A·yur·ve·da
noun [äyərˈvādə,-ˈvēdə]
Ayurveda: the traditional Hindu system of medicine, which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing.
The Basics
Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words, “veda” meaning study, and “ayur”, which means life. So literally “ayurveda” means the study of life. The science of Ayurveda has been studied and practiced for millennia. Ayurveda is a holistic form of medicine that considers diet, lifestyle, and mindset all as integral parts of your health. It is based on the idea that we each have a unique constitution, or prakriti, from birth, and that constitution is influenced by our lifestyle, diet, emotions, and environmental factors.
Ayurvedic techniques aim to help balance each individual’s unique constitution. Ayurveda is not a “one size fits all” form of medicine; rather, what may be balancing and healthful for one person may cause illness in another. In Ayurveda, all things are considered to be made of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. These five elements are the basis of the three doshas, which are important elements of one’s constitution. Here are some of the main characteristics of each dosha:
What is your Dosha? Take the Quiz
Vata
Vata is the dosha of movement; it is comprised primarily of air and space. Vata is seated in the colon and governs the movement of the pitta and kapha doshas. Those with a predominantly vata constitution tend to be creative, active, quick-thinking, and restless. When vata individuals are off balance, they may become nervous and anxious. They are prone to diseases such as arthritis, digestive issues, and insomnia. Today’s hectic, multi-tasking lifestyle tends to create vata imbalances. In order to keep the vata dosha harmonious, it’s very important to maintain calm and routine, practice mindfulness and meditation, and get sufficient rest. Soothing, nourishing, well-cooked foods also help to balance vata, as do nourishing oils, such as ghee (clarified butter).
Pitta
Pitta is known as the fire dosha and is responsible for digestion and transformation. Comprised of fire and water, pitta is the force responsible for breaking things down into digestible components. Individuals with a predominantly pitta constitution tend to have good digestion, an athletic build and a strong metabolism. They also tend to be sharp-witted and good decision makers. Pitta is strongest in the summer. When the pitta dosha is exacerbated, it can lead to problems like excess stomach acid, anger, bleeding disorders, and skin rashes. Pitta is exacerbated by eating hot and spicy food, excessive sour, salty, and fried foods, and holding onto aggression or anger. Pittas can maintain balance by following an appropriate diet and taking measures to “cool off” on a daily basis, by taking walks in nature, practicing restorative yoga, and avoiding unnecessary time pressures.
Kapha
Kapha is comprised of earth and water and represents stability. The qualities of the kapha dosha are cold, immobile, moist, heavy, soft, and cloudy. Individuals with a predominantly kapha constitution tend to be steadfast, reliable and slow to anger. They have a strong constitution with lustrous skin and hair and a large build. When out of balance they can gain weight easily and are prone to swelling, congestion, and excess mucous. Kapha individuals can maintain balance by eating light foods and avoiding sweet and oily foods, which exacerbate kapha. Regular exercise also helps to balance kapha. Kaphas do best rising early in the morning and avoiding sleeping in late.
Everyone has a combination of these three doshas in their constitution to varying degrees. By staying alert to potential imbalances in the doshas, we can work toward a longer, more balanced and healthier lifestyle. Yoga asanas also help to balance the doshas. Learn more about yoga asanas and how they can help you stay healthy and energetic here.
Controlling Asthma
In the United States, nearly 20 million adults and 7 million children suffer from asthma, accounting for over 14 million doctor visits and nearly 2 million emergency department visits.
Asthma is a serious respiratory disease, resulting in more than 3000 deaths each year. While it’s very important to be under the supervision of a health professional if you suffer from asthma, there are also a number of positive steps you can take to naturally improve asthma symptoms:
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Improve indoor air qualityIrritants and allergy triggers in your home are a common culprit for triggering or worsening asthma symptoms. Ideally, humidity levels in your home should be under 50% to help control the growth of mold and dust mites. Carpet is a common source of dust, dust mites, and mold and ideally should be eliminated from your home, if possible. If not, be sure to vacuum weekly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner. It may be necessary to wear a mask while vacuuming to avoid an asthma attack. Also eliminate toxic cleaning chemicals, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and air fresheners. These products contain harsh chemicals that contribute to inflammation in your airways. Also consider using a shower filter, as the chlorine byproducts in chlorinated water are significant respiratory irritants.
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Make your bedroom an asthma-free refugeWe spend around a third of our lives in bed and quality rest is essential for your well being. Keep your bedroom clean and uncluttered to avoid dust and other asthma triggers. A high quality HEPA air filter can help get rid of microscopic allergy triggers that you can’t see. Look for allergy covers for your mattress, box spring, and pillows, but be sure to avoid vinyl or other materials that outgas lung-irritating chemicals. Washing your bedding weekly in hot water and drying on a high temperature in the dryer helps kill pesky asthma-triggering pests like dust mites and mold.
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Make healthy dietary choicesThe foods you eat play an important role in controlling inflammation. During an asthma attack, the lung pathways became inflamed, making it difficult to take in enough air. Eating foods that help reduce inflammation in the body will also help control asthma. Opt for a plant-based diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds as well as legumes with a limited amount of dairy and healthy fats, such as olive oil. Avoid processed foods, excess sweeteners, refined vegetable oils, and meat. Flax oil is helpful for controlling inflammation and vitamin C has been found to help reduce asthma symptoms.
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Identify and avoid asthma triggersIt can take a little sleuthing, but being aware of common asthma triggers can go a long way towards getting asthma symptoms under control. Smoke, dust, incense, and fragrances can all contribute to an asthma attack. Stress can also be a contributing factor. Pay attention to the circumstances surrounding your asthma attacks and see if there is a common thread that can be adjusted or avoided.
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Use complementary medicine. Complementary medicine, such as acupuncture, herbs, and nutritional supplements can be helpful to boost the immune system and reduce the inflammation response that is integral to asthma. Treatments can take some time to have effects, so give each treatment a chance before deciding whether it’s helping your symptoms or not.