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Ayurveda for Healthy Aging “West Greets East: Alternative Approaches to Aging”

Dr. (Vaidya) Shekhar Annambhotla, BAMS, MD-Ayurved, LMT, RAD, ERYT President. Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, Inc. USA Director, Global Conferences, LLC & Global Ayurveda Academy, USA Director, Ojas, LLC – Ayurveda Wellness Center, Pennsylvania, USA 567 Thomas Street, Coopersburg, PA 18036 Phone: 484-347-6110 Email: [email protected] www.ojas.us / www.aapna.org Disclaimer Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla has provided this material for your information and education purpose only. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your provider(s). We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or is not an endorsement by Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla. “The Natural force within each of us is the greatest healer of disease” - Hippocrates “The doctor of the future will give no , but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease” –Thomas Alva Edison What is AYURVEDA?

“The Knowledge of Life”

AYU = LIFE VEDA = KNOWLEDGE

Life = Mind + Body + Spirit HIGHLIGHTS OF AYURVEDA Traditional system of medicine from Holistic, natural healing Complementary and integrative system Addresses the root cause of imbalance Each individual is unique Relationship between Microcosm and Macrocosm Treatment of the whole mind-body Rejuvenating and revitalizing system Promotion of immunity, maintenance of health Lifestyle recommendations - diet, daily & seasonal regimen, yoga, meditation, , physiological detoxification (Panchakarma) Adopts multiple ingredients of whole / herbs and minerals AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO HEALTH

Therapeutic modalities which are:

Suited to an individual’s constitution

Seek to restore good health, balance, and harmony at

the levels of body, mind and spirit Individuals are advised on:

Diet

Daily routine

Seasonal regimens

Exercise, including Yoga Asanas

Meditation

Herbs, Detoxification Physiological purification methods such as:

warm oil

Sweat therapy

Herbal

Herbal steam

Herbal smoke AYURVEDIC HERBAL &

Individual results will vary from person to person Compound preparations: Multiple ingredients of plants and minerals to help the preparation function as a whole and to balance the total function of the body. Some herbs enhance the action, while others avoid or minimize possible side effects. • According to World Health Organization, in India, about 2/3rd of people in rural areas use Ayurveda, to meet their primary health care. • In , accounts for around 40% of all health care delivered. • In Chile 71% of the population, • In Colombia 40% of the population • In India, 65% of the population in rural areas use Ayurveda and to help meet their primary health care needs. For example, the percentage of the population that has used such medicines at least once is - • 48% in • 31% in • 70% in Canada • 49% in France and • 42% in the of America. Source – WHO fifth –sixth world assembly 31, March 2003

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• In the , pollution, unhealthy lifestyle, environmental toxins increases the risk of diseases. • The side effects, overuse/misuses of allopathic drugs are also a major concern. • In 2013, WHO developed and lunched ‘WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023’ and emphasized to integrate traditional and complementary medicine to promote universal healthcare and to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of such medicine.5 • Therefore, the world is looking for cost effective, easily available, better physiological compatible traditional systems of medicine and holistic approach to avert such problem and provide the basic healthcare to all. • Nearly 8000 plants species are utilized in folk medicine and approximately 25,000 effective -based formulations used by the rural and ethnic communities in India. Source: Sen S., Chakraborty R. Toward the integration and advancement of : a focus on Traditional Indian medicine. Bot Target Ther. 2015;5:33–44. Professional Organizations • Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, Inc. – AAPNA www.aapna.org • National Ayurvedic Medical Association – NAMA www.ayurveda-nama.org • Colorado Ayurvedic Medical Association – https://www.coloradoayurveda.org/ • California Ayurvedic Medical Association – https://www.ayurveda-caam.org/

15 Use of traditional medicine for primary health care is extensive in some developing countries Source: WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005, p. 9

16 Percentage of population which has used traditional medicine at least once in selected developed countries WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005, p.11

17 Three Biological Energies ()

Balance State VATA

PITTA KAPHA

Imbalance State

KAPHA VATA PITTA

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VATA

Cellular level Functions of nucleus

Somatic / Physical level Neurological activities PITTA

Cellular level Functions of mitochondria

Somatic level Hormonal & enzymatic activities (Endocrinal) KAPHA

Cellular level Functions of protoplasm

Somatic level Various secretary activities (Exocrinal) UNDERSTANDING VATA, PITTA, KAPHA VATA is responsible for:

• Movement • Transportation • Communication • Neurological activities o Governed by SROTAS PITTA is responsible for:

• Digestion • Metabolism • Transformation • Hormonal, Enzymatic actions – Governed by KAPHA is responsible for:

• Structure • Cohesion • Binding • Lubrication • Immune activities –Governed by DHATU LOCATIONS OF VATA • Colon (Main) • Bladder / kidneys • Anus & rectum • Waist • Pelvis, reproductive organs • Legs, feet • Bones • Ears • Skin LOCATIONS OF PITTA • Small intestine and stomach (Main) • Sweat • Plasma, blood • Liver, spleen • Endocrine glands • Skin • Brain • Eyes LOCATIONS OF KAPHA · Thorax (Main) · Head, neck · Mouth · Joints · Kidneys · Adipose tissue · Lymphatic system · Stomach, small intestine · Pancreas Ayurvedic Body types • Vata constitution • Pitta constitution • Kapha constitution • Vata Pitta constitution • Vata Kapha constitution • Pitta Kapha constitution • Pitta Vata constitution • Kapha Vata constitution • Kapha Pitta constitution • Vata Pitta Kapha constitution CHARACTERISTICS OF VATA CONSTITUTION

 Irregular hunger and digestion  Display short-lived bursts of emotion  Enthusiasm, liveliness, imagination  Easy excitability  Changing moods  No set hour for bedtime  Keep irregular habits • Light, interrupted sleep; tendency toward insomnia • Light, thin, body build • Love, excitement and constant change • Mental and physical comes in bursts • Perform activity too quickly • Quick to grasp new information, but with poor retention • Skip meals easily • Tendency to worry • Tendency toward constipation • Tire easily, tendency to over exert • Rapid gait (walking) CHARACTERISTICS OF PITTA CONSTITUTION • Aversion to sun and hot weather • Cannot skip or delay meals • Enterprising character, likes challenges • Fair or ruddy skin, often freckled • Determined stride • Often thought to be too demanding, sarcastic, or critical by others • Follow tight schedules and dislike wasting time • Medium build • Medium strength and endurance • Precise, articulate speech • Sharp hunger and thirst, strong digestion • Sharp intellect • Take command of situations of feel that they should • Tendency toward anger, irritable under stress • Wake up at night feeling hot and thirsty CHARACTERISTICS OF KAPHA CONSITUTION

• Affectionate, tolerant and forgiving • Happy with the status quo and preserve it by conciliating others • Cool, smooth, thick, pale, and often oily skin • Graceful movements, gliding walk • Charming eyes • Heavy, prolonged sleep • Ponder carefully for a long time before making decisions • Seek emotional comfort through eating • Slow digestion, mild hunger • Slow to grasp new information, but excellent retentive memory • Solid, powerful build • Great physical strength and endurance • Steady energy, slow and graceful in action • Tendency to be possessive, self-contented • Tendency toward obesity or overweight • Tranquil, relaxed personality, slow to anger • Wake up slowly, lie in bed a long time, and often require coffee in the morning CIRCADIAN CYCLES - RHYTHMS OF

Late autumn - winter October - February

VATA

2:00 AM - 6:00 AM 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Mid summer - early autumn Spring - early summer July - October March - June

PITTA KAPHA

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM39 BENEFITS OF SELF ()

 Cleanses the body  Flushes toxins and impurities  Stimulates the immune system  Promotes free flow of energies  Helps prevent accumulation of physiological imbalances  Rejuvenates both the mind and body  Lubricates and promotes flexibility of joints, muscles and tissues  Rejuvenates the skin, promotes softness and luster  Promotes youthfulness  Invigorates the nervous and the endocrine systems through stimulation of the vital points (marma) and cutaneous nerves throughout the skin that connect to every part of the body • According to Ayurveda a holistic way of living, chronic pain is caused by doshic (energy) imbalances and is influenced by many factors like diet, digestion, toxin accumulation, stress, exercise levels and daily routine. Scientific Studies on Sesame Oil Massage

• Significant benefits from massaging newborns, such as enhanced weight gain and responsiveness (Field T, Scafidi F, Schanberg S 1987 Massage of pre term newborns to improve growth and development. Pediatric Nursing 13:385-387) (Rice R 1977 Neurophysiological development in premature infants following stimulation, Developmental Psychology 13:69- 76) • Dr. Edwards Smith found those who practice sesame oil massage daily have significantly less bacterial infection on their skin. This may have to do with the major component of sesame oil, linoleic acid, which makes up 40% of the oil. Lineoleic acid inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria, is an anti-inflammatory agent, anticaricinogen. Sesame oil has been shown to inhibit in vitro malignant melanoma growth (Smith & Salerno 1992) and human colon adenocarcinoma cell line growth (Salerno & Smith 1991), antioxidant (Fukuda et al 1986, Sugano et al 1990) Scientific Study On Sesame Oil Gargle

Dr. Mary Martha Stevens, Chairperson of the Dental Hygiene Department of Wichita State University, found that people who gargled with sesame oil daily had significantly lower (p<0.001) bacteria colony types in sub-gingival probe specimens (“The effects of a sesame oil mouth rinse on the number of oral bacteria colony types.”

(Presented at the 11th International Symposium on Dental Hygiene, Ottawa, Canada, June 1989) Lymphatic system • Pains in the joints are very common complaints as a person advances in years. • More often than not, these joint pains are due to arthritis. • There are several kinds of arthritis which may occur in old age. • In all these types, the indication is that the joints have become worn down with age and so they are not attacking themselves. • In this manner of speaking, joint pains are an autoimmune disease, i.e. one in which the body attacks itself. 7 Steps to Eliminate Chronic Pain 1 Removing the Buildup of Toxins and Impurities: Ayurvedic herbalized oil massages helps in loosening impurities that are embedded in tissues and helps liquefy them for easy absorption into the circulation and eventual elimination of pain. 2 Proper : Ayurveda advises a easy to digest and a satisfying and nourishing dietary approach that improves the digestion along with ayurvedic herbal formulas which helps in restoring balance to the specific functioning modes whose malfunctioning causes the chronic pain. 3 Creating Strong Digestion: Incompletely digested foods create toxins and impurities that are eventually absorbed, travel throughout the physiology, localize in tissues and disrupt their functioning leading to a chronic pain which is treated by a proper use of spices and cooking oils, by favoring digestion-enhancing foods, by reducing digestion-depressing foods. Dietary Treatments for Joint Pains • and are extremely good for controlling joint pains. Some people find the odor of garlic intolerable. In order to reduce the odor, the cloves of garlic could be slightly fried in butter. All bitter tastes are good for arthritis. • People with joint pains should totally steer away from all kinds of sour foods, since these can increase the vata. Constipation can aggravate the pains. Hence foods that are difficult to digest must be avoided. This also extends to protein-rich foods such as pulses. Foods must not be fried so as not to vitiate the vata further. 4 Balancing Nervous System Activity: Vata imbalance is an underlying cause of the painful condition and is reversed by specific diets, herbs, cleansing programs, meditation, yoga asanas and yoga breathing exercises. 5 Stress Management: Excessive mental, emotional and physical stress can worsen the symptoms of many chronic pain. Ayurveda treats it by herbal warm oil massage and yoga postures. 6 Lifestyle and Daily Routine: One of the most important factors for maintaining healthy functioning is to have a lifestyle that does not disturb natural bodily rhythms. Ayurveda reviews and creates a daily schedule that will increase balance in your physiology and aid in healing your body. 7 Exercise and Flexibility Education: Ayurveda advises proper stretching and flexibility exercises as it has a very positive effect on circulation, nervous system function, the body's healing response thereby treats many chronic pains. Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Joint Pains • (Medicago satina) The alfalfa is very effective in the reduction of joint pains. It must be had in the form of a tea four times a day. • Protein: 4 g (per 100 g) • : 32 mg (per 100 g) • : 960 mcg (per 100 g) • Alfalfa is used for kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, and to increase urine flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, , osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, , upset stomach, and a bleeding disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura. People also take alfalfa as a source of A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, , phosphorous, and iron. Ashwagandha () Ashwagandha is the herb popularly known as Winter Cherry in the west. It has classified as an "adaptogen," meaning that it can help your body manage stress. • Several controlled human studies have shown that it can effectively reduce symptoms in people with stress and anxiety disorders as well Ashwagandha Health Benefits • Improve Brain Function, Including Memory • Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides • Reduce Inflammation • Increase Muscle Mass and Strength • Boost Testosterone and Increase Fertility in Men • Reduce Symptoms of Depression • Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety • Reduce Cortisol Levels • Anti- Properties • Reduce Blood Sugar Levels (Apium graveolens) • Celery can be used as an effective treatment for rheumatism and gout, both of which can cause pain in the joints. • The alkaline content of celery makes it effective in treating joint pains. Celery Health Benefits • Celery is a great source of important antioxidants. • Celery reduces inflammation • Celery supports digestion. • Celery is rich in vitamins and minerals with a low glycemic index. • Celery has an alkalizing effect. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Dandelion is rich in , an element that is needed for the proper mineralization of the bones. Use of dandelion makes the bones stronger and protects them from pains. • Help Fight Inflammation • Aid Blood Sugar Control • Reduce Cholesterol • Lower Blood Pressure • Promote a Healthy Liver • Aid Weight Loss • Fight Cancer • Support Healthy Digestion and Treat Constipation • Boost Your Immune System • Useful Skincare Treatment • Support Healthy Bones • Garlic (Allium sativum) Garlic is a very effective remedy for the treatment of joint pains. About five to six cloves of garlic must be eaten every morning to seek relief. • Combat Sickness, including the Common Cold • Reduce Blood Pressure • Improves Cholesterol Levels, Which May Lower the Risk of Heart Disease • Help Detoxify Heavy Metals in the Body • Improve Bone Health Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Ginger is also one of the best methods in the treatment of joint pains. It must be included freely in the daily diet of the person. Tea made with ginger in it is also beneficial. • Can Treat Many Forms of Nausea, Especially Morning Sickness • Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness • Anti-Inflammatory Effects Can Help With Osteoarthritis • Drastically Lower Blood Sugars and Improve Heart Disease Risk Factors • Help Treat Chronic Indigestion • Significantly Reduce Menstrual Pain • Help Prevent Cancer • Improve Brain Function and Protect Against Alzheimer's Disease • Ginger Can Help Fight Infections Home Remedies for Joint Pains • Massage the joints with a mixture of camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol before going to bed. • Have a glass of carrot juice early in the morning. Continue this till you find reduction in the pains, which should happen within a week. • Do not exercise wildly, but at the same time do not keep your joints lethargic. Perform some activity with them so as to keep them mobile. • Have a bath with warm every morning. This facilitates proper blood circulation. For more information please visit our website: www.ojas.us Phone: 484-347-6110 Email: [email protected]