|
|
|
An online Indian newspaper, the Hindustan Times, reported today about a 300 year old Banyan tree in New Dehli that is dying because of lack of care. The roads around the tree were widened and paved in 2010 for the Commonwealth Games, and the area around the tree was tiled, cutting off need aeration for the roots. Unfortunately, even as the matter is brought to the attention of authorities, the various government agencies are just pointing a finger and playing the blame game. The beauty and majesty of the Banyan tree comes from the sh ade and support that this wise old giant provides generations that come in its shade. It’s many parts hold healing value such that it is a part of many traditional remedies. And it is considered in the Indian culture as the tree of wisdom and the tree of life. It is because of this great heritage that Banyan Botanicals chose the name of the tree to represent the company–providing support and an energetic breath of life through Ayurveda and all it has to offer. And it is the same deep respect that the traditional culture of India had for the Banyan tree that the members of the Banyan team have for the plants that bring you healing in the form of your supplements. This is the reason we continuously work hard to find private farms, where we know that organic methods of farming are being followed, and where we know that the herbs are being harvested in a sustainable way, so as to support Mother Earth as she supports us. We know and respect plants as energetic beings, and we send our love and gratitude to this troubled Banyan tree in New Dehli.
This year, I was determined that the holidays were going to be a time of fun and renewal, but w ere not going to do me in from the feasting and overindulgence. Working from home makes it easier not to have so many tempting treats laying around. I even made a conscious effort to eat a healthy meal at home before going to any parties, so I could just taste rather than fill my belly. What I didn’t account for is the fatigue that comes from laughing and dancing away the night. It was great just hanging out with family and friends that I haven’t seen in months; throw in a couple of anniversary parties, including my own; an ice-skating field trip with my niece and 2 golden retrievers; and a catch-up marathon on movies, old and new. I definitely ended up doing something I haven’t done in a long time–stay up into the wee hours of the night for multiple nights in a row. And the week’s not over yet–there’s still New Year’s Eve to reckon with (again, just spending time with family and friends). So, with all the writing and educating I do on herbs, I thought I should take my own advice and support my system with a little Ashwagandha–and wow–what a help it has been! It’s like having a subtle friend with one hand on my back, just supporting me through my day, so my energy levels don’t feel sluggish and tired. (A little clear broth soup with rice vermicelli and veggies alternating with mung dal and rice has definitely added the necessary nutritional support.) Ayurvedic remedies are nice as part of a daily supplemental regimen, but its also great to experience their benefits first-hand when my routine has gotten a little out of hand.
 Photo by Zsuzsanna Kilian Let the feasting begin! As you are gearing up for family, friends, and fun over the next two weeks, food is no doubt an integral part of your planning. We love to show our love with rich, luxurious foods–creamy sauces, hearty breads, a few extra spoons of butter (or ghee, if you are so inclined), and, of course, all those delicious baked goodies. And lest we forget, then there are those irresistible drinkable delights–egg nog, pumpkin nog, any variety of nog, or even just a warm glass of milk to accompany Santa’s cookies. Ayurveda naturally sees these indulging treats as an expression of our love. “Sneha” refers to both oil and love. Oily substances (oil, butter, ghee) are what brings the heavy, grounding qualities to the comfort foods we love to eat and share.
Of course, overindulgence is an expression of our taste buds  . So, in addition to listening to that inner voice that tells you when you’ve had enough, what can you do to make things a little easier on your digestive system? How about throwing in some delicious winter spices that can support your digestion, and help avoid the aftermath of poor digestion, like gas, bloating, and indigestion. Your recipes may already call for some of these, but if not, consider adding a teaspoon here or there, and watch the flavors come to life!
- Cinnamon: This sweet and pungent spice is a holiday favorite, and goes well in savory or sweet dishes. Just look up cinnamon online to find all the wonderful ways it can support your health too.
- Cardamom: More traditionally an Indian spice, this little flavorful seed is finding its way around the world. If you’ve never tasted it, add just a pinch to your sweets to bring an exotic flavor. In India, the seeds are also chewed as a mouth freshener and post-meal digestive.
- Ginger: This spicy root can liven any meal by adding a pungent flavor that is tasty, but not so difficult on your mouth as that hot chili. Fresh ginger sautee’s nicely and is a bit milder; ginger powder, which is more heating, goes great in rubs and in sweets. Try some in your veggies, your meat, your soups, or your desserts.
- Turmeric: While this may not be a traditional holiday spice, the benefits it brings are just enormous. Why not introduce something so beneficial to the ones you love? Consider adding some recipes with an Asian flare to your holiday menu.
Hope this adds a little spice to your festivities!
It’s one week before Christmas, and I’m sure that you, like me, still have some last minute gifts to buy. Your near and dear loved ones deserve only the best, and you just haven’t been able  to find that perfect gift yet..at least, that’s my story. And then it occurs to me–why not give the gift of health? If I know that I’ve found so much benefit and support from my Ayurvedic regimen, what better gift is there to give the ones who bring joy and friendship to my life? So here are my top 5 reasons (and and some suggestions) to give a gift related to health:
1. A bottle of Triphala is the gift that keeps on giving. A clean bowel, antioxidant power, detoxing all the Christmas feasting…who wouldn’t appreciate these benefits in the new year?
2. A tongue cleaner may not be the sexiest gift, but it can certainly help your friend feel and look (and smell) sexier. Ring in 2012 with confidence.
3. All organic Chyavanprash–the delicious spicy and sweet Ayurvedic jam used traditionally to support the immune system, made with superfruit Amalaki. A healthy immune system always makes the winter and spring more enjoyable.
4. A starter pack–perfect for that vata, pitta, or kapha in your life that needs a little variety to get started on the road to health. Banyan has combined the essentials for each dosha type so you don’t have to do the thinking.
5. A bottle of Mahanarayan oil (perhaps even combined with a gift certificate to your favorite massage therapist). Wouldn’t that special someone in your life just love a relaxing massage to ease the tight muscles and melt away all their worries? And if you are so inclined, you could even do the honors for them–what a treat!
So what are you waiting for? No looking for a parking spot, no check out lines with last minute shoppers. Give your friends and family a healthy serving of well-being, and watch their new year shine even brighter.
I have spent the last two weeks dealing with the aftermath of my father-in-law’s sudden below the knee amputation of his left leg. Being a diabetic, he has had a non-healing wound for the last year, and he finally developed an infection in the bone that left no other choice. While the logistics have flowed smoothly, he has really struggled with the psychological impact. He is a 70 year old farmer that loves the freedom that comes with walking. He has relatively good physical strength, and has been able to fly through all the rehab exercises. And, having been accustomed to Ayurvedic herbs from his days in India, he already started himself on some Ashwagandha to support his strength, and Triphala to make sure that clogged bowels don’t weigh him down. (He has, in fact, always been fanatical about clean bowels.) But his roller coaster is not from the physical difficulties. It is the emotional blow from the loss of freedom that comes with walking. The hospital has done a great job of supporting him, even having other amputees come by to show him how functional they are with their prosthetic legs, offering support groups, etc. And it has really made me think about the things we take for granted each day. The ability to step solidly on the earth, from the minute we step out of bed in the morning, to the time our eyes finally close at night. Even washing his hands is a journey, as he must balance himself on his walker with one hand while he washes the other. It has really given me a moment to have renewed gratitude for the gifts that I have done nothing to receive, but have just been given to me…healthy legs to stand on, a deep breath to draw in life energy, and a propensity for laughter to face the world. More importantly, it’s given me the opportunity to look at what freedom means to me–and why it can’t be tied to anything that is not in my control. And so I also have a renewed sense of gratitude for the teachers that have graced my life with reflective teachings, so that I can strive towards a freedom rooted in essence, not in form. What are the things in your life that you took for granted today?
 Photo by A. Laczec This time of year is always hard for this pitta-kapha author who must make conscious efforts to maintain a healthy weight. Food becomes an intimate part of the holidays, as friendships are often celebrated with feasts. So when I ran across a summary of a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association describing the effects of snacking on weight loss, I was reminded of how universal Ayurvedic principles can be. The study found that snacking was a hindrance to weight loss, and the researchers propose that it is because of interval between eating times was too short. This makes complete sense if you think about the concept of Agni—the digestive fire. If you keep assaulting your digestive fire with continuous input, it is never going to function optimally! Even “healthy snacks” become unhealthy if the agni doesn’t have the strength to digest them. This is one of the core principles in an Ayurvedic approach to weight loss—be kind to your agni. It’s a tough tip to remember when the season calls for delicious baked goodies, meals loaded with all your favorite dishes, and treats around every corner. My other friend has become a regular exercise routine to not only use up the delicious calories I’ve consumed, but to also release the various happy juices that our body naturally produces to keep up the holiday cheer. And when my kapha needs a little herbal kick to keep it moving, I also look to the Ayurvedic herbs in Trim Support. So if your kapha shares my kapha’s tendency to accumulate during this season, just start with keeping a good daily routine, and make splurging a true treat rather than the norm during the holidays.
That’s right! We’ve started our very own blog to explore the wide world of health and well-being. As your host, my name is Premal, and I am here to serve you as Banyan’s Wellness Director. We hope this blog becomes a venue for a whole host of topics–from personal stories, to Ayurvedic and herbal tid-bits, to guest bloggers and interviews. Having studied both allopathic medicine (I am a Family Practice doc) and Ayurveda, I also appreciate that there are many tools that a person can use to heal themselves, and we’ll explore those as they come about in this journey. If you are new to Ayurveda, don’t worry–you’ll soon see how universally applicable the principles of Ayurveda are, and how much common sense can guide you in the right direction. So tune in regularly to see what’s new and what’s hot in the world of Banyan Botanicals.
|
ade and support that this wise old giant provides generations that come in its shade. It’s many parts hold healing value such that it is a part of many traditional remedies. And it is considered in the Indian culture as the tree of wisdom and the tree of life. It is because of this great heritage that Banyan Botanicals chose the name of the tree to represent the company–providing support and an energetic breath of life through Ayurveda and all it has to offer. And it is the same deep respect that the traditional culture of India had for the Banyan tree that the members of the Banyan team have for the plants that bring you healing in the form of your supplements. This is the reason we continuously work hard to find private farms, where we know that organic methods of farming are being followed, and where we know that the herbs are being harvested in a sustainable way, so as to support Mother Earth as she supports us. We know and respect plants as energetic beings, and we send our love and gratitude to this troubled Banyan tree in New Dehli.
