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Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine
A 5000-year old medical system from India
swakitch.comShaaranya Geetanjali Chakraborty Ananta Ripa Ajmera
wholeyoga-ayurveda.com
Disclaimer: This is not a substitute for medical advice© 2015 All rights reserved
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Ayush: Life Veda: Science
Ayurveda: The Science of Life
Yoga = Ayurveda’s Sister Science
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”- Hippocrates
(460 – 370 BC)
“When diet is Wrong, Medicine is of no Use. When diet is right , Medicine is of no need”- Ayurvedic Proverb
Sushruta: Founding father of SurgeryPeriod:1200-600 BCE
Treatise: Sushruta SamhitaFamous painting by Robert Thom
Dating: 900 BCE-600 BCE
Foundational Ayurvedic treatise
Covers epistemology, diagnosis, therapy development and implementation
Captures dialog of Punarvasu Atreya, or
Rishi Atreya
Ayurveda takes a “Whole Systems” approach to health
Macrocosm
Microcosm
Ayurveda provides the building blocks for understanding the interaction between
microcosm and macrocosm
You can apply these elements to the foods you know!
In your chat window, type in the predominant element from the
five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
In your chat window, type in the predominant element from the
five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
In your chat window, type in the predominant element from the
five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
In your chat window, type in the predominant element from the
five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
One Size Does Not Fit All
Poll: Do you know people who feel colder/warmer when others don’t?
Poll: Do you know people who feel sick eating the same food that others feel fine eating?
The five elements present a typology for identifying your constitution
Let’s try it!
In your chat window, type in
the predominant element (s)
from the five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
In your chat window, type in
the predominant element (s)
from the five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
In your chat window, type in
the predominant element (s)
from the five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
In your chat window, type in
the predominant element (s)
from the five choices:
Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth
Like increases likeYour constitution interacts with the food you eat, and we can
use the five elements to analyze it
Let’s try it!
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Fiery constitution Fire-dominated food
The fire element gets vitiated with too much heat. May manifest as
heartburn, anger, controlling behavior, etc.
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Fiery constitution Water-dominated food
The fire element gets balanced with cooling foods.
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Air & space constitution Air & space-dominated food
The air and space elements get vitiated. May manifest as spacing out, anxiety,
pain in the body, etc.
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Earth-dominated food
The air element gets balanced with earthy foods.
Air & space constitution
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Earthy constitution Earth-dominated food
The earth element gets vitiated. May manifest as sluggishness, heaviness,
dullness, stubbornness, etc.
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Earthy constitution Air & space-dominated food
The earth element gets balanced with lighter foods.
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Watery constitution Water-dominated food
The water element gets vitiated. May manifest as coldness, water retention,
being overly emotional, etc.
Chat: What do you think will happen?
Watery constitution Fire-dominated food
The water element gets balanced with warming foods.
The focus of Ayurveda is on balance.
Ayurveda is a Mature Science
The answer to a question like “Is this diet good” is NOT yes/no, but “It depends!”
PollDo you think an Ayurvedic diet is: A. Synonymous with Indian cuisine B. Vegetarian C. Healthy, but not tasty
–Translated verse from a Classical Ayurveda text
“The goal of this science is to help maintain the health of an individual and help the diseased
person to become healthy again”
Ayurveda has been effective in several areas
Internal Medicine
OBGYN
Psychiatry
ENT
Dentistry
Surgery
Toxicology
Anti-aging and rejuvenation
Pharmacology
Pediatrics
Aphrodisiac Medicine Ophthalmology
There are lots of herbal medicines in Ayurveda, but the first line of defense is food and lifestyle.
You can enroll the humble kitchen in building your own frontline health
defense
Cardamom
Home Remedies:
• Mouth freshener: chew 1-2 pods and spit out the peel
• Nausea: chew 1-2 pods directly
(Latin: Ellataria cardomomum)
Turmeric(Latin: Curcuma longa)
Home Remedy:
Wound Healing Antiseptic: Apply turmeric powder to cuts and wounds before you put on a Band-aid
A pinch of turmeric kills germs in your
food. Research has shown that it improves cognitive function in
patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Turmeric in Cooking
*Contraindication: Do not overdose on the amount of turmeric you add to your food.
Turmeric as a Beauty Enhancer
Home Remedy: Mix either fresh ground turmeric root or turmeric powder with water or milk to cleanse skin for 5 mins,
then rinse off
Cumin SeedsHome Remedy:
Boost Digestion: Add roasted cumin seed powder to your meals; this spice can be used as a table spice
(Latin: Cuminum cyminum)
Bishop’s Weed
Home Remedies:
• Relieve menstrual cramps: Ajwain decoction (water boiled with 1/4th tsp Ajwain) can be sipped like tea as needed
• Improve appetite & relieve gas: 1/4th tsp. of roasted Ajwain, powdered and mixed with warm water relieves bloating
(Latin: Trachyspermum ammi)
*Contraindication: Do not consume this spice if having too much fire/heat in your body.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is known to be a natural mild tranquilizer and recommended for de-stressing and helping with sleep
(Latin: Myristica fragans)
Home Remedy:
Sleep like a baby: A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg can be added to warm milk at night
Nutmeg
*Contraindication: Do not use nutmeg in your milk when having constipation.
Awaken Early
Resources• A book we recommend on Ayurveda: Prakriti by Robert Svoboda
• For additional home remedies using kitchen spices:
- 4 Healing Ayurvedic Spices to Add to Your Pantry
- All-Natural DIY Anti-Acne & Anti-Aging Facial Recipe
• To learn more about self-care practices:
- 3 Ancient Ayurvedic Rituals to Rock Your Mornings
- Live in Harmony with Nature: 3 Practical Tips from Ayurveda
- Ayurvedic Geriatrics
• For more on mindful eating:
- How Ayurveda Inspires Mindful Eating
Promoting Health & Wellness with Ayurveda
Taking health into your own hands
Coming Soon
Watch for a class announcement
swakitch.com
For Short-Term Ayurveda Consultations in Milpitas, CA: [email protected]
General Queries: [email protected]
Shaaranya Geetanjali Chakraborty
Ananta Ripa Ajmerawholeyoga-ayurveda.com
For Long-Term Ayurveda Consultations & Yoga Classes in Emeryville, CA & via Skype:
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