Ayurveda Shastra

Concept of diet

2013-10-24T03:48:00.001-07:00

Introduction with Tridosha and Panchamahabhutha:

Ahara is the foremost among the three pillars of the healthy life. It is the basic and essential factor which supports other two (sleep and celibacy or non celibacy). Ayurveda has given details of proper diet to be followed in the process to obtain an ideal status of health. Ayurveda says that our body is composed of tridoshas (vata, pitta and kapha) and improper dieting leads to their vitiation which gives rise to various diseases. Vata is the union of Akasa and Vayu, Pitta with Agni and Jala, Kapha with Prithvi and Jala. According to Ayurveda, everything in this universe is composed of these Panchamahabhuthas (Akasha, Vayu, Jala, Agni and Prithvi).

Taste:

Ahara is also panchabhutic in the form of taste and state. There are 6 types of taste. They are Sweet (Madhura), Sour (Amla), Salt (Lavana), Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Thiktha) and Astringent (Kashaya). Each taste is predominant with combination of two Panchabhuthas. First three Sweet, Sour and Saline taste alleviates Vata while other three aggravates vata. Sweet, Sour and Saline taste aggravates and other three alleviates Kapha. Sour, Saline and Pungent aggravates Pitta and remaining three alleviates Pitta. When the Panchabhuthas are in equilibrium, Tridosha level will be in equilibrium. In this way, our health will also be normal. In order to maintain this state of equilibrium, we can adopt all six tastes in our daily diet.

Agni:

Next is the power of digestion (Agni) which plays a major role even though our diet is very proper. Ayurveda says that one can analyze the quantity of the food required for them by themselves. Every individual has different power of digestion. Some of us have very high power of digestion (Thikshna Agni), some of them have medium power (Mandha Agni) and some others may have good power of digestion (Sama Agni). So if someone is taking two chapathis, it is more sufficient for them. He should not be forced to take more because it leads to indigestion (Formation of Ama).

Factors for healthy food:

In order to avoid these types of health disturbances, instruction on various factors governing our food habits are listed in ayurvedic texts.

Nature of the food (Prakrithi) – There are two types of food which are easily digestible and heavy to digest.
Method of processing (Karana) – Processing is nothing but transformation of food to various forms. For example, dilution, churning, storing, maturing, flavoring, application of heat, preservation, etc.
Combination (Samyoga) – individually every food items have some kind of action. When they are combined with two or more items, some time they become poison sometimes the action gets enhanced. For example, honey and ghee are individually good. But when they are consumed together in equal quantity, they become poison and leads to death. Likewise milk and fish.
Quantity (Rasi) – Quantity of food is very important because it bestows the power of digestion. If it is heavily digestible food, we must take half of the quantity that is required. For the easily digestible food, not more than the required. This is because, 1/3 part of our stomach should be filled with food, next 1/3 part with liquid and remaining 1/3 should be left empty. This makes the digestion easy.
Habitat (Desha) – The food produced in desert area increases the Vata. that which grows in marshy land increases Kapha. And the food which is grown in moderate climate is good for health. The area in which we dwell also has to be considered and suitable food has to be consumed. Desa also refers to our body, hence age and nature of body also has to be considered.
Time (kala) – Time refers to both time and the age. Some food should not be taken during night, eg curd. The boiled water kept overnight should not be used.
Dietic rules (Upayogasamstha) – There are certain rules to take food. One should not take food before proper digestion of previously taken food. Should not speak while taking food. Neither should take very slowly nor in a hurry. Before we take the food, we must feed the pets, kids, and aged people.
Person taking food (Upayokta) – One should take the food only which is compatible for him.

Quality of an ideal food:

Quality of good food is hot, unctuous, sufficient quantity, easily digestible, mind pleasing, and should be taken in right time.

UDWARTHANAM

2013-09-03T02:06:00.000-07:00

Udwarthanam means massaging body with herbal powders or pastes.
In Ayurveda texts, there are many references regarding Udhwarthanam.

उद्वर्तनं कफहरं मेदस: प्रविलायनम् |

स्थिरीकरणमङ्गानां त्वक्प्रसादकरं परम् ||

-Ashtanga Hridayam

उद्वर्तनं वातहरं कफमेदोविलायनम् -उद्वर्तनस्य कफहरादयश्चत्वारो गुणा:||

-Commentry

These two references are from Ashtanga Hridayam Commentry. These quote say that udwarthanam is kaphahara which means that ellivates kapha, medas pravilayanam where as pravilayanam means liquification, sthirikaranam anganam means strenghtens the body parts, and tvakprasadanam means gives glow to the skin. Vyayama, exercise should be stopped when sweat starts to appears. This we came to know from the earlier post. The sweat indicates increased pitta and liquified kapha in the body. This may also lead to the vitiation of Vata in the body. So, Udwarthanam is immediately placed after the vyayama in the context of daily regimen.
Udwarthanam is nothing but application of various powders or pastes in the body. This absorbs the sweat and the liquified kapha that resulted after vyayama. As the pastes are massaged in warm state, this also prevents from increase of vata. That is why udwarthanam is said to be palliative therapy for kapha and vata.

Types of Udwarthanam

VYAYAMAM

2012-10-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Vyayaman-Physical Exercise

"लाघवं कर्मसामर्थ्यं दिप्थोग्निर्मेदस: क्षय: |

विभक्तघनगात्रत्वं व्यायामादुपजायते ||"

About 5000 years ago, Ayurveda has spoken about Vyayamam, i.e. Exercise. Ayurveda has given Importance of Physical exercise as followsलाघवं ,lagavam which means lite. Lite body helps in कर्मसामर्थ्यं i.e. perfection in work by improving body strength.दिप्थोग्नि:, Agni is nothing but digestive fire which helps in digesting the food intake. Deeptha-agni means sufficient or healthy digestive fire. So it implies practice of Vyayama gives good digestive power.र्मेदस: क्षय:, practice of physical exercise removes extra medas or fat which get accumulated in the body. Such that body becomes slim and trim.Also body gains strength according to the vyayama done.Other references from Ayurveda says that which brings about tiredness or weakness to the body is called Vyayama or physical exercise.All bodily strains are called as Vyayama.Lord Punarvasu, preceptor of Ayurveda has said that the body activities which brings pleasure and peace to mind is called Vyayama.
Vyayama or physical exercise should be practiced in limits. Once when sweat starts to generate from the body, vyayama should be stopped. Because it aggravates vata in body...

CONTRA INDICATIONS:

Vyayama aggravates both vata and pitta in the body. Hence person suffering from vata and pitta disorders, aged people should not do vyayama.Children are in the stage of kapha kala. Vyayama alters their dosha levels by decreasing kapha and increasing Vata and pitta. The decreased Kapha during their Kapha kala welcomes many disorders in children. So Children are strictly contraindicated for Vyayama.People suffering from Ama or indigestion should also avoid vyayama because already their pitta is in dushitha state. As vyayama increases pitta, it should be avoided until ama is removed....

EXCESSIVE VYAYAMA OR PHYSICAL EXERCISE:Doing excess of vyayama or physical exercise will give rise to thirst, emaciation, severe dyspnoea, bleeding disease, exhaustion, feeling of debility, cough, fever and vomiting.The person who indulge in too much of physical exercise, keeping awake in nights, walking long distance, sexual intercourse, too much of laughing, speaking will lose energy like a lion which loses its energy after vanquishing an elephant.Too much of anything is good for nothing..!

ABHYANGAM

2012-08-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

Is Abhyangam needed for us???

Abhyangam means general body massage and it is a daily regimen.

Abhyangam includes both oil application and bath.

An olden day, our grandparents used to practice Abhyangam regularly. They had delayed ageing and long life too. We can also be blessed with delayed ageing and long life, if we add this in our regimen. Like adding salt and pepper to our food...

Method of Abhyangam:

Abhyangam is anointing the head and body with medicated oil, mild massaging and then taking bath with warm water. This helps to build adipose tissue by storing lipids and cushioning and insulating the organs.

Uses:

Abhyangam is beneficial not only for healthy person but also for the person suffering with aggravation of vata (disorders of nervous system, joints, etc.)

It wards off old-age, exertion and aggravation of vata.

Bestows good vision.

Gives nourishment to the body.

It gifts long-life, good sleep.

As a cosmetic result it helps in gaining good, strong and glowing healthy skin.

Restrictions:

The person who has undergone purification procedures like emesis, purgations, etc. would be so tired and weak. So Abhyangam is contra-indicated.

As Abhyangam increases Kapha which kills the digestive power. So it can be avoidied during indigestion.

The person who already suffer with aggravation of Kapha should not again increase Kapha by Abhyangam because it produces jwaram (fever).

TAMBULAM

2012-08-21T01:11:00.000-07:00

According to Ayurveda, Chewing betel leaf is a daily regimen.

BOTANY:
The Betel leaf is a vine belonging to Piperaceae family with Botanical name Piper betle. It is valued as mild stimulant and for its medicinal properties. It is an evergreen and Perennial creeper with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkins.

USES:
Betel leaves are used as a stimulant, an antiseptic and a breath-freshener.

Piper betel

CULTURE:
In India, the betel and areca play an important role in Indian culture, especially among Hindus. Many traditional ceremonies governing the lives of Hindus use betel and areca. For example, when paying money to a priest one might place money in a betel leaf.
In Vietnamese there is a saying that "the betel begins the conversation", referring to the practice of people chewing betel in formal occasions or "to break the ice" in awkward situations. The betel leaves and areca nuts were used ceremonially in traditional Vietnamese weddings.
How it is being comsumed?
The betel leaf is predominantly consumed in the world as betel quid or paan, which is a mixture of substances. The paan almost always has a betel leaf with two basic ingredients, either areca nut or tobacco or both, with lime (calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate). Both tobacco andareca nut are considered as carcinogenic.
In Papua New Guinea, betel is prepared with a mustard stick dipped in lime powder and acts as a stimulant to suppress hunger, reduce stress and heighten the senses. Most families have backyard gardens and many grow betel there. The lime must be purchased. It is processed from corals, especially the fast-growing staghorn corals of genus Acropora.

INDICATIONS:
The people who are healthy can comsume betel leaves as a daily regimen as it has medicial effect.
According to Ayurveda, Betel leaf is Thikshna (Strong), Ushna (hot in potency), Ruchikaraka (stimulates taste buds), Kashaya (Astringent in taste), Sara (), Thikta (bitter after digestion), Kshara (Alkali), Laghu (light), Kamavasana (increases sexuality). So when it is taken as daily regimen (immediately after nasal drops, mouth gargling, inhalation of smoke), it improves the power of digestion and makes body light.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS & RESEARCH:
Though Tambulam has its medicinal value, Ayurveda has strictly contra-indicated the betel chewing for the people who are suffering with oral wounds, bleeding gums, dryness, redness in eyes, who has affected with poison, unconsciousness, intoxication and emaciation.
This implies, it is harmfull for unhealthy person. And so it is said that Betel chewing should be avoided in above said conditions.
The World Health Organization expert group for research on cancer, reported in 2004 that the percentage of oral cancer among all cancers diagnosed in hospitals in Asia has always been higher than that usually found in western countries, where the habit of chewing betel quid, with or without tobacco, is almost unknown. In many descriptive studies, investigators have obtained histories of chewing betel quid with tobacco from series of patients with oral cancer; and in all these studies the percentage of patients who practice betel leaf chewing was found to be extremely large. Researchers also noted that the cancer generally develops at the place where the betel quid is kept.
Betel quid is also strongly carcinogenic.

CONCLUSION:
Tambula patra sevam has its benefit when taken as regimen and when healthy.
So avoid taking it in unhealthy conditions.

ANJANAM

2012-06-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

Collyrium is an eye freshener...

It protect our eyes from irritation and removes foreign material, air pollution or chlorinated water...

Ayurveda also explains about Collyrium as Anjana...

It is considered in daily routine activity...

Why it should be used?

According to Ayurveda, Properties of Anjana are

It helps for good vision
It gives lusture
It removes foregin materials
It relieves from irritation
It drains sleshma (Kapha or Lacrimation) from eyes

How Anjana are used in Ayurveda?

It is said under daily regimen and as medicine for eye diseases.

They have good medicinal effect.

Sauveera Anjana

It is Antimony. Found in old Sindhu Desha, presently it is in Pakisthan. It is used daily for good vision and as Cosmetic.

Rasanjanam

This Anjana is used once in a week to drain the accumulated Kapha in eyes.

DANTADHAVANAM

2012-04-25T05:15:00.003-07:00

Brushing teeth is the basic activity. It is very essential for the maintenance of health.

Ayurveda says, after wake up one must think deeply whether the person is eligible to begin the day with routine work. If not, he must continue with little more sleep. That is, One must check whether the food taken in previous night is digested or not. If the digestion is complete, the person can go for brushing.This helps a person to keep up at-most health. The reason is when we take before digestion of the previous food, it leads to indigestion.

Ayurveda has given some rules for brushing. They are

One must defecat and urinate before brushing.

In olden days, people use to do brush using herbal twigs. The twig must be 12 angulas in length and half angula in thickness. (1 angula = 1 phallenge approximately 1 inch)

That twig must have the following tastes which acts on the germs. They are Kashaya-Astringent, Thikta- Bitter and Katu- Pungent.

Dantadhavanam

Drugs/ Twigs mentioned in Ashtanga Hridayam for dantadhavanam,

ARKA- Calotropis gigantea

KHADIRA-Acacia catechu

KARANJA-Caesalpinia bonducella

KAKUBHA-Terminalia arjun

Contra-indications:

One who suffer with these diseases should not indulge in brushing teeth. But they can gargle their mouth with Decoctions for thoses drugs. The diseases are indigestion, Vomiting, Asthma, Cough, Jwaram(fever), Facial palcy, Thirst, mouth boils, heart diseases, Eye disorders, Ear problems.

BRAHMA MUHURTHAM

2012-04-13T10:23:00.002-07:00

Brahme Muhurt Uttishtet svastho raksharthamayusha :

-The person who wants to live with good health should wake up at Brahma Muhurtham.

What is Brahma Muhurtham?

1. रात्रेश्चतुर्दशो मुहूर्तो ब्राह्मो मुहुर्त : ।

Raatre chaturdasha muhurta brahma muhurta: |

2. रात्रेस्तु पश्चिमो यामो मुहूर्तो ब्राह्म उच्यते ।

Raatreshu pashchimo Yaamo muhurto Brahma Muhurtha Uchyate|

That is - The last part of the night just before the Sun Rise, means 4 hours time period before the Sun Rise is called as Brahma Muhurtam.

"Approximately brahma muhurtha kala can be between 2am to 4am..!"

According to Ayurveda, A day starts from 6 am and end at 6 am of next day. Meanwhile, one day is divided into 6 parts-

6 am to 10 am
10 am to 2 pm
2 pm to 6 pm
6 pm to 10 pm
10 pm to 2 am
2 am to 6 am

Night part starts from 10 pm to 6 am. This time period is divided into 2 parts-

10 pm to 2 am
2 am to 6 am

The quote 2 says Pashchima yaama means last part of night which falls between 2 am to 6 am is called as Brahma Muhurtham.

Uses of Brahma Muhurta

ज्ञानं तदर्थमध्ययनाद्यपि ब्रह्म तस्य योग्यो मुहूर्तो ब्राह्म: ।

Brahma Muhurtham is really beneficial for the studies. One who practices to study at this time will enjoy with knowledge.

Scientific Reason

We know that Atmosphere is made up of 5 layers. These layers are composed of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon mainly and other gases too. They provide energy to the living beings. They transfer light from Sun to the Earth and reflects them back. The molecules in the layers absorbs energy and radiation. This radiation will heat the Layers and the layers goes up and up by the end of a day.

When the Moon reflect its cooling nature, these layers will get cooled up and comes down.

At the time of Brahma Muhurtham, these layer will settle down to the maximum and produce energy. When we wake up at that time, we can enjoy the energy. This energy we receive will help us to be more energetic than normal.

LIFE STYLE SCIENCE

2012-04-09T07:33:00.002-07:00

In our day today life, we all give vast importance and struggle for multiple the capital and we forget what for it is being added. All our destination is to have a happy, peaceful and healthy life. This technical world making us to put off our healthy life. We do not find time even for having a cup of tea. Then where is the place of the word health?

The modern Science always talks about technology development, researches, etc. Then where is the health? If life doesn't persist, then what is the use of developing the technology?

In olden days, people did their work and had good time to keep up their health as well. They were very strict about their life style. They gave disciplined value for sleep and food. Where these two remain basic tool to support the healthy status.

Ayurveda, our Science merely deals about healthy life. It gives knowledge about style life. It remains us to bring the old healthy custom into practice.It says about स्वस्थ शरीर (swastha sharira) means healthy body, healthy mind.

The texts of Ayurveda includes topic called Dinacharya, Rutucharya, Roganutpadaniyam, Matrasithiyam, which help us to get back our healthy status.

Dinacharya means daily regimen. It talks about,-

Waking up in Brahma Muhurtham

Dantadavanam

Applying Anjanam

Taking Nasyam

Following Gandusham

Using Doomam, Tambulam

Doing Abhyangam, Vyayamam, Mardanam, Udvarthanam, Snanam

Having Bhojanam

Obeying Good Conducts

Rutucharya means seasonal regimen. Ayurveda has said about 6 climatic seasons. It has explained how to switch on to the successive season without any seasonal disease through our routine life.

Roganutpadaniyam means Prevention of diseases. This will explain us about Urges which can be Suppressed and which cannot be suppressed. It strictly believes that non suppressive urges when suppressed will produce diseases.

Matrasithiyam means proper quantity of food. This not only says about proper quantity of food, but also says quality of food and the diseases caused due to improper foodings.
These topics are discussed further in preceeding postings...

Ayurveda is the wonderful Science which says us about basic follow ups in life like how we bring up our children.
As Ayurveda teaches us about life style, it is called as Life Style Science.

BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA

2012-04-01T11:22:00.001-07:00

BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is an ancient Science. It is known for health Science...

Ayurveda also has different branches with which the complete treatment procedures are embodied.

We all know that Western Medicine has different branches namely., Pediatrics, Gynecology, Otology, Ophthalmology, General medicine, etc.

As such Ayurveda also having its own branches which are elaborated beautifully in different texts of Ayurveda..!

There are 8 different branches in Ayurveda. They are,-

Kaya Chikitsa - General Medicine
Bala Chikitsa - Pediatrics
Graha Chikitsa - Psychiatry
Urdhvanga Chikitsa - ENT, Ophthalmology and Dentistry
Shalya Chikitsa - Surgery
Damshtra Chikitsa - Toxicology
Jara Chikitsa - Geriatrics
Vrusha Chikitsa - Sexology

The treatment principles are common for all the branches in Ayurveda.

It basically follows purification therapy which helps to over come the disease faster.

These 8 branches of Ayurveda will be discussed briefly in further posts..!

HEAVENLY SCIENCE

2012-03-27T11:35:00.001-07:00

It's heavenly Science

Ya Ayurveda is a heavenly Science because it's origin is from the Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma has recalled the Science of Life and thought it to Daksha Prajapathi and who thought it to Aswini Kumaras. Aswini Kumaras thought it to Lord Indra, the King of the Gods.

When Diseases started to trouble the Human, the Great Sages of the World gathered together in the slopes of the Himalayas. They all decided to learn Ayurveda, the Science of Life from the Lord Indra. But there confusion arised about who has to go to the heaven to learn Ayurveda.

Sage Bharadvaja, one of the participants from the gathering learnt Ayurveda from the Lord Indra and thought it to all other Sages.

Atreya who is known as Punarvasu Atreya, son of Atri, thought this Science to his Six disciples. they are Agnivesa, Bhela, Jatukarna, Parasara, Haritha and Ksarapani. Each one of them wrote their own Treatise and placed before their Acharya. The treatise of Agnivesaadjudged as the best and praised even by the Gods. This treatise became popular in the World, called as Charaka Samhita..!

There are so many other stories revealing the Origin of Ayurveda..!

OBJECTIVES

2012-03-20T11:10:00.003-07:00

Main aim of Ayurveda is to promote Ayu, a healthy life... Ayurveda includes all its teaching under the name of Ayu... It keeps on telling Ayu, Ayu... Then what Ayurveda says about Ayu..?

What is आयु , A healthy life..?

Aim or pursuit of life is achieved by धर्मं (Dharma), अर्थ (Artha), काम (Kaama) and मोक्ष (Maksha). Each and every person desires to attain a healthy life. That means he is directly or indirectly desires to achieve Dharma - righteousness, Artha - Wealth, Sukha - Happiness. Kama - Desire of sexual happiness and Moksha - salvation, these two comes under Sukha - Happiness.

Ayurveda Strictly says to follow 2 things in life... That is

1. Do's

2. Don't

When we follow these things, one can achieve Ayu whereas Ayu means हितायु, सुखायु and दीर्घायु that is healthy life...

आयुर्वेद शास्त्र

2012-03-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

"Initially before start posting with my thoughts, i would like to convey my प्रणामs to the Great Physicians who has given me knowledge about the Science i'm dealing with."

Ayurveda Science is the oldest Science meant for Ayu, means Life, Health...