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Ayurvedic Rules for Meals

By Veero Kanda

Eating habits in Western countries have deviated away from nature with the changes in lifestyle. A typical Western diet is high in saturated fats, refined sugar, meat, and commercially processed foods. The foods typically deviate away from “Nature”-fresh fruits and vegetables and lead to nutritional deficiencies because of the preservatives and processing they go through. Such foods and diets are hazardous to the health. These nutritional deficiencies further lead the Typical American to substitute with a Multivitamin. These days there are Multivitamin formulations for everything “Eye Health”, “Kidney Health”, “Liver Health”, “Prostate Health”, “Breast/Women’s Health”, etc. However, the natural aspects within fresh naturally grown foods that not only provide the optimum nutrients/minerals cannot be compensated through Vitamin pills.

In the USDA food guidelines, the ratios of portions from food groups are in the the same ratio e.g. a female requires less calories than a male, so the quantity is lower, however, the ratio of portions for each food group is the same as it declares it a “Balanced diet”. Basically a 2 year old, a 12-year old, or a pregnant woman- are all getting the same proportions just different quantity. Moreover, it is encouraged to eat 7-8 small meals throughout the day especially for those attempting to lose weight. However, Ayurveda emphasizes on following the natural rhythms of the body and eating when hungry with our biggest meal during sunrise and not at sunset.

Ayurvedic approach is essential to take into consideration the different constitutions that require a specifically tailored plan based upon the individual’s body’s requirements as opposed to just sticking to one Ratio/proportion for every individual regardless of age/gender. One of the most shocking facts is that regardless of the abundance of food supply in the West, we still have Vitamin deficiency and become dependant on Vitamin supplements.

That within itself, is a red flag as to because the abundant food we are receiving is processed, artificially grown, enriched with chemicals, additives and toxins that are not providing us with the essential nutrients that naturally, natural grown foods would give us. This is also because we are not taking the foods that are most compatible with our individual constitution and Agni type, thus minimizing the absorption of nutrients leading to deficiencies. We have also deviated away from the proper eating habits and rules that are most compatible with our individual constitutions- not overeating, not starving oneself, and not mixing raw and cooked foods. By deviating away from our specific constitution requirements, we are accumulating Ama, diminishing nutrient absorption, and giving rise to disease formation.

By knowing which particular foods or meals are not compatible for a particular constitution, one can optimize the absorption of nutrients from food and thus avoiding accumulations of “Ama” and lead an optimum lifestyle and longevity. Aside from the individually tailored Ayurvedic plan tailored to each constitution, Ayurveda gives consideration to cooking preparation, storage, times, seasons, prakrīti, vikruti, stage environment, lifestyle, food habits as well. In addition to this, Ayurveda looks at health as the whole body in terms connecting the Mind, Body and Spirit for a harmonious lifestyle.

Anupana

by Kristen George, Ayurvedic Counselor

Anupanas are vehicles that increase efficacy of herbs, and, are responsible for delivering the herb to the respective dhatu(tissue).

Kumari svarasa as anupana for Amrit - Detoxification


Ingredients:

*Washed Organic Aloe Leaves
*Guduchi Powder
*Maple Syrup
*Mortal and Pestle
*Cotton Muslin Cloth Or Coffee filter
*Clear Glass container

The sanskrit name for Guduchi is Amrit, which means "imperishable." Amrit plays the role of an adoptogen, and is particularly useful for increasing the body's resistance to stress and anxiety, which affects the overall immune system, therefore having an immunity-boosting effect. It's tridoshic in moderation, and is particularly helpful for pitta disorders.

Pairing Amrit with Kumari enhances the detoxification effects, especially for rakta dhatu, liver issues. Kumari is very cooling in nature and is a good anupana for pitta.

Making kumari svarasa without a blender was much more difficult than I imagined! It's so slimy and sticky, and one must be very cautious when working with it. After peeling the skin off and having only the clear gel left, I chopped it finely and attempted to strain it through cheesecloth with very little success.

Next I tried a mortar and pestal, which helped, but it was still extremely chunky. Finally, after making a mess, I put it into an electric chopper and processed it into a fine liquid and strained it through the cheesecloth in the final step. This produced a nice liquid to use.

I took 500mg of dried guduchi and added enough kumari svarasa to make a loose kalka. Because it can be bitter, I added about 1/8 teaspoon of maple syrup to make it more palatable :)

A Comparison of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Japan

Student Blog

Perron Shimizu

Currently in Japan the study and research of Ayurveda has been ongoing for about 30 years. In 1969 Prof. Hiroshi Maruyama of Osaka medical school created the Society of Ayurveda. This has led to various programs and seminars organized for the propagation of Ayurveda.

However, in comparison to TCM or Kampo, there was a resurgence of public interest after WWII and today it is practiced extensively.

There are several medical schools that have programs focusing on Kampo offering dual degrees. Additionally, Homoeopathic self-care and education developed rapidly. Torako Yui, the first Japanese homoeopath, started the introduction of homoeopathy in the late 1990s. Thus creating the Japanese Homeopathic Medical Association. The system has begun introducing cultural aspects such as Zen meditation as a method to increase the self-healing of homeopathy. As for Naturopathy there is not so much a presence as compared to the other healing systems.

I believe Ayurveda is still in its infancy here in Japan. The propagation of Ayurveda is not easy in a homogeneous society. However, the want and need for alternative medication and natural ways of healing is on the rise.

As far as comparing Ayurveda with TCM, suffice to say that humanity now lives in a “post-human-genome sequence era”.

Current health care focuses on the challenge of understanding the inheritable differences in the human genome. Ayurveda and TCM have well-defined systems of constitutional types to help distinguish individual qualities. Unequivocally, both systems are about brining out a natural state of equilibrium within an individual. However, the methodology and approach of both systems have similar yet distinct systems.

To determine a person's mind-body classification Ayurveda incorporates a threefold classification system known as tridosha. This consists of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is classified as being related to motion, Pitta being related to metabolism and Kapha described as the lubrication and structure. With differing degrees of predominance Vata, Pitta and Kapha are present in all people. Together the three doshas make up individuals Prakruti.

Conversely, TCM acknowledges seven constitutions of Yin, Yang, Qi, Phlegm-wetness, Wetness-heat, and Blood stasis. Similar to Ayurveda, TCM classifies individuals based on the five elements of metal, earth, fire, water, and wood. Further stating that the determination of specific element is governed by two opposing qualities of chi energy, the well known Yin and Yang. Therefore the state of equilibrium of an individual’s health is determined by the two energies.

These two traditional medical systems of Asia are considered sacred. They are very closely related. For example, both systems are based on the classification method of constitution. Ayurveda and TCM both identify and classify unique characteristics of each individual, resulting in personalized medicine and treatment. Hence allowing for the optimal response to treatment.

However, modern medicine has yet to be successful in classifying human populations. Current classification systems are based on ethnicity; geographical location, language or self reported ancestry. Which is why researchers around the globe have been investigating Ayurveda. They postulate that the Prakruti types (V, P and K) can be used as phenotypic datasets for analyzing genetic variation. Which brings Ayurveda to the forefront of modern medical science.

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