Ayurveda & Bad Health
Bad health has come to be synonymous with the modern lifestyle. It is common for everyday stressors to take over a person’s mental and physical being to the point that the health suffers. Of all the factors, poor lifestyle choices are the biggest culprits and also the most difficult to fix as old habits indeed do die hard. Apart from a counter-productive lifestyle, undernourishment and erratic sleeping patterns are another two major culprits. Modern-day vices such as smoking and consumption of alcohols are also to be blamed. Overcoming bad health requires more than just dietary supplements. It requires changes and modifications that one can stick to for a long period. Introducing Ayurveda and Ayurvedic practices as a part of this change goes a long way in not only solving the immediate ill-effects of bad health but also in the management of a healthy lifestyle.
How to Identify Bad Health?
Poor health manifests itself in a multitude of ways. Some of these can be subtle and go unnoticed while others may be prominent. According to Ayurveda, all ailments are caused due to an imbalance in doshas. The Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas play a vital role in determining the ailments as each person’s Prakritiis a unique combination of these doshas. An imbalance of the doshasmanifests itself in both physical as well as behavioural symptoms.
Some of the commonly seen symptoms are:
- Lack of mental clarity, restlessness, sleeplessness or oversleeping, anxiety, irritability, recurring migraines, and persistent low mood.
- Physical fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath during physical activities.
- Inflammation, frequent swelling of hands and feet, stiffness, weight gain, weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Stomach related conditions such as indigestion and constipation.
- Common ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, arthritis, etc.
- Hairfall, hair thinning, premature greying, and baldness
- Weak and brittle nails, sometimes characterized by spots and discolouration.
- Poor skin health characterized by dryness, irritation, warts, moles and other ailments
- Poor eyesight and vision loss
These are only some of the common symptoms of bad health that Ayurveda identifies and provides solutions for. Needless to say, these conditions are linked to the three doshasthat are caused due to the imbalance of panchamahabhootasin a person’s Prakriti. All three doshascan be identified upon studying the various characteristics and symptoms.
Vata Dosha
The Vatadosha or the Vataimbalance is the imbalance of the air and space (ether) element in the body. The Vata body type is usually thin, fit, and athletic as Vatarepresents the domination of air and space. Such people are highly creative, driven, talkative and fast-moving.
They are prone to constipation and other digestive issues. People with a Vataimbalance tend to have low immunity and have trouble waking up fresh as they are prone to a weak nervous and circulatory system. Stress can overwhelm them easily and as a result, it is difficult for them to focus.
Pitta Dosha
Pitta is dominated by water and fire. People who are dominated by Pittatend to carry a medium, muscular frame and moderate weight. Their bodies are characterized by excessive heat and as a result, they tend to sweat more than others. They have intense and energetic personalities have good focus. They are driven by hunger and thirst. They perform better under stress and make good politicians, leaders,teachers and guides because of their dynamic personalities.
Those with an imbalanced Pittaare more prone to various conditions such as stomach ailments and loose stools, frequent heartburns, fine and thin hair, skin conditions such as dry skin and rashes, and liver ailments. They are usually short-tempered and have trouble controlling anger andfeelings of resentment and jealousy. They are predisposed to being impatient and stressed. They also tend to age quicker than people of other Prakritis.
Kapha Dosha
Kapha represents water and earth. It is characterized by stability and lack of movement. This is why people who are dominated by the Kapha dosha have a slow metabolism. As a result, they tend to have excessive fat, muscle, and large bone structure. Due to the presence of high digestive fire, they have a large appetite. Such individuals are devoted and nurturing and make excellent caretakers and thinkers.
Due to their aversion to physical activity and slow metabolism, they are at risk of being overweight and often suffer from diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. They tend to develop depression and attachment issues. They also suffer from water retention due to poor lifestyle habits combined with lethargy and non-movement.
It is not uncommon for people to be affected by a combination of these doshas instead of just one. They need to be identified after a thorough inspection in order to be fixed. Similarly, we also need to take into account the three Gunas, namely, Satvik, Rajasik, and Tamasikas they represent the consciousness and are interrelated with the three Doshas.
How does Ayurveda help in overcoming bad health?
Modern medicine has a pill for everything. Despite this, it seems to focus more on masking and alleviating the symptoms instead of fixing the root cause of ailments. Ayurveda, on the contrary, firmly believes in fixing and restoring everything that is out of order. Followers of Ayurveda are presented with several ways to achieve good health. Although Ayurvedic supplements only form a fraction of these restorative measures, they are highly potent and help in easing the transition leading to good health. Other Ayurvedic practices include but are not limited to a good diet, Yoga, Pranayama, and positive lifestyle adjustments.
Since Ayurveda seeks to fix the causes of poor health, it is necessary to identify these causes and proceed accordingly. Ayurvedic practices aim at restoring the imbalance in doshasby eliminating impurities and boosting the body’s immune system. A combination of such practices is often used to restore harmony.
The easiest way to make Ayurveda a part of life for beginners is by including herbs and spices in the everyday routine. There exists a wide variety of herbs to choose from and all of them play a significant role in treating various conditions.
Benefits of Ayurvedic Supplements
While it must be noted that supplements are not a substitute for proper nutrition received through a wholesome diet, they go a long way in filling any voids and strengthening the immune system. Ayurvedic supplements have been an indispensable part of the diet throughout the Indian subcontinent for their immense benefits. The spices we use in our day-to-day cooking are valued highly by Ayurveda and their benefits are listed in a number of Ayurvedic scriptures. For instance, turmeric has traditionally been known to fight against ailments and strengthen the immune system.Various scientific researches established the presence of Curcumin in Turmeric, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Science has merely corroborated what has been a part of the Indian culture in the form of Ayurveda for centuries. Along with the supplements, it is important to adopt healthier and sustainable habits to overcome bad health.
Improved immunity – It has been established that Ayurveda plays a pivotal role in the improvement of the immune system. When there is an imbalance in the doshas, the immune system of our bodies suffers and as a result, we become more susceptible to common ailments such as coldand flu. In such cases, Ayurvedic herbs can be immensely beneficial in strengthening immunity, thereby preventing diseases.Some of the commonly available herbs that can be put to good use for boosting the immune system are Ashwagandha, Mulethi (liquorice), Tulsi, Amla, Neem, and Turmeric.
Improved digestion – One of the classic characteristics of Ayurvedic wisdom is that it treats food as medicine. Proper nutrition is important for achieving and preserving a healthy mind and body. Malabsorption of nutrients is often the root cause of various health-related problems. Malabsorption and other digestive issues are attributable to an imbalance in the Jatharagni ordigestive fire (Agni). The digestive fire changes with the change in seasons. This explains why some foods are best consumed in winters while others are more beneficial when consumed in summers. An imbalance in the digestive fire can hamper health as the entire well-being of a person is directly affected by gut health. Therefore, emphasis is laid on keeping the gut healthy. Some herbs that are known to increase the digestive fire are Coriander, Fennel, Shatavari, Amalaki, and Guduchi. These herbs increase the digestive fire and also help in balancing the doshas.
Restoring Strength and Vitality – Poor lifestyle choices, stress, and other factors are often responsible for the feeling of tiredness, muscle fatigue, weakness, and loss of stamina. Although there may exist other underlying factors that result in the aforementioned, they are usually uncommon. Muscle loss caused due to ageing is a problem faced by many. Another accompanying issue is the loss of bone density with age and is more prevalent in women. Ayurvedic supplements along with Yoga and other practices go a long way in improving strength and stamina. The most commonly used Ayurvedic herbs for this purpose are Shatavari, Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Brahmi, and Shilajit. Some of these work by reducing inflammation within the body while others have a profound impact on the dosha imbalances.
Improved Skin and Hair health – Ayurvedic herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that fight free radical damage in the body and foster skin and hair health. The effects of bad health and doshaimbalance can be seen on the skin and hair in the form of dry skin, dry hair, hyperpigmentation, acne, scars,hair thinning, hair fall, and baldness. Herbs such as Chandan (Sandalwood) and Gulab (Rose) have been used traditionally to attain beautiful skin and can be applied topically. Neemand Haldiare known to help fight acne and fungal infections because of their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Improved mental health and Consciousness – Ayurveda lays equal emphasis on mental health as it does on physical health. Meditation and Yoga are two of the most priceless practices propagated by Ayurvedic scriptures. Apart from these, certain herbs have a calming and therapeutic effect on the mind. Stress is often responsible for restlessness and when left unchecked, it has an adverse effect on the sleep pattern. Due to this, physical health also suffers. Stress is also linked with other issues such as hypertension and high blood sugar. These may seem benign at first but may turn into serious diseases if preventive and corrective measures are not taken at the earliest. Herbs such as Ashwagandhaand Brahmiare known for their calming effect and are thus useful in improving the quality of sleep. GotuKolais known to improve oxygen supply to the brain. It is also known to uplift mood and is often used for combating anxiety.
Harmony is extremely important in Ayurveda. It lays emphasis not only on the physical and mental well-being butalso on other aspects that transcend the physical being. It aims at nurturing the soul and the consciousness.
Ayurvedic medicine for commonly occurring diseases
There are numerous diseases and health conditions that can be cured by Ayurveda. Ayurveda not only treats the symptoms of these diseases but also heals the body internally, thereby removing the cause of the disease and curing the ailment completely. Some of these diseases include hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, eczema, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, migraines, and infections of various types. Most of these occur as a result of an imbalance in doshasand can be corrected with the help of Ayurvedic medicine, lifestyle modifications, yoga, and a healthy diet. Similarly, different Yoga asanas are useful for different illnesses. As far as prevention is concerned, people of different Prakritiare prone to different types of health problems based on their doshas. Ayurveda recognizes these tendencies and also suggests preventative measures accordingly. Ayurvedic medicine is highly subjective and the dosage is tailored to suit individual characteristics. All herbs and spices have different uses and are sometimes used in combination to get the desired result.
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