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Rasayana Therapies in Ayurveda are essential to the quality and quantity of our lives. In preparing for a lecture I am giving on rasayana therapies (rejuvenation therapies) and traditional preparation of herbal chyavanprash, I have been reflecting on what rasayana means to our current culture. While much of the material I am researching is directly from the ancient text of Ayurveda, including Charaka Samhita and the Ashtanga Hydram, we can relate rejuvenation therapy and techniques to our current world. Much like anything from Ayurveda, we can benefit from this ancient healing modality in our everyday lives. Rasayana (rasa meaning juice, nectar, essence & ayana meaning path) literally means “the path of juice”. A rasayana can be any herb, therapy, or substance that deeply nourishes our tissues. While tonics in Ayurveda are building and nourishing, rasayanas go even deeper, nourishing the ojas (vitality) of our whole being and balancing pineal gland secretions that have a direct impact on the length, quality, and health of our lives. Some might say that Ayurveda as a medical science was founded on the desire of ancient people from Vedic times to promote longevity, a main goal of rasayana therapy throughout time. While herbal medicine is important in rejuvenation therapies, meditation and pranayama medicine (breathing exercises) are key components. To increase the quality and quantity of life, one must take to heart the power of personal integrity in mind and action to keep ojas strong and our tissues nourished. Typically, rasayana herbs and formulations are given after cleansing measures have already been taken, however meditation and pranayama can happen at any stage of therapy to receive benefits. Vaghbhat says that “Those who speak the truth, who never become angry, who lead a spiritually pure life and are always serene are considered to be rejuvenated daily.” We can call this “behavioral rasayana”. Dravya rasayanas are typically substances that are nourishing, grounding, heavy, and oily; however the substance can take any shape or form and depends on the state of health of the patient and their doshas involved, more specifically the qualities (gunas) from the doshas that need to be balanced. For example, some kapha rasyanas are heating, light, and pungent. Chyavanprash, a famous rasayana, is a type of avaleha (or sweet paste). In our class, we will make a batch of chyavanprash, blending together available herbs that are from the traditional recipe of Charaka, boiling amla fruit, the catalyst for this nutritive jam, frying the fruit in ghee and oil and making a past with bamboo extract, ghee, honey, and saffron, all ingredients Charaka describes that prolonged the great sage Chyavan’s life in ancient times. Here are some accessible rasayana chikitsas you can practice in your day to day life to promote health and longevity: 1) The power of positive thinking. The more we shift our thoughts for the positive we are actually increasing our vitality. Think of the qualities of thought. Anger is heating, sharp, and light. Contentment and peace is cooling, calming, and soft. These qualities affect our cellular metabolism and influence our whole bodily digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients and energy. 2) Shirodhara treatments. Shirodhara is when a stream of oil is continuously poured over your third eye, deeply nourishing the nervous system and promoting cellular repair. As both a purifying and rejuvenating therapy, shirodhara targets the central nervous system, decreasing stress and fatigue. 3) Foods and herbs. Some of my personal favorite rasayana herbs are: brahmi, ashwagandha, pippali, amalaki, and aloe. Ghee and honey are also rejuvenating substances. It is best to work with a practitioner to discover what herbs would be appropriate for your dosha, however, things that soothes your soul and body can certainly be a potent rasayana! We know our bodies best. Our culture is so hyper focused on success and productivity that in many ways we forgotten the value of rejuvenation therapy. So the next time you are sitting quietly outside, or taking a deep breath before moving forward with your day, or perhaps resting on the couch, remember you are taking part in an ancient form of healing that is replenishing for your body and mind! Happy Nourishing! 
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Handing out samples of Banyan Botanicals' Chyavanprash and new Turmeric Honey and Elderberry Honey at our local Coop! Grateful to work for a company that truly values quality. Fairly Traded. Certified Organic. Sustainability Sourced. 🌱  If you dream a little or a lot, if you dream in black and white or vivid colors, our dreams can say a lot about our current doshic imbalance or even a cry for help from certain organs. Naturally, different dreams can be indicative of their doshic nature. During consultation, your practitioner may ask you about dreams and your dream state. Let us take a deeper look on what that means and how we can identify doshic imbalances in our dreams. Vata type dreams are of flying, the feeling of fear, feeling trapped or attacked. Gas and bloating are a typically a vata imbalance in the digestive system. The sense of flying comes from the increased air quality moving around in our bodies, specifically in the digestive system which can indicate constipation. This creates the sensation of movement. Vata type dreams tend to be active with many types of dream activity and movements. Pitta dreams tend to be violent, fiery, or include problem solving. Pitta is intelligent in nature and in pitta type dreams, the concern for being on time, intellectual conversations, or dreams of study may show up. Dreams of violence or fire is a strong indication of high pitta and the hot quality in the stomach and general heat in the body should be reviewed. Pitta individuals respect the appropriateness of their appearance and may have dreams about not being dressed properly in the case of a pitta out of balance type dream. Kapha type dreams are sweet, beautiful, and romantic. Dr. Lad describes kapha dreams as “romantic, with maybe a lake and lotus flowers and beautiful swans or ducks” (Textbook of Ayurveda: Volume 2, pg. 168 Dr. Lad). As kapha is comprised of earth and water, kapha type dreams are watery and fluid. Dreaming of drowning can indicate a urinary tract imbalance or fluid in the lung. While we can certainly look at dreams from a physical perspective, we cannot forget the importance of the spiritual connection in our dreams as our minds processes our surrounding world.  What is in your medicine closet? Is it actually medicine? Many of the products that are sold these days contain harmful chemicals. From makeup, to supplements, to creams, we are taught to trust what is on the shelves yet it is important to be cautious when buying "wellness" products. I am grateful I live somewhere I have access to organic, sustainable, and clean products. As an herbalist, I know first hand how herbs, many that grow in our own yards, can offer the same support and healing that synthetic "medicine" can. A few staples I keep in my medicine cabinet are calendula cream, throat sprays and bronchial syrups, lavender essential oil, bentonite clay, rubbing alcohol, and antiviral herbs like oregano. Bentonite clay is my go to for any splinters, bites, or stings. When used externally, it helps to pull out poisons and small particles. If you get a mild burn from cooking, immediately apply lavender essential oil. I have seen blisters develop and disappear after application of lavender. Any onset of a scratchy throat or when traveling, throat sprays containing goldenseal and propolis protect our immune system to keep away colds and the flu, especially going into fall and winter.  The more that I talk with people about their state of wellbeing, I realize how pivotal it is for Ayurveda to shine at this point in history. I also realize, many are not familiar with Ayurveda and what it actually is. How can we use this incredible ancient healing modality in our current time in history? What exactly is Ayurveda and how can we apply this to our daily lives? What is my dosha and unique expression of the elements? I find that it is important to go back to the basics so we can truly grasp an idea of what Ayurveda is and how we can use this ancient science as a tool for our health and wellness. Ayurveda is the science of life, the science of self-realization, and the knowledge of life. Ayur means life and Veda means knowledge/truth/or science. Dating back to 5,000 years ago, the first written expression of Ayurveda can be found in the Artharva Vedic text from 1,500 BCE that mentions 125 botanical plants and their healing properties. Of course, Ayurveda existed as an oral tradition well before written text. One interesting thing to note about Ayurvedic texts is the physicians, whom were seers cognizing this knowledge, edited and expanded upon previous written text based on experiential trial and error. Therefore, Ayurveda is both traditional and experimental in nature. Ayurveda also acknowledges that one size does not fit all. We are all unique expressions of the elements and embody a constant flow of balance and imbalance from environmental, emotional, and diet-based factors. Ayurveda approaches healing from a truly holistic perspective, embodying mind, body, and spirit. As the soul of Ayurveda is held in a deeply cultural and ritualistic tradition, you cannot practice Ayurveda without taking into consideration the spirit of existence. The root of Ayurveda is held in Sankhya Philosophy, or a creation philosophy, that describes the journey of consciousness into matter. We are all in a state of illusion that we exist solely as our functioning bodies, yet we are much more connected to the cosmos then we think. So, in Ayurveda we really seek and value self-realization to fully understand ourselves as a whole being observing and existing in the world. The three doshas, vata, pitta, and kapha, are the “humors” comprised of the five elements in our bodies. We all have these three doshas circulating within us, however the quality and quantity of each varies. Vata is ether and air. Pitta is fire and water. Kapha is water and earth. Dosha is best translated as “organization” because when in balance, or organized properly with our prakruti (unique constitution) we are in a state of health. When they become out of balance, vikruti, we are in a state of imbalance or di-ease. This can show up in our mental, emotional, or physical beings. The true goal is to get back to the state of our prakruti so that we are happy and healthy. Vata individuals are typically slender and love to move. They are creative, adaptable, enthusiastic and love change. Vata type individuals tend to furiously spend money, particularly at the thrift store as they love old antiques. They typically wear bright colors and mismatching patterns. They are artistic and have a true joy for life. When out of balance, a vata predominate individual will be fearful, anxious, nervous, forgetful, spacy and will be prone to vata digestion such as constipation and bloating. Nourishing and grounding tools are necessary to get vata back to balance. Pitta individuals have a moderate body built with well-defined muscles. They may have many freckles and moles and are fiery in appearance and personality. Pitta types are extremely intelligent, ambitious, passionate, and organized. When out of balance, pittas can be judgmental, angry, jealous, and unyielding. Heat in the body is a sign of high pitta. Serenity and cooling practices are best for a pitta who is out of balance. Cooling foods such as cilantro, lime, coconut will help to keep a pitta cool, calm, and collected. Kapha individuals have large, beautiful eyes and thick lustrous hair. Kapha types are more prone to carrying extra adipose tissue on their body and tend to have slow, steady movements. Kapha personalities are welcoming, loving, forgiving, and caring however can become attached, depressed, or possessive when out of balance. Energizing, stimulating, and warming foods and practices are best to keep kapha motivated and moving.  Summertime means pitta season. With climate that is hot and dry, or hot and wet, there are many Ayurvedic tools we can use to remain cool, calm, and collected to beat the heat and stay balanced. According to Ayurveda, each season holds qualities that represent the different Doshas. Summer represents pitta. The qualities of pitta, which is ruled by water and fire, are: hot, sharp, light, liquid, spreading, oily, and sour. While the main home site of pitta is the small intestine, pitta also lives in the stomach, eyes, blood, liver, sweat, grey matter of the brain, and sebaceous glands. The more we can understand how pitta shows up in our bodies, the better we can mitigate any imbalance during the hot, summer days. Whether you are predominately vata, pitta, or kapha, our surrounding environment can off balance our physical and emotional bodies and increase our Doshas. For the summertime season, the heat can increase pitta and show up as anger, heat in the body, irritability, confusion, rash, hives, inflammation, gastrointestinal issues, diarrhea, or fatigue. It is important to stay hydrated so that our red blood cells are saturated enough to absorb the liquids and easily circulate throughout the body. Now let’s talk about some tools to stay cool. While drinking water is important to stay hydrated, sometimes too much water can deplete the lining of our red blood cells and pass right through us. Electrolytes are important to support the absorption of water into our red blood cells, however many brands on the market have tons of sugars and other ingredients that are not so great for us. Consider this very simple, yet profoundly hydrating, electrolyte drink. In a 34 ounce cup, add ½ squeezed lime, a pinch of any sugar and salt you have, and BOOM! You have yourself an amazing electrolyte beverage to drink throughout the day. Drink one, every day. Herbs play an amazing role in supporting our physical and mental well-being too. Brahmi is an incredible herbal ally during summer days. Pitta rules intelligence, and Brahmi works on the mental brain to promote tranquility and awareness, while also nourishing the nervous system. The properties of Brahmi are sweet and bitter, with a cooling energy, to keep the mind cool and levelheaded. The main action of Brahmi is on the brain while also promoting a cooling and stress releasing effect on the nervous system. Lastly, pranayama, or breathing exercises, can be an immediate tool to cool off. Sheetali literally means “that which is cooling”. Sheetali is used not only to cool down anger or irritability, it also targets the stomach and gastrointestinal lining to ease peptic ulcers or gastritis. Here is a link to instruction on how to do Sheetali. Learn to beat the heat with Sheetali  Did you ever combine the most outlandish ingredients together when you are a kid? Whatever spices you could get your hands on, leaves, strings, shells, obviously poisonous berries, flowers, sand. You name it. Years later, as an adult and an herbalist (go figure), I still find excitement and magic in blending ingredients into potions. A blend that has been a staple in my life for years is in a milk base. Traditional preparation of milk decoctions are called ksirapaka kalpana. 1 part herb, 8 parts milk, and 32 parts water are simmered together. Nourishing and grounding, my personal take on ksirapaka kalpana is something I have been enjoying as a nighttime treat. Some herbal constituents are oil soluble and offer the nourishment needed to pacify vata and cool pitta. Extracting the lipid soluble parts of the plant can make the healing properties more bioavailable. You can use cow’s milk or any milk alternative for making a tasty treat. In Ayurveda, an anupana is a carrier for the herbs to different places or organs in the body. Blends with milk as a base helps to pacify pitta and nourishes the nervous system. Adding ghee to the warm beverage helps the herbs navigate to deeper tissues of the nervous system (majja dhatu) and reproductive system (artava and shukra dhatu). I am going to share with you one of my secret potion recipes. While you may not have all of these herbs available, I encourage you to play a little and add spices in your cabinet that feel right. I hope you enjoy this tasty treat as much as I do! 1/4th Teaspoon Shatavari 1/4th Teaspoon Ashwagandha 1/8th Teaspoon Arjuna 1/8th Mucuna Pinch of Pippali (you can use black pepper instead) Sprinkle Moringa Sprinkle of Nutmeg Sprinkle of Cinnamon Sprinkle of Cardamom Sprinkle of Turmeric 1/2 of ghee after hot beverage is in mug Sip, and enjoy!  I follow a Health Coach on social media. They are wonderful. Fun, innovative, great recipes and tips. Yet, in many of their post they complain of suffering from gas and bloating. While their choice of food ingredients and recipes are in fact “healthy” compared to many of our cultural standards, any Ayurvedic Practitioner would keel over at the combinations and preparation methods they use. The juiced, raw, and poor food combining leads to the obvious, the inevitable, the dreaded gas, bloating, and constipation.
This Health Coach, with a predominantly vata constitution, focuses on ways to improve gut health. Raw, juiced, and smoothies with milk, bananas, and peanut butter dominate their profile. These are all a major red flag when it comes to food combining according to Ayurveda. Keeping our agni (digestion) intact and happy is the source of health. Our unique doshic constitution certainly plays a role for what would be appropriate or not for individual diets. Kapha, for example, could benefit in certain situations from raw foods. Pitta certainly deserves a cooling smoothie here and there, and vata could use some grounding from that oily peanut butter. But if we take the basic understanding of qualities in our bodies as well as qualities in our food and think of how these qualities combine, we can make healthy choices so that our digestion, assimilation, and elimination is happy and healthy. The journey begins with agni. There are 4 major types of agni. Vishama, tikshna, manda, and sama agni. Vishama agni is variable, typical of vata, where digestion is inconsistent leading to constipation, gas, and bloating. Tikshna agni is your typical pitta digestion presenting itself as sharp huger, loose stools, and heart burn. Manda agni is typical of a kapha imbalance where there is weak and slow digestion. Sama agni is balanced digestion, which is ideal. While the first rule of thumb is that not one specific diet fits all, there are some simple basic food combinations that should be applied for all doshas. 1)Eat fruit by itself. Especially bananas. Fruit is quickly digested, and when it is eaten with other food, it will digest before the other food and create fermentation in the body. Bananas specifically are sour and can dampen agni which leads to production of toxins. It is best to eat fruit at least 30 minutes before or after anything else. 2)Never mix meat and cheese! Enough said. 3)Nightshades with melons, cucumber, or dairy products are a no go. Nightshades are inflammatory in action so should be avoided if there is inflammation in the body. 4)Beans with cheese, eggs, fish, milk, meat, and yogurt are especially vata provoking and increase the air quality in the body creating gas, bloating, constipation. 5)Raw and juiced foods may be appropriate for certain situations. but should typically be avoided. When digesting raw foods, the body needs to work harder to break down raw materials. Juiced foods are heavily concentrated with sugars and stripped of fibers. Both are increasing to air and ether elements contributing to lack of absorption. Consider an Ayurvedic Consultation with me if you need support with diet and digestion. The key to health and well-being begins in our gut. Happy digesting! That moment in time where you are not quite sure. Was that a tickle in my throat? Am I getting sick? Why can I not stop sneezing!? You think you are all right, then bam! Sneezing, runny nose, fatigue. And once you have crossed off Covid as an option, you know you are experiencing seasonal allergies. The dreaded exchange for beautiful weather and flowers is upon us. Everything is starting to bloom here in Southern Oregon. Lilacs, fruit tree blossoms, tulips, daffodils, cute purple weeds, you name it. While for some it may just be an inconvenience, for others, allergies can shake their whole world. Let’s take a look at what our bodies are going through when experiencing allergies from an Ayurvedic lens and discuss some Ayurvedic remedies to navigate springtime allergies. Asatmya is the concept of allergies in Ayurveda. While this ranges from food to skin allergies, this also includes seasonal allergies. Satmya means immunity, the resistance to allergies or infection. When our agni (digestive fire) and ojas (immunity) are functioning properly, it is difficult for external antigens to invade the body, create ama (toxic material), and trigger an allergic doshic response, i.e. runny nose, rash, sneezing. However, when agni and ojas are low, our immune system is compromised and we are more likely to be effected by antigens and experience allergy like symptoms. Per Dr. Lad. Ayurveda Today 1989 – Asatmya “AMA (toxic material) produces Vata type, Pitta type, and Kapha type local or general reactions. The substances which produce these reactions are called allergens. The form that an allergy takes depends both upon the type of allergen and the aggravated dosha (V, P, or K).” Our antibodies, with vata, pitta, and kapha as separate “strains”, react to these external antigens in their own ways. Kapha type reaction will surface as laryngeal edema, latent spring fever, runny nose. Pitta type allergies include rashes, eczema, and acne. Vata type allergies show up as gas, aches and pains, and wheezing. Springtime is naturally kaphagenic in nature as the emergence from winter, including snow melt and seed growth, create moisture in the air. Spring allergies are considered a predominantly kapha imbalance, so it is important that we support and balance kapha in our bodies during this transition. Here are some tools to balance kapha to keep ama, and allergies, at bay: 1)Sun Salutations. To get kapha moving in our lymphatic system, practice 3 sun salutations a day. Be sure the stretch towards the sky for sun salutation kapha variation to further promote circulation. Here is a video of Beverly demonstrating optional Kapha Sun Salutation variations. 2)Trikatu. As agni is our main line of defense against external allergens, we want to make sure we have a strong, stable digestive fire. Trikatu, the blend of ginger, black pepper, and pippali (long pepper) is a heating, yet gentle, combination to increase digestion and eliminate toxins. Ayurvedic Rasayanas’ Digestive Support #13- Trikatu Rasayana is an excellent option to keeping agni happy and our immune system strong, ready to combat potential allergens. 3)Nasya Oil. Administering daily nasya oil through the nasal passages removes kapha from the sinuses and nose. Nasya oil is typically formulated as an herbal blend with a sesame oil base. To lubricate the nasal passages without nasya oil, simply put a few drop of sesame oil on your finger and gently massage the inside if your nasal passages. 4)Kapha pacifying diet. When we are choosing meal selections during the winter to spring seasonal change, favor kapha pacifying foods. Choose bitter, pungent, and astringent foods; stay away from sweet, sour, and salty meals. Pinto beans, split peas, red lentils, barley, millet, quinoa are all great options. Vegetables to pacify kapha during allergy season are carrots, beets, leafy greens; cook with heating spices such as trikatu. 5)Warm water and Honey. Upon waking, boil water and add a little bit of honey. Drink as a morning tea. The honey offers a gentle scraping effect to the body, specifically the lungs, and will support proper elimination of mucus. The best honey is raw, crystalized honey. 6)Wake early. Daily routine is key to a healthy lifestyle. As kapha can be heavy and groggy, consider waking at 4:30 a.m. to start your day. Incorporate healthy habits such as a 20-minute walk and stimulating yoga asana. Keep it simple at first, yet steady and consistent. You can always add more to your routine. Happy Spring!  The feminine is such a beautiful and powerful thing. According to Sankhya Philosophy, or the philosophy of creation, the feminine is the force behind the birth of the universe. Prakruti, this female energy, manifest nature. She is the creative potential that is the source of creative will and awareness in the universe. The female body is an amazing representation of this creative potential. Taking care of our bodies is always important, however it is ojas, or the nectar of our reproductive systems, that give us immunity, strength, vitality, and ultimately a long life. The superior by-product of Artava dhatu, or the female reproductive tissue, is ojas. For a woman to be successful for a healthy pregnancy and general well-being, it is crucial that we protect and nourish ojas. Menstruation can offer insight into the health of our ojas. Through emotional experience, color and consistency of blood, and generalized pain in the body, we can understand which dosha is being affected and how to pacify that dosha. Here are some examples of what each dosha may experience as an imbalance during a woman’s cycle. Vata imbalance: may experience sharp, intermittent lower back pain. Typical out of balanced vata emotions may be prevalent such as anxiety or fear. The blood flow may be scanty and dark in color. Pitta imbalance: General heat in body, including inflammation, diarrhea, or nausea. Unbalanced pitta emotions may be prevalent such as anger and judgment. Color of blood is general red with a slight smell as pitta dominates a sour scent. Kapha imbalance: Kapha tends to be dull pain, with heavy emotions such as depression. The consistency of the blood may be thick and have mucous with a heavier and longer flow. A healthy cycle will not induce pain or a major emotional response. The blood will be bright red and not stain clothing, as staining is an indication of ama, or toxins in the body. Traditionally, the menstrual cycle starts on the new moon. Nourishing ojas can mean many things, so let us explore some practices to keep our ojas happy and healthy for an easy menstrual experience and overall health of a woman’s body.
Of course, actively balancing your individual dosha throughout the month and keeping up with healthy habits will be crucial to a healthy, happy, cycle.  |
