Cough / Cold / Sinus related conditions Ayu = Life Veda = Science/Knowledge Hence, ayurveda means the science of life. Preventive: Preservation of health of healthy people Curative: Relief from illness or ‘dis’ ease of people The entire Universe (both animate and inanimate) is made up of Pancha mahabhutas/5 elements. Space: Vibrations of all vital systems together Air: Breath / Prana Fire: Acids and Enzymes in the body Water: Fluid in the body Earth: Physical Body The PANCHA MAHA BHUTHA Concept The FIVE ELEMENTS Concept Different combinations and permutations of five elements = difference of form and qualities in them. (a) Dosha (the disease causing factors) (b) Dhatus (bodily tissues) (c) Malas (the waste products) CONCEPTION, NATURE & FUNCTION OF DOSHAS Space Air Fire Water Water Earth (Akash) (Vayu) (Tejas) (Jala) (Jala) (Prithvi) Vata Pitta Kapha Rajasic Sattvic Tamasic energy of Movement energy of Metabolism energy of Structure VATA: Air & Space PITTA: Fire & Water (liquid) KAPHA: Water & Earth Gall Stones, Kidney stones When water evaporates what happens? Earth or body’s solids increases Edema/ Oedema Too much water and less earth Gastric Ulcer Fire predominates and water unable to contain Elements: Water & Earth. Qualities: Heavy, oily, cool, moist, slow, soft & stable/static. Body Characteristics: potential to become overweight. Good muscular development. Short neck & large bone structure. Personality: Slow speaking, slow moving, consistent & dedicated. Physical Challenges: Prone to mucous conditions of the lungs and sinuses. Has the potential for water retention & diabetes. Emotional Challenges: Lethargy, depression & over attachment. Balanced by: Warm, light, dry & mobile qualities Balancing Tastes: Pungent, Bitter, Astringent Imbalancing Tastes: Sweet, Sour, Salt. Organs and main sites: Stomach, Chest, Sinuses, Lungs, Joints, Head. Good Qualities: Unconditional love, nurturing and devotion. Kaphas make wonderful caretakers & supporters. Time of Day: 6-10 AM and 6-10PM. Season: Winter – Early Spring. Life Cycle: 0-16 years old The main function of the Kapha in the body, is stability and structure. In ayurveda, diseases are categorized into two Physical and Mental. Both body and mind are considered to be the seat of disease. Hence treatment must be for both body and mind. Body develops according to the food intake: So take daily food after knowing the properties of it We are what we eat ! 3 qualities (gunas) for mind are: Sattva guna, Rajo guna and Tammo guna State of mind = the proportion of these gunas in our mind = the food we eat! mind and body are interconnected Lead a life useful to the society as a whole. Unless the society becomes happy it will not be possible for the individual to attain his own happiness DIET Sleep Lifestyle Food is the keeper of the 5 elements Space: Vibrations of all vital systems together Air: Breath / Prana Fire: Acids and Enzymes in the body Water: Fluid in the body Earth: Physical Body Transformation of food gives the body - LIFE DIGESTION • Good food = good health • Good digestion = good health • Each mind/body type digests differently. • • Agni : Digestive Power • Malas : Waste Products • Ama : Toxic by-products • Ojas : Energy/Vitality/Vigor AGNI =FIRE Enzymes and acids responsible for digestion of food and its assimilation. takes place continuously in the body. AHARA, PROPER DIET = health & happiness. There is NO ONE SINGLE DIET or food that is healthy for all individuals. Modern nutritional theories tend to recommend "one size fits all" guidelines that change with each new wave of research • Air pollution • Lifestyle pattern • Alternating between hot and cold weather • Consuming excess amounts of cold, heavy or sweet foods, • Lack of sleep • Insufficient exercise • Kapha imbalance leads to physical and emotional / mental imbalances • Physical problems: will be related to the WATER principle • E.g., cold, flu, sinus congestion, diseases involving mucus-bronchial congestion-asthma etc • Sluggishness, obesity, diabetes, water retention and sinus headaches • Emotional problems: • Possessiveness • Greed • Attachment • Envy • Lust • Lethargy • Kapha type depression • Skin disease: Kapha dosha results in too much oil in skin and chances of skin allergy. • Respiratory System: respiratory system is governed by the Kapha Dosha and dominance of this Dosha makes you prone to respiratory allergies. • Immune System: Immunity is governed by the Kapha Dosha while Pitta Dosha adds in sensitivity resulting in hypersensitivity responses • Metabolism: Due to Kapha Dosha metabolism will become sluggish • Sinus problems are caused due to underlying imbalance in VATA and Kapha • Resulting in Ama, the sticky waste-product after digestion • Ama mixes with Kapha in the sinus area, resulting in an even more toxic and sticky mucus called Shleshma, which settles in the area, clogging the sinus channels. • Due to this restriction, there is an imbalance of Pitta, and this leads to inflammation. Be active on a daily basis as Kapha types are prone to sluggishness, depression, and being overweight. Choose foods that are light, warm, and spicy. Tea with dried ginger and lemon is a ideal for Kapha types. Spices such as black pepper, ginger, cumin, chilli and lots of bitter dark greens Avoid heavy oily and processed sugars, which are detrimental to Kaphas. Dry ginger:- Ginger stimulates salivation. Saliva, produced by the salivary glands, blends with the carbohydrates in the food in the mouth and initiates carbohydrate metabolism, which consequently eases digestion Black pepper :- Black pepper also stimulates bile secretion without increasing the volume of cholesterol and bile acid Long Pepper:- Long pepper prevents erosion of the gastric membrane by stimulating mucin secretion and reducing shedding of the cells present on the stomach lining. Triphala is the combination of three herbs :- Amlaki (Emblica officinalis) :- It is one of the richest source of Vit.C, it is found to reduce the toxic effects of known carcinogens, mutagens and clastogens. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) :- Its widely used as a laxative and astringent, skin and liver diseases. Possesses anti microbial, anti HIV, anti malarial, anti fungal, anti diuretic and anti mutegenic effects. Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica) :- It is reported to exhibit a variety of biological activities including anti mutagenic, anti microbial, anti viral, anti anaphylaxis, anti cancer, anti oxidant and free radical scavenging activities, protective effect against oxidative stress induced hepatotoxicity .. Nutritional value Cleansing action Mild laxative Stimulates digestive health Improves liver and gallbladder function Boosts immunity etc How to use :- To take triphala as a tea, make a decoction by adding ½ teaspoon of triphala powder to a cup of hot water. Stir and allow the tea to cool and drink. Triphala is usually taken on an empty stomach, most commonly in the evening before bed. Tulsi is abundant in essential oils and antioxidants, which are tremendously effective in reducing the effects of stress on the body. The Tulsi plant has been used topically for skin conditions like eczema, ringworm and insect bites. It is also commonly used to reduce fevers, improve lung and digestion issues, reduce the effects of colds, eliminate toxins/poisons and as a preventative antibacterial for infections. A tea prepared with the leaves of Tulsi is commonly used in cough, cold, mild, indigestion and diminished appetite. The tea is said to be relaxing, and, when taken in the evening, helps to promote sleep. Chewing a couple of leaves before a meal helps to stimulate the appetite; and a tea taken after a meal promotes digestion by increasing the flow of gastric juices, while reducing gas and bloating. The juice is recommended as a general tonic,skin problems,etc,. In Ayurvedic cooking, turmeric is everywhere, this multifaceted wonder spice helps in:- Detoxify the liver Balance cholesterol levels Fight allergies Stimulate digestion Boost immunity Enhance the complexion It is analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, appetizer, astringent, cardiovascular. Therapeutic uses of Turmeric: Anemia, cancer, diabetes, digestion, food poisoning, gallstones, indigestion, IBS, parasites, poor circulation, staph infections, and wounds. How to use: - ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with warm glass of milk, early morning or before going to the bed is enough. In case you don’t want milk can mix the same amount of turmeric in warm water (early morning is the best). Most Balancing Most Aggravating Vata Sweet, Sour, Salty Bitter, Pungent, Astringent Pitta Sweet, Bitter, Astringent Sour, Salty, Pungent Kapha Pungent, Bitter, Sweet, Sour, Salty Astringent Ayurveda recommends a Sattvic Diet (for all 3 doshas) to keep your brain in balance. Sattvic: Balanced Rajasic: Hyperactivity Tamasic: Sluggishness Eating too much of rajasic or tamasic food is said to create a chemical imbalance in the brain. Eat food in moderation Meat Alcohol Fish, Eggs Fried foods ,Stale or overripe foods Junk food, Fast food, Canned, processed and packaged food Cold food, sweets Salted food 6 major tastes required in our daily diet sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, & astringent. Each of these tastes has specific health- giving effects. ? By including all six, we will be most completely nourished and satisfied. AIR WATER FOOD FOOD The recommended ayurvedic diet is VEGETARIAN. ?? Sweet