Ayurvedic Insight

December 2007

Publisher: Banyan Botanicals
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com

In This Issue

• Vata Rejuvenation
• Ayurvedic Recipe: Hot Potato Salad
• Upcoming Events

Vata Rejuvenation
by Shannon Mooney

Many of us equate rejuvenation with looking and feeling younger. Ayurveda describes the holistic process of rejuvenation as exactly that - practices and therapies that will sustain the healthy function of your body and mind, fortify the immune system, and, according to the ancient Ayurvedic text, Charaka, add years to your life!

The Sanskrit word for rejuvenation is rasayana, which literally translates as, "the path of juice". This "juice" can be understood as a substance or essence which is produced through proper physical and mental digestion to renew cells and build the tissues in the body with the ultimate goal of longevity.

Some benefits of rasayana are:

improved digestion
strong body
improved mental ability, including memory
increased energy
strong immune function
improved complexion and voice
calm, happy demeanor

An Ayurvedic program of rejuvenation requires a certain level of commitment to a healthy life and learning to live in accordance with the cycles and rhythms of nature. A basic understanding of Ayurveda including familiarity with the doshas and how they relate to your individual constitution or prakriti is necessary in order to determine, through self-evaluation, if you are in a reasonably balanced state of health. For example, if you are vata predominant and experiencing the cold, dry season of vata, are you staying warm and following a vata pacifying diet?

Rasayana is best suited for a variety of individuals: those recovering from vata-type diseases, those in the vata time of life, after the age of fifty when vata dosha predominates, or individuals who simply want to take their health and well being to the next level. Rejuvenation therapy is used to help prevent disease and promote a long, healthy life.

Learning how to balance vata through diet, by eating wholesome, nourishing foods, may be a good first step for most people. In addition to dietary choices, Ayurveda believes that healthful habits and a daily routine are an integral part of establishing health and beginning a rejuvenation program. Vata types lead quick and sometimes very irregular lifestyles, so cultivating a sense of stability will help to bring this dosha into balance.

Be sure to get plenty of rest. Go to bed at a regular time each night, preferably before 10pm.
Give yourself plenty of time to complete tasks. Many vatas rush around with a very long to-do list and no time to do it.
Take meals consisting of warm, moist food at regular times each day.
Limit bitter, cold and raw foods which aggravate vata.
Limit alcohol and caffeinated substances which are detrimental to the nervous system.
Engage in light to moderate exercise like walking, yoga or Tai Chi.
Minimize travel.
For more information on how to balance vata dosha, click http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_vata.html

A precursory step in preparation for rejuvenation is purification through Panchakarma, the five cleansing actions of Ayurveda. It is important to detoxify the body before rebuilding can begin. Dr. Lad recommends a mild home panchakarma program in his book The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies. These practices aim to remove waste, toxins and accumulated doshas (when one or more doshas is in excess) so that the body is more receptive to rasayana therapy.

During the entire process of both cleansing and rejuvenation, it is best to get plenty of rest. Sleep is the time when the body repairs and renews itself, restoring vital energy. When bringing balance to vata dosha, going to bed early and getting sound sleep is paramount. Take time to unwind and relax in preparation for bed. Taking a warm bath or sipping a cup of warm milk can be a soothing part of your evening ritual. If sleep is consistently disturbed due to restlessness, Banyan's herbal formula, Sound Sleep, can help calm nerves, release tension and promote deep, restful sleep.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha may be the single most important herb to balance and rejuvenate vata within the body. Ashwagandha is a powerful rasayana and adaptogenic tonic that enhances the body’s resistance to stress, strengthens immune response and maintains homeostasis which prevents early aging. Traditionally in Ayurveda, it is prescribed for emaciation, weakness and debility. It is anabolic in nature and nourishing to the musculoskeletal system, improving quality and tone of the tissues. It helps produce ojas, the vital essence that nourishes reproductive health and governs immune function.

This herb also has a rejuvenative effect on the mind. Ashwagandha improves focus and concentration. It promotes a calm mind, lessens anxiety and encourages restful sleep. Traditionally, it has also been used to treat senility and enhance memory. It is thought to help balance brain chemistry, which may boost productivity, increase motivation and improve moods. Either taken in herbal tablet form or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of herbal powder in hot milk twice a day, it is the perfect herb for rejuvenating vata and promoting optimal health and vitality.

Another powerful rasayana for vata is sesame oil. Doing warm oil massage enhances blood circulation stimulates internal organs, promotes sound sleep, nourishes and soothes the skin, and can significantly reduce vata. Vata Massage Oil is specially formulated with herbs such as ashwagandha and bala to rejuvenate and strengthen the body while passion flower helps to calm the body. For more information on abhyanga, please visit http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/ayurveda/abhyanga.html

During rejuvenation, Ayurveda supports following an ethical regime in order to bring about a tranquil mind free of negative thoughts. This is similar to the yamas and niyamas practiced in yoga. Yamas are the ten ethical rules or guildelines to be followed by a yoga practitioner, while the niyamas are ten observances of self-discipline. Simple practices, such as always speaking the truth, forgiveness, non-violence and control of sexual desires, conserve energy by focusing inward. Energy, otherwise expended, can then be used to strengthen the mind's function and cultivate contentment. Meditation can be the most useful tool for this purpose. Take the time to sit and meditate daily to relieve stress and mental conflict.

Whether you are in the beginning stages of learning to manage vata dosha in the body, taking prerequisite steps of detoxification, or fully ready to begin rejuvenating vata within your body and mind, remember that it takes patience and perseverance. Consistency is key and real change can be slow, but Ayurveda offers all the tools you need to live a healthy, juicy life in harmony with the universe.

"We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery."

- H.G. Wells

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