Tag: Ayurvedic Remedies

June 13, 2019

Ayurvedic ways to stay healthy during summer months

Classification of seasons according to Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, the year is governed by the direction of the movement of the sun and is divided into two periods (solstice) that is Uttarayana (northern solstice) and Dakshinayana (southern solstice). Ayurvedic ritucharaya is based on Dosha and Panchmahabhuta theory.

When there is heat outside, the key to balance is to find ways to cool down inside- physically, mentally and emotionally. Summer season brings it with the host of symptoms such as excessive body heat, sweating, dehydration, skin rashes, sunburns, acne, diarrhoea, lethargy etc. Summer is hot, bright and a season of Pitta. Thus, it is recommended to maintain the body cool and not allowing the Pitta dosha to become aggravated.

Summer seasons according to Ayurveda

Summer season is known as “Grishm Ritu” in Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, there is a detailed description regarding different seasons and the regimen to be followed.

Classification of seasons according to Ayurveda:

Reference: Astang Hridyam Sutrasthanam, Chapter No. 3, Shloka No. 26-27)

Meaning: According to this shloka, in summer season, the rays of the sun become powerful and destructive. Kapha dosha decreases day by day and Vata dosha increases consequently. Hence, avoid the use of salt, pungent and sour foods, heavy physical exercises and exposure to sunlight during this season.

  • In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that there is a predominance of katu rasa (pungent taste) during summer season and Mahabhuta which are predominant are Vayu and Agni. Therefore, the strength of the persons becomes less.
  • One of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda is that our dietary habits and daily routines should flow with the seasons. It is a fundamental rule that ‘like increases like’ and cause imbalance and that opposite creates balance.
  • It is mentioned in Ayurveda that foods which are light to digest such as those having madhura (sweet), sheeta (cold), drava (liquid), snigdha (uncutous) should be taken.
  • Drinking plenty of water and other liquids such as buttermilk, fresh fruit juices, churned curd with pepper are advised.
  • Food with Katu (pungent), Amla (sour) taste and Ushna (warm) foods should be avoided.

Ayurvedic ways to stay healthy during summer months

1. Protect yourself from the sun:

According to Ayurveda, summer is considered to be a Pitta dominant season and Pitta dosha is aggravated by solar force.

  • Ayurveda considers this a time of dehydration that occur both inside and outside the body.
  • So, Ayurvedic measures based on Pitta pacification measures should be adopted.
  • To pacify Pitta dosha, it is necessary to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Eat juicy fruits such as melons, pears etc.
  • Drink a glass of lemon water  to keep yourself cool
  • Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Protect yourself from the sun

2. Take Cooling Beverages:

It is a well known fact that carbonated beverages or a packed bottled juice don’t give any relief from the scorching heat. Rather, the system becomes dehydrated by the consumption of carbonated drinks.

  • Chilled cold drinks are harmful as they disrupt the ‘jatharagni’ or digestive fire.
  • Instead fresh seasonal fruit juices should be consumed.
  • Include water melon shake, fresh coconut water, bael sharbat (juice prepared from Aegle marmelos), aam panna (prepared from raw mangoes and spices), buttermilk are healthy as well as refreshing drinks.

3.  Take cooling diet:

Ayurveda recommends cooling diet to be consumed during summer season which includes seasonal fruits and vegetables that are sweet, juicy, bitter and astringent in nature. It is recommended to consume more alkaline foods in the diet during summer season.

  • Use rose petals in summer season as in Ayurveda, rose is renowned for its powerful cooling effect on the physiology.
  • Apply organic rose water on the face and if the eyes burn due to heat, then lie down for 10 minutes with organic rose water soaked cotton wads on closed eyes.
  • You can also splash some organic rose water in the bathing water.

cooling diet in summers

4. Eat at right time

Lunch should not be skipped during summer season as the digestive fire is strongest during mid-day.

  • Skipping lunch during summer season means upsetting the Pitta dosha.

5. Eat light foods:

In summer season, our bodies naturally crave for light and small meals because the digestive fire disperses in order to keep us cool.

  • It is a time to include sweet, astringent and bitter tastes in the diet and to enjoy cool, liquid and slightly oily foods.
  • Summer is considered as the best season for the intake of fresh fruits and salads.
  • Fresh and sweet dairy products can also be included in the diet during summer season such as homemade yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese etc.

6. Pranayam:

  • Pranayam such as Sheetali Pranayam and Chandrabhedi Pranayam are very effective for cooling down the body temperature

1. Sheetali Pranayam:

Stick your tongue out and curl the sides of the tongue upwards towards the center of the tongue.

  • Now, breathe in through the mouth and hold the breath.
  • Slowly exhale through the nose.
  • Repeat this procedure 5-10 times.

2. Chandrabhedi Pranayam:

This pranayama has a cooling effect on the nervous system and on the subtle channels of energy in the body.

  • Close the right nostril with the right thumb.
  • Now, exhale completely through the left nostril and then breathe in through the left nostril.
  • Close the left nostril with the little ring finger and exhale through the right nostril.
  • Repeat this procedure 5-10 times.
  • After this pranayama, lie down in Shavasan (Corpse pose).

Diet and Lifestyle to be followed during summer season:

  • Stay in cool places.
  • Excessive exercise or physical activity should be avoided.
  • Avoid sun exposure during the day time especially between 11 am to 3 pm.
  • Vegetables like cucumber, asparagus, green leafy vegetables should be consumed.
  • Milk mixed with cow’s ghee should be consumed during night.
  • Applying sandalwood and other aromatic and cooling pastes over the body is helpful.

Foods to be avoided:

  • Avoid foods that produce heat in the body such as sour fruits, garlic, chilies, dark meats as they tend to heat up the system.
  • Avoid taking alcohol in the summer season as it heats up the system.
Continue Reading

February 2, 2019

How to maintain good health in old age?

Introduction

Aging is a natural part of life and it comes to all of us. Getting older involves negative and positive changes to the body but don’t let these changes affect your life. Instead look for ways to maintain good health in old age too and enjoy this phase of your life. Are you also close to the category of senior citizens? If so, do you want to keep yourself healthy in old age too? “Yes”! But, is it really possible? Again, yes! Yes, you can maintain your good health at old age too! Do you want to know- how it can be possible? Keep on reading this article and know the aging tips that can help you stay physically and emotionally healthy and keep your mind sharp.

How to maintain good health

7 easy tips to keep your health good at old age

Stay hydrated

  • You can’t ignore water! Water is a natural source to stay hydrated. If you lose more fluids than you take in, you will have dehydration.

What will happen next

  • Do you ever have noticed your grandmother or grandfather complaining of headache or fatigue? Yes, you are thinking right; it was the result of dehydration. Well, dehydration may not only cause fatigue and headaches but also confusion, loss of appetite and poor concentration. Now, you may wonder how important it is to keep yourself hydrated in old age.

Stay active

  • Exercise is a good way to stay active. You may feel like it should be the last thing you should look for. But rather than looking for this at the end, it is good to make this a topmost priority. Exercising regularly can make a huge difference to your health.
    • You don’t have to go to the gym and perform some cardio. A simple evening or morning walk in the park can do the wonders. Go to shops in your nearby area by walking instead of driving. Do some cleaning at your home. Spend some time on gardening.

Regular health checkups

  • This is the most important thing which many people ignore and suddenly one day, they feel pain somewhere in their body and get diagnosed for a serious health problem. Why wait to visit your doctor to get a long list of medications? Why not have regular health check-ups to minimize the chances of making things serious health problem! Are you alsoone among those who don’t pay a visit to their doctor until something goes wrong?
    • If so, then change your thinking now and go for regular health check-ups to ensure everything is running like it should be and catch any health issue long before it becomes serious.

Get enough sleep-

  • Do you love spending time with your children late night because they get free only at that time from their busy schedule? If so, chances are you may not even sleep for 8 hours.
  • So, you need to be a little selfish this time. Lack of sufficient sleep can lead to depression, poor concentration and memory problems. So, you need to go to bed a little early at night to have enough sleep. Waking up late in the morning can also work if you are sleeping late at night. Take short naps during day time as well when you feel sleepy.

Socialize-

  • Being socially active can keep your mental health good. Instead of thinking and feeling sad due to your fight with your children that happened last night, it is good to interact with your friends or relatives, and to distract yourself from any negative thought.
    • You can join a community and do things you find joy in and avoid loneliness in your old age. Call your old friend and have a conversation with him over the phone. Visit your relatives often and have a cup of tea with them. In short, re-energize yourself not physically only but mentally too.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption-

  • You already know this fact- Smoking is injurious to health! Your grandchildren have even learned this thing.
  • Regular consumption of alcohol can also harm your body.
  • If these devils are putting you in the danger zone, then why not quit or limit these habits.
  • No matter, how much healthy and well-balanced diet you are eating, you must still not ignore the dangers of smoking or alcohol consumption. If you are a regular smoker or drinker, then it’s time to quit these habits. After all, it’s a question of your health at an old age.

Take dietary supplements-

  • Deficiency of nutrients in older people is a common problem and so they find it difficult to maintain their heart, bone, and overall health. No doubt, we can get all the nutrients from our diet but sometimes it becomes challenging. In such situations, taking vitamin supplements can offer a wise solution.
  • So, why not supplement your diet with some good and effective dietary supplements such as Arjuna capsules and Total heart support to promote heart health, Coral calcium complex and Bone support capsules to maintain healthy calcium levels and bone health, Stress support to manage stress and Brahmi chyawanprash, Shilajit capsules and Amalaki rasayana to maintain overall good health at old age.
  • Do not be stressed out for silly things such as what will happen to your family when you pass away or how will be your home managed after you. You might be far away from this thing to happen. So, avoid unnecessary stress. Instead, try to stay happy always.
  • Value the experience and maturity you gained up to date. Utilize them and maintain your physical, mental and in short, overall health in your old age. Remember it’s never too late to start! So, if you have not started following these healthy lifestyle habits yet, start now.
  • It’s true that time waits for no man but it doesn’t mean that your aging will have to decline your health.
  • Spend your golden years by making it golden with above described 7 easy tips to be followed to maintain golden aging. Is anyone at your home counted among senior citizens? Do you want them to stay healthy in their old age? If so, then share these tips with them also so that they can maintain their health at this age.
Continue Reading

Click the CROSS button to close