Authentic Ayurveda & Classical Panchakarma

“Aaharah Praanah,” says ayurveda. Which means, food is a synonym for life. Food nourishes more than the body. It determines the quality of your very consciousness. What you eat, how you cook, when and in what company you eat … these seemingly small details have a big impact on your overall health, and, ultimately, your life span.

Use plenty of spices and herbs in cooking. Spices are not only taste-enhancers, but also great healers. Sprinkle some freshly-cracked black pepper on your sandwich and it helps you absorb the nutrients readily. A pinch of turmeric in your soup not only adds color but also works as an excellent antioxidant. Combined in the right proportions, spices lend their synergy to everyday soups and curries.

To derive maximum benefit from your spices, sauté them in clarified butter or ghee before adding them to prepared foods. Ghee helps the body absorb the lipid-soluble part of spices with ease. It’s highly aromatic and delicious, too.

Ayurveda the Vedic Science is primarily teachings for the development of the full human physical, mental and spiritual potential believing in prevention than cure. Ayurveda recognizes that all living creatures must live in harmony with nature in order to survive.

Ayurveda lifestyle starts with rising with the sun, eating seasonal foods of your region and building your activities around the natural rhythms of the day — these are the simple and profound ways of Ayurveda Lifestyle. How, when & what to eat — the Ayurveda diet is eating made easy.

Routine Matters

Ayurveda healers have always emphasized the value of regularity in everything, be it rest, play or work. They observed it in the daily and seasonal rhythms of life itself, and adapted it to their own lifestyles. Most of it is practical advice: Go with the flow of nature as often as you can. Sleep on time — never after 10:00 p.m. if possible. Wake up early. Spend time and attention on your morning ablutions, including the daily self-massage. Eat a good, fibrous breakfast, and have lunch at noon, when the body’s agni or digestive fires are at their peak. Meditate twice a day. Spend time with your family.

Diagnosis: Classical Ayurveda Approach

In Ayurveda, attention is paid to nature and directly observable attributes of the disease process itself and to the pattern of dosha disturbance in the individual. Understanding the disturbance, or “vitiation” of the individual’s normal dosha is the essence of Ayurvedic diagnosis and forms the basis for the therapeutic approach.

In addition to assessing the dosha vitiation, the physician also must understand the tissues affected, the srotas involved, the patient’s social circumstances, the emotional tendencies, personality traits, and the general state of the patient’s health and life. This information gathering demands an extensive interrogation and physical examination which Ayurveda teaches as a two-part approach: 1) Diagnosis of the patient (Rogipareeksha) 2) Diagnosis of the disease (Rogapareeksha).

Rogipareeksha: Diagnosis of the Patient

The first of these, rogipareeksha, is the true strength of Ayurvedic diagnosis. It includes the physician’s judgment regarding the patient as a whole, his temperament, discipline, habits, digestive capacity, intelligence, hereditary traits, emotional set, finances, support system, desire to heal, and of course his constitutional type. Charaka also described a ten-fold methodology for this aspect of Ayurvedic diagnosis which is still in use today:

Ten-fold Ayurvedic Diagnosis (Rogipareeksha)

1. Constitution (Prakriti)
2. Doshic Vitiation (Vikriti)
3. Quality of Tissues (Sara)
4. Body Compactness (Samhanana)
5. General Stature and Physical Proportionality (Pramana)
6. Physical Strength (Vyayama Shakti)
7. Adaptability (Satmya)
8. Emotional Balance (Sattva)
9. Digestive Capacity (Ahara Shakti)
10. Rate of Aging (Vaya)

Rogapareeksha: Diagnosis of the Disease

The diagnosis of the disease, rogapareeksha, is aimed toward assessing the nature of the disease and is divided into three main activities: 1. Prashna (Interrogation) 2. Panchendriya pariksha (Physical examination using the five senses) 3. Ashtavidha pariksha (Specialized “Eight-fold” Ayurvedic examination).

Ayurvedic Eight-fold Examination

1. Examination of the complexion
2. Examination of the eyes
3. Examination of the speech and voice
4. Examination of the tongue
5. Examination of the skin
6. Examination of the stool
7. Examination of the urine
8. Examination of the pulse

These three activities are applied to assess the nature of disease using the following rational and orderly approach. First one identifies the cause(s) of the disease (Nidana). Next, one evaluates the stage of progression of the disease or pathogenesis (Samprapti). This is followed by careful observation of any very early signs of disease (Purvarupa) and the overt symptoms of the manifest disease condition (Rupa). Finally, we derive additional information about the disease from how it responds to therapeutic interventions which are administered, i.e. response to treatment (Upashaya).

DINACHARYA — Daily Regimen

In a changing worldly scenario no one has time to have a daily timetable of events which can be a land mark for each & every day. Our age old science Ayurveda has put forward a list of regimens to be followed in a day. Just imagine the discipline followed by our ancestors which has enabled them to live up to 120-130 healthy years of their lives in bliss. Here is a list of simple things which, if followed, will lead to blissful living.

Dina means DAY, Charya means regimens. It sounds silly as we all know that we have to brush our teeth, make our toilets, have bath etc — what’s the fuss? But here are specifications given hundreds of years ago with detailed elaboration, when the modern science began its evolution.

• PRATHARUTHANA — time to get up: between 3.00 am to 6.00 am, known as Brahma Muhurta, as it is the best time for study & knowledge.
• VEGODHARANA — elimination of urges: natural elimination of urine, faeces etc should be done without forcing, as suppression or initiation of the natural urges leads to disease. Instead suppress the vegas of greed, envy, jealousy etc and control the sense organs.
• DANTHADHAVAN — brushing: one should clean one’s teeth with the twigs of Nyagrodha, Khadira, Karanja etc which are astringent and pungent in taste. The brush should be the size of tip of little finger in thickness, straight and 12 angulas in length, made soft by chewing the tip. Brushing should be done without hurting the gums.
• GANDOOSHA — gargling: gargling with herbal decoctions or oils helps in cleaning the mouth from bacteria, serving the purpose of a mouth wash.
• NAVANA — nasal drops: nasal drops to be instilled to clear the nasal passage.
• KARNAPOORANA — oil pooling: oil pooling in the ears helps in clearing the ear cavity.
• VYAYAMA — exercise: exercising regularly helps in bringing lightness to the body, ability to do heavy work, decrease fat and create a stable physique.
• ABHYANGA — massage: after exercise all parts of the body should be massaged comfortably, specially head, ears & feet. This helps warding off old age, exertion & Vata, and bestows good vision, good sleep, strong & healthy skin.
• SNANA — bath: pouring of warm water all over the body bestows strength, but it should be avoided over the head as it leads to loss of strength of hair & eyes. It improves appetite and valour, and removes dirt, sweat, itching etc.
• AHARA — food: food should be taken after digestion of the previous meal, that which is suitable, in limited quantity. Two parts of the stomach should be filled with solid food, one part with liquid and the remaining left empty for Vata.
• NIDRA — sleep: sleep should be indulged in at the proper time and not in excess. It should be avoided during the day. Keeping awake at night causes dryness & sleeping during the day moistness, hence taking a nap sitting comfortably is advisable.
• SADVRITHA — code of conduct: one should abstain from Himsa (torture), Steya (stealing), Paisunya (harsh or abusive words), Anruta Vachana (scolding), Sambhinna Alapa (speech causing separation), Vyapada (quarrel), Abhidya (jealousy) and Drgviparyaya (finding fault). Those who have no means of livelihood & are suffering from disease should be helped. One should maintain a balanced mind in wealth & poverty, and speak appropriate to the occasion & in brief.

Sounds too easy, right? But just how many of us follow… Ayurveda says for an intelligent person the whole world is a teacher, hence one should imitate the world after carefully considering the meaning of such actions.

Article by: Dr Bijitha K P

Vikriti analysis and remedies (understanding the imbalanced state of the body)

‘Prakriti’ denotes the normal state of Tridosha while ‘Vikriti’ denotes its abnormal or imbalanced state of the body. By answering the following questions you can estimate the state of imbalance of your Dosha.

When do you need to balance Vata?

Are you restless or worried constantly? Do you suffer from palpitations, are you under weight, or experience different kinds of pain (tearing, breaking, pricking, cutting, radiating)? Do you have numbness, stiffness, tingling sensations or tremors, or feel tired even by small work? Does your skin become dry, do you suffer from insomnia, or notice black discoloration in your skin or nails? If yes, it indicates an imbalanced state of Vata, and one should adopt the diet & life style advised for Vata.

Lifestyle for Vata: Vata is cold, so warm food is essential; Vata is dry, so unctuous food is beneficial; Vata is erratic, so food should be consumed only after the previous meal is digested. Avoid coffee or tea on an empty stomach. A light, warm, nourishing breakfast such as porridge is suitable — don’t skip meals. Warm milk with palm sugar and a little ghee at bedtime is very good for Vata. Prefer sweet, sour and salty tastes, hot in potency. Take massage with warm sesame oil, apply oil on head, ears & feet, take hot water baths, keep yourself warm, follow a regular routine, enjoy singing, dancing and yoga, listen to good music, chant calming mantras and go early to bed.

Contra-indications: fasting, eating insufficient quantities, and too much worry, fear and anger — these emotions increase Vata.

When do you need to balance Pitta?

Do you experience burning sensations in your stomach, skin or eyes? Reddish rash or pimples, excess heat or sweating, fainting, yellowish discolorations, frequent irritation or frustration, perfectionism, or premature greying of hair? If yes to most, it indicates an imbalanced state of Pitta.

Lifestyle for Pitta: bathe in cold water, avoid coffee or tea on an empty stomach, spend time in cool places near water, enjoy moonlight and cool breeze, swim, do mild exercise (half of your capacity), use cooling sandal paste and pleasant perfumes, take more ghee — one spoon of ghee with hot milk at 11 o’clock is very beneficial — and do not miss meals. Prefer sweet, bitter & astringent tastes, eat meditatively, and reduce a short temper through meditation and cooling mantras.

Contra-indications: heaters, roaming out in summer, excessive walking in hot weather, pungent, sour and salty foods, excessive stress, and emotions like anger and hatred.

When do you need to balance Kapha?

Do you feel heavy, lethargic or always sleepy? Is your skin very oily, do you gain weight easily, catch cold & cough frequently, have a coated tongue, swelling, poor appetite or discomfort in cold & damp weather? If yes to most, it indicates an imbalanced state of Kapha.

Factors that increase Kapha: excessive sweet, sour, salty, heavy and unctuous foods (yogurt, cheese, ice creams, fried foods), cooling foods, eating before the previous meal is digested, lack of exercise and a sedentary life, laziness, day sleep and excessive sleep.

Lifestyle for Kapha: follow a proper exercise regime, travel, drink hot water and take hot water baths and steam, fasting is advised, dry massage with warming herbal powders is very good, and prefer warm, light, dry, spiced food with pungent, bitter & astringent tastes and minimum butter, oil and sugar. Keep the mind active with new thoughts and projects, take sunbath, and chant stimulating mantras.

Contra-indications: no exercise, sleeping during daytime, cold water baths, travelling in cold & damp weather, overeating, eating many times a day, and cold or ice water.

Article by: Dr Bijitha K P

The human body forms three life forces or energies, called doshas. They control how your body works. They are Vata dosha (space and air); Pitta dosha (fire and water); and Kapha dosha (water and earth). Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas.

• As per Ayurveda, every individual is made of 5 basic elements of the universe: Space, Air, Fire, Water & Earth.
• The combination of elements in the human body forms 3 life forces or energies, called doshas, which control one’s body.
• The 3 doshas (humors) are Vata (space and air), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (water and earth).
• Everyone inherits a unique mix of the 3 doshas, but one is usually stronger than the others. Each controls different body functions, and the health issues one develops are linked to the balance of the doshas.
• Identifying the doshas & preparing the course of treatment or therapy balances these doshas.
• Based on a thorough diagnosis of internal & external factors, Ayurveda medicine is planned & prepared.
• Ayurveda diagnosis, treatments and therapies vary from individual to individual, based on the body constitution.
• All Ayurveda medicines are natural & prepared just before treatments or therapies, by the Ayurveda doctor.

Ayurvedic medicine is a complete systematic approach to health & wellbeing. The Ayurvedic approach is focussed not only on identifying & treating the symptoms of an illness but on determining & removing its root cause. Two features make it a unique science:

Body type. Each individual has their own unique body make up known as Constitution or Prakruti, determined by the makeup of their parents. Once you know your body’s constitution it becomes much easier to live a healthy life by following a compatible lifestyle and diet that keeps the constitution in balance.

Body intelligence. Each individual has a unique bodily intelligence. When it is kept balanced, the body flushes out waste products from cellular metabolism more easily. When it cannot, toxins collect in the tissues, leading to more wear and tear on the body, physically and mentally.

Ayurvedic treatment. An Ayurvedic practitioner carries out a thorough body assessment & case history to determine which of the three bodily intelligences are affected — Vata, Pitta or Kapha — how deep the imbalance has gone and which tissues are affected, and then structures a specific program to bring the body intelligence back into balance.

Other points of difference. Ayurveda believes that illness begins from disharmony between mind, body and soul, so it is very important to identify a patient’s mental state. Many illnesses arise from poor metabolism — there is no nutritional benefit from eating only organic foods if we are unable to metabolise them properly. Ayurveda has a systematic approach to healing by detoxifying the body and rejuvenating body, mind & spirit, and its healing principles have remained unchanged for centuries.