Ayurvedic Insight
Issue #18, March 2003
In This Issue
Spring Back into Health and Restore your Natural Balance
By Melissa A. Sfida
Many are delighted when the dark chill of winter transitions into
the lighter and warmer season of early spring. As the days begin to
lengthen, everything seems more alive. People, plants and places are
more vibrant, cheery and colorful. We are able to witness the season's
final snowfall and as it melts we can delight in the new growth and
blossoming life it has encouraged.
As this milder season approaches we hear more of the refreshing sound
of chirping birds and begin to see more budding flowers awaiting adequate
sunlight so they can attain their perfect moment to bloom. The dry,
cold winter air dissipates and gentler, warmer and moister air surrounds
us.
And although the junction of seasons sometimes inspires a sort of
natural magic, in Ayurveda, this time of changes is often one that
causes a rise in illnesses and imbalances. However, like the uninterrupted
flow of changing seasons, we can transition from winter to spring
with similar harmony. If you prepare now, you can enjoy perfect health
as this seasonal transition passes.
Below you will find some simple suggestions for achieving or maintaining
your natural state of balance:
- If you have packed on extra pounds while retreating to the solace
of a warm home and heavy, winter comfort foods, now is the time to
shed them. Adapt your diet to a lighter, less-caloric variation and
take on more activity. Walking is a perfect and safe way for almost
anyone to begin an exercise regimen. So put on weather-appropriate
gear and get started. If you have an exercise routine, lengthen it…
take the dog for a longer walk than usual, take the stairs rather
than the elevator, walk to a local playing field and watch the kids'
games. If nothing else, use the windy, spring season to go fly a kite.
- If you are feeling heavy or sluggish (mentally or physically) complete
a simple fast. Fasting allows your body to cleanse so that it is able
to work most efficiently. If you have a sturdy constitution you can
fast for one day per week with vegetable or fruit juice and/or water.
If you have a pre-existing health condition or a history of eating
disorder it is probably best for you to consult a health practitioner
or nutritionist prior to beginning.
- Take Triphala herbal tablets to promote gentle detoxification and
regular bowel movements. Triphala is safe, nonhabit-forming and effective
for daily use.
- Think of the spring as a time for letting go of all the layers;
physical, mental and emotional. Just as you rid your closet of unnecessary
winter clothes, it is ideal to clear away dull or dark feelings that
an introspective winter may have evoked. To work on this, try an extended
retreat, such as a meditation weekend or yoga workshop. This is likely
to foster an internal environment that allows for more thorough digestion
of your thoughts, feelings and foods. Complete digestion is absolutely
crucial to optimum health.
- Treat yourself to the Ayurvedic cleansing and rejuvenation regimen
of pancha karma. Pancha karma has been used for centuries to strengthen
immunity, reduce stress, slow the aging process and detoxify the body.
More and more Ayurvedic practitioners are making pancha karma available
to you. Dr. Marc Halpern, of the California School of Ayurveda, explains
the process in an article below.
- Take the time to determine how you may be out of balance. Chances
are that if you are feeling dull, lethargic, heavy and/or becoming
ill, you have an imbalance that can be helped with herbal products,
yoga postures, diet modifications and/or massage techniques. Log on
to our website at www.banyanbotanicals.com
and use the scroll down menu on our homepage to get more information
on how to determine and remedy your imbalances by taking a simple,
free quiz.
As always, our hope is that you stay balanced and healthy with Banyan
Botanicals. Enjoy this season of rebirth, fertility and abundance
and feel free to contact us with questions regarding our products
and service.
" To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise we shall
not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."
-- Buddha
Pancha Karma - The Ayurvedic Science of Detoxification
and Rejuvenation
By Dr. Marc Halpern
Viewing disease as the natural result of living out of harmony with
our environment, Ayurveda emphasizes reestablishing harmony and balance
as the means of recreating a state of optimal health in our bodies
and minds. While Ayurvedic methods utilize many therapies - including
herbs, diet, aromatherapy, color therapy, mantras, yoga, meditation
and general lifestyle counseling, the most profound of all treatments
is that of Pancha Karma.
Pancha Karma is the traditional form of detoxification of the body
and mind that facilitates rejuvenation. It has been utilized for thousands
of years as a method of staying healthy, young, and vital.
According to Dr. Deepak Chopra M.D., "The value of Pancha Karma
is that it offers systematic treatment for dislodging and flushing
toxins from every cell, using the same organs of elimination that
the body naturally employs -- sweat glands, blood vessels, the urinary
tract and the intestines."
Pancha Karma is unlike any other detoxification program because it
is fundamentally designed to remove a different form of toxin. While
many toxins exist in our environment, which accumulate and harm our
bodies, Ayurvedic Pancha Karma addresses a special toxin called ama,
which is formed within our own bodies.
Ama is the by-product of inadequate digestion. It has the qualities
of stickiness and heaviness. In our bodies it clogs our systems and
damages our tissues. It is among the most damaging of forces in our
bodies and a major contributor to disease.
Here is an analogy to help you understand how ama is formed. Imagine
that there is a fire inside your stomach. Think of a campfire. If
the fire is weak, it cannot burn up the wood put on it. Instead, the
wood smolders and begins to smoke. In the end, charred bits are left
and the wood is not efficiently turned into ash.
Poor digestive fire, or digestive strength, leads to food being improperly
digested. This results in gas, bloating, burning indigestion, or constipation.
In addition, a residue of this poorly digested food accumulates in
your digestive tract and overflows into your bodily systems. This
residue is called ama.
Ayurveda links the occurrence of ama in the body and a weak digestive
system to the cause of such chronic conditions such as candida, chronic
fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, chronic respiratory disease
and many other conditions. The process of Pancha Karma removes ama
and clears the way for the body to re-establish an internal state
of balance and harmony.
Ama may be present in the body if there is a coating on the tongue.
A normal tongue appears pink throughout, but as ama accumulates in
the digestive system, the tongue may appear with a white, yellow,
green or gray film over it. In addition, in some cases the body and
breath develop a strong odor and the stool becomes dense and sinks
to the bottom of the toilet. (According to Ayurveda, the normal stool
should float). If you have any of these signs, Pancha Karma treatment
may be indicated.
The Process of Pancha Karma
Pancha Karma therapy begins with proper preparation. This includes
several days or weeks of a special diet and herbs, which begin the
process of loosening up the ama and bringing it back to the digestive
system for elimination. While the person is eating special foods and
taking special herbs, oil and heat therapies are applied. These include
the deeply relaxing therapies of Shirodhara, Ayurvedic massage, and
Swedana.
Shirodhara is a unique therapy where the client lies down upon a
massage table with their eyes covered. Then, an individually prepared
warm herbal oil is poured in a thin steady stream through a spigot
directly onto the forehead and sixth chakra. This blissful therapy
purifies the mind, alleviates anxiety, reduces headaches, and expands
awareness. Shirodhara can be administered by itself or as part of
a Pancha Karma regimen.
During Ayurvedic massage two practitioners perform a choreographed
hand dance upon the body. Using oils blended with special herbs, this
form of massage specifically loosens up the ama stored in the tissues
so that it can move back to the digestive system. Not only is it cleansing,
but also deeply relaxing. Ayurvedic massage can be administered by
itself or as a part of Pancha Karma.
Swedana is a full-body steam therapy. Special herbs are fused into
the steam and together the heat and herbs dilate the channel systems
of the body allowing the stored ama to move back into the digestive
system.
Once all of the ama is back in the digestive system, the next phase
is to eliminate it from the body. This is achieved by the administration
of a purgative to cleanse the small intestine and herbal enemas to
cleanse the colon. In addition, nasya, a form of cleansing that involves
the application of oil and heat over the sinuses, is completed to
cleanse the sinuses. Herbal oils are administered directly into the
nasal passages. This procedure not only eliminates ama but is also
helpful in the treatment of chronic allergic sinusitis and sinus headaches.
Rejuvenation
With the body clear of toxins and ama, it is much like it has been
given a new, clean slate. Now the internal energy of the body can
be rebuilt. The rebuilding process strengthens the digestive system
and the immune system and entails taking additional special foods
and herbs. These herbs are designed to enhance the strength of immune
system and are revered for extending life.
The end result of Pancha Karma is an optimally functioning digestive
system and renewed internal energy. After receiving Pancha Karma the
mind is light and clear, the body is pure and the energy is high.
For many it is a life-changing experience.
Dr. David Frawley, renowned Vedic scholar says in his book, Ayurveda
and the Mind, "Pancha Karma is the main Ayurvedic method for
physical purification. It is useful for physical problems caused by
excesses of the three doshas. Yet it can also be helpful for psychological
problems caused by internal factors, emotions and karma."
Pancha Karma is traditionally used in the healing of many diseases.
It is an intensive therapy best performed at a time when the patient
has adequate time to rest. Brief Pancha Karma programs last 7 days.
This is followed by a period of rejuvenation, which can be done at
home. Extensive programs can be designed for up to one month.
Dr. Marc Halpern is founder and director of the California College
of Ayurveda. He is also a founding director of the both the California
Association of Ayurvedic Medicine and the National Ayurvedic Medical
Association. The California College of Ayurveda offers both full and
part time clinical training leading to certification as a Clinical
Ayurvedic Specialist. To receive a catalog or reach Dr. Halpern and
the California College of Ayurveda email to: info@ayurvedacollege.com
or call 530.274.9100. Visit their web site at www.ayurvedacollege.com.
Recipe: Basic Warming Kitchari
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup basmati rice
- 1/4 cup split mung beans
- 6 cups water
- 1 tbsp ghee (if you don't have ghee use butter)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/8 tsp hing (asafoetida)
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 3/4 tsp cardamom seeds
- 1 tsp black pepper corns
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 more tbsp ghee
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 small onion; chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2-4 cups fresh vegetables (greens, spinach, kale, zucchini)
- 2 more cups water (as needed)
Wash the rice and split mung until the rinse water is clear. Warm
a tablespoon of ghee in a medium saucepan and add the whole cumin
seeds and hing. Lightly brown them. Add the rice, mung and water and
bring to boil. Cook for about 45 minutes.
Warm the last two tablespoons of ghee in a small skillet. Add the
coriander, cardamom, peppercorns and bay leaf and saute for 2 to 3
minutes. Then stir in the rest of the spices and the onion (and garlic,
if you use it). Put the sautéed spices in the blender with
a little (1/2 cup or less) water and grind well. Pour the spice mixture
into the rice and mung. Rinse out the blender with the last two cups
of water and add it to the kitchari as well. Add the vegetables. Cook
for 20 minutes or more.
This healing brew is also good for stimulating digestion and circulation.
Recipe reprinted with permission from The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadea
Morningstar with Urmila Desai, Lotus Press, P.O. Box 325, Twin Lakes,
WI 53181. All Rights Reserved.
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