Source: www.ayurbalance.com

Ayurvedic healers highly recommend periodic internal cleansing as a way to maintain good health and prevent disorders from taking root in the physiology. Just like you regularly flush out the plumbing system in your home or change the oil in your automobile engine, periodically helping your body flush toxins out thoroughly is a good maintenance technique that will help organs and systems stay more efficient for a longer period of time. Especially after the age of 40, when your body’s own cleansing and rejuvenating capability starts slowing down, supporting it with a cleansing regime is important for ongoing health and vitality.

The Seed and Land Theory of Ayurveda

Proper digestion is crucial for health. When digestion is efficient and complete, all of the food you eat is either converted into nutrient fluids for absorption into the body, or flushed out as wastes. When the digestive process is incomplete or inefficient, partially digested food matter is left behind in the digestive system. This substance, called ama in ayurveda, becomes toxic to the physiology if allowed to stay in the body or build up over time. Ama is not only inherently toxic in itself, it also clogs the channels of the body, further disrupting the flow of digestion and leading to an escalating cycle of toxin build-up. Ama is fertile ground for infections and disorders to germinate, take root and flourish. Ama build-up is considered the first stage of imbalance in the physiology. If not addressed, disorders invariably follow.

The digestive process leaves behind toxins either when you eat foods that are not fresh, natural or suited to your constitution and digestive capability, or when you follow eating routines and practices that are not ideal. Eating processed or artificially flavored foods and foods that are grown with chemical pesticides and fertilizers can lead to toxin build-up. Drinking iced water or ice-cold beverages douses the digestive fire and causes ama to be generated. Eating heavier foods after sundown, eating a new meal before the previous one is digested, or eating when stressed or working also impact digestion. For help with choosing foods that are best for you and for ayurvedic digestion guidelines, read our “Eating for Balance” articles.

It is best to visit an ayurvedic healer and have him or her assess your ama levels. The following are general indications that you may have an accumulation of toxins in your physiology:

1. Your tongue has a white coating in the morning when you wake up.
2. You yawn after a main meal and just want to curl up and snooze.
3. You feel tired and lethargic all day long, even though you eat well and sleep well.
4. Your appetite is poor or you crave junk foods.
5. You feel a general lack of motivation or zest for life.
6. You feel “spaced out” and your mind is cloudy.
7. You experience abdominal bloating and gas, especially after a main meal.
8. You feel heavy and congested or constipated.
9. You have a general sense of malaise, with vague aches and pains.

If you experience three or more of the above on a regular basis, your physiology would probably benefit from a cleansing regime.

Eat cooked foods, warm or at room temperature.

Drink lots of warm water through the day. Accompany meals with small sips of warm water as needed. A detoxifying “tea” is even better. Coriander, cumin, fennel and ajwain (carum copticum) are digestion-enhancing spices to choose from. Here are suggestions for detoxifying herbal waters for the three doshas:

Bring two quarts of pure water to a rolling boil. Add the herbs/spices listed below, turn off heat after a couple of minutes and let steep for about 15-20 minutes. Strain and pour the water into a thermos. Drink the tea through the day, especially 15 minutes after a meal. Throw out any that remains after 6.30 pm, and make a fresh batch the next morning.

Vata: 1/2 tsp cumin seed, 1/4 tsp ajwain seed, 1/2 tsp fennel seed
Pitta: 1/2 tsp cumin seed, 1/2 tsp coriander seed, 2 fresh mint leaves
Kapha: 1/2 tsp cumin seed, 1 clove, 1-2 slices fresh ginger root

If you can find fresh Tulsi (Holy Basil), add a leaf or two to the water for all doshas. Tulsi is known for its ability to cleanse the physiology of environmental toxins.

Include lots of cleansing fruits and vegetables in your diet. Barley water or rice kanjee, made by cooking a small amount of grain with a large quantity of water (1/2 cup to 10 cups) are also wonderful cleansers of the digestive system and the urinary tract. Greens, daikon radish, bitter gourd, cabbage and celery are examples of cleansing vegetables. Cooked apples and pears are a great way to get elimination going in the morning. Prunes, pineapple, papaya and pomegranate are other fruits that aid digestion and cleansing. Herbs such as cilantro, mint, fresh ginger and lemon are also helpful for cleansing and purifying the digestive system.

Cook with digestion-enhancing, detoxifying spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, clove, ajwain, fenugreek, dried ginger, Chinese cinnamon and fennel. Add the turmeric to foods as they are cooking, and sauté other spices in ghee or olive oil and pour over prepared dishes for the best therapeutic benefit. Digestion-enhancing lassi, made with some of the herbs and spices mentioned in this section, is an excellent choice for a lunchtime beverage.

Now in traditonal Ayurveda, they would tell you to avoid all junk food, caffeine, processed foods while undergoing a cleanse, but the reality is that that course of action isn’t always plausible. I try to adhere to many of these dictates, but when I feel that I’m not on my best behavior, I’ve found something that helps me out. It’s a product I found at Whole Foods called Michael Tierra’s Tri Cleanse by Planetary Herbals and it’s the only internal cleansing product that I’ve found with Triphala in it. Triphala is an ancient Ayurvedic formula consisting of Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki, and when combined are powerful warriors against toxins and disease.

Pan-Fried Paneer and Fresh Avocado with Pineapple-Papaya Salsa
(For Vata and Pitta balancing diets)

You will need:

• 1 cup 1/2″ paneer cubes
• 1 cup diced firm avocado (dice just before serving)
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves, trimmed and washed
• 10 almonds, soaked, blanched and slivered
• 2 tablespoons ghee

For the salsa, you will need:

• 2 tbsp chopped ripe pineapple
• 2 tbsp chopped ripe papaya
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp minced fresh ginger
• 1 tsp minced fresh cilantro
• Rock salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Combine all the salsa ingredients in a bowl, mix well, and set aside to blend.

Heat a non-stick skillet and add the ghee.

When the ghee has melted, lay out the paneer pieces in a single layer on the skillet. After a couple of minutes, turn the pieces over carefully with the tip of a knife to the other side. Continue turning until all sides are done. When done, all the paneer pieces should have a light golden look on all sides.

Scoop the paneer out and set aside; then toast the almonds in the ghee for a couple of minutes. Scoop out from the pan and set aside.

Now add the spinach leaves to the pan and wilt slightly, a couple of minutes. Remove pan from heat.

Line a serving dish with the wilted spinach. Combine the paneer and avocado gently and lay the mixture over the spinach. Sprinkle the almonds on top.

Drizzle the salsa over the dish.

Enjoy warm.

(Serves 2 as a side-dish)

Ghee: The Golden Cooking
Oil of Ayurveda

Ghee is the cooking oil of choice in ayurveda. It is made by cooking butter to remove all the milk-solids and water, so that what’s left is a pure golden oil with a royal flavor and aroma. Once you have cooked with ghee, you’ll never go back to using oil or butter again! Ghee can be used for sautéing, stir-frying, deep-frying, baking, for popcorn, or as a spread. It’s so flavorful that you’ll need much less ghee than butter or other kinds of oil.

Organic Ghee from Purity Farms (available on http://www.ayurbalance.com/shop_organicghee.htm) is made with 100% certified organic butter.

This ghee is

• free of bovine growth hormones
• a non-genetically modified food
• non-hydrogenated
• free of transfatty acids
• free of oxidized cholesterol
• salt-free, casein-free and lactose-free

 

 

What worries me, personally, is that I feel like I can’t fully start my day or that I’m not as efficient and effective without my morning coffee. So I guess that makes me an addict.  While, I have gotten into tea and hot water with lemon a lot more in the last year, it would behoove me to add some decaffeinated coffee to that repertoire.  Maybe if it tastes like my regular morning coffee, than I can trick my brain into jumping to alertness after a cup or two, as it would if I were to drink my normal coffee.  I already know that there are negative effects of caffeine in my personal use such as: 

It is very dehyrdrating; I always have to play catch up with my water intake to rehydrate after my coffee in the morning.                                                         

It stains my teeth, therefore I have to whiten them to counter that side effect.

I get an energy letdown around 1pm that I’m sure is connected to the coffee I had at 7am, and I get the urge to go to Starbucks and refuel. Not healthy or economic.

These facts from www.myaddiction.com shed a sobering light on my and many other people’s addiction to caffeine. “Caffeine addiction is for real and to make matters more disheartening for the avid coffee drinker or cola fan, caffeine employs the same effects as alcohol, LSD, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, nicotine, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other major drugs. This makes caffeine the widest used psychoactive drug in the world.”

From www.mycaffeineaddiction.com:  

So what are the negative effects of caffeine? Here are just a few of the more common health problems that you may experience.

1. Too much caffeine can lead to cardiovascular problems.
   When you consume caffeine, your blood pressure and heart rate will rise. Additionally, over time, an overuse of caffeine has been connected in some cases to heart disease.
2. Caffeine can lead to the increased risk of gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers. Additionally, problems with the esophagus can come about due to extended, regular consumption of caffeine.
3. Since caffeine stimulates stress hormones, this can lead to increased anxiety, insomnia, and tension. If you are like most people, increasing the amount of stress and anxiety in your life is not a good thing. There is enough of that to go around already!
4. If you become addicted to caffeine, it will be difficult to cut this out of your diet. When you finally decide to do so, you may experience symptoms associated with withdrawal. This includes irritability, headaches, and more.

Top Ten Coffee Alternatives:

1. Teeccino is the number one coffee alternative sold in the United States. This “herbal coffee” is meant to act as a replacement for anybody who is addicted to caffeine. With a great taste and none of the harmful side effects, Teeccino has quickly been taken to by tens of thousands of Americans. If you are looking for a coffee alternative, there is no better option.
2. While green tea contains some caffeine, it is nowhere near as much as coffee. This drink is full of antioxidants, and is much healthier than coffee. For many, this is a natural change that makes it easy to stop drinking so much coffee.
3. Much like green tea, black tea is also an effective coffee alternative. Many people love this option because of its strong flavor, as well as its great taste when mixed with milk. Additionally, black tea has half as much caffeine content as coffee.
4. Licorice tea contains no caffeine, and offers a sweet flavor that is sure to wake you up.
5. Yerba mate may not be a commonly known coffee alternative, but it offers many benefits. Not only is it caffeine free, but Yerba mate still offers a stimulating effect on the body.
6. Rooibos tea is very similar to black tea. The main difference is that this option is caffeine free. Just like black yea, this drink is full of antioxidants and other health benefits.
7. Chocolate powder may not be the best coffee alternative, but it is an option. While this powder does contain some caffeine, it is not nearly as much as a cup of coffee.
8. Siberian Ginseng tea contains no caffeine, and is known to have positive effects on the human body.
9. Chai consists of red, black, and green tea. While the black and green portions contain caffeine, the red does not. When compared to coffee, Chai has much less caffeine content.
10. Carob powder is similar to cocoa, but does not contain caffeine. Additionally, carob powder is known to have a positive effect on the digestive system.

I thought I’d start out at home, so I don’t embarras myself in front of anyone until I get the hang of it. I found this hatha yoga video by www.myyogaonline.com on YouTube that looks just challenging enough and also has a sensual element to it.  Fun, right?

I’ll keep you all posted on my progress. In no time I’ll be a much calmer, much more limber person. Namaste.

The major philosophy behind Ayurveda is balance. Balance in life, health, relationships, career, etc. Somehow during the holidays between parties, marathon gift shopping, and four course meals, many of us get a case of Holiday Fatigue, and by January 1st, we are more than eager to regain the balance and ritual of life that we enjoy the other 11 months of the year. Here are a few ways in which I’m planning to detoxify and cleanse this month.

www.elephantjournal.com has listed DoshaCare among its recommendations for detoxing after the holiday season both internally and externally.http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/01/holiday-detox-adriane-little-organic-india-tulsi-tea-blackwells-organic-desserts-simply-boulder-doshacare/

 I consider myself a pretty healthy person, working out, hydrating and eating a variety of organic foods on a daily basis, but I too am feeling the need for a jumpstart cleansing after a champagne soaked holiday. Here, I’ve gathered a few recipes for some purifying concoctions from Healthy Healing by Linda Rector Page. You’ll notice the back to basics list of ingredients and simple methods for making them.

Rice Purifying Soup

Toast in a large pan until aromatic (about 5 minutes) the following:

2/3 cup lentils                                                                                                                                                                                                             2/3 cup split peas                                                                                                                                                                                                      2/3 cup brown rice

Add and cook over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally:

2 cloves minced garlic

1 onion, chopped

3 cups water

3 cups vegetable broth

1 carrot, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

1.2 tsp. ginger powder

The perfect dish to ignite your inner furnace and what is know in Ayurveda as agni, which is responsible for digestion, metabolism,  and all over health.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

After all the excitement and overindulgence associated with the holidays, it’s easy to be sucseptible to the cold or flu bug. This recipe for a detoxifying broth is said to work miracles on these encroaching feelings of sickness and general “rundownness”.

Cold Defense Cleanser

1 1/2 cups water

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspon cayenne pepper

3 tablespoons brandy

I haven’t gotten sick yet (knock on wood) in order to try this, so if anyone uses this concoction, please let me know the results. Check back tomorrow when I’ll talk about some other ways to regain balance after the holidays.

“Become Less Reactive and More Responsive”
Saturday, May 26, 2007
In business and in life, we have essentially two psychological modes that we are in most of the time: reactive and responsive. The reactive mode is the one that feels stressful. In it, we feel pressured and are quick to judge. We lose perspective and take things personally. We’re annoyed, bothered and frustrated.

Needless to say, our judgment and decision-making capacity is severely impaired when we are in a reactive state of mind. We make quick decisions that we often regret. We annoy other people and tend to bring out the worst in them. When an opportunity knocks, we are usually too overwhelmed or frustrated to see it. If we do see it, we’re usually overly critical and negative.

The responsive mode, on the other hand, is our most relaxed state of mind. Being responsive suggests that we have our bearings. We see the bigger picture and take things less personally. Rather than being rigid and stubborn, we are flexible and calm. In the responsive mode, we are at our best. We bring out the best in others and solve problems gracefully. When an opportunity comes our way, our mind is open. We are receptive to abundance.

Once you are aware of these two drastically different modes of being, you will begin to notice which one you are in. You’ll also notice the predictability of your behavior and feelings when you are in each mode. You’ll observe yourself being irrational and negative in your reactive mode and calm and wise in your responsive state of mind.

Simply becoming aware of the different dynamics of your mind will open the door to tremendous changes in your life. You’ll begin to notice when you fall into a reactive state of mind. You’ll feel your own impatience. When this happens, simply say to yourself, “Whoops, there I go again” or something to this effect. Any type of simple acknowledgment will do the trick. You’ll discover, as you notice and acknowledge your own reactivity, coupled with your understanding that, in all cases, it pays to be more responsive, you’ll quickly come out of a reactive mode and fall into a more responsive state of mind.

A responsive state of mind is fertile ground for success. When your mind is clear and relaxed, you pave an open channel for abundance and joy. There is a direct and clear relationship between how much time you spend in a responsive state of mind and your own level of success. The more you are able to stay out of reactivity, the more opportunities will present themselves. Beginnings right now, use the power of responsiveness to create your own success.

RICHARD CLARKSON.

Ayurveda is a system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a personalized approach to the treatment. This form of health care focuses equally on the wellness of the body, mind, and spirit where an imbalance results in illness. There are three doshas, which govern the body: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The mouth is the seat of the kapha dosha, care must be taken not to vitiate it. Problems with this dosha lead to several dental problems some of which are:

Bad breath

Toothache

Bleeding gums

Yellow teeth

Tooth decay

Ayurveda suggests a wide range of herbal and dietary solutions to dental problems some of which are:

Neem

The neem tree is a traditional remedy for white healthy teeth. Neem twigs are used as toothbrushes. Neem oils contain astringent and antiseptic properties to fight bad breath, kill microorganisms accumulated on the teeth and combat dental caries.

Turmeric

Besides flavoring food, purify blood; dental remedy is probably the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda. Prepare a mixture of a quarter teaspoon of common salt with mustard oil and apply on the affected tooth. Its daily use prevents dental caries, foul breath, bleeding from the gums, painful gums, and toothaches. Burn some turmeric sticks; make a fine powder and use as tooth powder. Gumtone is a trusted tooth powder from Charak Pharma.

Clove

Another remedy for toothache is in the use of clove, which lessens pain. It also helps decrease infection due to its antibacterial properties. Clove oil, applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also reduces toothache. Use a paste of zinc oxide powder and clove oil to fill the cavity in the aching tooth, also preventing food materials from accumulating in the cavity. Peel and crush a clove of fresh garlic and mix it with peanut butter. Apply it to the aching tooth and keep it there for some time.

Vitamin C prevents decay and loosening of the teeth, dental caries, toothache, and bleeding of the gums. Take Vitamin C rich diet to fight against toothache.

Sugar from candy, cookies, soft drinks and desserts damages teeth and gums hence should be avoided.

http://www.ayurvedaforall.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Rajesh_Nair

“Finally a skin care product that takes into account your doshic conditioning. [These are] products that surpass mainstream daily care products on many of the most basic levels. I am so excited to discover these extraordinarily well composed, all natural, superhuman products that cater to one’s full spectrum of needs.

Thank you, DoshaCare, for being so clever and modern, by bringing us some of the most effective, ancient science.”

          - Keri Lasalle, the Y Catalog

Keep your eyes out for DoshaCare in the Y Catalog coming soon!

• Rituals – Restore and Rejuvenate the mind and body adding special authenticity to life
• Routine – Consitently rise and retire at the same time everday
• Self Massage – Engage in rituals to help digest, transform and nurture the body
• Meditation or Quiet Reflection – We recommend 5 to 30 minutes daily, morning and night
• Daily Exercise – Participate in movement that balances your mind, body and spirit
• Vibrant, vital foods – Eat locally grown organic foods
• Hydration – Drink water consistently throughout your day
• Affirmations – Visualize the future you want and deserve

All of these actions work to bring balance and nourishment to your life. Here are some tips about how to achieve the benefits of self massage.