Eat fruits as per your dosha predominance

Different fruits which can be consumed as per your Dosha predominance

 

 Vata Dosha

People with this type of Constitution have a slim figure, they are prone to dry skin, poor blood circulation, swelling, bloating and are sensitive to cold.

For them sweet and sour fruits are beneficial but they should avoid tart fruits.

Sweet and sour taste should be preferred.

Baked apples, prunes, resins, apricots-soaked, ripe bananas, avocados, cherries, coconuts, figs, dates, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, lime, mango, orange, papaya, melon, pineapple, rhubarb, tamarind are good for vata dosha.

 

 Pitta Dosha

People with pitta Constitution have medium weight and average body structure.

They have strong appetite and fast digestion; they can hardly tolerate high temperatures. They may suffer from problems such as stomach burning and reflux.

Sour fruits are not suitable for them.

Sweet and tart fruits are beneficial and it's very important that they are mature and not sour.

Sweet and tart taste to be preferred.

Sweet apples, berries, figs, dates, coconut, pears, melon, watermelon, pomegranate, soaked resins and plums

 

Kapha dosha

People with kapha Constitution usually have a large and heavy body.

They easily gain weight and accumulate fat. They are susceptible to fluid retention and are sensitive to cold.

They have a very slow digestion and often have a sense of heaviness after eating.

People with kapha Constitution should avoid most of the fruits especially sweet and sour fruit.

Tart or dried fruit being the most suitable for them and it's best to eat them in moderate amounts.

Ripe apples, dried apricots, cherries, cranberries, raspberries, lemon, persimmon, dried figs, resins, soaked prunes.

 

Ayurvedic tongue analysis

The tongue according to Ayurveda is a strong diagnostic tool which helps in knowing one's health. Ayurveda says read your tongue and know your health status. 

The tongue analysis technique is simple enough to do a self diagnosis. Open your mouth and look at your tongue. It is important to regularly check your tongue in order to recognize when your body is accumulating toxins. 

The tongue is a detailed health map the same way as the face the tongue changes color shape and surface texture providing a current health status update. 

A healthy tongue is typically pink in color. The first thing that the tongue shows us is if any one of the dosha is out of balance. 

Divide the tongue into three parts the root is vata, the middle is pitta and the tip is kapha.

Excessive coating in any of these areas shows which dosha is involved.

Vata tongue 

 A tongue having vata disturbance is, small, thin and pale in color. It may have cracks.  If there is a coating, it will be gray, blackish and brown in color.

Vata imbalance typically manifests as anxiety, fear, gas, bloating, constipation, dryness and sleep issues.  

Pitta tongue 

If a tongue is of pitta nature it is medium in size , have a sharp tip and will be red in color. The coating will be green, yellow or orange in color.  The coating will be on the middle part of the tongue.

Pitta imbalance manifest as inflammation, anger, irritation, hyperacidity, headache, skin disorder.

Kapha tongue

A tongue revealing kapha imbalance will be large, thick and heavy. It may be swollen and may have thick saliva on it.  The coating will be whitish, thick and mucous. Coating will usually be on the tip of the tongue.  

Symptoms of kapha imbalance includes heaviness, congestion, lethargy, excessive sleep, day sleeping, slow digestion and easy weight gain.

Some other things to look for 

1. Teeth imprints around the perimeter of the tongue indicate mal-absorption of nutrients. This means your digestive system is weak.  

To stimulate digestion, take fresh ginger tea. 

2.Trembling tongue is a sign of anxiety and fear. It indicates vata disturbance follow the tips to pacify vata dosha.  

3.Thick grayish coating indicates toxins in the colon. Improper digestion of food leads to the accumulation of toxins in the colon. It is time to stay away from oily, heavy and spicy food. Give your body rest by following fruit only diet for a day.

4.  Multiple small cracks on tongue Indicates a strong chronic vata imbalance.  In this case vata pacifying diet and lifestyle should be followed.

5.Pale tongue can be a sign of low red blood cells indicating possible anemia.  

Each part of tongue corresponds to an organ.

If the posterior part of the tongue is coated the toxins are present in the large intestine.

If the middle of the tongue is coated white toxins are present in the stomach

A yellowish coating suggest possible liver disorder.    

Periodic detoxification, pure diet and daily use of tongue scraper helps to get rid of the digestive toxins accumulated on the tongue.

Ayurvedic Tongue Scraping

Tongue scraping benefits
1.Cleans toxins bacteria and dead cells from the tongue to prevent bad breath. 
Research suggests that using a tongue scraper daily reduces the overall incidence of lactobacilli and streptococci bacteria in the mouth.

2.Enhances the sense of taste. You'll be able to better distinguish between bitter, sweet, salty and sour. It can enhance the flavor of the food.

3.Promotes overall oral and digestive health.
   Removing bacteria is the key to preventing cavities gum disease and 
   other conditions affecting the mouth. Tongue scraping can help clean 
   these bacteria from your mouth improving your tongue's appearance 
   and overall sensation.

4.Improves the digestion.

5.Tongue scraping helps in balancing all the three doshas.

6. In addition to this it can clear the mind and is a great way to start the
 day.

Tongue scraping is called Jihwa prakshalana or Jihwa nirlekhana in 
Ayurveda. Ayurveda considers the tongue as the road map of the entire
body with each section corresponding to different organ. When we scrape
the tongue it's like giving our internal organs a gentle massage. It is therefore advised to clean the tongue at least once a day.

• It's best to scrape your tongue early in the morning before drinking water.
• Use either a stainless steel or copper tongue scraper. 
• There are many plastic scrapers available nowadays but it's difficult to
• keep them clean and sanitized.
• In place of a tongue scraper a metal spoon can be used it is also equally effective.
• The tongue scraper should be non sharp and curved so as not to injurethe tongue. Stainless steel scrapers resist corrosion and are effective aswell, hence should be preferred.
• Do not scrape too hard. The tongue should be gently scraped from back to front for 7 to 14 strokes. The scraper may be rinsed off between the strokes if there is a lot of accumulation.

                      Some people report stimulation of gag reflex during scraping which indicates that the scraping is too aggressive. If this occurs with gentle scraping begin slightly more forward on the tongue to avoid the gagging reflex.

You should do it so gently that it should be comfortable to you.
                The tongue is  said to be the mirror to all internal organs of the body and thus and daily look at the tongue prior to scrapping gives you a daily clue to your general health.
               Follow tongue scraping with brushing flossing and a glass of room temperature or warm water. After a few weeks of tongue scraping you will feel the difference your mouth will feel fresher and your taste buds more alive.

 

How to do oil pulling for teeth

In our last article we discussed about the benefits of oil pulling.  In this article we will discuss how to do Oil pulling properly.  Let's first look at Oil pulling briefly. Oil pulling is the practice of swishing oil around your mouth for a certain period of time has been in use from thousand of years. Oil pulling is also known as kavala or gandusha in Ayurveda. It is an ancient ayurvedic practice which involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for about 20 minutes . It is basically an ayurvedic mouth wash. Which oil is best for oil pulling? Any kind of edible oil like coconut oil,  sesame oil also called as tila taila or tila  oil, oil olive, sunflower oil, mustard oil.  Most people use coconut oil as it has strong anti bacterial and anti- inflammatory properties. Olive oil also has the ability to fight against infection. You can use any vegetable based oil. When to do oil pulling? To get the best benefits, oil pulling should be done on an empty stomach  before brushing your teeth. Oil pulling should be the first thing you should do in the morning. How to do Oil pulling In ayurvedic practice oil pulling can be performed in two ways:- 1.Gandusha  It is a practice in which you keep the oil in your mouth for 2-3 minutes  and then you spit it out. In Gandusha we just hold the oil with out moving it inside the oral cavity. 2. Kavala In the other method called kavala graha the oil is gently revolved  around in the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes till it becomes thin and whitish in color and then it is expelled out. Following the oil pulling practice, the teeth, gums and tongue are rinsed  with salt water. This can be followed by brushing and flossing as you normally would do. The oil should not be swallowed. Let's see how to do oil pulling Take around 15 to 20 ml of oil and keep it in mouth. Gently move the oil in your mouth. It doesn't have to be vigorous because you will be doing it for 15 to 20 minutes . Allow the oil to circulate in your mouth letting it to seep through your teeth.  Continue doing this till you start sweating slightly. Sweating is a sign of toxins being released from your body. You can warm up the oil little bit just before practicing oil pulling. After you are done spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm salt water to gently kill any leftover bacteria. You can brush your teeth after oil pulling. If it is difficult for you to do 20 minutes of oil pulling don't worry. Start with  just one minute for the first few days working your way up to 5 minutes then you can increase up to 10 and 20 minutes. Things to remember Don't swallow the oil when you finish oil pulling be sure to spit out the oil that has collected bacteria in your mouth. Swallowing it may result in stomach discomfort or diarrhea. If you are allergic to a particular type of oil avoid using that oil.  Don't totally replace all toothbrushing flossing and other oral care with oil pulling. For proper oral hygiene you should brush twice a day and after oil pulling also you should brush your teeth. Although it's not dangerous to your health you might experience a few minor side effects from oil pulling. Putting oil in your mouth might make you feel a little nauseous. Other side effects may include sensitivity, sore jaw and headache.

Benefits of Oil pulling for teeth

Oil pulling draws out toxins from our body and not only improves the oral health but also improves the overall health.

Doing oil pulling daily enhances the senses, brings about the feeling of freshness and maintains clarity in voice.

It can help to prevent tooth decay gum bleeding dryness of throat and cracked lips.

Oil pulling helps in strengthening of the teeth gums and jaw.

It also relieves pain and discomfort in the oral cavity.

It reduces headache.

It reduces chronic inflammation in the body.

It cleans the teeth and removes any plague which may be accumulated in the oral cavity.

It is one of the most powerful and effective practices available for detoxifying the body.

The oil acts as a natural mouthwash or disinfectant and helps in removing stains.

It can kill harmful bacteria in your mouth.

Certain types of harmful bacteria can contribute to problems like tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.

It helps to prevent bad breath.

It may help to prevent cavities. Cavities are a common problem that stems from tooth decay.
Poor oral hygiene eating too much sugar and a buildup of bacteria can all cause tooth decay which leads to the formation of holes in the teeth known as cavities.

Oil pulling can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth thereby  preventing tooth decay.

The inflammatory effects of oil pulling may have a beneficial effect in certain conditions linked to inflammation.

It can help to whiten your teeth. It is believed that oil pulling pulls the stains from the surface of teeth resulting in whitening effect.

Above all the biggest benefit of oil pulling is it's very simple to do and how easily it can be incorporated into your daily regimen.

Additionally it requires just one ingredient that can be found right in your kitchen so there is no need to buy anything expensive.

In our we discuss about how to do oil pulling properly.

Eye care as per Ayurveda

Sitting in front of screen for long hours leads to an increase in eye complaints like eye strain, dry eye, headaches, and insomnia.

Eyes are one of the most wonderful parts of our body. Our eyes are by far the most important sensory organs we possess and eyesight is the

best gift we have received. They not only express the emotions but also reflect our health status.

According to Ayurveda the eyes are a seat of Pitta dosha (the fire element), and most eye problems result from pitta imbalance. The sub dosha, Alochaka pitta helps in vision, the main function of eye.

Ayurveda adopts a holistic approach in treating eye defects. By the use of powerful herbs that are present in the nature, Ayurveda helps to strengthen the eye muscles, reduce eye strain and improve eyesight.

Ayurvedic tips for improving eye health

Cooling Measures

To balance the pitta dosha follow cooling measures. Clean eyes with cold water as soon as you get up in the morning and after coming from outside.

Triphala

Take 2-3 teaspoon of  Triphala powder. Soak this in 1 cup of water at night. Allow this mixture to infuse for overnight.  Sieve the water in the morning and use this water to wash your eyes in the morning. 

This eye washing method is strengthening for eyes because Triphala contains haritaki, bibhitaki and amalaki. This herbs balances pitta dosha. Amalaki, in particular contains Vitamin C which helps in reducing eye stress. 

Tripahala is an ayurvedic cleanser and detoxifier.

Massage

For dry eyes, take 2 drops of castor oil and massage both eyes lightly at night. And Rub some castor oil at the sole of the feet and massage gently. 

(During hot weather use brahmi or coconut oil)

Cucumber

Cucumber is well known for its anti-irritation properties. Take cucumber slices and place them on each eye for 15-20 minutes. As cucumber has high water content, it works as a great remedy for dry eyes.

Palming

Practice palming. Rub your palms rapidly for 10 seconds. Place them on closed eyes. Repeat 3-4 times to relax your eyes.

Eye drops

I-tone eye drops can be used twice a day for reducing burning and irritation in the eyes.

 Bed time eye drops

     For dry itchy eyes, put a drop of unrefined sesame oil in each eye before sleeping.

     For irritated eyes, put a drop of pure castor oil.

     For burning eyes, put  a drop of rosewater.

 Amla Juice

Drink Amla juice. Amla helps in balancing pitta dosha.  Around 20 ml of amla juice can be taken daily.

Rose water

Dip cotton balls in rosewater and place it on eyes. Rosewater will help in relieving burning sensation.

Ghee

Applying ghee to the eyes is also beneficial. It contains vitamin A in natural form. Gently massage your eyes with a drop of pure ghee.

Apart from these eye care home remedies , a proper balanced diet and exercise helps in maintaining good eyesight. We must take special care of our eyes as they help us to experience the world around us as we learn, read and grow.

Brief Introduction to Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine.

It is not merely a medical science, it is a philosophy which is more than 5000 years old but its tools are very relevant still today .It has the potential to cure many diseases in a very efficient way.

Ayurveda means the science of life.

Knowledge of Ayurveda helps one to attain Hitayu ( Sukhayu) and teaches us how to prevent ourselves from attaining Ahitayu (Dukhayu).

Hitayu means doing good to others , telling truth and having pleasant sense organs.

Opposite to this is Ahitayu.

Ayurveda is the only system of medicine which emphasizes on maintaining the health of a healthy person.

Ayurveda encourages us to maintain our health 

1. By following the right diet according to our prakriti that is according to the dosha predominance .

2. By following lifestyle or dinacharya that is daily routine as per our prakriti.

3. By the use of different herbs and formulations prepared again keeping in mind the predominant dosha.

Panchamahabhutas

As per Ayurveda every human being is made up of five basic elements which are called pancha mahabhutas.

Pancha means five and bhutas means elements. Not only the human beings but everything in this Universe is made up of these five elements namely:-

1. Space or Aakash mahabhuta

2. Fire or Agni mahabhuta

3. Water or Jala mahabhuta

4. Air or Vayu mahabhuta

5. Earth or Prithvi mahabhuta

The permutation and combination of these elements and its quantity in a given matter determines its properties.

Akash mahabhuta or ether

The word ether brings vastness and opennesss to our mind.Akash means having a cavity.

The qualities of ether element clear , light, subtle as well as it is immeasurable.

Vayu Mahabhuta or Air

Next is the Vayu mahabhuta or the air element air shows a sense of movement. Air element is mobile, dry , light, cold and subtle in nature.

Agni Mahabhuta or Fire 

Agni or fire element,  carries out the transformation and digestion of food. Fire element is hot, sharp, light, dry in nature

Jala Mahabhuta or Water

When we think of water qualities like liquidity or fluidity comes to our mind. Water shows 

important quality of binding .For example, we have some dry soil ,we cannot make a ball out of it. But if we add water we can make mud balls. This binding nature of Jala mahabhuta helps in forming structures.

Jala mahabhuta has qualities like cold , liquid, dull, soft and sliminess.

Prithwi Mahabhuta or Earth

Prithvi or earth element is solid dense and very hard. It is related to all solid structure like bones, teeth and nails.

The panchamahabhutas are the elements that represent the core foundation of Ayurveda. To understand the relationship between these elements and our body & personality, the knowledge of these basic five elements is the foundation. This Panchamahabhutas are regarded as nature’s building blocks. Whatever we see around us is present within us.

 

If you are interested to learn more about Ayurveda do check out our course Ayurveda for healthy life level 1

Organic Ayurvedic Remedies for Hairfall

Hair fall is a very common problem and affects most people at some point of time in their lives.

Long luscious hair are everybody's dream.

Our hair is made up of a protein called keratin that is produced in the hair follicles. As follicles produce new hair cells , old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin.

The hair that you can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells.

It is normal to lose 50-100 hair a day.

But losing hairs in excess can cause baldness and thinning.

By following simple tips it's easy to get hair fall under control.

Following some ayurvedic remedies can help you in curing hair fall.

The ayurvedic treatments incorporate natural ingredients and hence do not have any side effects.

What causes Hair fall?

As per Ayurveda, hair type is directly related to body type and is classified into three types; Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Each type of hair has specific features and hence there are several reasons for hair fall.

The main dosha responsible for hair fall is pitta dosha.

Pitta governs all the digestive and metabolic processes in our body.

So in case of hair fall ,it is the pitta dosha that is vitiated and balancing the pitta dosha is the main aim.

Typically bad eating habits , anxiety and stress cause pitta dosha imbalance which in turn leads to hair loss.

 Apart from pitta dosha some other reasons of hair fall can be ,hormonal imbalance, improper diet, lack of sleep, infection etc.

Ayurvedic remedies for hair fall

Fenugreek

Soak Fenugreek seeds in water overnight and grind them to make a paste.

Apply the paste on the hair and cover it with a shower cap for half an hour.

Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Repeat alternate days for about a month.

Fenugreek seeds are good source of protein, strengthens hair roots and

prevent breakage.

Flax seeds

Take one teaspoon of flax seeds with a glass of water daily in the morning.

You can also add flax seeds to salads and soups.

Amla hair pack

Amla or the Indian gooseberry is rich in vitamin C and hence strengthens hair follicles.

It also prevents premature greying of hair.

Make a paste of Amla powder and lime juice and apply it on the scalp.

Cover with a shower cap and wash after half an hour.

Alternatively mix walnut and amla powder with curd to make paste .

Apply this paste on your scalp.

You could also use Amla oil. Just massage the scalp with Amla oil and leave for an hour. Rinse with water.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera boosts hair growth and improves the health of your scalp.

Extract the pulp of the plant and apply it to the scalp directly. Keep it for 45 minutes and rinse it with cold or lukewarm water.

Bhringraj

Also called as the king of herbs

It helps in promoting hair growth and reverses balding.

It is available in powdered form and as an oil.

It has a calming effect when applied to the scalp and helps get better sleep.

It balances pitta dosha.

How to apply

Take 5-6 tablespoon of  Bhringraj powder and add some water to make paste.

Apply the paste to the scalp and hair and leave it for 20 minutes.

Wash it off with water and any herbal shampoo.

Repeat this thrice a week.

Alternatively you can give yourself a scalp massage with Bhringraj oil thrice a week.

Oils like Brahmibhringraj oil, Nilibhringadi oil , Bhringamalakadi oil are very beneficial in promoting hair growth.

After oil massage avoid using chemical based shampoos.

Instead take besan or gram flour and mix it with water to make paste.

Use this paste to wash hair.

Then you can use any herbal shampoo like Amla shampoo to remove excess oil.

Nasya

Oil is instilled through the nose as a daily practice . Desi ghee and Anu tailam can be instilled into the nose.

It is very simple to do and can be done as a part of daily routine.

Bend your head such that your nose faces sky.

Take Anu tailam and instill 2 drops in each nostril.

Along with these Ayurvedic treatments for hair growth, your diet and your food habits are major factors in determining the quality and quantity of your hair. 

After all, for healthy growth of hair, you must take care of the agni or fire metabolism inside you

If you are interested to learn more about such amazing tips of  Ayurveda do check out our course Ayurveda for Healthy life Level 1.