Ayurveda in Practice

8/3/2019 Ayurveda in Practice

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Dhanvantarithe Hindu god of Ayurveda


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Ayurveda in Practice

Know Your Food Series Page 2

Pink Himalayan Rock Salt

yurveda - Sanskrit: refers tothe wisdom and awareness forlong life. Ayurveydic medicine is asystem of traditional medicineA


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native to India and a form of alternativemedicine.

Ayurveda, as knowledge of life, orScience of Life dates back 5,000 years tothe ancient Sanskrit texts, the Vedas. It isa system of healing that examines physicalconstitution, emotional nature, and

spiritual outlook in the context of theuniverse. According to the philosophy,universal life force manifests as threedifferent energies, or doshas, known asvata, pitta, and kapha.

We are all made up of a uniquecombination of these three forces. Thougheveryone has some of each, most peopletend to have an abundance of one or two ofthe doshas. This unique combination is

determined at the moment of conception,and is your own personal blueprint, orprakriti (nature).

As you move through life, the proportion ofeach of the three doshas constantlyfluctuates according to your environment,your diet, the seasons, the climate, yourage, and many other factors. As they moveinto and out of balance, the doshas can


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affect your health, energy level, andgeneral mood.

In Sanskrit, words yus, implieslongevity, and veda, means knowledgeor science. Thus Ayurveda means all thatis known about health. The Wisdom abouthealth is Ayurveda.

The earliest literature on Indian medicalpractice appeared during the Vedic periodin India, i.e., in the mid-second millenniumBCE. The Suruta Sahit and the CharakaSahit are encyclopedias of medicinecompiled from various sources from themid-first millennium BCE to about 500 CE.They are among the foundational works ofAyurveda. Over the following centuries,Ayurveydic practitioners developed a

number of medicinal preparations andsurgical procedures for the treatment ofvarious ailments.

Current practices derived from Ayurvedicmedicine are regarded as part ofcomplementary and alternative medicine.

However safety concerns have been raisedabout Ayurveda, with two U.S. studies

finding about 20% of Ayurvedic treatments


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tested contained toxic levels of heavymetals such as lead, mercury and arsenic.Other concerns include the use of herbsthat contain toxic compounds and the lackof quality control in Ayurvedic facilities.

Approach

The approach of Ayurveda comes fromthree doas and the 5 elements thatconstitute the essence of Ayurveda.

At an early period, Ayurveda adopted thephysics of the five elements. These are

called pc mha -Ut; Pthv (earth),Jala(water), Agni (fire), Vyu (air) andka (Sky). These elements compose theuniverse, including the human body. Chyleor plasma - called rasa dhtu; blood - raktadhtu; flesh - msa dhtu; fat - medhadhtu; bone - asthi dhtu; marrow - majjadhtu; and semen or female reproductivetissue - ukra dhtu are held to be theseven primary constituent elements known

as saptadhtu - of the body.


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The science of Ayurveda deals elaboratelywith measures of healthful living duringthe entire span of life and its variousphases. Ayurveda stresses a balance ofthree elemental energies or humors: Vyuvta - air and space wind; pitta - fireand water bile; and kapha - water andearth phlegm.

According to Ayurveydic medical theory,these three substances doas - literallythat which deteriorates are called andare important for health, because whenthey exist in equal quantities creatingbalance, the body will be healthy, andwhen they are not in equal amounts, thebody will be unhealthy in various ways.


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One Ayurveydic theory asserts that eachhuman possesses a unique combination ofdoas that define that personstemperament and characteristics. Anotherview, also present in the ancient literature,asserts that humeral equality is identical tohealth, and that persons withpreponderances of humours are


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proportionately unhealthy, and that this isnot their natural temperament.

The term humours derives from thehumoral medicine of the ancient Greeks,which taught that the balance of fluids inthe human body, known as humors - Latin:humor, body fluid, control human health

and emotion.

In Ayurveda, unlike the Sankhyaphilosophical system, there are 20

fundamental qualities, gua - , meaningqualities inherent in all substances.Surgery and surgical instruments wereemployed from a very early period.Ayurveydic theory asserts that building ahealthy metabolic system, attaining good

digestion and proper excretion leads tovitality. Ayurveda also focuses on exercise,yoga, and meditation.

The practice of Panchakarma - is atherapeutic way of eliminating toxicelements from the body.

As early as the Mahabharata, Ayurvedawas called the science of eight


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components - aga - a classificationthat became canonical for Ayurveda. Theyare:

1.Internal medicine (Kaya-cikitsa)2.Pediatrics (Kaumrabhtyam)3.Surgery (alya-cikits)4.Eye and ENT (lkya tantra)5.Bhuta vidya has been called

psychiatry

6.Toxicology (Agadatantram)7.Prevention of diseases and improving

immunity and rejuvenation - rasayana

8.Aphrodisiacs and improving health ofprogeny - Vajikaranam

In Hindu mythology, the origin ofAyurveydic medicine is attributed toDhanvantari, the physician of the gods.

Practices


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Several philosophers in India combinedreligion and traditional medicinenotableexamples being that of Hinduism andAyurveda. Shown in the image is thephilosopher Nagarjunaknown chiefly forhis doctrine of the Madhyamaka (middlepath)who wrote medical works TheHundred Prescriptions and The Precious

Collection, among others.

Balance

Hinduism and Buddhism have been aninfluence on the development of many ofAyurvedas central ideas particularly itsfascination with balance, known in

Buddhism as Madhyamaka - .Balance is emphasized; suppressing

natural urges is seen to be unhealthy, anddoing so claimed lead to illness. However,people are cautioned to stay within thelimits of reasonable balance and measure.For example, emphasis is placed onmoderation of food intake, sleep, sexualintercourse.

Diagnosis


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The Charaka Samhita recommends atenfold examination of the patient.

1.Constitution2.Abnormality3.Essence4.Stability5.Body Measurements6.Diet Suitability7.Psychic Strength8.Digestive Capacity9.Physical Fitness

10. AgeIn addition, Deepak Chopra (2003)identifies five influential criteria fordiagnosis:

1.Origin Of The Disease2.Prodrominal (Precursory) Symptoms3.Typical Symptoms Of The Fully

Developed Disease

4.Observing The Effect Of TherapeuticProcedures

5.The Pathological Process'


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Ayurveydic practitioners approachdiagnosis by using all five senses. Hearingis used to observe the condition ofbreathing and speech. The study of thelethal points or marman marma is ofspecial importance. Ayurveydic doctorsregard physical and mental existencetogether with personality as a unit, each

element having the capacity to influencethe others. One of the fundamental aspectsof Ayurveydic medicine is to take this intoaccount during diagnosis and therapy.

Hygiene

Hygiene is an Indian cultural value and acentral practice of Ayurveydic medicine.Hygienic living involves regular bathing,

cleansing of teeth, skin care, and eyewashing. Daily anointing of the body withoil is also prescribed.

Treatments

Head massage is used to apply oils.

Ayurveda stresses the use of plant-basedmedicines and treatments. Hundreds of


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plant-based medicines are used includingcardamom and cinnamon. Some animalproducts may also be used, for examplemilk, bones, and gallstones. In addition,fats are used both for consumption and forexternal use. Minerals, including sulfur,arsenic, lead, copper sulfate and gold arealso consumed as prescribed. This practice

of adding minerals to herbal medicine isknown as Rasa Shastra.

In some cases, alcohol was used as anarcotic for the patient undergoing anoperation. The advent of Islam introducedopium as a narcotic. Both oil and tar wereused to stop bleeding. Traumatic bleedingwas said to be stopped by four differentmethods ligation of the blood vessel;cauterization by heat; using different

herbal or animal preparations locally whichcould facilitate clotting; and differentmedical preparations which could constrictthe bleeding or oozing vessels. Various oilscould be used in a number of ways,including regular consumption as a part offood, anointing, smearing, head massage,and prescribed application to infectedareas.


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Srotas

Ensuring the proper functions of channels

srotas aet-source that transport fluidsfrom one point to another is a vital goal of

Ayurveydic medicine, because the lack ofhealthy srotas is thought to causerheumatism, epilepsy, autism, paralysis,convulsions, and insanity. Practitionersinduce sweating and prescribe steam-based treatments as a means to open upthe channels and dilute the doshas thatcause the blockages and lead to disease.

Types of Frames

Kapha Types have strong frames and arenaturally athletic as long they areexercising regularly to manage theirtendency to gain weight. The influence ofthe earth and water elements makes theminnately stable, compassionate, and loyal.

They appreciate doing things in amethodical, step-by-step manner, andprefer a regular routine in their personal


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and professional lives. When imbalancedthey can become unmotivated, stubborn,and complacent even when change isnecessary. Their metabolism tends to beslow and their appetite for both food andstimulation is less intense than vata orpitta types. They benefit from exposingthemselves to new environments, people,

and occasionally fasting.

Pitta Types are dominated by the fireelement, which makes them innatelystrong, intense, and irritable. They tend tohave a medium build and endurance withpowerful musculature. They often havefreckled skin that easily reddens in thesun, during exercise, massage, and whenblushing. They are strong willed and goodat doing what they think is right. They

approach work and play with the sameintensity and competitiveness.

They are natural leaders and quick learnerswhose ability to easily comprehend andmaster new skills and concepts can makethem judgmental or impatient towardpeople they feel are slower or less focusedthan them. They have strong digestion andintense appetites, both for food and

challenges.


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If they miss a meal they are likely tobecome grumpy and may take a bite outof somebody instead. It is common forthem to suffer from health conditions suchas inflammation, rashes, acne, and loosestool. For balance, pittas need to managetheir fiery tendencies, channeling them in

productive ways and learning to recognizetheir destructive power.

Vata Types tend to be thin and lanky. Theyare very mentally and physically active andenjoy creative endeavors, meeting newpeople, and traveling to new places. Whenthey are balanced, vatas are flexible, havelively imaginations, and are originalthinkers. When imbalanced they can getanxious, ungrounded, and can seem flakyabout fulfilling commitments, sticking to aroutine, and completing projects.

They tend to run cold and dry and enjoywarm, humid weather. It is common forvata types to experience cold hands andfeet, constipation, dry skin, and cracking joints. The influence of the air element intheir constitution causes their energy,mood, and appetite to fluctuate

dramatically. For this reason vata types


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often fail to eat and sleep regularly,swinging from eating heavy foods toground and sedate themselves, oringesting stimulants like coffee and sugarto sustain intense physical or mentalactivity. Insomnia and low immunity arevery common problem for the sensitivevata person.

Bi-doshic indicates that you share qualitiesstrongly with two doshic types, and isactually how most of us are. People withdual constitutions - vata-pitta; pitta-kapha;and vata-kapha are, in a sense, split.Under certain conditions, one dosha willpredominate and under othercircumstances the other dosha will.

The best way to manage bi-doshic prakriti

is by the season. For example, if you havea vata-pitta or vata-kapha prakriti, duringautumn, which is a vata season, you wouldfollow a vata-decreasing regimen. Duringwarm weather, you would follow a pitta-decreasing regimen. During the cold andwet season, you would follow kapha.

For the 7-Day Ayurvedic Fall Detox, vata-pitta and vata-kapha types would follow

vata dosha. Pitta-kapha types would follow


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whichever dosha is stronger in theirconstitution or imbalance.

Tri-Doshic means having equal amounts ofeach doshic influence. The tri-doshicperson can be very strong, stable, andadaptable when in balance. When they areout of balance, however, they can

experience poor health.

The key is to preserving your personalbalance is to hone your sensitivity fornoticing potential imbalances that mayarise from your environment or fromdietary or emotional imbalances, and toadopt practices that will counter-balancethese influences.

For example, in autumn, a tri-doshic

person would act if they were a personwith a vata constitution and follow a vata-balancing lifestyle and diet. The same istrue for the other seasons: Employ a pitta-balancing regimen when the weather is hotand a kapha-balancing regimen when theweather is cold and damp.

Vata Pitta Kapha


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1.ELEMENT:Air and Ether Fire Earth and Water

2.QUALITIES:Dry, rough, cool, mobile Hot, light

Heavy, moist, cool, stable

3.OUT OF BALANCE:Flighty, worried, fearful Irritable, judgmental Lethargic, stubborn,prone to overeating

4.IN BALANCE:Creative, lively Motivated, purposefulStable, thoughtful, compassionate

5.PRONE TO:Constipation, lower back pain,anxiety, joint problems Acne,diarrhea Sinus problems,respiratory diseases, inflammation


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vata pitta kapha

ELEMENT Air andEther

Fire Earth andWater

QUALITIES Dry, rough,

cool, mobile

Hot, light Heavy, moist,

cool, stableOUT OFBALANCE

Flighty,worried,

fearful

Irritable,judgmental

Lethargic,stubborn,

prone to

overeating

INBALANCE

Creative,

lively

Motivated,

purposeful

Stable,

thoughtful,compassionate

PRONE TO Constipation,

lower backpain,anxiety,

jointproblems

Acne,

diarrhea

Sinus

problems,respiratorydiseases,

inflammation


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It is amazing how Prakriti - nature hasmade each of us so unique! Fingerprints,eye images, foot prints and even our DNAare so unique that people can be identifiedon the basis of many such codes thatnature has designed.

Humans are made of the same materials asthe rest of the Universe, but thecomposition, the ratio and the complexityof each design is so different that it makesus all unique! So it makes sense for us totreat each Human Being Differently WhenIt Comes To Healing.

Most of the analysis and examination byAyurveydic practitioners are performed byobservation and question and answersessions. Rather than getting input from ablood pressure monitor reading, it is easierfor the physician to understand why theperson is so nervous or anxious. This helpsthe doctor get closer to the root cause.

1.Ayurveydic practitioners questiontheir patients on more than where apain is felt or which part of the body


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aches. They may ask questions like:

a)What makes you happy?b)What makes you sad?c)Are you tired a lot?d)Are you anxious or worried about

something?e)Are you eating a well-balanced

diet?f) How do you relax?g)Do you know meditate regularly?h)Do you visualize a healthy body

always?i) Are you a positive thinker?j) Do you have consistent sleep

patterns?k)Do you speak the truth always?l) Are you spiritual?

m)Do you play childhood games andhave fun when you are withchildren?

n)Do you feel good when helpingothers?

o)Do you laugh often when you hearjokes?

p)How do you deal with change?q)Are you happy with family life?r) Are you satisfied with your job?s)Any aches and pains?t) Any breathing problems?


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u)Any excretory issues?v)What is a day like for you?

w)What do you do in your spare time?x)Are you fulfilled?y)Are you looking forward to the

holidays/summer/future?

Remember, these are just examples of

what an Ayurveydic doctor may ask you. Ofcourse, if the diagnosis is simple, such as acommon cold, then they do not need to askyou so many questions. The patient isusually sent home and asked to gargle withsalt water and take lots of fruits to allowthe body to heal and to coax the immunesystem to get ready to thwart the nextattack. Instead of a cough syrup anddecongestant, we may be asked to usehoney + lemon juice mixture or something

similar to soothe the throat and preventunproductive coughs. Here you see adifference in the way simple conditions arenot treated with harsh chemicals.

Another way by which an Ayurveydicdoctor may decide on the treatment is bylooking at our personality - prakritiprofiles. As mentioned earlier, there arethree major types of personalities among

people. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.


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Most people are a combination of two ofthese three doshas. Rarely, you will findpeople who have all three doshascombined.

Vata is the electric component of our bodywhich creates movements such asbreathing, excretion, menstruation, etc.

Pitta is the tool of transformation; itcontrols the physical, mental andemotional elements.

Kapha is believed to be responsible for ourstructure - bones, muscles, joints, etc.

Food is our fuel. Just as a gas dependentcar splutters and comes to a stop if wepour cooking oil into the gas tank instead

of premium gasoline, our bodies getblockages and disease if the food is not ofthe optimum quality. The Ayurveydic sagesknew that food is our medicine. Eating theright foods at the right time in the rightquantities makes a person, healthy,wealthy and wise!

According to Ayurveda, food is completeonly when it has each of the following

added to it in the correct proportion.


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1. Salt2. Sweet3. Sour4. Hot or Pungent5. Bitter6. Astringent

Anyone who has had Indian or Thai foodcan understand the idea behind theamazing ways in which it is prepared. Mostof the dishes in a Thai restaurant usuallyhave a majority of these flavors. Thebalance of these flavors makes us satisfiedwith less amounts of food. That is becauseour body is satiated and we feel content.On the other hand, food in many countrieslacks most of these flavors except sweetand salt maybe! and people tend to

continue eating without feeling satisfied.This is a major reason for obesity.

Tender coconutsNatures Gatorade

To get rid of addictions and to removedisease from the body, Ayurvedarecommends juices and sprouts. Juices are

amazing because pure fruit juice not only


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has the healthiest form of water it also hasthe purest ingredients that nature makesfor us. The body can easily and efficientlyabsorb natural fruit juices even when theperson is in a very weak state.

There are cases when the diseased bodycannot absorb or retain solid food, and this

is the time when fruit juices save lives. Oneof the best juices that Ayurvedarecommends is tender coconut water.Ayurveda lists about 20 healing propertiesfrom the simple coconut water. Justimagine how much information thepractitioners have gathered over thecenturies of practice!

Coconut Water for Health andHealing

by Bruce Fife, N.D.

Dr. Bruce Fife is a certified nutritionist andnaturopathic physician. He is considered

the world's leading authority on the healthaspects of coconut and related products.

He is the author of 20 books includingCoconut Water for Health and Healing and


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serves as the director of the Coconut

Research Center.

What is the healthiest beverage you candrink Fruit juice, Milk, Sports drinks orHerbal tea? It may come as a surprise toyou, but one of the healthiest beverages iscoconut water. Most people respond to this

statement with, what the heck is coconutwater?

You have been to the grocery store, pickedup a coconut, and shaken it, right? Thesloshing sound you hear inside is coconutwater. Contrary to popular belief, thisliquid is not coconut milk. Coconut milk ismade by crushing and squeezing the liquidfrom coconut meat. What you get is athick, creamy, white fluid that looks much

like dairy milk. Coconut water, on the otherhand, looks pretty much like ordinarywater, although it may be slightly opaque.The two are completely different in taste,texture, nutrient content, and healthbenefits. Coconut water is sometimesreferred to as coconut juice and isconsumed just like any other fruit juice.

Coconut water has a slightly sweet,

somewhat nutty taste. Surprisingly, it does


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not taste like coconut. It has a flavor all itsown. Coconut water has long been themost popular beverage consumed in thetropics where it is considered not only arefreshing drink but a health tonic as well.

Coconut water is a super-food filled withminerals, vitamins, antioxidants, amino

acids, enzymes, and growth factors. It islow in fat and has only a fifth of the sugarfound in most fresh fruit juices.

Its unique combination of nutrients gives itincredible health-promoting properties.Coconut water has a normalizing effect andgives the body a boost of energy so that itcan overcome a number of health-relatedconditions.

It is effective in relieving dehydration,fatigue, constipation, and other digestivedisturbances, kidney and bladderdisorders, and vision problems such asglaucoma and cataract. It is reported toturn back time so to speak, by reversing orslowing down the aging process. Coconutwater also has an alkalizing effect on thebody, helping to counteract or balance theeffects of acidifying foods which are so

common in our diets. Research shows that


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coconut water can improve bloodcirculation, lower elevated blood pressure,and reduce risk of heart attacks andstrokes. Studies have been so impressivethat the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) of the United States has approvedcoconut water to carry the claim that itmay reduce the risk of high blood pressure

and stroke.

One of the most remarkable characteristicsof coconut water is its chemical profile andmineral content. The primary minerals orelectrolytes in coconut water areessentially the same as those found inhuman blood. For this reason, doctors haveused it as an intravenous fluid forrehydration, pumping it directly into thepatients bloodstream. Numerous studiesdating back over 60 years document thesuccessful use of intravenous coconutwater in the treatment of malnutrition anddehydration.

Since coconut water has a pleasant taste, ithas also found use as an effective oralrehydration beverage. Doctors have foundit to be highly useful in fightingdehydrating diseases such as cholera,

dysentery, and influenza, where it has


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saved the lives of thousands of children inunderdeveloped parts of the world.

Coconut waters similarity to body fluidsand its usefulness as an intravenous andoral rehydration fluid has spurred interestin the sports community. With propertieswhich are in many ways superior to

commercial sports drinks, coconut water isnow becoming popular as a naturalrehydration beverage among athletes. Infact, it is popularly known as NaturesGatorade.

Coconut water is available at most goodhealth food stores and, as its popularitycontinues to grow, is finding its way intomany grocery stores. It comes packaged ineasy-to-carry cans, bottles, and tetra

packs. Tetra packs are the most convenientbecause you do not have to worry aboutthem breaking. You can take them with youanywhere, even when you work out, gocamping or hiking, or go to the footballgame. If you freeze them beforehand, theywill stay cold for hours, providing you witha cool, refreshing drink later in the day.

You can also get coconut water straight

from a fresh coconut. You want to make


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sure you get a young coconut. Youngcoconuts are those that have not fullymatured. The water in the mature brown,hairy coconuts you see in the grocery storeis too old and tastes much different. Wholeyoung coconuts are also sold in health foodstores. They look different from the maturebrown coconuts. When a coconut is

harvested from the tree it is covered in athick fibrous husk. The husk is usuallyremoved before being shipped to market,so you never see the husk, just the brownshell. Young coconuts, however, have onlya portion of the husk cut off, leaving aboutan inch covering the shell. The husk iswhite and often shaped like a large toy top,with a point on one end and flat on theother. They are perishable, so you will findthem in the refrigerated section of the

store.

Coconut water has been used in tropicalregions of the world for centuries forhydration and health and beauty regimens.It comes from fresh coconuts that havebeen opened up to reveal a clear, denseand sweet fluid. This natural drink issecond only to drinking water in terms ofpurity and contains a myriad of beneficial

vitamins and minerals. With its energizing


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and nutritional properties, coconut water isa healthy addition to a well-balanced dietplan.

Natural Drink

Coconut water is a healthy addition to adiet plan for people trying to lose weight ormaintain a healthy lifestyle. This water islow in calories, 99 percent fat free and lowin sugars. The sugar content in coconutwater is natural and not refined orprocessed added sugars that increase therisk of obesity and diabetes. According tothe USDA National Nutrient Database, a

100 g serving of coconut water provides 19kcal, 0.2 g of fat, 1.1 g of fiber, 0.72 g ofprotein and 0 mg of cholesterol.

Hydration

Coconut water is a healthy hydrating drinkthat may be used to prevent dehydrationand electrolyte imbalance. Its high mineralcontent, including sodium and potassium,helps to restore any salt deficiencies in the


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body. This is particularly beneficial forathletes or people living in hot climateswho sweat a lot. Increased sweating andwater loss from intense exercise and heatresult in the loss of sodium and otherelectrolytes in the body and coconut waterhelps in restoring that. Drinking coconutwater is a healthier alternative to

replenishing these stores versuscommercial sports drinks that are high inadded sugars.

B Vitamins

Coconut water is a source of essential Bvitamins that are needed from dietarysources for use. B vitamins provide energyto the body, decrease anxiety anddepressive symptoms, help with muscle

functions, and increase the immuneresponse. Such vitamins include riboflavin,niacin, thiamine and folic acid. Freshcoconut water also contains small amountsof vitamin C, or approximately 4 percent ofthe recommended daily allowance. VitaminC is an antioxidant that is essential forfighting off free radicals that damage thebody as well as preventing certain cancersand the risk of heart disease.Ease Digestion


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Coconut water may help ease digestiveupsets and nausea. It naturally settles inthe stomach and contains saline andalbumen, both of which alleviate symptomsof kidney stones, urinary tract infectionsand dysentery. Despite being touted as amiracle drink, however, coconut water is

not a cure for any disease. Speak with aphysician if you are suffering from anyhealth conditions or ailments forappropriate medical attention.

The dark, fibrous shell breaks, and fragrantcoconut liquid begins to ooze out. Using asharp knife, one can separate the lusciouswhite flesh from its shell, then grates it tomake rich, delicious coconut milk. Coconutmilk can be used to add delicate flavor to

soups, gravies etc.

But it is not only for its taste that coconutis valued in India, instead it is considered adivine plant in Vedic tradition. Wheneveryou perform a sacred ceremony like ayagna, havan or puja, a coconut mustgrace the occasion. Thus, coconut enjoysthe status of a select few herbs and fruitslike basil and amlain the traditions of our

country.


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What is in a Coconut?

Vaidya Mishra goes on to reflect on the flakthat the coconut has received from certainquarters. I know that people accusecoconut of being heavy, toxin-causing, and

cholesterol-increasing. In my opinion, theyare partially right. A recent research studyfrom the Department of Biochemistry in theUniversity of Kerala states that the fattyacid composition of coconut changes as itgrows. This change in composition is beingstudied by scientists in many places. ButAyurveydic scholars knew many centuriesago that coconut has different propertiesat different stages of its life.

In the Ayurveydic nighantus or classicaltexts which talk about raw materials orfruits etc., the coconut is divided into threetypes of coconuts.The Three Coconuts

Baal: tender or baby coconut

Baal or Tender coconut: is 90 to 95 percentwater. The liquid from this coconut is at its


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purest and most healing. It is consideredthe best for its cooling properties.Unclogging the bodys channels, tendercoconut water lubricates the dryness. Itrepairs the gastrointestinal tract, and itssnigdha or sweet quality gives it a life-restoring capacity.

Madhyam: half-mature coconut

Madhyam or Middle aged coconut: inaddition to water, the coconut at this stagehas some soft pulp or giri. Madhyamcoconuts have less water than tender ones,but more water than mature coconuts. Thewater is slightly milky at this age. In theclassical Ayurveydic texts, the middle agedcoconut is said to be best because it has

more carbohydrate, protein, minerals,phosphorus, vitamins A,B, C than the othertwo forms.

Pakva: fully mature coconut

Mature or Pakva coconut: is coconut with ahard giri or pulp, and very little water.Ancient Ayurveydic scholar Bhav Mishra


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wrote that when a coconut becomesmature, it becomes heavy to digest, and itcan aggravate pitta. Mature coconuts canalso build up toxic ama by interfering withdigestion. If large quantities of this varietyare consumed daily, then a person cansuffer hyperacidity, and worse still,elevated cholesterol levels.

Therefore, people who have low agni ordigestive power are not advised to eatmature coconut, unless it is combined withingredients that balance its negativeproperties. In the South of India, forinstance, says vaidya Mishra, a popularway to eat coconut is in the form ofchutney. Combined with healthfulingredients like roasted chick pea flour,curry leaves, mustard seeds, and oil; the

coconut is used in smaller quantities, andcan actually be beneficial.

The Key to Eating Coconuts

Vaidya Mishra points out that if youunderstand the right ways to choose,combine, process, and prepare them, thenyou can extract the maximum benefit fromthis healing fruit.


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In general, tender and middle agedcoconuts are good for almost anyone, saysbut if you are a person dominated by thelethargic, phlegmatic energy of the Kaphadosha and you drink coconut water atnight, then it will make you feel so cool andheavy that your Kapha dosha will go out of

gear, causing all sorts of health problems.

Ayurvedic literature is full of praise for thetender coconut. Ayurvedas revered ancienthealer, Susruta, noted that tender coconutsstrengthen muscle, cardiovascular system,and the seven tissues. Middle agedcoconuts are also said to possess thesehealing properties. Both kinds help cleansethe urinary tract. Charaka, who is widelycredited as being the founding father of

Ayurveda, observed that tender and half-mature coconuts increase the quantity andquality of all 7 tissues, they are Vata-pacifying in nature because of theirunctuous qualities, they cool, strengthen,and are filled with sweetness.

That is, the tender coconut helps get rid ofany fever related to pitta aggravation, andany pitta-related disease.


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Tender Coconut Water

The water of tender coconut, technicallythe liquid endosperm, is the mostnutritious wholesome beverage that thenature has provided for the people of the

tropics to fight the sultry heat. It hascaloric value of 17.4 per 100gm.

It is unctuous, sweet, increasing semen,promoting digestion and clearing theurinary path, says Ayurveda on tendercoconut water (TWC).

Medicinal properties of tender coconutwater reported are:-

1.Good for feeding infantssuffering from intestinaldisturbances.

2.Oral rehydration medium3.Contains organic compounds

possessing growth promotingproperties


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4.Keeps the body cool5.Application on the body prevents

prickly heat and summer boilsand subsides the rashes causedby small pox, chicken pox,measles, etc.

6.Kills intestinal worm7.Presence of saline and albumen

makes it a good drink in choleracases

8.Checks urinary infections.9.Excellent tonic for the old and

sick

10.Cures malnourishment.11.Diuretic12.Effective in the treatment of

kidney and urethral stones

13.Can be injected intravenously inemergency case.

14.Found as blood plasmasubstitute because it is sterile,


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does not produce heat, does notdestroy red blood cells and isreadily accepted by the body.

15.Aids the quick absorption of thedrugs and makes their peakconcentration in the blood easierby its electrolytic effect.

16.Urinary antiseptic andeliminates poisons in case ofmineral poisoning.

Also, when there are toxins in our cells, thebest way to remove them is with a juicediet. This may be the juice of fruits as wellas vegetables. Sprouts also are held in highesteem by Ayurveydic practitioners.Maximum nourishment is attained when

we ingest a seed that has begun sproutingsince the life giving energy of the seed isbeneficial to the body types that can digestit.

In addition to fruit juices, Ayurveda usesMoong sprouts, fenugreek sprouts andother lentil sprouts depending on thediagnosis. Ayurveda believes in cleaningthe body so that efficient digestion can

take place. One of the problems with


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eating meat is that it is believed to takelonger for digestion and it may even decayor get trapped between the intestines. Thismay lead to toxic conditions even if themeat was pure and fresh. The meat weusually eat contains hormones,preservatives, additives, coloring, curingchemicals and what not; it may just be an

impediment to efficient digestion.

Although Ayurveda does not encourageeating meat, many of the people in coolercountries get most of their protein frommeat. The only way to eat healthy meat isto buy it fresh and prepare it well withspices and herbs to encourage thedigestive enzymes to help clean the colonwell after digestion.

Regardless of the problems a person mayhave it is important to determine the besttype of food they need and also the bestway to prepare it.

Ayurveda also believes in the transfer ofenergy between all living things. If wedestroy nature, some of the negativeenergy created during this onslaught willbe transferred to us. Similar to the practice

of libation that the old pagans had, we


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should also thank a tree for its fruits, waterit to show our gratitude and preserve ourenvironment so that every individual in thisworld can enjoy this beautiful planet forgenerations to come.

Enough for today!

Love

Taoshobuddha

Documents

Ayurveda in Practice