Following Ayurveda in everyday life-Guest post by Sharmistha
8:44 PM |
| Light summer meal |
Ayurveda, that age old system of medicine and general wellness is our very own. Though Indian food has always been guided by the Ayurvedic principles but with time we are losing touch with it's healing properties. So when my friend Sharmistha started posting very useful tips on her Instagram account I wanted her to write this article in a easy manner, for everyone to understand and incorporate these easy steps in our daily life.
Here is her beautiful article. Do comment all your questions and she will try to answer as much as possible.
Author Bio: Sharmistha can be contacted for free consultations, writing collaborations and workshops at sharmis.majumdar@gmail.com. She is currently studying Ayurveda along with Modern Nutrition Science.
Facebook handle: facebook.com/ancientfoodwisdom
Instagram handle: Ancientfoodwisdom
When
my dear friend Sayantani enthused me to write a post on Ayurvedic
Diet and Nutrition, I felt deeply encouraged yet very nervous. The
5000 years old healing science of India is so detailed and vivid, that it
is difficult to decide where to begin and where to end. Well, I
attempted this article from the perspective of a layman.Every
reasonable human being desires for health and well-being.
Ayurveda
has laid a strong foundation for knowledge of one’s Prakriti or
physical-mental-emotional constitution for maintaining health,
understating cause of diseases with management and prevention of
future ailments. Knowledge of one’s Prakriti can guide us to follow
the appropriate lifestyle, diet, and regimen suitable for the
particular environmental condition.Ancient
vaidyas or healers had enumerated several factors which influence our
constitutional, temperamental, psychological and spiritual makeup;
they are:Matrija-
Pitraja Bhava (Hereditary Factors) - It refers to the genes
transferred to the offspring from both the parents.
Kala
– The time of copulation. If a couple undergoes sexual unison post
four days of menstrual cycle, Poornima (new moon day), Amavasya (new
moon day), Chaturdashi, Tryodashi or Ashtami, the child is born of a
healthy state. If copulation happens in other days, abnormalities in
the child can manifest in intelligence, eyes, and bodily strength.Sattvaja
Bhava – Psychic nature of the child is determined by the
psychological state of the parents, emotional state of the mother
during pregnancy and past life deeds.Age
of Parents- Interpreted as different ages of same parents contribute
different constitution.Garbasaya
(Uterus) – Unhealthy uterine condition causes the birth of a
malformed child with a defect in shape, color or senses.Matura
Ahara Vihara (Maternal Diet) & Rasaja Bhava (Nutritional
Factors)- Mother’s diet with digestion, assimilation, and
absorption directly influences the development of the fetus in the
uterus.Atmaja
Bhava - The soul shifts from one body to another and bonds itself
with the Shukra (sperm) and Sonhita (ovum) in the uterus leading to
the creation of fetus (Garbha). This factor determines the
consciousness (Chetna), life-span (Ayu), self-realization(Atma
Gyan), likings (Iccha), disliking (Dvesh), desire for happiness and
sorrow (Sukh-Dukh) and efforts (Prayatna).
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| shukto http://www.ahomemakersdiary.com/2018/03/jukti-phool-er-shukto.html |
What
is Prakrti and Dosha?Each
cell in our body including sperm and ova are governed by three
material substances attending different physiological functions
namely - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.Vata
governs everything related to movement such breathing, muscle
flexibility, blood circulation, nerve impulses, assimilation of food
and elimination of urine, feces, and menstruation. On the
psychological ground, vata rules communication, quickness of thought,
flexibility and creativity.Pitta
is responsible for the digestion and metabolism of ingested food with
the aid of organic enzymes, bile, acids, and hormones. When in
balance, an individual enjoys unmatched mental clarity, cheerfulness,
high energy drive and strengthKapha
is responsible for building and lubrication of the human body. When
out of balance, one becomes sluggish, lethargic, obese, depressive,
greedy and jealous.Individual
prakrti manifest with a particular predominance ratio of Vata, Pitta,
and Kapha within us (body (factors mentioned above).
There are 7
basic Prakrti types:Eka
Prakriti- Predominance of only one dosha:VATAKAPHAPITTADwandvaja
Prakriti – Predominance of two doshas with different percentages:VATA-PITTAPITTA-KAPHAVATA-PITTATridoshaja
Prakrti or Samadosha - Predominance of three doshas in equal
proportion:VATA-PITTA-KAPHANow
when a biological energies’ quantity (pramana), guna (quality and
karma (actions) become abnormal they vitiate their places of dwelling
(tissues or dhatus) and causes diseases. Because of this, they are
known as doshas or vitiators. Together they are called “Doshaj
Prakriti”. Everyone born with the unique constitution has inherent
strengths & weaknesses and how they will respond to certain foods
or environments. With Ayurveda we can balance them.Remember:
Our original
Prakriti or dosha never changes. Between the age 13-15 years
(puberty phase), our body completely manifest our constitution. If
your current body-mind constitution has changed from your teenage
days, that clearly indicates there has been Vikruti (deterioration in
terms of increase or decrease of either dosha expressing through a
change in physical and mental aspect).
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| Neem begun, Sohne danta charchari http://www.ahomemakersdiary.com/2012/03/nim-begun-and-sojne-danta-charchari.html |
A
COMPARISON SNAPSHOT
Prakruti
|
Vikruti
|
What
one is born with
Example: The attributes
remaining unchanged such as the color of eyes |
How
one look and feel now
Example: The attributes
change with age, seasonal cycle, diet, lifestyle changes, stress
level etc since these affect appetite, weight, skin, and hair
looks now, cognitive factors, state of mind etc |
Vasanta
Ritucharya (Seasonal Routine for Spring)Mid-March
to Mid-May is the official Spring Season or Vasanta Rtu. There is a
theory that during winter an extra mucus lining (kapha) forms in our
body probably over the sebaceous gland. It aids in heat preservation
by minimizing sweat elimination.Now,
with the arrival of spring, increased kapha will start getting
liquidified by the heat of the sun. This will diminish the digestive
activity in the alimentary tract. It is the nature’s detox process.
Blood becomes thick and sluggish. All the mucus are pulled into the
liver to metabolize and eliminate from the body. As the external
temperature increases, the human body starts producing less digestive
juice that leads to less hunger for food intake. Eventually
contributing to less heat generation through digestion. Our skin
would continuous sweat to maintain the body temperature. Now, this
mechanism of cooling leads to accumulation of Vata as we proceed
towards hot, fiery summer months.Clinical
Symptoms: Allergies,
Bronchitis, Asthma, Lethargy, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Indigestion,
Cough, Cold, Hay Fever, Flu, Stiff Muscles, Arterial Plaque Buildup,
Diarrhea, and Mucus.What
to Eat: Intake of
foods which are easily digestible and dry (moisture free) is ideal.
Enjoy all vegetables either roasted, grilled or lightly sautéed.
Bitter (e.g bitter gourd), Pungent (e.g black pepper) and Astringent
(e.g raw banana) tasting veggies are encouraged to be eaten as they
make the liver and gall bladder release bile. Now, with the bile, the
excess fatty substances are drained into the digestive tract and
finally discarded with feces.
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| buttermilkhttp://www.ahomemakersdiary.com/2014/05/masala-chaas-chhanch-salty-spicy.html |
For protein, one can rely on mung
beans, red lentils, and chickpeas. Non-vegetarian can rely on
chicken. In fruits, one can eat apples, pears, pomegranate, berries,
and raisins. Drying grains basmati rice, corn, millets barley and
quinoa is equally good. Honey would be an excellent choice as a
sweetener. Buttermilk (1 part curd churned with 3 parts water) can be
taken during mid-morning. Warming, pungent spices such as turmeric,
cumin, coriander, and ginger are encouraged to prevent kapha
stagnation in the body and stimulate digestive fire (Agni) for the
restoration of optimal digestion. If you don’t feel hungry, you can
skip breakfast or opt for a very light breakfast. Kapha is
predominant from 6-10 am. Make lunch biggest meal of the day.
 |
| purple potato and quinoa saladhttp://www.ahomemakersdiary.com/2015/06/purple-potato-and-quinoa-salad.html |
At
noon, Pitta is predominant which aids in faster digestion. As the sun
sets, our body slowly shifts towards sleep mode so skip heavy dinner.
If you are tea lover, go for a ginger- cardamom cuppa.Avoid:
Foods which are cold, hard to digest, fatty, too much sweat, sour and
salt in taste. Red meant, diary, sweet-water fish (like Rohu/ Katla),
banana, dates, citrus fruits, deep-fried foods, aerated drinks, curd,
candies, and icecream are better to be skipped.Good
News: This is the ideal time to lose weight. Do light physical
exercises till sweat appears on your forehead. Avoid burnt-out.Regimen:
After morning ablutions, you can opt for oil-massage (abhyanga) with
warm sesame oil. Discard synthetic soaps. Grab a pack of good quality
ubtan and give yourself a thorough dry massage before taking bath.
Sleeping in the day time is no longer a good idea. It is the best
time of the year to discard old blocked emotions and material
possessions which no longer serving any good. Start new projects,
new relations and travel new places. Go ahead and get ready to
welcome summer!
Disclaimer:
I consulted several Ayurveda classics for the authenticity of
information. Renowned Vedic scientists Charaka, Vagbhta, and Susruta
had presented aphorisms (sutras) based on conclusive researched
works. So, there is no scope for further new insights.
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