January Health Genie: East Meets West: The Holistic Approach of Ayurveda
Note: These articles are not meant as a substitute for proper medical advice. Please consult with your medical practitioner before using any type of remedy, herbal or otherwise.
By Anna Wiens, Wellness Buyer
Western medicine has provided invaluable emergency medicine, created potent pharmaceuticals, and developed sophisticated diagnostic tests. There is no doubt that the science of the west has helped many people, and it continues to progress in both research and drug development. Even though a lot of good has come from western healthcare, it still has its limitations and downfalls. Many people turn to other healing modalities after western medicine fails them. Here we will look at one of the longest standing holistic healing modalities on the planet: Ayurveda.
Ayurveda literally means “the knowledge of life.” It has been around for thousands of years with the first texts dating back to 600BCE. Originally birthed from India, this science is still used and practiced around the globe. Many Indian hospitals have both an Ayurvedic wing and an allopathic wing that allows patients to choose the approach and medicine they prefer. With yoga (a sister science to Ayurveda) gaining tremendous popularity in the west, many people are catching onto Ayurveda.
Ayurveda has its own set of diagnostic tools, places a heavy emphasis on preventative medicine, and treats ailments with diet, lifestyle, herbs, and purifying techniques. Similar to western medicine, an Ayurvedic doctor goes through four years of medical school, residency, and then goes on to specialize in pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, gynecology, general medicine, psychiatry, surgery, or geriatrics. Unlike western medicine, which is mainly focused on the physical well-being of a patient, an Ayurveda doctor also takes into account one’s mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Ayurveda treats each individual uniquely. There is no standard protocol for everyone, but the basic dosha theory is used as a foundation. Ayurveda breaks down the body characteristics into three main categories, called doshas. Each person will have all three doshas present in the body, but will usually fall more into one category than the other, or more commonly a combination of two categories. These three categories are based off one’s physical body structure, mental tendencies, and personality traits. Although it can get quite complex with combinations of the doshas and subdoshas, knowing one’s basic constitution can be immensely helpful in self-evaluation and knowing how to bring balance when one feels “off”.
In the Ayurvedic tradition, once you know your dosha, you can then form a lifestyle and diet protocol that is best and most healthy for your mental and physical make up. Similar to the Myers Briggs personality tests, it can be very helpful to find out which category you fall into, what the standard patterns are within the category, and how to work with and understand others that are different than yourself. If you are at all interested in understanding why people do what they do, or in understanding yourself deeper, the dosha theory of Ayurveda can provide meaningful insights.
Similar to eating with your blood type, some foods or herbs may help one constitution but deter another. Based off of the gunas, or qualities of food, one can tailor their food, spice, and herb choices to their body type, or choose foods that will balance out what they already feel. For example, if one is feeling agitated, hot, or fiery, instead of consuming items that will increase this state (like caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods) one would choose cooling, soothing liquids that will reduce the heat and agitation (like coconut water or peppermint tea). Each food or herb is categorized in terms of its quality and effect on each dosha. Therefore, one can use food and herbs to balance their dosha or to balance the qualities of a particular meal, spice combination, or herbal blend.
Along with everyday preventative and balancing lifestyle suggestions, Ayruveda has its own set of therapeutic techniques, diets, and rejuvenation therapies. The Kitchari cleanse is becoming popular among the yoga and holistic health crowd. Kitchari consists of a rice and bean (usually mung beans) and a particular spice combination. The dish is “tridoshic” meaning that it balances or “pacifies” all of the doshas (even if you don’t know what yours is!). It is one of the safer diets/cleanses because you can continue to eat three meals a day and get all the nutrients and protein you need while still aiding the body in cleansing and purifying. It usually involves a few simple steps to aid in the cleansing process like tongue scraping, self oil massage, and drinking lemon water. After a few days of Kitchari cleanse, many report clearer mental functioning, smoother digestion, and a “lighter” feeling in the body.
Through diet, cleansing techniques, and daily rhythms/routine, Ayurveda works to bring balance and harmony to the mind, body, and spirit. Although it has its own treatment oriented practices, its main focus is on preventive medicine that will create a holistically healthy body with balanced emotions and a calm mind. If you are interested in learning more about Ayurveda, City Market is sponsoring a series of classes in January:
- For more information on the doshas and to start to understand your own body type, there is an Intro to Ayurveda class on Thursday, January 29.
- For more information about Indian spices and their uses there is a Nutrition Kitchen: Cooking with Indian Spices class on Thursday, January 15.
- For more information about the Kitchari cleanse, there will be an introductory course that will walk you through the process and set you up for your first home Kitchari cleanse tonight, Thursday, January 8 (there may still be a few spots available!) .
For more information on Ayurveda or for a consultation, visit the Ayurvedic Center of Vermont in Williston, or pick up one of the many books on Ayurveda for westerners.
Cheers to great health in 2015!
The Health Genie