Unique concepts of diet and nutrition in Ayurveda   (Diet, the great  healer)

When it comes to my talking about diets and nutrition people come out with a barrage of questions…”How can diet heal?” “Why are you so vociferous about Ayurved diet and nutrition?

There are strong reasons……..

Ayurved has very different, unique concepts of diet and nutrition

• Basically Ayurved has given more emphasis on prevention than mere cure. Ayurved propagates ‘balancing of the three doshas to maintain good health’ and particularly by ensuring a correct ‘Aahar’… diet!
• Upanishads describe in detail how food provides nourishment to the human body and mind. Yes mind too! Ayurved is the only science that says “diet nourishes not only the body but also the mind”. This is the unique concept of Ayurved.
• According to Ayurved, diet can be an effective treatment in itself. That’s why Ayurved texts have gone to great lengths in discussing the qualities and effects of different kind of food, in detail. Though the results with diet therapy are slow, it is the safest way of treating disease. So diet is the essence of very effective self care.
• Ayurved doesn’t consider specific nutritional values, the minerals, vitamins and chemical composition of the food. In Ayurved, the qualities and ‘Panchbhutiktva” (everything in the universe is made of five elements) of the food is given utmost priority in diet planning for an individual.
• Ayurved, lays emphasis on individual diet chart in line with parameters like, the individual’s need, physical constitution, age, sex, and so on. So my advice to the readers is to always take expert guidance from your Ayurved physician , before you start with any diet plan.
• In Ayurved, a ‘Tripod of life’ is described which is essential for a healthy life. This tripod is made of food, sleep and sex. Balance among these three leads to a healthy life.
• Another unique concept of Ayurved is the three major types of diets… ‘Satvik’, ‘Rajasik’ and ‘Tamasik’. Three body doshas are panchbhautik and also contain satva, raja and tama guna. It  simply means that as I have mentioned above that everything is made of five elements. And in everything there is a dominance of any one element. Naturally then there is a direct relationship between the element and relevant dosha.

I am sure that by now you may have realized that Ayurved categorically avoids generalization of diets, dietary plans and concepts of how much of what kind of food has to be consumed merely based on height, weight as practiced in modern practices. Ayurved considers each person (human body) as unique with its own unique constitutional features and then recommends an equally unique and effective diet plan. Now that you have understood the basic concepts of diet in Ayurved, let me come back to you, let me come back to you with the eight golden rules of dietetics next time…

 

 

SEASONAL REGIMEN (RUTUCHARYA)

In my last blog I discussed the various seasons their ‘Doshas’ and lifestyles & diets that need to be followed for good health and for prevention of diseases.

 

Let us take it further now…Winter, that otherwise lovely feeling of wanting to remain cuddled in some nice & warm clothing but mostly the sky is cloudy, the weather is cold, damp, and heavy, and generally a season dominated by ‘Kapha’. Naturally then a kapha-pacifying regimen needs to be adopted, especially by ‘kapha individuals’ .

However, certain ‘Vata’ provoking seasonal factors, such as dry, cold, windy, and clear, are also occasionally prominent, during these days, ‘Vata individuals ‘ also need to be mindful of the resultant metabolism disturbing symptoms.

 

 

Hemant and Shishir rutu (winter)

 

• The ‘nature’ of the season is oily & cold
• Healthy people will be more healthy

The digestive fire is very strong. If you like to eat meat, Ayurveda says that winter is the preferred time because ‘agni’ (digestive fire) is strong.

• The nights are long and days are shorter
• Eat sweet, sour, oily foods
• Meat, milk, wheat, ghee are good

Regular oil massage is recommended. Apply some warm sesame oil to your entire body, then take a hot shower. Sesame oil, which is warm in nature is beneficial for all constitutional types in the winter.

• Rigorous exercises are also recommended
• Avoid excess sleep

Drug of choice: The best herbs for winter are pippali, licorice, ginger, punarnava, black pepper, and kutki. You can also use the herbal tonic chyavanprash,  ashvagandha, guduchi, ghee.

( as indicated by the physician)

 

 

Varsha ritu (rainy season)

 

• The nature of the season is cold and humid
• Disturbance of ‘agni’ (the digestive fire) is prominent
• Vata is aggravated
• Physical strength is low
• Oily, hot, sweet, sour and salty food is advised
• Drink boiled water, meat soups, old honey
• Spicy, bitter and astringent food must be avoided
• Buttermilk, day sleep and exertion must be avoided
• Tulsi, Rasna are drug of choices to balance the vata
• Basti treatment is highly recommended in this ‘Rutu’ (season)

 

 

Vata-Balancing Tea

Ingredients

• 1-table spoon fennel seeds
• 1-table spoon coriander seeds
• Pinch of asafetida
• 4 cups of water

Procedure

• Heat water in a pot.
• Add slightly crushed fennel seeds, coriander seeds and cardamom pods.
• Boil for 3 minutes.
• Strain and serve hot.

 

 

 

Sharad rutu (autumn)

 

• The nature of the season is sharp and hot
• There will be aggravation of ‘Pitta’
• Eat sweet, bitter and astringent and cold food
• Take medicated bitter ghee
• Do blood letting (‘Raktamokshan’)
• Avoid pungent, sour, salty foods
• Avoid curds, excess oil and alcoholic drinks
• The drug of choice are chandanam, kamala (lotus), amalaki (as prescribed by the physician)

 

Rutu sandhi

‘Rutu sandhi’ is where two seasons ‘join’ and the period typically lasts for approximately fifteen days, overlapping the end of previous season and the beginning of the next season divided over eight days each.

 

Rutu sandhi is an important period because:

• Our bodies have become accustomed to the food and weather we experienced during the previous season.
• Adapting our diet and life style helps prevent the Doshas from accumulating, aggravating and causing disease.
• For example: As the seasons begin to change, the Doshas of the approaching season begin to accumulate. Eating hot foods in the spring begins to cause an accumulation of Pitta, eating cold foods in the late summer begins to accumulate Vata and eating heavy foods in the winter begins to accumulate Kapha.
• Changes to the diet and lifestyle should be done gradually & moderately, with foods appropriate for the coming seasons added slowly into the diet.
• Within two weeks (by the end of Rutusandhi), a diet that is in complete accordance with the new season should be incorporated.

Now that you know how to strike a balance between the nature and the body to keep our bodily functions in high gear and prevent diseases, I am sure most of your basic queries are answered. But then, should you have any specific question, feel free to write to me or even meet me at my clinic.

Enjoy the season!

 

Seasonal regimen (Rutucharya)

Seasonal regimen is fine tuning the daily regimen to be in sync with climatic and seasonal variations in Nature and further based on individual body type.

According to Ayurved, the human body is a miniature representation of nature and thus have common basic elements. Therefore, any change in the season, affects the human physiology considerably. To create harmony between the nature and the human physiology, one has to create a diet plan and daily regimen to synchronize with the season’s changes.

As the seasons change, so must our daily routine. This practice is known as a ‘Rutucharya’. ‘Rutu’ means ‘season’ and ‘charya’ means ‘routine’. Rutucharya is a seasonal regimen of diet and lifestyle that helps maintain health and well-being.

 

In my earlier writings I have mentioned the ‘Dosha’s… ‘Vata’, ‘Kapha’, & ‘Pitta’. Each of these mind-body types is predominant in specific seasons. Changes in the season cycle are potential causes of Dosha imbalance. We cannot control these changes but we can certainly maintain balance by adapting our life style accordingly. The seasonal directives for each are guides to keep them balanced.

 

Rutucharya: The Seasonal Cycle

 

Kapha is aggravated in the late winter and spring. Pitta is aggravated in the summer

Vata is aggravated in the fall and early winter

 

*These seasonal cycles & specifications are mostly according to the Indian seasons.

 

It is not really the calendar but the Nature that tells us when and which Dosha will be predominant. Therefore we should not indulge in foods or activities, that are likely to aggravate the respective Doshas.

On the other hand we should undergo Vamana or herb induced emesis in vasant rutu , Virechana or herb induced purgation in sharad rutu and Basti in varsha rutu to eliminate aggravation of Kapha, Pitta and Vata and try to prevent seasonal diseases.

 

 

In India, the whole year is divided into six (6) seasons.

 

In the US, there is a vast difference in the weather pattern in different states. So everyone has to follow the season and accordingly ‘Rutucharya’ should be followed.

 

Let’s see the six patterns of ‘Rutucharya’…

 

 

 

 

 

Spring (Vasant Rutu): Kapha Predominance:

 

• The nature of the season is hot and oily, so aggravation kapha occurs
• Massage and body therapies be done with dry herbal powders such as Haritaki or Ginger or heating oil such as Mustard.
• Spring is an ideal time for Vamana.
• Avoid sleeping during the day time, heavy foods, cold foods, excess sweets, sour fruits and oils
• Eat dry, light food
• Use bitter, pungent and astringent tastes
• Exercise is a must
• Herbs to benefit Kapha include Pippali, Maricha (BlackPepper), Haritaki, Guggul, Ginger and Punarnava.

 

Kapha Balancing Tea:

Ingredients

 

• 4cups water
• 1 tea spoon slightly crushed cinnamon
• ½ tea spoon turmeric powder
• 1 tea spoon grated Ginger
• 2 cloves

Procedure

• Heat water in a pot.
• Add cinnamon, turmeric powder and cloves.
• Boil for 3 minutes.
• Add grated ginger and boil for 2 more minutes.
• Strain and serve hot.

 

Summer(Greeshma Rutu): Pitta predominance:

 

• Summer represents the hot, bright, sharp qualities of Pitta, so our diet and lifestyle should be align to balance this energy.
• Eat light, oily, sweet foods with lots of fluids
• Fruit juices, milk, ghee, grapes, coconut water are good
• Exercise with restraint
• Day time nap is recommended as days are longer and nights are shorter
• Avoid excess salt, sour and spicy foods
• Bathing with cold water and application of sandal powder is good
• The diet should be cool, heavy and bland to counter Pitta’s hot, light and sharp qualities. Add more fruit and vegetables to the diet
• Emphasize sweet, astringent and bitter tastes, which palliate Pitta.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Drinks such as Lassi (yogurt drink), lime juice and coconut water should be emphasized.
• Massage in the morning with coconut oil.

 

Pitta Balancing Tea:

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 8 to 10 mint leaves
• 1-table spoon partially crushed coriander seeds
• 1 table spoon cumin seeds
• 2 cardamom pods

Procedure

• Heat water in a pot.
• Add slightly crushed mint leaves, coriander, cumin seeds and cardamom.
• Boil for 3 minutes. Let it cool. Strain and serve cool

 

Now, I am sure that your spring and summer woes are addressed and by the time you adapt yourself to these ancient advice, the rainy season will be upon all of us here in India at least…and so will my next blog!

Happy health to you all.

 

 

 

 

 

Ratricharya

The journey of every human is from darkness towards light. Darkness prepares us for the light that we seek. So it is the ‘Ratricharya’ that prepares us for a smooth transition into the dawn. Ayurved classifies day and night, having 12 hours each which remain divided between 6 am and 6 pm. The day and night are further divided into three parts and the domination by ‘Kapha’, ‘Pitta’ and Vata’ is also duly acknowledged by Ayurved.

‘Ratricharya simply refers to the set of activities considered ideal & recommended by Ayurveda, for the night time.

Ratricharya consists of the following important activities

“Sandhya ” in the evening, when the sun has just set, is a time one needs to be mindful of the changes taking place in the environment.

Our ancients observed a tradition of offering prayers, lighting lamps, ringing bells as is done in temples at this time of the day also. That’s because the heavier or negative energies are at their peak at this time, therefore connecting oneself with the divine at this specific time has been emphasised upon to ward off the negative energies.

The ‘Ratricharya’, as Ayurveda propagates include, dinner, sex and sleep.

Dinner:

Dinner is an important event in Ratricharya. A well planed dinner ensures sound sleep and a feeling of freshness upon waking up in the morning. One should remember while planning dinner that after sunset the digestive powers are on the wane. One should therefore avoid over burdening the digestive system. Basic hygiene like washing hands, feet, face and mouth should be given top priority.

One should observe the following:

• Dinner is recommended at sunset, in Ayurved. Ideal time is between 6 to 8 pm. In the present context of life style it’s not possible for everybody. However, an attempt to have dinner as early as possible is always welcome for the body.
• Dinner should always be light consisting of only easily digestible foods and consumed while the food is warm.
• Excessively oily, spicy foods, heavy foods, non vegetarian foods should be avoided for dinner.
• Avoid raw vegetables and pulses.
• There should be a sufficient gap of one & a half to two hours between dinner and sleep.
• Make it a point to have some warm water along with food.
• Avoid consuming curds at night.

 

Post dinner activities:

• Betel leaves are beneficial for helping digestion. As such it is recommended that to chew at least one betel leaf
• A light walk after dinner is also beneficial.

‘Ratricharya’ also recommends consumption of Triphala (three myrobalans- Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and Embelica officinalis) Along with honey and ghee at bed time. It is very beneficial for the eyes as it improves vision and increases the visual acuity.

(It is recommended that this be done under the recommendation and observation of your Ayurvedic practitioner.)

 

Sleep:

At night, ‘Tama Guna’ is predominant, which makes the body and sense organs heavy and weak. When the sense organs are tired and the mind is in a state of with drawl, we feel sleepy.  Healthy sleep is considered that is sound and that occurs naturally.

Sleep provides our body with sufficient rest and relaxation. A good sleep always ensures sound mind and body and restores natural equilibrium to the functioning of doshas, dhatus, and various systems in the body. However, sleep in excess or its deprivation, are both harmful to the body.

Though the amount of sleep necessary for every individual may vary, but there could be some consensus on the average amount of sleep necessary. For an adult on an average 6-7hrs of sleep should be sufficient. It is more in case of children, older people and people suffering from illnesses.

While deciding the exact amount of sleep one has to consider factors such as the body type of the individual, nature of work the individual indulges in, type of place of residence, type of food consumed and the season.

People who keep awake till late hours, are observed to have developed digestive problems like acidity, indigestion, constipation, insomnia, etc. It’s because keeping awake at nights disturbs and aggravates the ‘Vata Dosha’.

Many students study till late hours in the night. The ideal time for studies is early in the morning as it is the time when the energies are conducive for mental development and aids memory retention. Infants and younger children need more sleep so they should be put to bed early.

 

 

Some important tips for sleep:

• One should always sleep early. Despite especially the present urban life style, one should go to bed at least by 10:30 pm.
• Normally it is recommended to fix a regular time for sleep.
• One should never sleep with a heavy abdomen.
• One should ensure that the bedding is comfortable and sufficiently large
• Use of electronic gadgets on the bed is strictly avoidable.

One should try to fix definite timings for taking meals, going to sleep, and other relevant acts (‘Kriya’). This is termed as’kriya kaal’.  Any deviation from this kriya kaal causes imbalance in the body resulting in diseases.

Day sleep should be avoided. Exception unless the following conditions apply:

 

• Individuals who work the night shift, or after physical exertion.
• Physical injury or psychological problems.
• Sleep period during day time should be ½ of the night sleep.

 

Sex:

• All living beings have an instinct for sex. Sex at the right time and in correct frequency improves quality of life and longevity. Frequent sex depletes ‘Ojas’ and/or the immune system and therefore should be avoided.
• Sexual desire may vary with age, constitution, body condition and even with variations in the seasons.
• Having sex is very natural and is essential for mental and physical health. To suppress the urge or desire causes ‘Vata’ aggravation, and many other psychological symptoms.

 

Guidelines

 

• In winter, sex can be performed quite frequently.
• In the spring and fall it should be reduced to maximum twice a week and in the summer to twice a month.
• The minimum age is puberty.

 

This concludes the overview of ‘Achaar’ but should you need any clarifications in connection with the subjects discussed here, please feel free to contact me for an appointment. You may inbox me here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                      

 

In my last blog I discussed the morning rituals as propagated by Ayurveda and their importance in retaining good health.

In the entire ‘Dincharya’ food also asserts a considerable importance. Ayurveda discusses in details types of foods one should have at various times of the day and night as well as in every ‘Rutu’ – season.

After all these morning rituals, one can commence the day with a pre determined routine in the following manner:

Breakfast:

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day because the last meal is consumed almost 12 hours earlier and is the first meal of the day! Breakfast should be moderate, yet packed with maximum nutrients. Breakfast always ensures that the body generates optimum amount of energy needed to stay active until the next meal. Kick-start the day with a healthy breakfast I have seen people mistaking proper breakfast as something that is heavy while an actually proper breakfast is balanced, nutritious meal that is filled with seasonal fruit, vegetables, sprouts, etc. Normally, ideal time for breakfast should be 90 minutes after sunrise.  I routinely come across many patients who regularly skip breakfast. Whether it is because of having to get the household chores completed before rushing to office, my strong recommendation is to NEVER EVER MISS BREAKFAST. Because by simply having breakfast at regular timing can add more healthy years to your life!

Lunch:

Lunch is the main meal of the day. The day that is full of physical and mental activity at work place. As such, one needs to include a great deal of nutrition in this meal along with moderate calorie intake. The ideal time for lunch is between 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. during this period, ‘Pitta’ is dominant which can effectively help digestion. Today we see many people taking their lunch way beyond 2 p.m. and also many prefer to make do with snacks or even some fast food, not to mention those who completely forego their lunch. Remember, this definitely creates adverse effects on your body. Those who prefer heavy foods, non vegetarian foods should ensure that they eat this at lunch or even breakfast as the activities of the day enable digestion of such heavy foods easily. But please remember, that the type of food, the frequency of eating such foods will not only depend on each person’s individual capacity to digest but also the ‘Rutu’ and the way the non vegetarian food is prepared. Abundance of spices and oil as well as overcooking will only lead to ill health. Again such non vegetarian lunches or breakfasts should include adequate greens and vegetable to balance.  After having lunch, it is suggested to go for a little walk, say, for five minutes. This helps digestion.

 

Twilight:

Twilight is the special time, which is a cusp between the day and the night. It is the ideal time for evening prayers, meditations. It is also the best time to see one’s Inner Self.

Supper:

Ayurveda recommends supper time between 6 pm to 8 pm. However, it is not practical in this present contest of fast moving life. It is still advisable to have dinner before you exhaust completely, but definitely two hours prior to going to bed. After sunset the digestive powers decrease drastically and that is why the supper should always be light and small in quantity. After the dinner it is again advisable to take a walk for a short while. The saying that the supper should be befitting a pauper, this simply means that the supper should be light on stomach and frugal.

Go To Bed:

After having dinner, it is the time to relax. Spend some quality time with your family. Sit back and relax. Read a book or listen to soothing music. This is the time to calm your system down. Thereafter, one should have a sound sleep of 6 to 7 hours.) It’s bedtime then…Ideally 10 p.m. is the time for going to bed. The one thing that one should follow is not be exposed to any kinds of screens (computer/laptops, television sets or even your much beloved cell phone as it is capable of giving you disturbed sleeping patterns if not sleepless nights)

I am sure now that you have read this, you will begin to follow a routine and yet you may have questions…So, don’t wait…start writing to me!

Happy life!

Dr. Manjiri Joshi

9403360452

 

When I last met you here, I had promised to tell you more about the routing that Ayurveda expounds to ensure a healthy and disease free life.

Ayurveda approaches life in a holistic manner and propagates a lifestyle that’s in harmony with nature.

Lifestyle in Ayurveda is seen in terms of the ‘Doshas’:

• Vata, the air element
• Pitta, the fire element and
• Kapha, the water element.

Vata is dominant from 2 to 6 in the morning and afternoon. Kapha is dominant from 6 to 10 in the morning and evening, and Pitta is dominant during mid day and midnight. (10 to 2) Ayurveda insists on being in sync with these energies during the day and move with them, never against them.

Ayurvedic approach to Life-style:

Health is greatly influenced by Life-Style (Swastha-vritta). According to Ayurveda, Life-style (the rules and guidelines) is divided into three parts:

1. Dincharya ~ दिनचर्या (Diet and regimen for the daytime)
2. Ratricharya ~ रात्रिचर्या (Diet and regimen for the night)
3. Ritucharya ~ ऋतुचर्या (Seasonal Diet and regimen) and Sandhikal (diet instructions for the period where one season transcends into the next)

 

DINACHARYA

BRAHMA MUHURTHA UTTHANA:

In Ayurveda, the night time is divided into 16 periods, starting from the sunset (of the previous day) to the sunrise of the following day. Ayurveda recommends that the ideal time to wake up is during the 14th period, which is 96 minutes before the sunrise. (The exact time of ‘Brahma Muhurtha’ varies from region to region as the time of sunrise is not uniform throughout the world.) The recommendation is based on the fact that the ‘sattva’ (purity) in the air is at its maximum during this time. In fact, it is the most fresh and pure time of the entire day and the time when Prana-vayu is abundant (air carrying the purest form of oxygen).

 

After Waking Up, the following karmas are mentioned in Ayurved, for personal care and hygiene.

Danta dhavana:

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of oral hygiene for which Danta dhavana (Brushing), Jihwa nirlekhana (tongue scraping) are explained.

Dantadhavana Dravya and Tooth paste

The typical modern toothpaste contains an abrasive (calcium phosphate dihydrate, chalk, alumina), binder, detergent, flavour (Cellulose), preservative and therapeutic agent. Flavours, colouring and preservative agents may give rise to allergic reactions. The detergent or essential oil flavours may produce localized mucosal irritation. Ingestion of excessive amounts of fluoride toothpastes by young children has been implicated in dental flurosis, degeneration of bones and teeth.

Fluoride has a cumulative effect, once consumed it cannot be excreted. It is seen that people subjected to excess fluorine in drinking water over a period of time suffer from flurosis.

Ayurved has suggested use of twigs of plants possessing katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), kashaya (astringent) rasas (tastes) for the purpose of danta dhavana that largely minimise the risks of allergic reactions or mucosal irritation. this can be a way out to avoid the side effects of modern day toothpastes.

Jihwa nirlekhana:

Many of the microbes that contribute to bad breath live on the tongue. Tongue scraping is effective in eliminating these microbes. It also stimulates taste perception and increases the salivation.

Nasya

Nasya is a unique method of delivering drug via transnasal route. It promotes strength and prevents diseases of urdhwajatru gata angas (head and neck). As a part of Dinacharya one should practice pratimarsha nasya. Pratimarsha nasya is putting just 2 drops of oil or ghee as per the constitution as a tonic and prevention.

 

Gandusha and kavala:

They are intended to tone up jaw and facial muscles along with maintaining oral hygiene.  It enhances the sensory and motor functions of tongue, stimulate blood flow, relieve tension, and improve overall appearance of the face.

The technique of Oil Pulling is mentioned in Ayurveda. Mentioned in Sanskrit as “Kavala Dharna”, Oil pulling is basically a simple method where one needs to sip some oil and swish it through the oral cavity for some times before throwing it out. Another simple diversion of this method is called as “Gandush” where one holds the oil in the mouth for some time before throwing it out. In both the methods one does not swallow the oil at all so no fears on that lines.

 

Ayurveda suggests the use of pure sesame oil for its rich nutrients, therapeutic properties and varied health benefits for Gandusha and Kavala.

UTSARJANA:

Be sure to eliminate the body’s waste products to empty the colon & bladder, to avoid illnesses. It is always suggested not to wait until later in the morning or during the day, to defecate.

VYAYAMA (Exercise):

Vyayama or exercise is an important part of dincharya. Exercise to the extent of half of one’s body strength (Ardhashakti) is considered beneficial in Ayurveda. Exercise Increases the digestive power, builds strength to withstand exhaustion. It helps in maintaining a healthy state of body, mind and soul with maintaining ideal body weight, increases oxygen supply to all tissues, increases BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). Regular exercise is very beneficial in ailments like type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis. Simple exercises without taking on strenuous routine would make a huge difference in one’s lifestyle.

ABHYANGA (Oil Massage)

It increases blood circulation locally providing better transportation of oxygen and nutrients in body. It increases nerve stimulation (sensitivity) depending on the area which is being massaged (foot, head, ear and whole body). Abhyang relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles. Other benefits include nourishment to hair roots and eyes, toning of muscles, improving skin complexion.

Dryness in the tissues of the skin is a major part of aging. This is the reason why many people show the signs of aging at a very young age.

SNANA(BATH)

Bathing is inevitable in the dincharya, as recommended by Ayurveda. Warm water baths are usually suggested, below the head. Ayurved suggests not to use hot water on head.

MEDITATE

Meditation refreshes the mind, increases the concentration power and builds much needed energy needed for the day. Before trudging into the dining hall, sit in peace for a little while, say, ten minutes.

 

After all these morning rituals, one can start the day with food. But then, let me come back to you on the diet mentioned in lifestyle the next time we meet.

Happy mornings!!

 

 

 

 

http://ayurconcept.com/blog/blog/2017/05/13/lifestyle-diseas…naged-by-ayurved/ ‎

Lifestyle diseases managed by Ayurvedic lifestyle
With the improved sanitization, development in new antibiotics, invention of advanced vaccines, modern medicine has eliminated the threat of death and disability from most of the infectious diseases. With advances in technology and medical sciences, organ transplants are also the new boon to life. Mankind has also made significant advances in altering genes, DNA and developing a clone has also become a possibility not far in the future. However, these technological advances have nevertheless resulted in a lifestyle, that has given birth to an all new epidemic called ‘LIFESTYLE DISEASES’.
Lifestyle diseases are diseases linked with the way people live their lives. This life style includes a whole range of activities, & attitudes. Modernization has altered lifestyle entirely. This altered lifestyle is a silent killer and systematically affecting human life. These diseases include cardiac diseases like stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, arthrosclerosis , type II diabetes, obesity, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and this is just the proverbial tip of the iceberg!
These lifestyle diseases are different from other diseases because they are partly preventable and can be controlled/cured with systematically altering the lifestyle, diet, and supporting it with yoga, meditation in short, by adhering to a healthy lifestyle propagated in Ayurved.
Svasthavrutta is a discourse on healthy life style that finds mention in ancient Ayurvedic texts. It includes diet, practices and regimen during the day (dinacharya), night (ratricharya), different seasons (rutucharya), and also lays down code of conduct (sadvrutta).
According to Ayurved, seasonal and weather changes significantly affect the physical and mental well being. seasonal aspects like temperature, humidity, wind, rain, and daylight hours, influence natural cycles and vital systems of the human body. So, it becomes vital to know how to adapt to these seasonal changes with diet and lifestyle in order to maintain a healthy balance with digestion, sleep, immunity, and energy. Ayurveda expounds that in order to retain a healthy and disease free life one should follow a systematic daily routine and schedule to suit these seasonal changes. ‘Dinacharya’ is one of the best things that one can do to prevent disease, live a well balanced life and effectively treat almost every illness. But then, let me meet you next time with my next blog that will explain the concepts of ‘Dinacharya’ & Rutucharya.
Happy reading & good health!

DR. MANJIRI JOSHI

9403360452

The compendium also focuses on the study of the human anatomy by using dead bodies. Surgeons of that time had plenty of opportunity to construct the nose. Besides those who lost their nose in the battle, cutting the nose by the irritant kings was the common practice. Official punishment for adultery was to cut the nose of the culprits. The early Indians also set fractures, performed amputations, excised tumours, repaired hernia and did couching for cataract.
They used over 121 different steel instruments to drain fluids, to remove kidney stones, to sew up wounds and to perform plastic surgery. Some of the instruments used in those days were very much like those of today such as scissors, saws, needles, forceps etc. In Sushruta Samhita, transmission of malaria was incriminated to a biting insect, probably mosquito. This shows that they were not only well versed in Medicine and surgery but also in the prevention of disease. The dead bodies in cases of homicide, suicide or those who died of accidents, were kept in an examination room, which was set apart for the purpose and the cause of death, which had to be reported after post-mortem examination to higher authorities. To prevent decomposition dead bodies were preserved by immersion in oil.
‘Sushruta Samahita’ also describes over 120 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures. The compendium also classifies human surgery in 8 categories. Because of his numerous contributions to the science and art of surgery he is known by the title “Father of Surgery.” Sushruta is also the father of plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery since his technique of forehead flap rhinoplasty (repairing the disfigured nose with a flap of skin from the forehead) that he used to reconstruct noses that were amputated as a punishment for crimes, is practiced almost unchanged in technique to this day. Sushruta was the first surgeon to advocate the practice of operations on inanimate objects such as watermelons, clay plots and reeds; thus predating the modern practice of the surgical workshop by hundreds of years. Inoculation was practiced in China, India, and Turkey, and was a precursor to vaccination for smallpox.

Among the many who also toiled to make Ayurved a comprehensive discourse on healthy human life are Charaka, and Vagbhata stand tall in terms of their contributions in various aspects of medicine and treatment.
Charaka has written the book ‘Charaka Sanhita’ and he is consider to be the father of medicine that is called ‘kaya chikitsa’.
Vagbhaata authored ‘Ashtang Sangraha’ and ‘Ashtang Hrudayam’ which are the best books to know the fundamentals principles of Ayurved.
These three texts mentioned above are called as BRUAHATRYI meaning, three primary books.
Apart from this, Madhava authored the book’ Madhava Nidana’ , an important book on pathology and clinical observations.
Sharangdhara wrote ‘Sharangdhara Sanhita’, on pharmacology.
Bhavamishra authored the book ‘Bhavaprakasha’, which describes diseases, both native and those that were transmitted to the subcontinent by people travelling for trade with Europe, such as small pox, phirangam(syphilis) and somaraga. He also authored the Materia Medica of Ayurveda and a glossary of the medicinal herbs.
These three texts ‘Madhava Nidana’, ‘Sharangdhara Sanhita’ and ‘Bhavprakasha’ are called LAGHUTRAYI meaning three secondary books.
Kashyapa has written ‘Kashyap Sanhita’ and he has given detailed description of paediatric diseases including rickets.
Ayurved has 8 major branches namely medicine (kaya chikitsa), paediatric (bal chikitsa), toxicology (graha chikitsa), ear,nose and throat (urdhvang), surgery (shalya), danshtra, geriatrics (jara), rejuvenation (rasayan).
I am sure my readers are now well prepared to understand with an open mind as to why life style preached by Ayurved would always be the last answer to a healthy life.
Let me conclude this blog here only to assure you that I shall be discussing ‘What is the right life style that would ensure prevention of diseases that affect the human body to a large extent due to wrong life styles, in my forthcoming blog!
dr. manjiri joshi
9403360452

In my last blog I had described what was wrong with the Western lifestyles. But if I leave it at that I would be blamed for criticizing a lifestyle without reason or explanation. Very often almost all of us eat wrong foods, follow wrong routines. These inadvertent mistakes usually cost us in the later part of lives. So, what is the basis of my observations that I made in my last blog..?
Ayurveda as a science of medicine owes its origins in ancient India. Ayurveda consists of two Sanskrit words – ‘ayur’ meaning age or life, and ‘veda’ which means knowledge. Thus, the literal meaning of Ayurveda is the science of life or longevity. Ayurveda constitutes ideas about ailments and diseases, their symptoms, diagnosis and cure, and relies heavily on herbal medicines, including extracts of several plants of medicinal values. This reliance on herbs differentiates Ayurveda from systems like Allopathy and Homeopathy. Ayurveda has also always disassociated itself with witch doctors and voodoo.
AYURVED! As everyone across the globe know, that this ancient Science of India is basically a philosophy of leading a healthy life. It is a well documented discussion that primarily harps of the ‘Preventive’ side of treatment…a combination of two words: AYU+VED, LIFE+KNOWELDEGE! Ayurved originated as part of the ancient VEDAs more specifically the ATHARVAVED!
Ayurved also explains various diseases and how imbalance in the human body occurs. Ayurved has also evolved into many other healing methodologies at various stages in history and has become a basis of a plethora of healing systems including the Tibetan, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Greek, to name a few! In these modern times, Ayurved is also seen readapting itself to the new onslaught of diseases to become a truly UNIVERSAL HEALING SYSTEM!
The Vedic Sages took passages from Atharva Veda and created separate books dealing exclusively with Ayurveda. Atreya Sanhita is the oldest medical book in the world. Atreya was the son of Rishi Atri. Atri was the son of god Brahma and one of the seven immortal Rishis in Vedic literature. Rishi Atri was Acharya (Teacher) of Ayurveda. The Vedic Brahmanas were priests who performed religious rites and ceremonies. They were also considered as Vaidyas (Physicians of Ayurveda). These sage physicians were the surgeons in the ancient days. These deeply devoted holy physicians considered health to be an important part of spiritual life. It is believed that the Vaidyas received their training of Ayurveda during meditation which was later transcribed into book form. Beginning of Medicine and Surgery in India is thought as the gifts from god Indra to Sages Bharadwaja, the patron saint of medicine and Dhanvantari, the patron saint of Surgery. These two main schools made Ayurveda a more scientifically verifiable medical system (around 1500 BC). These two scholars passed their knowledge to two worthy men Atreya and Sushruta. Both Atreya and Sushruta practiced medicine around 800 BC.
The practice of surgery has been recorded in India around 800 B.C. This need not come as a surprise because surgery (Shastrakarma) is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda the ancient Indian system of medicine. The oldest treatise dealing with surgery is the Shushruta Samahita (Shushruta’s compendium). Shusruta who lived in Kasi was one of the many Indian medical practitioners who included Atraya and Charaka. He was one of the first to study the human anatomy. In Shusruta Sanhita he has described in detail the study of anatomy with the aid of a dead body. Shusruta’s forte was rhinoplasty (Plastic surgery) and ophthalmology (ejection of cataracts). Shushruta has described surgery under eight heads Chedya (excision), Lekhya (scarification),Vedhya (puncturing), Esya (exploration), Ahrya (extraction), Vsraya (evacuation) and Sivya (Suturing). Sounds intriguing..?
Let’s read it in my next blog.
Happy reading.

नुकतीच वर्तमानपत्रात बातमी वाचली कि प्रथम वर्ष BAMS च्या विद्यार्थिनीची परीक्षेत नापास झाल्यामुळे नैराश्यातून आत्महत्या……………. बातमी वाचून मन सुन्न झालं. मन ताळ्यावर यायला वेळ लागला व मग मात्र मन वेगाने विचार करायला लागलं.

सध्या सोशल मिडिया हा लहानांपासून मोठ्यान्पर्यंत सर्वांचाच अत्यंत जिव्हाळ्याचा विषय आहे.आपापली वय,आवडी,छंद याप्रमाणे जो तो त्याचा मुक्त हस्ते वापर करतो आहे. ह्याच सोशल मिडिया वर काही दिवसांपूर्वी एक video पाहण्यात आला.एक शिक्षक एका कागदावर मध्यभागी एक काळा ठिपका काढून, विद्यार्थ्यांना ह्या कागदाचे वर्णन करण्यास सांगतात. ते वर्णन सर्व विद्यार्थ्यांकडून ऐकून झाल्यावर शिक्षक म्हणतात, सर्वाना फक्त काळा ठिपकाच दिसला ? बाजूच्या शुभ्र पांढऱ्या कागदाचे वर्णन कोणीच केले नाही. आयुष्यात देखील एखाद अपयश, वाईट घटनेकडे आपण त्या काळ्या ठिपक्याप्रमाणे बघताना बाकीच्या सुंदर आयुष्याकडे दुर्लक्ष तर करत नाही ना ?

एखाद अपयश मग ते परीक्षेतल असू दे, प्रेमातल असू दे किवां अजून काही कारण असू शकेल, इतक महत्वाचं आहे कि त्यामुळे उर्वरित सुंदर आयुष्य निरर्थक वाटायला लागावा आणि मग ते संपवण्यासाठी आत्महत्येसारखं भ्याड पाउल उचलावं लागतं. यातून असा विचार मनात आला कि आजची युवा पिढी मानसिक सक्षमतेमध्ये कुठेतरी कमी पडते आहे का ? याचं उत्तर हो असेल तर साहजिकच पुढचा प्रश्न मनात येतो का ?

आणि ह्या का? च उत्तर शोधयचा प्रयत्न करताना पहिला विचार मनात आला तो ‘पालकत्वाचा’. पूर्वीपेक्षा आजचं पालकत्व खूप बदललं आहे. आजकाल एक, फारतर दुसर भावंड घरात असत. घरातील स्त्री शिक्षण, करीयरच्या निमित्ताने बाहेर असते. मुलांसाठी क्वालिटी टाईम हि कन्सेप्ट आली. ह्या सर्व स्पर्धात्मक युगात माझ्या मुलाला काही कमी पडलं नाही पाहिजे, त्याला जे हवं ते आम्ही देऊ अशी मानसिकता पालकांची दिसते. पण यातूनच मुलांना कोणताही नकार पचवायची सवयच लागतं नाही.यामुळे हीच मुलं पुढील आयुष्यात कोणताही नकार,अपयश यांना समोर जाण्याची मानसिकता नसल्यामुळे खचून जातात आणि नको त्या मार्गाचा अवलंब करतात.

मुलांना ‘नकार स्वीकारायला शिकवण’ (acceptance) हे आव्हान आजच्या पालकांपुढे आहे. याच बरोबर आपल्या मुलांची आवड,शारीरिक,बौद्धिक क्षमता यांचा पूर्ण विचार करूनच करीयर ची निवड करण्यास त्यांना फक्त मदत करावी. बऱ्याच वेळा बौद्धिक क्षमता नसताना, आवड नसताना केवळ पालकांची इच्छा महणून इंजिनियरिंग, वैद्यकीय शाखेकडे पाठवले जाते. आपल्या इच्छा, आकांक्षा त्यांच्यावर लादू नयेत. ह्याशिवाय कोणताही निर्णय घेताना नाण्याच्या दोन बाजूप्रमाणे त्यातील चांगल्या व वाईट दोन्ही बाजू मुलांना समजावून सांगणे फार महत्वाचे आहे. यशाबरोबर अपयशाची कडू गोळी पचवायची ताकद आलीच पाहिजे. यशाच्या शिखराकडे वाटचाल करताना येणारी धोक्याची वळणे, काटेरी मार्ग याची जाणीव असण खूप गरजेचा आहे.लहान मुले हि मातीच्या गोळ्याप्रमाणे असतात.त्यांना जसं घडवू, जसा आकार देऊ तसं ते घडतात.त्यामुळे हे सर्व प्रयत्न लहानपणापासूनच संस्कारक्षम वयात होणे महत्वाचे आहे.

आर्थिक सुबत्ता असली तरी सर्व गोष्टी पैशाने मिळत नाहीत याची जाणीव आई वडील व मुले सर्वानीच ठेवायला हवी.

आजच्या तरुण पिढीत खूप चांगले गुण आहेत. कोणताही बदल पटकन स्वीकारणे,निखळ मैत्री, एकमेकांना मदत करणे,सामाजिक बांधिलकी अश्या अनेक चांगल्या गुणांचे प्रतिनिधित्व आजची पिढी करत आहे.त्याच बरोबर मानसिक सक्षमता जरुरीची आहे.

म्हणूनच आजच्या युवा पिढीला सांगावसं वाटत,

जगणं खूप सुंदर आहे,

त्यावर हिरमुसू नका ,

एक फुल उमलल नाही,

म्हणून रोपच खुडू नका …..सगळं

मनासारखा होतं असं नाही ,पण

मनासारखं  झालेलं विसरू नका.

कोणत्याही घटनेवर,परिस्थितीवर over react होऊ नका.कोणत्याही नात्यात नात्यातील सखोलतेचा विचार करा.अपयशाने,नकाराने खचून न जाता त्याचा धीरोदात्तपणे सामना करा. सर्वात शेवटी…… आई वडील कधी रागवले, चिडले,ओरडले तरी तो राग मनात कधीच धरू नका.तुमच्या प्रगती,उत्कर्षामध्येच त्यांना आनंद असतो आणि ते चिडणं,रागावणं पण त्यासाठीच असतं…………………

शेवटी दोन पिढ्यांमध्ये समन्वय हाच सर्वांच्या हिताचा आहे.

निर्धाराच्या वाटेवर

टाक निर्भीडपणे पाय

तू फक्त विश्वास ठेव

आयुष्याची लढाई

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