AYURVEDIC DIET

Ayurveda has its roots in India, dating back to about five thousand years. Essentially, it is a science that encompasses the health benefits of herbs, meditation, yoga, and massage. Ayurveda is based on the principle that every being on this earth, be it animate or inanimate, is the outcome of five basic elements of nature, or Pancha Mahabhootas – Water, Air, Fire or Energy, Earth and Ether (space) . Ayurveda embodies the methods that help to achieve a balance between the body, mind and soul, which is absolutely crucial to stay in unison with nature.

Ayurvedic Diet and Nutrition

According to Ayurveda, ‘We are what we eat’!. This ancient branch of science believes most of the common ailments are a result of poor nutrition. Ayurvedic nutrition is concerned importantly with the dietary requirements of individuals. Any anomaly in the body is thought to emanate in the digestive system, and therefore it become crucial not to cast aside even minor digestive complaints, as it could be indicative of a disease.

Ayurveda does not distinguish between food and medicine, the underlying belief that the absence of nutritive food or diet causes disease in the body. This can only be remedied with appropriate food, which becomes the medicine to heal the body of its ailment. All the same, Ayurveda holds sacrosanct, that each one of us are distinct, and our health is determined by our attitude and response to the conscious and unconscious inputs in life that one is subjected to.

Ayurvedic diet is centered on treating life’s experiences as ‘food’ (for the body and the mind), which is assimilated into the body and contributes to its nourishment. This transformation of ‘food’ into nutrition is termed as ‘Agni’ or fire, which forms the edifice upon which the Ayurvedic system is built.

Spices and herbs form an integral part of Ayurvedic healing, mainly because of its power to be easily absorbed in the body. On the one hand, this enhances the digestive capacity of the body and on the other, cleanses it of its toxins, ensuring the cells in the body are empowered with the nutrition available in the diet. Ayurveda recommends that spices be consumed only after they are cooked.

An Ayurvedic diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fibrous food, which contribute to keeping the body energetic, glowing and in good health. An Ayurvedic diet is miserly with salt to prevent potential fluid retention and also discourages the intake of coffee, sodas and alcohol.

Benefits of an Ayurvedic diet

• Ayurvedic diet is low in fat and helps to maintain an optimum body weight.
• Ayurvedic diet is endowed with minerals that charge the body with energy and radiance.
• Ayurvedic diet is rich in vegetable proteins that are quickly digested and assimilated into the body.
• Ayurvedic meals are easy to digest due to the inclusion of spices – garlic, ginger, cumin, red chilli and black pepper.
• Fresh organic foods that Ayurveda relies upon, are high on nutrition, and endow the body with strength and vitality.

Meditation to heal our life 1st Edition
Tips for adopting Ayurvedic Lifestyle

• The most important thing is to eat your main meal at noon, when the sun is strongest and the digestive fire reflects that strength. If you eat too much at night, or eat heavy foods such as meat or cheese then, the food will sit in your stomach and create AMA( uncooked or undigested food) Eat light at night and your food will be easily digested before you go to sleep.
• It’s also important to eat all three meals at the scheduled time every day. If your body gets used to a regular routine, the digestive juices will start to ready themselves before the meal, and will be more efficient in digesting. If you eat at all different times, your digestion will be thrown off.
• Don’t snack between meals unless you are actually hungry, and wait until the food is digested before eating a meal. If your digestion is already occupied with digesting and you add new food on top of that, the result is AMA, the sour, undigested waste product of undigested food.
• Exception for  diabetic paients as they can have small snacks every two hours to avoid acidity.
• Planning the other aspects of the ayurvedic routine are also important. Going to sleep before 10 pm. is essential, because then during the Pitta time of night (10 pm-2 am) your digestion has a chance to cleanse and rejuvenate itself. If you stay up, you’ll probably feel hungry about midnight and will want to eat, which will tax the digestion and create AMA.
• Waking up before 6 am. is recommended. Basic reason you will feel tired if you sleep late into the Kapha time of the morning (6-10 am.), the channels of your body will become clogged with AMA.
• Daily exercise that is suitable for your body type will stimulate digestion and help cleanse the body of toxins. It’s also important to manage your stress, and to have a job that your enjoy and is not too taxing for your body type. Everyone can benefit from spending time each day practicing yoga, meditation program to remove mental, emotional and physical stress.

 

BENEFITS OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is a holistic system of medical science and is the oldest healing science which is almost 5000 years old. Ayurveda contains two Sanskrit words: Ayu which means life or lifespan and Veda meaning knowledge (The Science of Life). Ayurveda, Indian holistic medical system is based upon the universal natural law of balancing the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) that make up the physical body. When there is an imbalance in any of the dosha , it will result in illness and has to be addressed by treatment.

The aim of Ayurveda is to prevent illness and enhance wellness. Ayurveda stresses on proper diet for maintaining good health and treating disease. Ayurveda ensures balance of body, mind and spirit.

Ayurveda is based on the principle of helping the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. There are some fundamental principles of good health and longevity of life in this system of medicine and lifestyle management. Moreover, you can get a cure for the diseases with some easily available herbs, many of which are found in your homes.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Medicines

• The Ayurvedic approach to an illness is holistic and therefore after an Ayurvedic treatment a person will find an improvement in their physical, mental and psychological conditions.
• By using ayurvedic and herbal medicines you ensure physical and mental health without side effects. The natural ingredients of herbs help bring “arogya” to human body and mind. (“Arogya” means free from diseases).
• Ayurvedic practitioners have identified a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for curing various ailments and diseases, not completely curable in other systems.
• Ayurveda not only helps in treating diseases but also in preventing the occurrence of diseases.
• Ayurvedic medicines are good even for healthy people since they are restorative in nature and helps in nourishing the body and enhancing mental ability.
• According to the original texts, the goal of Ayurveda is prevention as well as promotion of the body’s own capacity for maintenance and balance.
• Ayurvedic treatment is non-invasive and non-toxic, so it can be used safely as an alternative therapy or alongside conventional therapies.
• Ayurvedic physicians claim that their methods can also help stress-related, metabolic and chronic conditions.
• Ayurvedic medicine treats the majority of its patients using herbal mixtures, other organic food and substances that have been clinically tested and are now being scientifically validated.
• Ayurveda has been used to treat acne, allergies, asthma, anxiety, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds, colitis, constipation, depression, diabetes, flu, heart disease, hypertension, immune problems, inflammation, insomnia, nervous disorders, obesity, skin related disorders and ulcers.

• Ayurvedic herbs are extremely good to the overall healthy working of the human body.
• Ayurveda is not just only about treating diseases. Ayurveda is just about leading a healthy life in a physical, mental and divine level. The food items we eat, the air we breathe, the freshness of nature we experience, the fragrance we smell, the good sights we enjoy, all have potential medicinal values.

The benefits of Ayurveda are numerous and by adapting this lifestyle we can overcome illness and live life to the fullest !!

EFFECTS OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is based on the understanding that the universe is made up of five elements: Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Ether (space). These elements are represented in the human body by three “doshas” or energies. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. When any of the doshas accumulate in the body, or get out of balance, the body also loses its balance. Each individual has a distinct proportion of these three forces that shapes their nature, health, and well-being. In Ayurveda, each individual is considered one-of-a-kind, with a unique blueprint for health. Whenever the doshas become imbalanced, Ayurveda suggests specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to assist the individual in reducing the dosha that has become excessive

The herbs commonly used in the manufacture of Ayurvedic medicine are highly nutritive with lot of healing properties. Today, Ayurveda and its herbal treatment  is actively encouraged as an inexpensive alternative to drugs.

Ayurvedic medicines prepared from the medicines are said to have no side effects. Each herb is unique in its medicinal properties with a good aroma and flavour. It acts as a perfect mechanism in bringing a balanced harmony between the mind and spirit. When compared to other synthetic drugs ayurvedic herbal medicines do not cause any side effects. It works effectively fighting against various infections and diseases and thereby gaining quick recovery.

Ayurvedic science works for a good genetically determined characteristics of both the external and internal features rather than simply focusing on curing a disease. Ayurvedic herbal medicines calls for an internal harmony of various body parts as well as achieving body’s harmony with the surrounding nature and environment. They rejuvenate the whole system rather than the focus being concentrated towards a specific organ of the body.

Ayurvedic treatment mainly consists of essence of fruits, vegetables, spices and natural herbs which helps in curing diseases without having any side effects on the patient’s body. Though it is not the fastest treatment but surely the most effective one.

What effect do Ayurveda treatments have?

• more vitality
• increase of immune system
• prevention of diseases
• healthy sleep
• stimulation of the senses
• strengthening of organs
• regeneration of cells
• rejuvenation and slowdown of the ageing process
• achievement of inner harmony, peace and balance
• increase of optimism, self assurance and enjoying life.

Ayurveda aims at finding the root of a disease and then eradicating it completely from the patient. The philosophy of Ayurveda is to prevent human beings from unnecessary sufferings and to give them a long and healthy life. Ayurvedic treatment consists of natural herbs and is based on direct sense perception, logical inference and hearing from realized souls and saints.

What symptoms are relieved by undergoing Ayurveda treatments?

• burn-out
• high blood pressure
• heart/circulation problems
• allergies
• asthma
• rheumatism
• neurological diseases
• back pain
• skin diseases
• metabolic disorders
• migraine
• insomnia
• exposure through harmful substances

Ayurveda is well aware of the system of body and instead of suppressing it, it approaches directly to the origin and cures the disturbing element. This methodology minimizes the chances of side effects, giving the patient permanent relief from the disease. Ayurveda not only deals with the treatment but also teaches us the style of proper living i.e. a healthy and prosperous life.