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Ayurvedic Insight
February 2007
In This Issue
Beat the Winter Blues Away With Ayurveda
Depression can sometimes seem like falling into a deep well from which there is no recovery. This condition can range in intensity from mild, such as feeling the effects of less sunshine during the shorter winter days, to suicidal. It can also be a symptom of another disease. Because depression is a serious condition, a person should seek a doctor’s advice and supervision. In intense cases of depression, in addition to a doctor’s prescription, Ayurvedic treatment should be followed as a complementary medicine. The physician can help determine if the Ayurvedic treatment has reduced or eliminated the need for stronger medication. In milder cases of depression, an Ayurvedic treatment may be sufficient to restore balance.
In Ayurveda, the body, mind and consciousness are one. When the three doshas of vata, principle of air and ether, pitta, principle of fire and water, and kapha, water and earth, are not in harmony within the body, imbalance can lead to disease. Each of the doshas accumulates in a different site of the digestive tract. Vata accumulates in the colon, pitta in the intestines and kapha in the stomach. When the excess dosha leaves the digestive tract and enters the nervous system, it can affect the brain in a way that blocks or distorts sensory experience and perspective, manifesting as depression. Because each dosha has different qualities, there are three basic types of depression determined by which dosha is in excess.
Vata type depression is characterized by insomnia, fear and anxiety. A person can be very isolated and in extreme cases may feel paranoid.
Pitta type depression is usually exhibited by people who are goal-oriented, driven and always intensely pushing themselves to achieve. It is characterized by anger and irritability. Addiction to drugs or alcohol and other self-destructive behavior is quite common. SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is mostly pitta related. Fear of failure is a common quality.
Kapha type depression is when there is a lack of stimulus. A person will be apathetic and lethargic. It is common for the depression to be linked to obesity. The person may be prone to overeating and excessive sleeping. The person feels unmotivated and there is a dullness and heaviness to the body. This type can also be affected by the lack of sunlight and the many cloudy winter days.
There can also be combinations of these types, which generally add to the seriousness of the condition.
Diet
Depending on the type of depression, a diet pacifying the effected dosha should be followed. Diet is the primary way to begin to reduce excess dosha and restore balance to the body. For information on vata-pacifying diet please click here http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_vata.html
pitta-pacifying diet please click here http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_pitta.html
kapha-pacifying diet please click here http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_kapha.html
Lifestyle
The vata person should strive for calm, peaceful environments. Stay warm and take lots of rest. Massaging the head and soles of the feet with sesame oil before bed will be extremely beneficial to the nervous system. Spend more time with people to avoid loneliness.
The pitta person will benefit from short meditations to clear the mind. Take a walk in the afternoon to increase exposure to daylight. Massage the head and soles of the feet with coconut or sunflower oil before bed.
A kapha type must include a vigorous and regular exercise routine. Try jogging, hiking, biking, walking briskly, vigorously practicing yoga or other exercise at least 5 days a week. Stimulate both the mind and body daily. Create an energizing and stimulating atmosphere. Kapha types can also greatly benefit from sipping ginger tea two times a day.
Herbs
Vata types should consider Tranquil Mind to help calm the mind and get a good night’s sleep.
Pitta types should consider Stress Ease and Mental Clarity for stress reduction and clarity of mind.
Kapha types should consider Mental Clarity to help with the heavy mood and to clear the head. If there is excess weight, try Trikatu and Trim Support.
All doshas can benefit from taking Triphala to support elimination of excess dosha and gently cleanse the colon.
Nasya oil can also help to increase awareness and improve mental clarity for all three doshic types.
Yoga
Vata types should practice yoga in a warm place free of drafts. Bring the qualities of safety and security to the practice. They will do best to practice only restorative postures such as supported Child’s pose.
Pitta types should remember to bring qualities of softness to their practice. They must be careful not to judge, quieting their inner critic. Twists help to release and massage liver and spleen. Boat and Warrior asanas can help boost low self-esteem.
Kapha types should practice yoga more rigorously. Their goal should be to warm and energize the body. Sun Salutations or any flow type sequence to raise the heart rate is most effective. Raising the arms overhead in Palm asana brings energy up, helping to elevate the mood.
For more information on yoga for vata, pitta and kapha please visit http://banyanbotanicals.com/yoga/
Meditation
Meditation can help to enhance clarity of the mind. Sit for meditation knowing there is nothing to achieve, no end goal. In the condition of depression, thoughts are heavy, limiting and negative. Clearing your mind of thought is a chance to break from the debilitating cycle, raise your consciousness and lighten your load. By remaining present and clearing your consciousness, you are saying "yes" to life.
Pranayama
Emphasize exhalation. Try gently breathing in through the nostrils deep into the belly while mentally counting. Then, exhale and see if you can draw the breath out longer without forcing, to twice the count of the inhalation.
All you need is to keep quietly alert, enquiring into the real nature of yourself. This is the only way to peace.
- Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Ayurvedic Recipe: Cashew Cream Cauliflower
- Beat the Winter Blues with Ayurveda
- Ayurvedic Recipe: Cashew Cream Cauliflower
Beat the Winter Blues Away With Ayurveda
Depression can sometimes seem like falling into a deep well from which there is no recovery. This condition can range in intensity from mild, such as feeling the effects of less sunshine during the shorter winter days, to suicidal. It can also be a symptom of another disease. Because depression is a serious condition, a person should seek a doctor’s advice and supervision. In intense cases of depression, in addition to a doctor’s prescription, Ayurvedic treatment should be followed as a complementary medicine. The physician can help determine if the Ayurvedic treatment has reduced or eliminated the need for stronger medication. In milder cases of depression, an Ayurvedic treatment may be sufficient to restore balance.
In Ayurveda, the body, mind and consciousness are one. When the three doshas of vata, principle of air and ether, pitta, principle of fire and water, and kapha, water and earth, are not in harmony within the body, imbalance can lead to disease. Each of the doshas accumulates in a different site of the digestive tract. Vata accumulates in the colon, pitta in the intestines and kapha in the stomach. When the excess dosha leaves the digestive tract and enters the nervous system, it can affect the brain in a way that blocks or distorts sensory experience and perspective, manifesting as depression. Because each dosha has different qualities, there are three basic types of depression determined by which dosha is in excess.
Vata type depression is characterized by insomnia, fear and anxiety. A person can be very isolated and in extreme cases may feel paranoid.
Pitta type depression is usually exhibited by people who are goal-oriented, driven and always intensely pushing themselves to achieve. It is characterized by anger and irritability. Addiction to drugs or alcohol and other self-destructive behavior is quite common. SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is mostly pitta related. Fear of failure is a common quality.
Kapha type depression is when there is a lack of stimulus. A person will be apathetic and lethargic. It is common for the depression to be linked to obesity. The person may be prone to overeating and excessive sleeping. The person feels unmotivated and there is a dullness and heaviness to the body. This type can also be affected by the lack of sunlight and the many cloudy winter days.
There can also be combinations of these types, which generally add to the seriousness of the condition.
Diet
Depending on the type of depression, a diet pacifying the effected dosha should be followed. Diet is the primary way to begin to reduce excess dosha and restore balance to the body. For information on vata-pacifying diet please click here http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_vata.html
pitta-pacifying diet please click here http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_pitta.html
kapha-pacifying diet please click here http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_kapha.html
Lifestyle
The vata person should strive for calm, peaceful environments. Stay warm and take lots of rest. Massaging the head and soles of the feet with sesame oil before bed will be extremely beneficial to the nervous system. Spend more time with people to avoid loneliness.
The pitta person will benefit from short meditations to clear the mind. Take a walk in the afternoon to increase exposure to daylight. Massage the head and soles of the feet with coconut or sunflower oil before bed.
A kapha type must include a vigorous and regular exercise routine. Try jogging, hiking, biking, walking briskly, vigorously practicing yoga or other exercise at least 5 days a week. Stimulate both the mind and body daily. Create an energizing and stimulating atmosphere. Kapha types can also greatly benefit from sipping ginger tea two times a day.
Herbs
Vata types should consider Tranquil Mind to help calm the mind and get a good night’s sleep.
Pitta types should consider Stress Ease and Mental Clarity for stress reduction and clarity of mind.
Kapha types should consider Mental Clarity to help with the heavy mood and to clear the head. If there is excess weight, try Trikatu and Trim Support.
All doshas can benefit from taking Triphala to support elimination of excess dosha and gently cleanse the colon.
Nasya oil can also help to increase awareness and improve mental clarity for all three doshic types.
Yoga
Vata types should practice yoga in a warm place free of drafts. Bring the qualities of safety and security to the practice. They will do best to practice only restorative postures such as supported Child’s pose.
Pitta types should remember to bring qualities of softness to their practice. They must be careful not to judge, quieting their inner critic. Twists help to release and massage liver and spleen. Boat and Warrior asanas can help boost low self-esteem.
Kapha types should practice yoga more rigorously. Their goal should be to warm and energize the body. Sun Salutations or any flow type sequence to raise the heart rate is most effective. Raising the arms overhead in Palm asana brings energy up, helping to elevate the mood.
For more information on yoga for vata, pitta and kapha please visit http://banyanbotanicals.com/yoga/
Meditation
Meditation can help to enhance clarity of the mind. Sit for meditation knowing there is nothing to achieve, no end goal. In the condition of depression, thoughts are heavy, limiting and negative. Clearing your mind of thought is a chance to break from the debilitating cycle, raise your consciousness and lighten your load. By remaining present and clearing your consciousness, you are saying "yes" to life.
Pranayama
Emphasize exhalation. Try gently breathing in through the nostrils deep into the belly while mentally counting. Then, exhale and see if you can draw the breath out longer without forcing, to twice the count of the inhalation.
All you need is to keep quietly alert, enquiring into the real nature of yourself. This is the only way to peace.
- Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Ayurvedic Recipe: Cashew Cream Cauliflower
1 medium head of fresh cauliflower
1 c. water
1/2 t. ground coriander
1/2 t. rock salt
1 c. raw cashews
Wash the cauliflower. Add the water to a large saucepan and steam. Cover and let cook over medium heat until soft, about 15-20 minutes. In a blender or food processor, grind finely the coriander, salt and cashews. When the cauliflower is done, pour 1/2 cup of the cooking water into the blender with the ground nuts and blend until smooth. More hot water can be added as needed, until you reach the desired consistency. Serve the cauliflower whole in a serving dish with the cashew cream poured over it. Cut into wedges and serve.
Recipe reprinted with permission from The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadea Morningstar, Lotus Press, P.O. Box 325, Twin Lakes, WI 53181.(c)1995 All Rights Reserved.
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