Health is your Wealth - Ayurveda

‘Health is your wealth’ as we say in Ayurveda. We can have all the money in the world, but if we don’t have our health then we can’t get to enjoy our financial wealth. Thus in Ayurveda we see health as fundamental to our experience of life on Planet Earth, and strengthening our immunity is therefore paramount.

Furthermore, one of the things I love about Ayurveda, other than it is from the Vedas and therefore tried and tested over thousands of years, is its focus, not just on the body and the mind but also on the soul – the whole being therefore. This of course is very different to the allopathic take on things where we still separate the body and mind - the body is treated in the PEH, for example, and the mind is treated at Oberlands and as for the soul…

Not only that, but one of Ayurveda’s main objectives is the prevention of dis-ease (lack of ease, disharmony then) by strengthening the immune system, which makes the immune system a significant element of Ayurveda. As we all know, our wellbeing is dependent on the body’s resistance to dis-ease and the immune system plays a significant role in the prevention of disease and therefore recovery from disease.

What we also know is that some people are more prone to disease than others. For example, among people living in infected surroundings only some of them are found to be affected while others are left without any effect. It shows that the pathogen (bacterium, virus or other microorganism) requires particular favourable conditions and susceptibility of the individual in order for disease to form. Without these conditions, the pathogen will be destroyed by themselves. Thus the stronger the immunity, the greater our protection from disease.

In Ayurveda, the focus is not on prevention of disease, per se, but on strengthening the immune system as a whole. In this way we can maximise ‘ojas’. Ojas is a Sanskrit term which can be translated as ‘vigour’ or essence of vitality. Essentially, ojas is the vital energy that governs our immunity, strength and happiness – three things we want in abundance. If our ojas is weak, then our health, our spirit and our energy decreases.

Like any hereditary characteristics, immunity is also inherited and is greatly influenced by several other factors such as diet, environment, way of living, age, mental state, development or growth and pathological conditions of the individuals.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to healing, which focuses on the root cause of any loss of wellbeing rather than merely treating the symptoms. Originating in India thousands of years ago, the word Ayurveda is made from two Sanskrit roots ‘Ayu’ which mean life and ‘Veda’ which means knowledge. Therefore, the term Ayurveda means the knowledge or science of life. Ayurveda uses a combination of diet, herbal medicine and lifestyle choices to promote wholeness and vitality.

Essentially, Ayurveda is a lifestyle, which offers a path to greater consciousness. Indeed a certain level of consciousness and self-responsibility is required to bring Ayurveda into your life, allowing you to move beyond habits and behaviour patterns which do not support your nature or indeed health and wellbeing.

In Ayurveda, factors which lessen immunity include:

·      Mental stress such as fear, anxiety, grief, anger and rage

·      Poor diet and nutritional disturbances

·      Lack of sleep

·      Excessive physical exertion/exercise

·      Alcohol, drugs and smoking

·      Severe infection

·      Injury, accidental or surgical

·      Excessive loss of bodily fluids

·      Wasting

·      Season, environment and age

·      Severe constitutional derangement.

In Ayurveda, factors which enhance immunity include:

·      Balanced diet appropriate to the constitution

·      Mental peace

·      Proper exercise

·      Favourable climate

·      Characteristics of race and generation in which birth took place

·      Genetics of parents

·      Constitutional characteristics (vata, pitta, kapha)

·      Adolescence

·      Proper mental stimulation

In the ancient Ayurvedic texts we are told that features of a healthy person include:

Dosha – the doshas (one of three biological energies circulating within the body) which are present in the body and mind (vata, pitta and kapha) and must be in a balanced state in order to keep a person healthy. When the balance of the doshas is disturbed, then this can lead to a state of disease and impact on the immune system.

Agni (fire) – in order for an individual to stay healthy, his/her digestive fire must be balanced and effective. When the digestive fire is weak, this can cause many diseases. It is well known that the health of an individual is dependent on the strength of their digestion.

Waste products – the excretion of faeces, urine and sweat must be balanced.

Tissues – the seven tissues of the body must be in a balanced state and able to function properly.

Senses – the sensory and motor organs and mind must be in equilibrium and able to discharge to perform their duties properly.

Mind – the state of mental health is more important than physical health. Look after your mental state!

Soul – awakened consciousness, unifying body and mind for eternal health and happiness.

How is this achieved through diet?

Eating for your constitution, being aware of the impact various foods/drinks have on your digestive capability, and resulting mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Avoiding foods/drinks which don’t support your wellbeing on all those levels. Lots of vegetables and fruits. Avoiding cold or raw foods as these can be difficult to digest properly unless your digestive function is brilliant! Nourishing soups using coconut milk and light spices, white rice, chicken, white fish, pulses, cereals, soft cheeses, pitta bread, that sort of thing. Think nourishing and warming (but not spicy).

Pitta - Those who are predominantly pitta (fire and water), need to be mindful of excess heat in the body, especially if suffering with stress, migraines, infections, acidity, stomach ulcers, inflammatory conditions and loose stools, tendency to anger, impatience and intolerance, and should therefore absolutely avoid chilli, tomatoes, vinegars, citrus fruits, red meat and fish and red wine.

Kapha - Those who are predominantly kapha (water and earth) inclined, being mindful of excess mucus, especially if you are feeling sluggish, lazy, sticky, heavy, cold, digestion I slow, feeling unforgiving and having a hard time letting go, should absolutely avoid dairy products and heavy foods such as creamy pasta dishes, fried foods, rich curries and puddings etc.

Vata - Those who are predominantly vata inclined (air and ether) need to be mindful of feelings of anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, cold hands and feet and constipation (like rabbit droppings) and should avoid excessive bird foods such as nuts, seeds and dried fruits and other light and crunchy food such as crackers and crudities.

Anything else which helps?

·      By maintaining proper function of the digestive system, only eating when hungry and avoiding excessive snacking.

·      Yoga for promoting mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing. Practising gently and consciously to nourish and support the constitution, not creating further imbalance or exhaustion 

·      Taking adequate rest – Yoga Nidra (guided relaxation) can help and there are a plethora of free ones on my website.

·      Appropriate exercise such as walking and swimming.

·      Socialising with friends and family whose company you enjoy. Avoiding the company of anyone who adds stress to your life.

·      Avoid ingesting anything which depletes you such as alcohol, smoking, drugs, junk food, social media, news channels etc

·      A clean and clear environment – throughout junk and clutter!

·      Getting out into nature when you can. Walking on the beach and cliffs. Noticing the sun and moon cycle, watching the stars at night, listening to the birds etc.

·      A positive outlook. Reducing exposure to negativity, including places and people.

·      Engaging in activities which make you feel happy such as reading, writing, artwork, singing, watching feel good films etc.

·      Connecting into your heart and smiling and laughing as much as you can.

·      Wearing/holding crystals.

·      Taking Ayurvedic medicine where needed.

In short, only we can make the difference that we seek with our health and wellbeing. We have to take responsibility – it is no good waiting for someone else to do it for us because they can’t, we have to do it for ourselves. This is an empowering experience and once we take responsibility, we will wonder why we didn’t do it earlier.

For anyone wishing to explore Ayurveda further then pleased contact Emma at emma@beinspiredby.co.uk.