AYURVEDA

In this section some fundamental principles of the ancient Indian medicine Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is the composition of two sanscrit words Ayur  life and Veda  knowledge, its meaning is therefore science of life. The tradition wants the teachings of this ancient medicine to be reached by the Avatar (divine incarnation) Dhanvantari.
 

According to Ayurveda the universe is governed by 5 elements: EARTH - WATER - FIRE - AIR - ETHER. In our body these elements govern the 3 Dosha, the physical structure and the 3 Guna the mental structure.

THE 3 DOSHA

QUALITY OF THE 3 DOSHA

VATA           ETHER + AIR

ROUGHNESS - LIGHTNESS - THINNESS - COLDNESS - MOBILITY - DRYNESS

PITTA          FIRE + WATER

HEAT - ACUTENESS - SPICY TASTE - LIQUIDITY - BAD ODOR - LIGHT GREASINESS - ACID TASTE

KAPHA         EARTH + WATER

HEAVINESS - COLDNESS - SOFTNESS - SLOWNESS - GREASINESS - STABILITY - SWEETNESS

PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

VATA 

RESPIRATION, ENERGY, VIBRATIONS, IMPELLED ETC. DEPEND ON VATA

PITTA

DIGESTION, BODILY HEAT, THIRST AND HUNGER, SKIN, GREED OR POSSESSIVE INSTINCTS, SEES, INTELLECT, BRAVERY ETC. DEPEND ON PITTA

KAPHA

STABILITY, SOLIDITY, GREASINESS, STABLE JOINTS, SEXUALITY, MEMORY, AWARENESS, STRENGTH, GENEROSITY ETC. DEPEND ON KAPHA

EFFECTS ON BODY AND MIND

VATA 

IN EQUILIBRIUM

ENTHUSIASM, DYNAMISM, MIND IN ALERT AND VIGILANT, ENERGY AND VITALITY, REGULAR EVACUATION, DEEP SLEEP

IN UNBALANCE

PAIN, RESTLESSNESS, INSENSIBILITY, CONTRACTIONS AND TREMORS, INSTABILITY, ANXIETY, INSOMNIA, DRY SKIN, CONSTIPATION

PITTA

IN EQUILIBRIUM

ACUTE INTELLECT, BALANCED APPETITE, GOOD DIGESTION, BRIGHT SKIN, GOOD SEES

IN UNBALANCE

BURNING, FEVER, PERSPIRATION, IRRITABILITY, FEELING OF BURNING ON THE BODY, VORACIOUS APPETITE, UNBALANCED DIGESTION, YELLOWISH COLOR

KAPHA

IN EQUILIBRIUM

COURAGE, FORGIVENESS, CALM, PLEASANT ASPECT, SOFT AND ATTRACTIVE FORMS, DARK AND STRONG HAIR

IN UNBALANCE

IDLENESS, LETHARGY, OBESITY, PALLOR, FEELING OF HEAVINESS, YAWNS

TROUBLES CAUSED BY VATA

TROUBLES CAUSED BY PITTA

TROUBLES CAUSED BY KAPHA

REMEDIES AND THERAPIES FOR VATA

REMEDIES AND THERAPIES FOR PITTA

REMEDIES AND THERAPIES FOR KAPHA

DIETS

* Rasa (tastes)
* Diets for: Constitution VATA - Constitution PITTA - Constitution KAPHA
* Physical exercise for the 3 dosha

To establish of what type of constitution we are and to establish a diet is good routine to address to an ayurvedic physician.

In this section the matter is treated in general line to better understand the principles and the techniques of Ayurveda.

The diet, being of primary importance, has a big consideration in ayurvedic medicine. In western country is given more importance to the quantity of calories of the food and the classification in fat, carbohydrates, proteins etc., with little consideration on the digestive ability of the consumer, on the season, on the mental state of the individual or on the equilibrium of the energies in body and mind. According to the ancient Indian medicine the diet is above all a tool of preservation of the state of health and prevention of illness. That's why we cannot ignore these important factors that so heavily influence our psycophysic equilibrium.

Rasa (Tastes)

SWEET -  RICE, PASTA, SUGAR, GHUR(SUGAR CANE), MILK, BUTTER, CARROTS, GRAPE, FIG, LIQUORICE

ACID - YOGURT, LEMON, VINEGAR, CHEESE, TOMATO

SALTY - SALT, TAMARI (SOYA SAUCE), SALTY PEANUTS, SEA ALGAS

SPICY - PEPPER, CAPSICUM, GINGER, GARLIC, ONION

BITTER - SPINACHES, CHICORY, GREEN VEGETABLES, TURMERIC, RHUBARB

ASTRINGENT - LEGUMES, KHAKI, ALL THE SOUR FRUIT, RAW HONEY

VATA CONSTITUTION
 

IN GENERAL TO FAVOR WELL COOKED, WARM, GREASY, LIQUID FOODS, FROM SWEET OR ACID OR SALTY PREVAILING TASTE

TO FAVOR THE CONSUMPTION OF:

CEREALS: Rice, Wheat in all its preparations, Oat (cooked)

DAIRY PRODUCE: Milk, Yogurt, Butter, Cheeses of cow

VEGETABLES: Tofu (soya cheese)

MEATS: Chicken, Turkey, Rabbit, blue Fish

VEGETABLES: Asparaguses, Avocado, Beets, Tomatoes, Carrots, Fennels

FRUIT: Fig trees, Raisin, Dates, Orange, Banana, Lemons, Pineapple, Mango, Peaches, Melon, Plums, Pear, Kiwi, Cherries

DRY FRUIT AND SEEDS: Almonds, Walnut-trees, Filberts, Sesam

SPICES AND AROMAS: Anise, Garlic, Basil, Cinnamon, Nails of carnation, Fennel, Sage, Ginger, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Saffron

FAT: Olive Oil, Butter, Tahin (sesam butter), Gee (clarified butter)

SWEETENERS: Sugar of cane, Honey (few)

TO REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF:

CEREALS: Bowline, Millet, Rye

DAIRY PRODUCE: Milk and cheeses of goat

MEATS: Steer, Calf, Pig

LEGUMES: Beans, Chick-peas

VEGETABLES: Cabbage, Eggplant, Lettuce, Broccolis, Potatoes, Peppers, Pumpkin

FRUIT: Sour and not sweet

SPICE: Turmeric and Capsicum

SWEETENERS: White Sugar

PITTA CONSTITUTION
 

TO FAVOR FRESH, LIQUID FOODS, FROM THE SWEET OR BITTER OR ASTRINGENT PREVAILING TASTE

TO FAVOR THE CONSUMPTION OF:

CEREALS: Rice, Wheat, Bowline

DAIRY PRODUCE: Milk, Gee, Butter, fresh Cheeses, Ricotta

MEATS: Chicken, Turkey

VEGETABLES: Asparaguses, Lettuce, Courgettes, Spinaches, Beets, Broccolis, Cucumbers, Potatoes

LEGUMES: Chick-peas, Broad beans, Peas, Red Lentils, Tofu

FRUIT: All less Orange, Grapefruit, Mango

DRY FRUIT AND SEEDS: Sunflower and Pumpkin

FAT: Gee, Olive Oil (not too much), Sunflower Oil

SPICE IS AROMAS: Turmeric, Coriander, Fennel, Mint, Saffron

SWEETENERS: Sugar of cane, Honey (in the cold season)

TO REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF:

CEREALS: Corn, Rye, Millet

DAIRY PRODUCE: Yogurt, sour and salty Cheeses

MEATS: All

LEGUMES: Beans, Lentils

VEGETABLES: Tomatoes, Spinaches, Onion, Eggplants, Peppers

FRUIT: Orange, Grapefruit, Mango

OILS: Sesam, Corn, Peanuts

SPICE IS AROMAS: Pepper, Capsicum, Ginger (dry), Sage, Oregano, Thyme, Garlic, Mustard, Vinegar, Tamari

SWEETENERS: Honey (in the cold season)

KAPHA CONSTITUTION
 

TO FAVOR WARM, LIGHT, DRY FOODS, FROM THE SPICY OR BITTER OR ASTRINGENT PREVAILING TASTE

TO FAVOR THE CONSUMPTION OF:

CEREALS: Bowline, Millet, Rye, Emmer, Tapioca

DAIRY PRODUCE: Skimmed milk, Milk and cheeses of goat

LEGUMES: Chick-peas, Lentils, Peas, Soy

MEATS: Chicken, Turkey

VEGETABLES: Beets, Chicory, Lettuce, Eggplant, Spinaches, Pumpkin, Courgettes

FRUIT: Cherries, Maracuja, Apple, Pomegranate, Fruits of wood, Papaya

OILS: Sesam, Olive

SPICE AND AROMAS: Laurel, Basil, Nails of carnation, Cardamom, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Marjoram, Oregano, Black Pepper, Sage, Ginger

SWEETENERS: Honey

TO REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF:

CEREALS: Laughed white, Bread and pasta white, Oat

DAIRY PRODUCE: Whole milk, Butter, Gee, Yogurt, Cheeses of cow

LEGUMES: Tofu

VEGETABLES: Avocado, Beets, Carrots, Potatoes, Tomatoes

FRUIT: Orange, Banana, Dates, Figs, Mango, Melon, Coconut, Peaches, Kiwi, Grape

DRY FRUIT AND SEEDS: All

FAT: Butter, Gee, Margarine

SPICE: Salt

SWEETENERS: White Sugar, Sugar of Cane

PHYSICAL EXERCISE

AROMATHERAPY

In Ayurvedic medicine the use of aromatic essences to therapeutic purpose is practiced a great deal. The essences are used in the preparation of oils for massage and diffused in the environment for their quality to influence body and mind. Little is the use of the essential oils for by inside, contrarily of the western Aromatherapy.

TO CHOOSE THE ESSENTIAL OILS ACCORDING TO THEIR CHARACTERISTICS

FOR THE SKIN

1) Antiseptic for cuts, punctures of bugs
sage-eucalyptus-tea tree-lavender-thyme-carnation-lemon

2) Anti-inflammatory for eczemas, infected wounds, swellings
camomile-lavender-yarrow

3) Fungicides for foot of athlete, candid
lavender-tea tree-myrrh-patchouli-marjoram

4) Stimulating of the fabric of granulation and cicatrizant for burns, cuts, scars
lavender-camomile-pink-neroli (flowers of orange tree)-incense-geranium-sandal-wood of rose

5) Deodorant for excessive perspiration, cleaning wounds
bergamot-sage-lavender-thyme-juniper-cypress-lemon grass

6) Insectifuges and parasiticides
hybrid lavender-geranium-citronella grass-eucalyptus-carnation-camphor-cedar of the atlas

CIRCULATION-MUSCLES-ARTICULATIONS

1) To make to go down the tension for cases of hypertension, palpitations
marjoram-ylang-ylang-lavender-lemon

2) To increase the tension for cases of circulatory insufficiency
rosemary-hybrid lavender-eucalyptus-mint-thyme

3) Equalizer of the tension:
hyssopus officinalis

4) Balmy and rubefacenti for pains, rheumatisms, muscular rigidity, sciatica, lumbagos
camphor-rosemary-marjoram-juniper-eucalyptus g.-niaouli-black pepper

5) Depurative and antitoxic for arthritis, gout, congestions
juniper-lemon-fennel

5) Stimulating lymphatic for cellulitis, obesity, water retention
grapefruit-lemon-files-mandarin (bland)-white birch tree

6) Tonic venous astringents for launch us and capillary
cypress-juniper-rosemary-yarrow-lemon-files-orange tree

RESPIRATORY

1) Expectorant for catarrh, sinusitis, cough, bronchitis
Eucalyptus g.-pine-thyme-myrrh-sandal-fennel

2) Antispasmodic for colics, dry cough, pertussis
hyssopus officinalis-cypress-cedar of the atlas-bergamot-camomile-cajeput

3) Balmy for cold, hits of cold, congestions
benzoin-incense-Tolù balm-Peru balm -myrrh

4) Respiratory antiseptic for influence, sore throat, tonsillitis
thyme-sage-eucalyptus g.-basil-pine-niaouli-cajeput-tea tree

DIGESTIVE

1) Spasms, pains, dyspepsia (troubles of the digestion)
Camomile-fennel-orange-mint-lemon balm

2) Carminative (anti-gas), flatulences, aerophagy, nauseas
angelic-basil-camomile-mint

3) Increases the bilious secretion and it stimulates the gallbladder
caraway-lavender-mint

4) For the liver: 
rosemary-lemon-mint

5) To stimulate the appetite:
anise-angelic-orange-ginger

SOOTHING

Soothing of the nervous system for exhaustion, anxiety, stress, insomnia, nervousness
orange-ylang ylang-sandal-lemon balm-jasmine-lavender-camomile-vetiver-patchouli-valerian

TO PERFUME AND TO DISINFECT THE ENVIRONMENT

To dilate the bellows and to favor the phlegm:
eucalyptus-mugo pine-niaouli (1 only or in association)

Anti-mosquitos:
basil-mint-citronella-eucalyptus citriodora

Anti-moths:
cedar-carnation-geranium (strengthened with lavender)

Against the odor of tobacco:
lemon-files-citronella-geranium-strawflower

For the bacteriological purification of the air:
lavender-pine-thyme-rosemary-bergamot-eucalyptus-niaouli

To help the concentration:
basil-mint-rosemary-cypress

Few drops are enough on a terracotta, on your poutpourri

MASSAGE

Vata Massage Oil Composition:

Base Oils: Sesame seed and Almond
Herbs: Ashwagandha root, Gotu Kola leaf, Chamomile flowers, Ginger root, Licorice Root, Shatavri root, and Dong Quai root
Essential Oils: Lavender, Clary Sage, Jatamansi, Vetiver


Pitta Massage Oil Composition:

Base Oils: Olive
Herbs: Gotu Kola leaf, Licorice Root, Fennel seed, Peppermint leaf
Essential Oils: Lavender, Peppermint, Jatamansi, Vetiver


Kapha Massage Oil Composition:

Base Oils: Almond
Herbs: Gotu Kola leaf, Ginger root
Essential Oils: Orange peel, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Patchouli, Myrrh

The information here brought have only an illustrative goal: they are not referable neither to prescriptions neither to medical suggestions