

V Irregular, crooked
P Medium, yellow
K Big, white

Nose

V Small, narrow, crooked
P Long, pointed
K Large, rounded

Weight

V Hard to gain
P Not a problem
K Gain easily, lose slowly

Perspiration

V Scanty, odorless
P Profuse, strong
K Moderate, pleasant odor

Urine

V Clear, scanty, frequent
P Yellow, abundant
K White, mucus, moderate

Bowel Movements

V Hard, dry, constipation
P Frequent, loose
K Regular, solid

Body Temperature

V Cold, hard to maintain heat
P Warm, overheat easily
K Cool, clammy

Habits

V Irregular, erratic
P Intense, active
K Steady

Energy Level

V Comes in bursts, tire easily, overexertion
P Moderate, determined
K Good steady endurance, stamina

Sleeping Habits

V Light, interrupted
P Sound, restful
K Heavy, prolonged, deep

Immunity

V Challenged
P Moderate
K Strong resistance

Digestion

V Gas, bloating, irregular
P Efficient, strong
K Slow digestion

Appetite

V Irregular, variable
P Strong, voracious
K Slow, steady

Thirst

V Changeable
P Excessive
K Little

Weather tolerance

V Dislike cold, dry, windy
P Aversion to sun/heat
K Bothered by cold, damp
Speech

V Fast, talkative
P Articulate, precise
K Slow, deep, resonant

Memory

V Forget quickly
P Good, quick
K Good long term

Nature

V Optimistic, emotional, changeable, imaginative, impulsive, vivacious
P Ambitious, motivated, goal oriented, courageous
K Compassionate, serene, content, forgiving

Mental Tendencies

V Questioning, theorizing
P Discriminating, judging
K Logical, stable

Under Stress

V Anxious, fearful
P Angry, abrupt, critical
K Complacent, quiet

Moods

V Change quickly
P Intense, slow changing
K Stubborn

Disease Tendency

V Nervous system disorders, pain, arthritis
P Skin disorders, infections, inflammation
K Respiratory disorders, colds, mucus, edema, obesity

Perform Activities

V Quickly
P Orderly, efficient
K Slow, methodical

Learning

V Learn quickly, forget quickly
P Normal learning and retention rate
K Slower to learn, but retain well

Creativity

V Many ideas, poor follow through
P Inventive, good follow through
K Good in business

Decision Making

V Vacillating, unsure
P Quick, decisive
K Slow, deliberate

Walk/Gait

V Light, quick, short steps
P Determined stride
K Slow graceful, gliding

Sexual nature

V Easily excitable, quickly satiated
P Passionate, strong desires
K Romantic, sentimental

Women: Menstruation

V Light, irregular
P Average duration, flow
K Heavy, long

[crvlvr]

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I have some serious doubts that Ayurvedic medicine is, in some ways (specifically in the use of poisons or substances with side effects) any better than allopathic medicine.

I believe that almost anything out these has to be better than drugs that are typicaly prescribed as part of allopahic treatment, which do nothing to cure the patient other than providing temporary relief by supressing the systems.

The problem with ayurveda (or astrology, or any other Indian "science") is that it is mostly practised by quacks these days. I suspect a lot of knowledge has been lost over the years.

A link to ayurveda: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda

[Sama]

lotus blossum, can you post about self-massage with olive or sesame oil according to the different doshas and the benefits? I do sesame oil....

what do you think of Chyavanprash?

a good site for ayurvedic stuff is http://www.banyanbotanicals.com

[lotus blossom]

Originally Posted by yogagal60510

lotus blossum, can you post about self-massage with olive or sesame oil according to the different doshas and the benefits? I do sesame oil....

what do you think of Chyavanprash?

a good site for ayurvedic stuff is http://www.banyanbotanicals.com

this is info from an ayurvedic practitioner on Abhyanga:
-
Abhyanga Oil Massage - Selection of Massage Oils

Previous newsletters described the technique and the
many benefits of Abhyanga, an oil massage that tones the
body, promotes the release of toxins, stimulates the immune
system, and promotes youthfulness. Some of our subscribers
wrote in asking how to properly select the oil for this.

If there is any imbalance in your system, herbal oils
can be selected to restore balance for your specific
constitution. Disease occurs when the imbalance in the body
is ignored and left to get worse; restoring balance will
help prevent disease. An Ayurvedic doctor can detect
imbalance in your system through an examination of your body
and your pulse. You can also determine imbalance through the
interactive computer program Ayurveda Almanac.

An Ayurvedic doctor will generally describe your imbalance
in terms of the doshas, vital energies in the body which
govern the physiological processes. In Ayurveda, the doshas
are known by the sanskrit terms vata, pitta, and kapha. An
Ayurvedic doctor may also describe the imbalance in terms of
subcategories of the doshas, called the subdoshas.

If you have an imbalance due to excess vata, essential oils
with warm, sweet, sour aromas will help restore balance.
Choose essential oils such as basil, cedarwood, cinnamon,
clove, geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, myrrh, musk,
orange, rose, sage, or spices. The base oil could be olive,
sesame, or almond.

If you have an imbalance due to excess pitta, essential oils
with sweet, cool aromas will help restore balance. Choose
essential oils such as chamomile, cinnamon, gardenia,
honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender, lotus, mint, rose, saffron,
or sandalwood. The base oil could be: coconut, olive,
sesame, sunflower, or almond.

If you have an imbalance due to excess kapha, essential oils
with warm aromas will help restore balance. Choose essential
oils such as basil, camphor, clove, eucalyptus,
frankincense, juniper, lemon, marjoram, musk, myrrh,
peppermint, rosemary, or sage. The base oil could be
mustard, corn, sesame, sunflower, or jojoba.
---

i love chyavanprash, and other rasayanas; it makes good sense to infuse herbs in ghee and honey as carriers of them. unfortunately, many contain sugar though. banyan botanicals has an organic chyavanprash, and it does contain sugar aside from the honey, but is is organic. Banyan is a good source for ayurvedic products since many of them are organic. They have some of the best triphala!

[lotus blossom]

i'm nearly pure vata dosha. i do have some fire (pitta), but have far more air and ether characteristics. i have nearly no earth and water (kapha).

before i learned of ayurveda i was doing a great many things to cause a deranged vata dosha. the consumption of vata inducing foods (raw salads, yeasted breads, dry foods), too much multi-tasking, eating while reading, driving, standing, etc, not adhering to a routine, all things that increase the elements ether and air, which causes derangement.

now that i know what vata needs to stay in balance, i have a lot more fiery energy to accomplish things. still, i lack some of that earth that can help with manifestation. the cure for lack of an element that one needs more of, in my case, earth, would be to eat earthy, watery foods, engage in activities that slow me down, use warming sesame oil.

once we know what our dosha is we can then incorporate the needed elements into our lifestyle, which helps create balance.

so, what's your dosha. and how do you keep balanced?

vata girl