Immunity according to Ayurveda

By -Vaidya (Dr) Mahesh Sabade

Immunity as per Ayurveda’s principles is a comprehensive term. It can be primarily seen as the disease resistance capacity. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the word immunity has gained importance and so here are the methods that can help improve immunity.

Immunity can be enhanced with some healthy measures, though it’s not a quick action. However, by refraining from certain unhealthy activities, one can surely maintain immunity.

To begin with, it is important to understand what Ayurveda understands by immunity – Let me tell you that Ayurveda is a system that was developed thousands of years ago and for the same reason, Ayurveda has its own terminology and ways to understanding the human body. It is a completely different paradigm based on ancient Indian scientific prowess such as Veda.

According to Ayurveda, there are a few factors that play a major role in building immunity and they are dosha (loosely translated as biological humour), dhatu (tissues), mala (wastes) and your mind. Dosha (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) is a concept that helps in performing all the bodily functions but, any imbalance in dosha would lead to disruption in the body physiology by afflicting the healthy tissues. Our lifestyle, diet and behaviour have a strong influence on dosha. By following a healthy pattern of lifestyle, one can keep these doshas under control and help in keeping the diseases away.

Similar to dosha, there are tissues inside the body that actively play an important role in body physiology. They are blood, muscles, fat, bones, nervous tissue etc. Their proper health and subsequently impeccable performance are other factors that can help in keeping diseases away. Their proper replenishment and healing of their weaknesses if any, becomes a crucial step in building immunity.

Along the same lines, mala or the wastes (faeces, urine and sweat) have to be channelized in the healthiest manner. This is dependent on the health status of dosha, dhatu and most importantly, your digestive capacity and metabolism. That is the reason why having healthy digestion is so important in building immunity.

Ayurveda is a system that strongly believes that the body and the mind are well interconnected and either of them can have an impact on the other. Keeping this principle in mind, it is equally important to have a healthy state of mind and a balanced state of senses so as to keep doing healthy actions; following a healthy lifestyle; staying away from vices/ addictions etc.

In congruence with the above principles, we can inculcate following habits in our lifestyle and that can help us in building immunity in a healthier way.

Correcting the imbalances or sub-clinical conditions that one already has is necessary and on top of that building strength in tissues is very helpful.

For supporting and enhancing immunity –

Staying up at night and getting up late in the morning can have a disruptive effect and creates an imbalance in dosha. It is conducive to health to rise with the Sun or at least as early as possible.

Staying away from spicy, pungent, hot food, controlling the consumption of alcohol, and staying away from food that can aggravate Kapha dosha such as yogurt (not all dairy), black gram etc. are supportive. Along the same lines, cold food, cold beverages in excessive quantity, ice creams etc. can aggravate Kapha in the body.

The use of ghee, milk, nuts, black raisins, and wheat as per the digestive capacity can be helpful to build strength in tissues.

Regular physical activity and primarily Yoga will be a great support for the body as well as the mind. From an ayurvedic point of view, Surya-Namaskar can be a great way to build immunity by supporting the metabolism and alleviation of dosha (in an aggravated state and can be equated to toxins) from the body.

All the supportive measures that we incorporate into our lifestyle, should ensure their proper digestion. This can be assessed by observing the tongue. A clear tongue indicates healthy digestion. In support of digestion, either fresh or dry ginger can be used with a spoonful of honey. The quantity can be one-fourth of a teaspoon per day.

In the common spices, turmeric is a great source of health. It can be part of your diet in cooking or can be taken with milk. Ayurveda does not recommend having black pepper with turmeric as both the spices possess opposite actions. The use of cardamom, fennel seeds, and coriander seeds in moderation can be supportive in keeping the inner environment healthy and thus maintaining and building immunity.

As a part of ayurvedic formulations, Chyavanprash is a brilliant support to maintain health and building immunity. It can be consumed on a daily basis roughly 1 to 3 teaspoons once a day. These ayurvedic formulations that help in building immunity are termed Rasayana.

Concerns about immunity –

Overactive immunity is a big concern as it may lead to auto-immune disorders. It is important to understand that such conditions are specific pathogeneses and not created just by replenishing the tissues. Such conditions should not get triggered with ayurvedic immunity-building herbs/food items (Rasayana).

The ayurvedic approach to treatment in most conditions is ‘Srotoniyaman’. This is a Sanskrit term which means regulation of a particular channel/organ/system.

The use of ayurvedic immunity-building herbs/measures has not shown any kind of adverse reaction as they are immune modulators in their actions. Chyavanprash, Haritaki, and other/similar dietary supports are excellent examples that are recommended to have throughout the year.

Thank you.

Vaidya (Dr) Mahesh Sabade

MD Ayurveda

Pune, India

mahesh.sabade@gmail.com

www.mindbodysoul.in

www.tanman.co.in

Ayurveda ‘interview article’ by Editor Ayesha Singh in Morning Standard

Article with Ayesha Singh of The Morning Standard. Published on 14.09.2019

Stay fit in Autumn / Sharad Rutu – Article in Hindi

शरद ऋतु में कैसे रहे स्वस्थ?

इस वर्ष वापसी की लंबी चली बारिश आखिरकार रुक गई है. अब मौसम में हलकी सी गरमाहट महसूस की जा रही है. इस गरमाहट के मौसम के बाद पूरी सृष्टि ठण्ड की चादर में लिपट जाएगी. सर्दी का माहौल ज्यादातर सबको खुश कर देता है. चारो तरफ एक शीत लहर चलती है. तबीयत ज्यादार तंदुरुस्त रहती है. भूख अच्छी रहती है. आम तौर पर देखा जाए तो यह एक स्वस्थ ऋतु होता है. लेकिन इस माहौल में भी स्वास्थ्य के संबंध में कुछ एहतियात बरतना जरुरी होता है. इस ऋतु में कैसे स्वस्थ रहे आज हम इसके संदर्भ में जानकारी देंगे.
ठण्ड का मौसम शुरू होने से पहले तथा बारिश के बाद की समयावधि शरद ऋतु कहलाती है. इस ऋतु में बारिश की ठण्डी हवाएं खत्म होकर हल्की सी गर्मी की हवाओं में तब्दील हो जाती है. जो बदलाव कुदरत में पाया जाता है, उसी का असर या प्रभाव अपने शरीर पर भी दिखाई देता है. शरीर में गरमाहट बढ़ती है, पित्त बढने का अहसास होता है. इस स्थिति में निंद कई बार परेशान करती रहती है.
शरीर में बढ़ी हुई गर्मी के चलते कई बार पित्तजन्य बीमारियों का सामना करना पड़ता है. जैसे कि चिकनपॉक्स, खसरा, बुखार आदि. आजकल प्रमुख रूप से सभी उम्र के लोगों में त्वचा की एलर्जी जैसे लक्षण अधिकतर पाए जाते है. जिसे वैज्ञानिक परिभाषा में शीतपित्त के नाम से जाना जाता है. इस बीमारी में त्वचा पर पित्त के कारण खुजली आती है और काफी पीड़ा देने वाले रैशेस आ जाते है. दिखने में मामूली लगने वाली ये रैशेस पहरेज ना करें तो अधिक समय तक परेशानी पैदा कर सकती है.
शरद ऋतु में प्राय: शीतल आहार का सेवन करें. शीतलता आहारीय द्रव्यों के तासीर में होनी चाहिए ना की स्पर्श में.
इसके अंतर्गत रूप में रागी (नाचणी), सिंघाड़ा, दूध, घी, मक्खन, धनिया, सौंफ, नारियल का उपयोग उचित मात्रा में करें. इन सभी चीजों के साथ मिर्च, मसालों से भरे पदार्थ, तील, मेथी, मूंगफली, राई का सॉस जैसे पदार्थों से परहेज करें. ये सभी पदार्थ शरीर में गरमाहट पैदा करने वाले होते है. इस कारण से इनकी आवश्यकता इस ऋतु में नहीं होती.
परंपरा के अनुसार पूरे भारतवर्ष में शरद ऋतु में आने वाली पूर्णिमा को शरद पूर्णिमा या कोजागिरी के नाम से जाना जाता है. इस पूर्णिमा की रात में चंद्र की शीतलता का सेवन करके अपने शरीर में मौजूद गरमाहट को कम करने का प्रयास किया जाता है. इसी अवसर पर शीतलता प्रदान करने वाले दूध का रसपान किया जाता है.
शरद ऋतु में खान-पान के नियमों का पालन ना करना कई बीमारियों की नींव रखने जैसा होता है और भलीभांति पालन करना आगे आने वाली सर्दी की सबसे बड़ी तैयारी होती है.
धन्वतरेय नम:
– वैद्य महेश साबड़े
एम. डी. आयुर्वेद
मो. 9700110909

http://www.mindbodysoul.in

#autumn #ayurveda #seasonal_regimen
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Published in Navbharat Times Swasthya Mitra Dec 14, 2019

What should be the upper limit of any exercise? Ayurvedic view of Exercise & Breathing

How hard should we push? An Ayurvedic view of exercise and breathing

:Published in “Namaskar Yoga” Hong Kong December 2017

 

EXERCISE AND BREATHING TECHNIQUE

Vyayamam Sthairyakaranam agryam |

The best remedy to maintain the stability (of body and mind) is exercise.

We commonly see, such statement can easily be extrapolated and enthusiasts many times go overboard.

As we know, exercise has been part of human civilization for ages. It comes with a specific dogma and rules that are mentioned for the benefit of our health. Looking at the common lifestyle and exercise pattern of most of us in this modern era, it gives me a strong reason to write about it. Ayurveda understands exercise thoroughly and strongly believes that regular and suitable form of exercise is conducive to good health. Nonetheless, if done in wrong manner it can have harmful effects.

Ayurveda very well understands our lifestyle including physical activities and diet in respect to their effects on our health. The physical acts and diet can be planned in such a way that it will be beneficial for our health.  In other words, each act can be understood as a prescription or proscription.

In relation with exercise, Ayurveda specifically advocates certain important points –

• Exercise is the physical activity that should help strengthen the body and the mind.
• In any form of exercise, a proper breathing pattern proves to be a key factor for maintaining good health.
• Ayurveda understands that exercise is of two kinds – Shakha Vyayam & Koshtha Vyayam – Shakha Vyayam is the exercise that is mainly acts on the musculature and koshtha vyayam mainly acts on visceral organs and body physiology by maintaining Vayu.
• Yogic postures, Pranayam (the exercise of breath) are considered as koshtha vyayam and on the other hand, gym workout, athletics, marathon, sports are considered under shakha vyayam
• According to Ayurveda, koshtha vyayam has an edge over the shakha vyayam, as they are beneficial in regulating body physiology and reversing pathology in many conditions.
• For any pathology, Vayu or Prana or Vata is a crucial player that lets manifest a disease involving other factors including bodily constituents. Koshtha Vyayam is the kind of exercise and helps regulate the Prana (or Vayu or Vata) which is the root cause for most of the pathological events. That is the reason why Yoga proves to be beneficial in most of the diseases when done in a proper manner.
• Irrespective of type of exercise, breathing technique is very important.

 

What is the breathing technique?

As a basic guideline, Ayurveda emphatically recommends breathing through the nose and not through the mouth when exercising. In fact, the moment we feel the need to breathe through the mouth while exercising, it is an indication that we have reached the point. Usually, that is considered half the limit of our actual bodily capacity. Going beyond this point, may affect adversely.

Any exercise activity should be limited up to this level by finishing the activity at this point or by taking break so that you do not burn out. Stretching beyond this point, leads to depletion of strength from the body. The phenomenon is too subtle that we hardly feel any difference in the spur of the moment. However, in the long run it has a potential to create ill effects on our body by the vitiation of Vayu.

Breathing through mouth has a specific effect to cool our body down at a faster rate. During the exercise, doing the same kind of strenuous activity while the body is cooling down can cause micro-injuries in our tissues that, in future, act as vulnerability or weak spots. Such vulnerability has the potential to manifest into a disease in the future.

Taking a short/long break helps the body recuperate and prevent any tissue damage. This is like a thumb rule that applies to all forms of exercise. In swimming, when you breathe by mouth, it is important to understand the bodily capacity in general and act accordingly.

These days, like an epidemic, longer and heavier forms of workouts including marathons are in practice where breathing by mouth is a very common feature. There is also a widespread belief held by most of us – ‘more the better’. It is commonly applied to the amount of exercise we do. However, it undoubtedly is not true in case of exercise. The optimum level of exercise is to do as per your capacity and that should be assessed by your breathing pattern. In competitive sports, training gradually with certain breaks can improve the muscle strength and endurance benefitting the person in sports as well as in maintaining health.

 

Thank You

Dr. (Vaidya) Mahesh Sabade

M.D. (Ayurveda)

Ayurveda Consultant

Hon. Ayurveda Consultant Health Center University of Pune, India

Visiting Guest Lecturer Vedika Global CA, USA

ayurveda.clinic@hotmail.com

www.mindbodysoul.in

 

Obesity – an ayurvedic overview

Obesity has become a challenging condition to handle. It’s not limited to a bunch of adults only but it has started to affect kids making them more vulnerable physically and mentally.

Obesity according to Ayurveda the Spiritual Science of Health is considered an ailment like any other disease. According to Ayurved, any disease is sheer imbalance of doshas (fundamental constituents of body) along with derangement of dhatus (bodily tissues). The healing according to Ayurveda is setting the equilibrium of all the body constituents.
For every disease there are some causative factors associated with it. These causative factors are nothing but our own lifestyle flaws or imperfections.

All the bodily functions, conversion of food into vital body constituents is done by a kind of energy – called as Agni or digestive fire. It is the digestive capacity of every individual. Digestive fire or Agni inside the body needs to be nurtured in the best possible way and should be protected in every manner. This Agni is responsible for health and its alterations for afflictions.
Along with intake of over nutritious food, over eating and lack of exercise there are some other causative factors that cannot be ignored. These factors play a vital role in obesity.

These are also the commonest mistakes done that create hindrance in the desired process of weight-loss.

1. Consumption of Cold water and cold food
2. Daytime nap (Siesta) OR waking up very late
3. Lack of spices in diet
4. Consumption of alcohol in excess

Cold water or cold food is a vital adversary of health. Cold foods create a kind of slowdown in our system that causes slow (diminished digestion and unhealthy metabolism at a subtle level). According to Ayurveda the Spiritual Science of Health, excessive cooling properties of ingested material always have an effect of lowering the Agni that acts as a precursor for almost every disease including Obesity.

The prime action in Obesity needs to be staying away from Cold food or drinks. This includes ice cold shakes, drinks, raw food in excess etc. On the contrary warm / hot water has a stunning effect in Obesity. Regular intake of hot water (as per the thirst) certainly helps to reduce the fat in our body.

Ayurveda believes in the characteristics of food items; source of cultivation; qualities of food; and also their medicinal values. Every plant grown on earth has some medicinal values in it. It’s the role of humans to understand them and deploy at necessary places. Ayurved understands food according to their characteristics like light, heavy, hot, cold etc. These are the effects they impart to our body after digestion. Tastes also determine the effect of food e.g. sweet, sour and salty food causes increase in the bulk and so is not beneficial in obesity.

The source of food and the processing done over it has a strong impact on the qualities of food. Grazing animals develop lightness in them due to their activity that makes their meat, milk lighter. Whereas animals kept in cramped places; refrained from movements; biologically and genetically hypertrophied etc. create a kind of pathogenesis on a subtle level that causes various imbalances and stagnation of kapha energy which is responsible for excessive fat accumulation.

Along with all these aspects of the food, the method of cooking and eating is also important. The heat treatment is essential for the digestion and metabolism of the food. The food should be warm or hot. The eating should be in proper amount i.e. half portion of stomach should be filled with solid food; a quarter for liquid and remaining portion should be left empty for facilitating the process of digestion.

As per the biological clock it is advisable to get up in the morning before the sunrise. Sleeping excess and waking up late in the morning increases kapha energy in our body, which is one of the factors for causing weight gain or obesity. Similarly taking a nap in daytime will have the same effect of Kapha increase.
Spices like black pepper, dry ginger, piper longum, asafetida, turmeric etc have a good effect in reducing fat from the body. These spices are pungent and hot and may cause heating in body but when used in proper amounts, it helps to reduce the fat.
Alcohol consumption in excess has a malicious effect on the process of Fat Metabolism. It’s one of the main factors that are responsible for fat accumulation. Alcohol in excess reduces Oja / Ojas from the body. It is believed to be the essence of health and helps to keep mind and body in a perfect state of wellbeing. It needs to be protected by reducing alcohol intake and also by leading a controlled sexual life.

Obesity creates a state of body that shows over nourishment of fat and under nourishment of other tissues in the body which makes it fragile and more vulnerable emotionally as well as physically. Such conditions graciously welcome various other ailments concerned with various organs of the body. Emotional breakdowns leading regular intake of antidepressants can be healed by understanding our own body pattern and by a strong determination to overcome that. Meditation is such a vital truth that helps to believe in ourselves in our determination and to control the emotional outbreaks.
Regular physical exercise is also a crucial link that builds us emotionally as well as physically. It’s less important what kind of exercise you do but how consistently you do it is very important. Yoga is a kind of exercise that helps to set equilibrium of various energies inside the body. Various Yogic postures and breathing exercises help emphatically in obesity and various other diseases.

To get rid of Obesity and excess weight, one needs to develop a kind of patience and endurance with the thoughts and determination. Meditation, exercise and dietary changes together help achieve the goal of Comfortable Body and Mind.

Dr Mahesh Sabade
M.D. (Ayurveda)

mahesh_sabade@yahoo.com

http://www.mindbodysoul.in

Published in Tathastu magazine in 2010

Karma

Commonly we focus on Karma as the effects of actions / illegitimate behavior that turn to be a cause for a bad fate. The meaning of the word Karma is not limited to this only. The word Karma comes from Sanskrit word ‘kru’ which means to do. This way Karma is the action and also the effect. Moreover from different angles, this word can be understood as function, action or effect.

Kriyate iti karma | & Kriya lakshanam Karma| (Sanskrit quote)

-Charak

Ayurveda and allied philosophical texts, emphasize on the concept of Karma. From the philosophy point of view as well as from the health point of view we see a definite connection between a cause and effect – Karma. There’s a fundamental concept in Ayurveda called as ‘Karya Karan bhava’ which is derived from certain Darshan Shastras (The ancient texts that explain logic and the study of decision making). It says there can’t be an effect unless there’s some cause.  This concept is explained with different types of causes which have the potential to create an effect.

Yatra yatra dhuma: tatra tatra Vahni:  (Sanskrit quote) – which means wherever you see smoke, there’s fire.

This line explains the relation between cause and the effect. It is in context with making diagnostic decisions using logic with available factors. This theory strongly believes that nothing will happen unless there’s some cause / reason.

Newton’s 1^st law also is in the same line with this theory. – Every body persists in its state of being at rest or of moving uniformly unless it is acted upon by an external force. The concept of force is very important to create a change in the present state. This will help to understand that any effect will be seen when some cause is acting there.

Karma can be good as well as bad depending upon the cause. In the spiritual texts, it’s always believed that unlawful acts create a Karma cloud which we carry throughout our life and further also. This has a strong potential to create disturbance with the physical, mental and spiritual health.

On the contrary good Karmas support & build the mind and body complex healthier and then the good effects can be seen in form of good health & absolute bliss and eventually overall well-being.

The concept of Karma has a great depth. Technically what you do is karma (action) and what you achieve is also Karma (effect). The principle of Cause and Effect is very commonly used in all the theories. The science of Ayurveda uses it at every level. The formation of a disease is always in relation with some causative factor. Seasonal changes, dietary, behavioral changes, thoughts all play a major role on the human mind as well as body. These changes, actions, indulgence in wrong habits can be seen as Karma as well as their effects on body too can be considered as Karma.

Right from minor health issues to major conditions, there are certain causes which trigger these ailments. There are certain diseases which are considered as specific effects of illicit behavior. “Sinful acts” like disrespecting / misbehaving with elders, parents, Guru, Gods etc are considered as causative factors for  those diseases. A scientific mind might find it ludicrous as well as a superstition. For the most of us mind is such a great tool which is regulating various functions of the body – directly or indirectly. When a person has created such an act, it produces tremendous turbulence on a psychological plane. This creates disturbance with body physiology and this in turn can create imbalance in the body leading to certain diseases.

Our mind is a very powerful tool to keep us fit and healthy. It produces certain vibrations that in turn have specific effect on physical health, mental health & spiritual health. These vibrations which we understand by Karma can either construct or destruct the health.

Mind, body, lifestyle including food, behavior & thoughts are supporting each other. In other words a healthy lifestyle creates equilibrium in mind body complex and creates health. Likewise a peaceful mind supports body and healthy body supports mind. By having a good Karma of healthy lifestyle, one can build a stronger, healthier structure.

Most of the cultures and traditions have social tenets, behavioral pattern recommended in society. Similarly Indian culture extracts its principles from Vedas & Ayurveda. The traditions, festivals, diet and related behavior does have an effect that shows good Karma on all levels. Ayurveda explains ‘SadVrutta’ – the moral tenets, behavioral pattern that connects us to good health.

Recently published research paper from New York states that a good lifestyle has potential to change the genetic makeup. A healthy lifestyle is nothing but the tool to manage Karma.

Furthermore strengthening the tissues & organs of the body will lead towards well-being at every level. This concept of building the tissues (in other words improving immunity) is called as ‘Sarata’ in Ayurveda. Having excellence of tissues yields good health as well as great virtues like happiness, success etc. In a way this turns out to be a good Karma to have fitness, vigor, and happiness throughout life.

In the classification of disease, Ayurveda explains Adhidaivik as one of the types of diseases which emerge due to certain Karma which lead to these illnesses. The treatment mentioned here is to use of precious stones; chanting some specific mantras etc. This modality of the treatment focuses to create certain vibrations in our body and help correct the Karma related bad effects.

As explained by Swami Vivekananda, Karma – the action is truly important to gain the knowledge which is the true goal of mankind and not the pleasure. When we tend to gain the pleasure more and more we slip from the path and indulge into causative factors which cause imbalance in body for sure and then may create a disease.

‘Karma yoga’ – the connection with good Karmas will lead towards the fruitful Karma of mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

Dr. Mahesh Sabade

M.D. (Ayurveda)

mahesh_sabade@yahoo.com

http://www.mindbodysoul.in

Published in Namaskar HK – June 2012

Ayurveda’s Tools for Cultivating Satisfaction: The power of a satisfying meal

For too many of us, the day begins at the computer – reading emails and breaking news as we drink our tea or coffee and eat something we scarcely notice for breakfast. Lunch can be much the same: meeting colleagues for a power lunch or dashing off to meet a friend for a heart to heart talk. Or you may be sitting at your desk eating lunch while searching the internet, making phonecalls or reading over a proposal. We hardly give any attention to experiencing the food as we eat it. It’s the food that gives us energy for all our activities, yet our attention is somewhere else. When you miss that simple satisfaction that your food was ready to share with you, all too often you find yourself looking for that juicy satisfaction a little while later: a cookie, a snack, another cup of coffee, a cigarette, a lively magazine, a piece of juicy gossip.

Ayurveda places so much importance on eating our meals in a satisfying way because it is a key not only to our deeper nourishment, but also de-fueling the cycle of addictions before it overpowers us. Ayurveda gives us both clear guidelines on how to eat in order to derive satisfaction, and also tells us about foods and spices that can really help strengthen your mind and build your resolve. We all meet with challenges and disappointments, frustrations and losses in life. But the more resiliant we have become through cultivating the power of satisfaction and inner resolve, the better equipped we are to handle these situations without falling prey to the snowballing power of little addictions that get out of hand and overpower us.

The principles of Ayurveda help us understand that even if we’re eating what we believe to be the right number of calories and carbohydrates, vitamins and antioxides, the missing ingredient is typically satisfaction. We’re missing the profound nourishment that our body, mind and spirit gets from the satisfaction of truly relishing a balanced meal. We are missing those lingering moments of enjoying the beauty and fragrance, the colors and subtle flavors that give us energy and happiness and make even a simple meal so satisfying. We’re missing that simple fulfillment that helps us keep unwanted desires from imposing their presence on us. Dissatisfaction is their ally.

We associate satisfaction with overeating. But when we relish our food with focus, understanding and delight, it actually helps us put wholesome parameters around our eating. Or we think of finding satisfaction in our meals as an indulgence, something that implies eating heavy, rich food instead. Yet a simple, health-promoting meal can be immensely satisfying if it balanced from the Ayurvedic perspective and eaten in the right way.

Breaking the Pattern of Forming Unhealthy Habits

Ayurveda tells us that the human body will always trying to maintain the equilibrium of health. Our role is to support it. Unhealthy habits are not created by our bodies; WE cultivate them; we subconsciously nurture them and encourage them to grow. But before we realize it, they can take charge of our mind and then our body. And it’s we who have to struggle so hard to get rid of them. One day it’s a seemingly innocent bag of potato chips and chocolate bar, because lunch wasn’t very exciting and work was frustrating. Months later, you notice you’re in the habit of eating lots of snack food and people think of you as a chocoholic, not realizing you’re hooked on all that extra salt and sugar.

One of our great allies is our mind and intellect. The greater our understanding and inner resiliance, the better euqipped we are to understand our own bodies and to digest the ups and downs of life. Nurturing the strength of the mind is vital.

People say they smoke cigarettes for various reasons. Some say that smoking a cigarette in the morning gives them better bowel movement. Others say they  use cigarettes as stress busters, and to feel macho. But smoking doesn’t address the root cause of either constipation, stress or low self-worth, and instead sets new problems in motion in the body. There is no need to spoil your precious lungs in the name of relieving constipation, which can be resolved in many more benign ways, or to relieve stress which can be treated so much better with yoga and meditation. We need to understand suchl messages that our bodies send us because they are measures to keep the body working immaculately, not cries for abuse.

When we feel thirsty, it’s the body that needs water. It needs sufficient moisture to perform all the bodily functions smoothly. Instead of replenishing the body with water, if we treat this as an excuse to drink a few glasses of chilled beer, the body is going to react in ultimtaely instead of feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, you feel groggy, heavy, potentially nausious – and very thirsty. We need to understand exactly what the body needs and act accordingly.

Many smokers get a desire for a cigarette after eating beyond their capacity. The heaviness one feels after large, rich meal pushes a bodily desire to feel lighter. Smokers associate this with a «need» for nicotene, when actually a short walk could have helped more, or chewing on some digestive spices. But we don’t to think about the real message the body is giving us, because we are enslaved to that pattern of smoking. Similarly, getting up late in the morning is another thing that causes a feeling of heaviness. For smokers, that again translates into looking for lightness through nicotene – rather than doing a few gentle rounds of Suryanamaskar, Sun Salutations, to energize the body, mind and spirit at the start of the day.

Other people worry that they are addicted to coffee and tea. But often it’s more of an addiction to one’s own high paced lifestyle that goes on late into the night.

Here we are looking at some of the things that set patterns of addictive habits in motion. Many people cite tragedy, injustice, abuse, failure, bad company, or frustration with life as the trigger for an addiction. Yet we find that many other people face these same circumstances with greater inner resiliance. Ayurveda gives us the knowledge for building this inner resiliance in simple, everyday ways that become powerful inner allies.

Why does Ayurveda make such a science of how to eat our meals?

According to Ayurveda, a meal should nourish not only the body but also the mind and spirit. Not only the food but also the way we eat has the power to promote healing and wellbeing at every level.

The sages of Ayurveda have described in detail the most ideal way to eat our meals. From the prayers to the atmosphere, from the sequence and combinations of foods to the role of water, from the state of body and mind to the state of the food: everything has been elaborated for the purpose of deriving the ultimate benefit for the body, mind and spirit.

For example, the meal should begin with a relaxed state of mind that helps create a satisfying atmosphere. At the very least, we can put our work aside, turn off the TV and give the food our full attention. If you have to eat in an office cubicle, trying closing your eyes as you chew your food, so you can really taste it. Try listening to some calm, uplifting music as you eat, if there is noise or distracting conversation in the background.

Before you begin eating, pause for a moment to notice the colors and aromas of the food. The aromas will not only help set the digestve fire in motion, they are also pleasing. As you enjoy the food for a moment with your eyes and nose, it’s natural to feel a sense of gratitude towards the food that it about to infuse you with fresh enegy, perhaps even towards the generosity of Mother Nature and the the farmers who cultivated the ingredients of this meal. It’s a moment of connection with nature and mankind, so even if we are sitting alone, we experience a sense of community. We can’t underestimate these connections. They have a lot of potential to keep us away from the dissatisfaction that can grow in a pattern of addictions.

Ayurveda recommends that our meals should contain a little of all six tastes : sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent in some or the other form. This is necessary to maintain the equilibrium of body and digest the meal efficiently, as well as provide natural satisfaction. Often people try to cut out certain tastes, thinking mistakenly that pungent spices, for example, are not good for you when in fact in moderation they can aid digestion significantly. Or they cut out sweets altogether, only to find a craving for them building up.

Foods to Nourish the Mind and Nurture Satisfaction

• According to Ayurveda, almonds and walnut have the capacity to nourish and impart strength to our mind. Eating a handful of these nutes every day helps nourish the intellect, courage and memory.

• Chewing fennel seeds is a marvelous way to end meals, because they help to calm sweet tooth cravings at the end of a meal, along with the urge to have coffee  or to going on nibbling. Fennel seeds are digestive in nature and help in digestive functions, along with creating a sense of satisfaction after meals.

• Freshly prepared buttermilk is such another healthy food that gives satiety at the end of a meal.

• Spices like cumin seeds, turmeric, and saffron help to keep the body physiology and the mind healthy.  Using a little of them in your cooking is a beneficial habit.

Cultivating Satisfaction at its Source

According to Ayurveda, the best practice for cultivating satisfaction at its source is meditation. This connects the body, mind and soul. It allows you to develop the subtlety and clarity to understand the true desires of soul and the body, to perceive the emptiness you are trying to fill through your habits and indulgences. Feeling guilty and fearful makes the mind weak and subconsciously takes us close to the habits we know we should lose.Meditation fills the mind with courage and focus, which are keys to staying on the path that leads to health. And meditation cultivates deep, inner satisfaction.

Strengthen the body and mind with yoga, going for regular walks, and by practicing Surya-namaskar, Sun Salutations is an important form of exercise that helps to make mind and body stronger.

Getting up early and enjoy the early morning sunrays and sounds of the birds . This will help you to eliminate the previous day’s food early in the day, cleansing of body and mind, as well as giving you easy access to a few moments of joy and satisfaction. It can give you a daily dose of sattva – fresh, inspired yet calm state of mind — from nature that helps you enjoy every small thing you are doing.

By cultivating even one simple practice like eating a satisfying meal every day, we can set up a pattern of deriving satisfaction and joy in many areas in life. Even amidst our fast-paced lives, we can learn to savor the moment when we are with friends and family, amidst nature, breathing in fresh air, playing with a child, or enjoying a work of art. This becomes a foundation of satisfaction in your life, boosting the immunity of your mind and emotions. It enables you to weather life’s challenges and truly enjoy life’s gifts.

Dr Mahesh Sabade

Ayurvedaacharya, Ayurved Vachaspati

Mahesh_sabade@yahoo.com

http://www.mindbodysoul.in

Published in Tathastu Magazine in 2010

Need of Ayurvedic Treatment in Cancer

Malignant tumor or Cancer is not a new disease anymore. Now-a-days we have many patients in our acquaintance / relatives / friends who have or are suffering from Cancer of some tissue. The management of Cancer usually involves various treatments including Chemotherapy; Radiotherapy; Surgical Treatment etc depending upon their condition. These treatments are exhibiting good efficacy in some cases even though they are causing tissue depletion elsewhere leading to general weakening.

Ayurveda – the science of life, is beneficial in prevention as well as treatment of many diseases including Cancer. Ayurveda understands every disease in terms of dosha, dhatu (tissues) and mala (wastes) primarily. These Ayurvedic concepts of diagnosis and treatment are usually out of the paradigm of Western Medicine. While diagnosing a disease in Ayurvedic System of Medicine, causative factors along with other details of the disease are studied and the treatment is planned. The causative factors could be certain dietary or behavioral habits and in some cases previous illnesses as well. These causative factors have potential to influence the homeostasis of the body in either way. Certain unhealthy causative factors can disturb the equilibrium of dosha, dhatu (tissues) and mala (wastes) leading to various subclinical conditions. Such subclinical conditions are the conditions that do not produce any significant symptoms and also get easily escaped from the radar of Medical Investigations.

Such environment inside the body makes the body susceptible for various kinds of ill health.  Cancer is one of the many diseases that gets emerged out of such environment. When the Cancer gets manifested, the complete focus of the treatment is always on the malignant tissue and the subclinical conditions usually remain untreated due to lack of awareness.

In other words, consistently unhealthy physiology can cause certain tissues to behave abnormally which may lay the foundation for certain diseases including Cancer.

Understanding the subclinical conditions; going to the root cause helps to prevent and also to treat such conditions. Our habits; traits have such an influence on us that they can either make us healthy or create a disease. With unhealthy habits of diet and lifestyle, body starts to accumulate doshas causing hindrance to normal body physiology. Such status of the body can lead to various defects in the tissues making them vulnerable. This vulnerability or impaired immunity in tissues leads to diseases. Hence treating such subclinical status is very crucial in terms of preventing many disorders and maintaining a healthy status of mind body complex.

In Cancer specifically, it becomes necessary to find out why abnormal growth in tissues has happened and which doshas are responsible for that. Doshas along with weakened dhatus manifest such pathology. This accumulation of doshas needs to be reduced along with strengthening of the tissues. This can be supported with Ayurvedic herbs that will specifically improve the inner environment and also recuperate the tissues. For this purpose along with the herbs & Panchakarma; a proper change in lifestyle and eating pattern becomes a crucial link.

Recurrent ailments affecting same organ or tissues of the body make that organ vulnerable causing few abnormalities there. Liver disorder is a common example. Liver is the organ which is a strong organ responsible for various prime functions of the body. With excessive alcohol; excessive hot & pungent foods, this organ loses its immunity making it susceptible for many disorders.

Similarly a health status of an individual that exhibits recurrent episodes of hepatitis; being carrier of hepatitis B; chronic alcoholism; fatty liver for many months makes the liver weak. Overlooking such conditions and continuing an unhealthy lifestyle keeps worsening the health of the liver. Following proper daily regimen (Dinacharya) and seasonal regimen (Rutucharya) along with few herbs, helps to keep doshas under control. It also helps to regain the strength of the organs back developing their resistance capacity for the diseases.

In general in any Cancer along with the surgical treatment and / or chemotherapy / radiotherapy, starting Ayurvedic treatment becomes helpful for the organ to improve its immunity and to clear the accumulation of doshas. This helps to strengthen the afflicted organs and thus the chances of recurrence are minimized.

Dr. Mahesh Sabade

M.D. Ayurved

Ayurveda Physician

http://www.mindbodysoul.in