The quinine-containing bark of the Cinchona tree is probably the most valuable drug the Americas gave the world

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Cinchona or Quina is a genus of about 38 species in the family Rubiaceae, native to the tropical Andes forests of western South America. They are medicinal plants, known as sources for quinine and other compounds.

The name of the genus is due to Carolus “Carl” Linnaeus, who named the tree in 1742 after a Countess of Chinchón, the wife of a viceroy of Peru, who, in 1638, was introduced by native Quechua healers to the medicinal properties of cinchona bark. Stories of the medicinal properties of this bark, however, are perhaps noted in journals as far back as the 1560s–1570s.

It is the national tree of Ecuador and Peru.

Peru offers a branch of cinchona toScience (from a 17th-century engraving):Cinchona, the source of Peruvian bark, is an early remedy against malaria.

The medicinal properties of the cinchona tree were originally discovered by the Quechua peoples of Peru and Bolivia, and long cultivated by them as a muscle relaxant to halt shivering due to low temperatures. The Jesuit Brother Agostino Salumbrino (1561–1642), an apothecary by training and who lived in Lima, observed the Quechua using the quinine-containing bark of the cinchona tree for that purpose. While its effect in treating malaria (and hence malaria-induced shivering) was entirely unrelated to its effect in controlling shivering from cold, it was nevertheless the correct medicine for malaria. The use of the “fever tree” bark was introduced into European medicine by Jesuit missionaries (Jesuit’s bark). Jesuit Barnabé de Cobo (1582–1657), who explored Mexico and Peru, is credited with taking cinchona bark to Europe. He brought the bark from Lima to Spain, and afterwards to Rome and other parts of Italy, in 1632. AfterSpanish colonization of the Americas, the Jesuit missionaries were the first to bring the Jesuit’s bark cinchona compound to Europe in 1632. To maintain their monopoly on cinchona bark, Peru and surrounding countries began outlawing the export of cinchona seeds and saplings beginning in the early 19th century.

Meanwhile, also in the 19th century, the plant’s seeds and cuttings were smuggled out for new cultivation at cinchona plantations in colonial regions of tropical Asia, notably by the British to the British Raj and Ceylon (present day India and Sri Lanka), and by theDutch to Java in the Dutch East Indies (present day Indonesia).

As a medicinal herb, cinchona bark is also known as Jesuit’s bark or Peruvian bark. The bark is stripped from the tree, dried, and powdered for medicinal uses. The bark is medicinally active, containing a variety of alkaloids including the antimalarial compoundquinine and the antiarrhythmic quinidine. Currently, their use is largely superseded by more effective modern medicines.

quinine

cinchonine

Low libido can manifest as a lack of sexual energy or desire, as sexual debility or as the inability to perform properly. Symptoms of sexual debility may include lack of interest, erectile weakness, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea, or the involuntary discharge of semen. Male sterility is a condition where the quality or quantity of the semen is low or altogether absent. This problem can easily go undetected, as it doesn’t necessarily affect the sexual desire.

All these symptoms are clearly expressing that one of the most powerful energies in the body is depleted, and this can be basically related to factors including lifestyle and dietary choices, habits, level of daily stress, family history, parents’ habits, and genetics. To understand how Ayurveda and Ayurvedic herbs can help to promote healthy sexual energy, we need to take a look at how it can become compromised in the first place.

Lifestyle Aspects of Poor Sexual Energy

There are innumerable causes relating to the lack of sexual urges and abilities These include poor diet and inappropriate food combining, overuse of bitter, astringent, salty, sour or spicy foods, emotional strain, improper fasting, old age, genetic factors, suppression of urges, excessive exercise and bicycling. Other important factors seen in clinical practice associated with low libido are general stress, overwork, substance abuse, improper diet and lifestyle, financial worries and troubled relationships, and using sex as one of the main outlets for stress and tension. Skillfully improving the diet and reducing stress through methods such as regular yoga, meditation, nature walks, and other creative means can help clients respond better to herbal treatment and improve their symptoms faster.

In the case of sterility the same factors can certainly play into the imbalance, although there are other aspects to consider that may not be related to the strength of one’s sexual appetite. For instance, Ayurveda recommends that men avoid over heating the testicles with excessively hot baths and prolonged use of sauna (without protecting with a cool, damp cloth), as well as wearing tight underwear and sitting all day, especially with the legs together on a chair. Too much heating tastes like salty, sour and pungent can also over heat the body, as well as over consumption of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol. It has also been observed that extensive use of extremely bitter herbs like neem can decrease the sperm count and the libido.

Other Causative Factors of Poor Sexual Energy

If a couple has been actively trying to conceive for over a year without results, it may be helpful to check with a doctor to rule out other possible causes of male sterility, such as varicocele, a pitta related condition caused by increased blood flow and temperature around the testicles and vas deferens, or hydrocele, a kapha related disorder where excess fluid builds up around the testicles. Other causes may include chronic infection of the prostate, endocrine disorders, anatomical defects causing retrograde ejaculation, and pharmaceutical drugs.

Dhatus and Doshas Involved

From an Ayurvedic perspective, male sexual energy arises from shukra dhatu, the male reproductive tissue. Within this dhatu lays the great potential energy for procreation as well as the fuel for mental focus, concentration, and creativity. Since shukra is the last of all bodily tissues to become fully nourished through the process of digestion, it makes good sense to consider how the diet affects the overall reproductive health. Better eating habits that include stimulating and digestive herbs such as fennel, cumin, fenugreek, and cardamom can greatly contribute to the nourishment of shukra dhatu.

If there is a high level of ama (toxins) present in the system, then some degree of cleansing may also be indicated before addressing the rejuvenation of the reproductive tissue directly. Even ashwagandha, one of Ayurveda’s best reproductive herbs can still fall short if there are too many obstacles in its way.

An important consideration in the treatment of poor reproductive health is the role of the doshas in its causative factors. Low sexual energy is often associated with an aggravation of vata dosha. Vata’s dry, light, cold, rough, erratic, and astringent qualities are opposite to that of shukra, which tends to be more kapha-like in nature. Here a warming tonic herb such as ashwagandha is the best to increase the quality and quantity of shukra.

Excess pitta can also play into the picture due to its hot and sharp qualities, which can overheat and burn shukra and even cause burning upon ejaculation. In this case, cooling herbs like shatavari or bala are good choices to nourish, cool and protect this delicate tissue.

Kapha predominant individuals tend to be the least prone to sterility, but can often experience symptoms of low or obstructed sexual energy and fluids, often associated with conditions such as obesity, congestive disorders, mental dullness and lethargy. In some cases kapha types produce excess shukra, which tends to accumulate as unstable, unripe dhatu and can cause preoccupation with sexual desire. Since many tonic herbs are heavy, sweet and oily (and tend to diminish agni and increase ama), they may aggravate kapha, so it’s best to combine them with light, warming and stimulating herbs such as ginger, cardamom, fenugreek and pippali.

Ayurvedic Vajikarana and Shukrala Herbs

Once any possible causes and contributing factors have been determined, as well as the prakruti and vikruti of the person, then the best herbs and supportive measures can be selected to suit the individual needs. In Ayurvedic pharmacology there is a special group of rasayana herbs, classified as vajikarana, that help to nourish and stimulate the sexual organs and tissues, as well as to promote beauty and sex appeal. Further classifications of herbs that aid in increasing spermatogenesis are referred to as shukrala.

In Sanskrit vaji means “horse” and karana means “power,” to convey the idea of the power or strength of a horse. The closest common Western term for herbs in this category would be aphrodisiacs. Yet because vajikarana herbs nourish the reproductive tissue, they also help to increase ojas, which is the essence of all bodily tissues that can be transformed into spiritual energy.

Vajikarana herbs can act as stimulants, tonics or both. Stimulants are typically heating and rajasic like damiana, fenugreek garlic, and onion. They help to decrease kapha and have more of an invigorating action on the sexual organs. Tonics, whether warming or cooling, are more nourishing and help to restore the overall quality and quantity of the tissues. Some herbs possess both stimulating and rejuvenating properties, such as shilajit, garlic, fenugreek, and ashwagandha.

Common Ayurvedic Tonic Herbs For Male Reproductive Health

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

In Sanskrit, ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” due to the strong odor of the fresh root, which resembles that of horse urine. It is also considered to bestow the sexual vitality of a horse and is often used in cases of sterility and infertility. Being one of the best male rejuvenating tonic herbs, it promotes spermatogenesis, blood flow and tone to the reproductive organs and regulates hormonal function. It is commonly used to relieve conditions such as spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission and enlarged prostate.

Its grounding and deeply nourishing qualities make it one of the best vata pacifying medicines. Due to its warming energy, it can provoke pitta when used in excess. This is especially true when prepared as a tincture, although the powdered herb used in combination with cooling vajikarana herbs such as shatavari, bala, licorice or vidari is fairly neutral. Ashwagandha has anabolic properties and increases the tone and strength of the muscles. Because it helps to combat stress, relax the body and mind, and fortify all the dhatus, it is a perfect herb for targeting many of the contributing factors associated with depleted sexual energy.

In my experience it is a fairly gentle herb with a wide range of uses and one of the most common vata pratyanika herbs. Some key signs and symptoms to look for when considering this herb are generalized low libido, stress, low mental or physical energy, depletion, insomnia, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, worry and depression.

One of the most effective and simple ways to use this herb is to boil 1 teaspoon of the powdered root in a cup of raw unhomogenized cow’s milk for several minutes, sweeten with raw sugar or honey and take before going to bed or first thing in the morning. Those who don’t drink milk can use fresh almond milk or just plain hot water. I personally use this herb in formulation or along with other compounds more than just by itself for most conditions.

It is commonly used in combination with shilajit in male tonic formulas, which should be used with caution by pitta and vata folks or those with excess heat in the body. If kapha is involved in the imbalance, then it is best used along with stimulating spices such as pippali, ginger, cardamom, or fenugreek.

Ashwagandha plays a key role in several traditional compounds that are quite useful to enhance virility, including Ashwagandhadi churna and Ashwagandhadi lehya, a tasty herbal jam that is taken twice daily in doses of 1 to 2 teaspoons along with warm milk or water. Also, ashwagandharishta, an herbal wine preparation that is great for sexual debility as well as afflictions of the mind and nervous system, in doses of 20 to 30 ml twice daily. A moderate dose of the powdered herb ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Due to its sattwic quality, ashwagandha has long been used by the yogis of India to increase shukra/arthava dhatu and transform it into ojas, thus promoting spiritual energy and enhancing meditative power. Since mental rejuvenation is vital for overall health, ashwagandha is also one of the most valuable medhya rasayana herbs in Ayurveda, and it combines well with other medhya rasayana herbs such as brahmi (gotu kola or bacopa monniera), shanka pushpi and vacha.

Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens)

This is perhaps one of my personal favorite vajikarana herbs for men, second to ashwagandha, which is its frequent partner in male supportive formulas. It has a sweet and bitter taste, and is quite heavy and oily. When used in moderation it is fairly tridoshic but is mainly used to balance vata and pitta, as it increases kapha and ama in excess.

Kapikacchu is often used along with gokshura for the treatment of spermatorrhea and as a potent aphrodisiac when prepared with other rejuvenating substances, including milk, ghee and honey. A simple milk decoction with these ingredients can serve as an alternative to some of the more elaborate preparations mentioned in the classic texts for increasing the sexual vigor and potency. Combined with diuretics like punarnava and gokshura, it is very effective in the treatment of enlarged prostate and edema. It also helps to buffer stress when used along with other vata balancing herbs like bala, ashwagandha and jatamansi. Typical doses of the powdered herb range from 1.5 to 6 grams. One should avoid it in cases of aggravated pitta or high ama, unless it is well formulated.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Although best known as one of the most important rejuvenating herbs for the female reproductive system, shatavari can also serve as a powerful male tonic. It has a bittersweet taste, is cooling and purifying to the liver and blood, and it helps to target pitta at its main site in the small intestine. When treating male sterility, shatavari is useful to balance heating herbs and foods that are commonly used to improve sperm count like ashwagandha, garlic and onion.

It prevents excess pitta from burning and depleting the sperm and, due to its heavy, moistening and nourishing properties, it is also a useful herb for vata, especially when combined with other vajikaranas like ashwagandha or bala. In much the same way as ashwagandha, it can be prepared as a milk decoction in doses of 3 to 6 grams, or taken alone or in combination with other appropriate herbs.

For addressing any emotional components that may be associated with libido issues, shatavari combines well with cooling nervine herbs like brahmi (gotu kola) and skullcap for pitta related emotions like anger and irritability. If there is more nervousness, worry or anxiety, then it is best combined with calming and grounding herbs like jatamansi, ashwagandha, or tagara. When there is a need for shatavari but there is a concern with excess kapha or ama, then it is best mixed with warming herbs like pippali or ginger.

Because the state of the digestion is of vital importance in restoring and maintaining health, it is good to note that shatavari is also one of the best herbs for balancing pitta in its main sites, the small intestine. It is used to reduce acidity and inflammation, sooth mucous membranes, and promote elimination due to its mild laxative and cooling diuretic properties.

Shatavari is clearly one of best pitta pratyanika herbs and can serve as a chief herb in formulas for many pitta and pitta-vata related conditions. Some good indicators for using shatavari include general fatigue, low sexual energy, stress, irritability, inflammation, hyperacidity, urinary tract infections, and burning sensations. A typical dose of shatavari is 2 to 6 grams of the powdered herb, 2 to 3 times daily. One should avoid taking this herb in cases of high kapha and ama, or respiratory or sinus congestion.

Since the Ayurvedic approach is very individualized and holistic, the herbs selected for a formula and their proportions will vary depending upon the individuals needs. So let’s say an individual with a pitta predominant constitution presents symptoms of low libido, as well as other complaints such as heartburn, sharp appetite, hypoglycemia, sustained irritability, redness of the eyes and loose stools. Here a formula could use 4 parts shatavari to support the pitta prakruti and vikruti, rejuvenate and protect the reproductive tissues, relieve excess hot and sour qualities of pitta in the stomach, and calm and even neutralize the digestive fire. A supporting herb like vidari could also be added in 3 parts to bolster the sexual and physical energy, further balance pitta in the blood, liver, and GI track, and to help to bulk the stool. To calm the mind, 3 parts gotu kola could be added. Last but not least, 2 parts licorice to help to relieve symptoms of hypoglycemia, support sexual energy and relieve pitta in the intestines and harmonize the formula overall. Such a compound could be taken in doses of 1/2 to 1 tsp. hot or cold infusion, 2 to 3 times daily.

Bala (Sida cordifolia)

Bala means “strength” in Sanskrit, and it is one of the best rejuvenative tonic herbs for vata and pitta. It has a sweet taste, heavy and oily qualities, which may increase kapha when used in excess, and is mildly cooling. As most true rasayana herbs, it nourishes and strengthens all the bodily tissues, especially the plasma, muscle, nerve, marrow and reproductive tissue. Being one of the best anti-vata herbs in Ayurveda, it helps to correct disorders related to deficiency of the body and mind. It plays a leading role in the treatment of balakshaya or chronic fatigue, and can be used when there is exhausted physical or mental strength.

Bala has a tonifying action upon both the male and female reproductive systems, promotes spermatogenesis and fertility, and is very effective in restoring sexual stamina.

Taken internally as well as massaging bala oil or ashwagandha bala tailam onto the penis can significantly improve its tone and help prevent premature ejaculation. For supporting the health of the prostate gland it can be combined with herbs such as gokshura, saw palmetto, ashwagandha, vidari kandha and kapikacchu. A typical dose ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Vidari kandha (Ipomoea digitata)

This starchy tuber is effective in promoting spermatogenesis and works fast when taken as a milk decoction. It is fairly tridoshic when used in moderation and, like ashwagandha, it is lighter for kapha types than shatavari and bala. To treat enlarged prostate it can be combined with kapikacchu or saw palmetto.

It is sweet and cooling, and it promotes ojas and muscle tone and coordination. Vidari is useful for sexual debility associated with nervous tension and adrenal stress. Here it can be used in formulation with herbs including Siberian ginseng, gokshura, licorice and ashwagandha.

The uses of this herb far extend this brief overview, but it is worth mentioning that it is a good alternative if shatavari is either too cooling or heavy, or when ashwagandha may be too warming. It falls right between the two and is of great value as both a vata and pitta pratyanika herb. A typical dose ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Shilajit (Asphaltum, mineral pitch)

Shilajit increases virility and sexual stamina, while maintaining the normal tone of the genital organs. Many vajikarana herbs have an anabolic effect and increase kapha, whereas shilajit with its pungent taste and heating energy invigorates, stimulates and scrapes excess kapha from the body.

In the case of kapha constitutions or kapha related reproductive imbalances, it is commonly combined with ashwagandha. It can also be used with diuretics such as punarnava to further reduce kapha via the kidneys, or warming stimulants that improve digestion, burn ama and refresh the mind and senses, like ajwan, ginger, pippali or the compound trikatu. For enlarged prostate, it combines well with gokshuradi guggulu, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, punarnava or vidhari.

I recommend using shilajit with other herbs or traditional preparations in doses from 250 to 500 mg twice daily. Precaution should be taken when using shilajit in cases of high pitta or vata due to its heating and scraping action, and during pregnancy.

Pippali (Piper longum)

With the exception of shilajit, most of the herbs mentioned in this article tend to increase kapha, so pippali makes a nice addition to formulas containing these herbs, since it is a rejuvenating herb with a warming, stimulating and kapha reducing action.

Pippali is heating, but its oily quality prevents it from becoming too drying to vata and its sweet post digestive effect makes it more pitta friendly than other hot spices and herbs when used in small amounts. Combined with ashwagandha, it helps to promote blood flow to the reproductive organs.

The primary ways we receive prana is through our breath, water and food. Pippali increases prana agni, thus raising the life energy and expelling impurities via the breath. It also kindles jathara and dhatu agni, and improves digestion, absorption and assimilation. Thus it is a key herb for rejuvenation and is used for a wide variety of digestive, respiratory and arthritic disorders. The typical dosage is 1 to 3 parts in complex formulas, or 250 mg to 1.5 grams. One should avoid using pippali in high pitta or inflammatory conditions.

Choosing the Right Herbs

When selecting vajikarana herbs to best suit an individual’s needs it is helpful to first gather as much knowledge regarding the person’s prakruti and vikruti, as well as the characteristics of their condition, the involvement of doshas, tissues, channels and organs, qualitative characteristics of the condition, medical history, contributing factors, strength of digestion, and levels of ama present, as well as their emotional state. This can certainly help to develop a strategy for selecting herbs that will resonate best with the client.

For instance, ashwagandha targets vata at its root and is famous for bolstering sexual energy, but how? By relieving stress, improving muscle tone, calming the mind and nerves, promoting sound sleep, replenishing adrenal energy and stimulating blood flow. There is no wonder how such an herb is perfect for pacifying vata at many levels and how it might support sexual and reproductive health on many levels.

Understanding the dynamic properties of herbs in the light of Ayurvedic principles can help us to choose relatively small amount of herbs to cover the most ground possible. Sometimes even just one herb, if it is well suited to the individual, can be very effective. Another important point to keep in mind is that many rejuvenating tonic herbs are heavy, oily, and hard to digest for those with low agni or high ama. Some individuals will develop gas, bloating or even constipation from such herbs. Here it is important to strengthen agni and cleanse ama before giving heavy herbs, or to combine them with light, warming and stimulating herbs like cardamom, ginger or pippali to make them easier to digest. Alcohol extracts and Ayurvedic medicated wines (arishtas and asavas) like ashwagandharishta or balaristha can help to lighten the properties of sweet, heavy and oily herbs a bit and make them easier to digest because they enter almost immediately into the blood stream.

Cultivating Our Sexual Energy

It is natural for our sex drive to diminish as a result of the aging process, but we can conserve our vital energy and retain our sexual capacities by maintaining a balanced diet and lifestyle, and by taking vajikarana herbs and foods. When choosing herbs to deal with male concerns, it is important to be aware of the various factors that may be contributing to the imbalance in the first place and eliminate those obstacles, whether emotional, dietary, or otherwise.

From a yogic perspective, sexual energy is a powerful force that can be redirected to fuel spiritual practices. It is worth noting that the lack of sexual desire is not always an indicator of low sexual energy, but may also be a sign of spiritual development and contentment.

Moderating sex to once or twice a month can be a powerful way to prevent depletion of reproductive fluids and to allow the body ample time to replenish shukra dhatu. Observing restraint along with pranayama (yogic breathing), asana (postures) and a sattwic (pure) diet, can help to breed contentment in the mind and increase ojas, the vital life essence, which is the by-product of shukra.

Conserving energy, both sexually and otherwise, can help maintain health and promote immunity, healing and peace of mind. This includes pacing ourselves in our daily life, decreasing stress factors, and taking time out to rest, relax and play, as well as giving ourselves time alone or in nature to reflect on how we feel deep inside and resolve any emotional issues. This along with an appropriate diet and the support of Ayurvedic herbs and healthy routines can most certainly uproot any male reproductive health concerns.

A classic Indian “thali,” a vegetarian meal that includes a huge selection of dishes served on steel plates. (Flickr/Kaustav Bhattacharya)

One of the most enigmatic aspects about India is its world-renowned cuisine. India’s gastronomy speaks of an adventure—invoking narratives of royal invaders from the far-distant past, forming layers upon layers, over its ancient underlying roots in Ayurveda. Like a curry pot full of spices and exotic flavors, its aromas can stir any traveler into a seductive indulgence, all the while being exceptionally vegetarian friendly. It’s a singular trait that the subcontinent can boast over any other culture in the world!

But, before I guide any explorer through India’s intricate maze of distinctive dietary rules, it is important to understand that the two largest practiced religions in India are Hinduism and Islam. Hindus make up roughly 80 percent of the population and Islam stands at about 13 percent. For the Hindu or the Muslim Indian, customs pertaining to diet may be either strictly or loosely observed, depending on the individual. Nonetheless, it is safer to respectfully assume that Hindus typically refrain from consuming beef, and some (about 30 percent of the population) do not eat any type of seafood, fish, pork, poultry, or eggs as well.

A major reason why multinational food corporations such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Subway have succeeded in a uniquely no-beef and no-pork eating country, is because they have acclimated and adapted to the local diet and tastes; and accordingly, have become strong competitors to the local fast-food restaurant scene. Even with my own aversion toward fast-food chains in the US, I find myself succumbing to the chains’ vegetarian ‘Indianized’ fare in the motherland.

For a foreign traveler looking to enjoy India’s culinary odyssey, some labels on menus and restaurant signs may appear confusing. But, hopefully with this short list of definitions provided below, the basics will be covered:

Pure Vegetarian, Pure Veg, or Veg: This diet is synonymous with the American “lacto-vegetarian” diet, and this is the diet that I’ve been following since I was about 7-years-old. A typical traditional Hindu vegetarian is most likely to fall into this category—whereby consuming all types of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, lard, gelatin, and meat stock are abstained. It might be helpful to note that pure vegetarian restaurants are abundant in India, ensuring patrons a meal that respects their dietary restrictions completely.

Non Veg: Ubiquitous to Indians, it’s an expression that simply refers to a meal or a diet that is not vegetarian by Indian standards. Along with red meat; all types of poultry, seafood, and even eggs are considered “non veg” in India. A great instance for this term’s usage would be on a flight to India—where the flight attendant routinely requests passengers to decide on either a “veg” or “non veg” meal by default.

Eggetarian:  Here is an exception—where eggs are allowed, making this a relaxed version of the pure vegetarian diet. It’s unlikely for a restaurant or a menu to have the label “eggetarian,” but the idiomatic expression of identifying oneself as an “eggetarian” is common. Don’t be surprised if this expression pops up while mixing with the locals!

Jain: One of the smaller practicing religions in India is Jainism—an offshoot of Hinduism. Observing non-violence is a core belief, and consequently; Jains maintain a pure vegetarian diet. But for strict Jains, restaurants and menus may accommodate with dishes that have no root vegetables, such as onions and potatoes. To use the India-bound flight example again, a Jain meal will always be another option (if requested in advance).

Halal: Now this diet will surely not fall into any type of vegetarian category, however; all foods must be Halal certified for Muslims. And as a rule-of-thumb for any practicing Muslim (Indian or otherwise), pork and alcohol are prohibited from consumption. This illustrates my point behind pork’s rare presence in India’s variegated cuisine.

Vegan: Although this plant-based diet is gaining popularity in the West, it is culturally important to not assume that going vegan is a universal concept in India. Dairy products play an integral role in many of the vegetarian dishes (think: paneer, ghee, lassi, or Indian milk-based sweets). That being said, a Jain Vegan movement is slowly ‘sprouting’ in certain parts of India.

An Indian vegetarian meal on an international flight. (Flickr/nAok0)

India’s food tapestry is an exciting mystery indeed. By exploring cuisines of the north, south, east or west; the spice combinations slowly shape themselves into different sets of ingredients each time. Additionally, what is found in a restaurant, will most often be just a fraction of the plethora of dishes that are available in a traditional home, regardless of any location in India. But, hopefully this little guide can spark a quest in studying India’s dietary habits, history, and health benefits, which modern western science is just finally starting to appreciate.

Happy Spring!

Such a wonderful time of year, life in abundance- the trees are blooming and starts are springing up from the earth, ready to bear their fruits!

A wonderful time to set new intentions, and make positive lifestyle changes, moving in sync with the seasons, as we so strive to live, in harmoney with nature! Maybe it is time to try a cleanse, give your digestive system a break by fasting, or commit yourself more deeply to your daily yoga practice! Whatever it may be this spring, India and I fully support you, on your journey to a more balanced state of health and wellness!

We have a lot of exciting events planned for the next few months, and we have also fully committed ourselves to a higher level of health, cleansing with juices and smoothies, and taking much more time for ourselves, and our passions, surfing and yoga, continually seeking to deepen our practices, so we can continue to share authentically with all of YOU!

First, we wanted to send a big thank you to all the retreaters who joined us for our two back to back April/May retreats. We were honoured to share time with you, we learned a lot from you, and had a blast! Come back soon!

Also a huge thank you to Bryan and Elizabeth Whitt and their supportive community of family and friends who sent down so many amazing donations, supporting positive, sustainable growth in this small fishing community!

Your donations will find their way to the community through a few different sales,(selling the items at very accessible prices) with funds going to support the building of the Gigante Health Center by Project Wave of Optimism.

Also, we are looking to collect clothing donations from our local yoga community to support an upcoming Papaya Wellness clothing sale, spearheaded by India Reinartz, and Save the Mermaids! 100% of sale proceeds will support the implementation of a reusable bag program in the local grocery store to end the use of plastic bags for GOOD in this fishing town, and increase the level of awareness and education available on trash pollution and its immediate effects on our local community and ocean!

Clothing Sale Date: Saturday May. 17, 2013 – details to follow- if you have any donations please contact India or Carly- by phone or email, Gracias!

It will be a busy weekend, as we have our second RAW CHOCOLATE MAKING WORKSHOP Sunday May 18th- hosted from La Casa de Nicole, India’s beautiful home! Check out all the information on our facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/369881456450519/?fref=ts

Special rates if you come with a friend!! Learn how to make delicious, nourishing, energizing raw chocolate treats, and take a bunch home to enjoy!

We are still booking space for Olympian Jaime Komer’s Yoga/Pilates Retreat @ Magnific Rock this June.20-26th! We are so excited to have such a talented individual down in Nicaragua, and look forward to joining in on some of her classes!

For more information see:

http://athleteyogitraveler.com/travel/nicaragua-yoga-treat/

Last little piece of exciting news, I can’t resist sharing, even though its not 100% done yet, our new papayawellness website is live! Stay tuned for more updates as they come, but check it out in the meantime: Papaya Wellness

Thank you all for continued support!

Namaste,

India and Carly

He is known as the ‘Truth Speaker’ because of his honest and straight forward style which gives clarity to all situations, past, present and future.

Adam’s gift is giving remarkably clear readings & focused healing that go straight to the core of the issue.

Adam will be in our Shop on the 12th of August 2013 - please call to make an appointment.

A reading from Adam is like a “roadmap to the future”. As he tunes into each client, he quickly deciphers what it is they specifically need.

Whether it’s a reading giving insight and understanding into their past, present or future, or mediumship used to connect with a loved one who’s passed over, all receive emotional, spiritual or physical healing.

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Wild Rice and Quinoa Salad

This a great salad to take to a BBQ. It’s hearty as well as being packed full of flavour and nutrients and will go as well with ribs for the meat eaters as it will halloumi for the vegetarians. I got the idea from an Ottolenghi salad and pimped it up to suit my needs.

Ingredients 

250gm wild rice

250g pre cooked mixed colour quinoa ( can normally get vacuum packed in most supermarkets)

Rind and juice of 1 lemon

100gm of shelled pistachios

3 or 4 spring onions chopped

Extra Virgin Olive Oil- start with 2tbsp and add more if you require

Half a small bag of rocket (rucola/arugula)

150g ready to eat apricots

Small bunch of mint leaves picked and chopped

1 clove of garlic chopped finely or minced

Boil the rice according the instructions on the packet. Once cooked drain and leave to cool.

Slice up the apricots length ways- really it’s chef’s choice here as to how many you use, I’d start with 6 minimum

Dry toast the pistachios on the hob

Finely grate and juice the lemon

Chop up the spring onions and the mint

Chop up the clove of garlic finely or mince

When the rice is cool mix in together on a large bowl with the quinoa, add all the other ingredients and mix well. 

Season with sea salt and pepper

This will keep at least 3 days in the fridge. I like to pimp up with sliced avocado and some sprouted shoots for a vegan treat but grilled chicken breast would be good as would some roasted beetroot and smoked mackerel. Let your imagination and taste buds go wild!

Nutrition 101

Let’s focus on the wild rice today

Wild rice :  Actually not a true rice but a staple part of the diet for the Ojibway, Chippewa and Winnebago tribes of the Minnesota area and more closely related to corn. Why I love it? Well this beautiful slim, dark grain is higher in protein than other forms of rice. In addition it is rich in minerals and B vitamins

Healing properties :  benefits the kidneys and the bladder a it’s diuretic in nature- it cools the superficial tissues and concentrates warmth in the interior and lower body areas

 I’d love to know what everyone thinks 

Edited with BlogPad Pro

I am so excited that #feedingyourpractice has gone a round about way from Instagram to a blog. Big hugs to everyone who encouraged me to post my recipes online – yes I do have a site for my teaching (bessierefalo.com) but it just seemed to be getting cluttered having recipes on there mixed up with all my general teaching info so here goes- a dedicated food site! 

Please give me feedback and let’s build a #feedingyourpractice community -BIG LOVE <3

English: Praveen Gurukkal from Kalarickal Ayurveda shows the use of Yoga in Kalari practise. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

…Everyone would think one of these:

1. “Look at him. In spite of being thin, he would never listen to me. Eat a lot, for God’s sake! What is going through his mind? Does starving himself really pay? So eccentricly addicted to healthy life style. What’s the point of that? Now he’s sick and ..oh…poor wretched petite bony boy.”

2. “What is wrong with him? He’s been so fit so far and just as suddenly he declares he gets sick. That must have to do with the changing seasons.”

3. “If yoga can heal people, he should be able to cure himself. Well, he is supposed to be… Let him be.”

4. “He must have bent too much, twisted his body too often. “

5. “He’s a human. That happens. It’s not like he gets sick every week or month. His sickness is once in an entire year. Why worry?”

6. “If that usually healthy and agile man can fall sick, how about me?? With all these abundant daily consumption of fried foods, sugary bread, greasy carnivore diets… Ah, leave it to God, and my insurance company. The world keeps spinning.”

7. “He needs bear hugs and intimate chats, I suppose. Let see if I can be of help.”

8. “He must’ve cheated on the diet plan too often.”

9. “His chakras may be clogged. He needs to fix them all.”

10. “He ought to a physician nearby.  He can heal on his own with Ayurveda but that’ll take much longer time. “

So, we do not want to feed a child dinner and then send her out for a long walk. It isn’t a good idea to go swimming right after eating. The blood that is needed for digestion leaves its work and floods to the extremities, leaving the meal half digested. If this happens on a daily basis (such as the practice of public schools to feed the children lunch and then send them out to their longest recess), we are setting them up for chronic stomach problems. Moreover, we shouldn’t feed them a large meal, send them out to play for an hour, and bring them in to do math. The brain will have very little blood to work with.

It follows that the hours for lessons should be carefully chosen, after periods of mental rest–sleep or play, for instance–and when there is no excessive activity in any other part of the system. Thus, the morning, after breakfast (the digestion of which lighter meal is not a severe tax), is much the best time for lessons and every sort of mental work; if the whole afternoon cannot be spared for out-of-door recreation, that is the time for mechanical tasks such as needle-work, drawing, practicing; the children’s wits are bright enough in the evening, but the drawback to evening work is, that the brain, once excited, is inclined to carry on its labors beyond bedtime, and dreams, wakefulness, and uneasy sleep attend the poor child who has been at work until the last minute. If the elder children must work in the evening, they should have at least one or two pleasant social hours before they go to bed;

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The following is an excerpt from the book “Yoga and Ayurveda Self-Healing and Self Realization” by David Frawley:
“Rajas is the active, stimulating or positive force that initiates change, disturbing the old equilibrium. Tamas is the passive, obstructing or negative force which sustains previous activity, Sattva is the neutral or balancing force, harmonizing the positive and negative , which oversees and observes. All three forces are necessary in ordinary activity but have spiritual implications as well,
Sattva is the quality of light, love and life, the higher or spiritual force that allows us to evolve in consciousness. It imparts dharmic virtues of faith, honesty, self-control, modesty and truthfulness. Rajas is the quality of twilight, passion, and agitation, the intermediate or vial force, which lacks stability or consistency, it gives rise to emotional fluctuations of attraction and repulsion, fear and desire, love and hate. Tamas is the quality of darkness, non-feeling and death, the lower or material force, which drags us down into ignorance and attachment. It causes dullness, inertia, heaviness, emotional clinging and stagnation.
There are two basic laws of the gunas that are crucial in understanding their workings. The first law of the gunas is: the law of alternation. The three gunas are ever in dynamic interaction. All three forces remain intertwined, affecting each other in various ways. Rajas and tamas exist in the field of sattva, tamas and sattva are found in the field of rajas, and sattva and rejas move in the field of tamas. The essence of the three qualities is their interplay. We must ever be ready for the gunas to change.
The second law of the gunas is: the law of continuity. The gunas tend to hold their particular natures for a certain period once they come into dominance. Substances stabilize on the level of one of the three gunas. While, initially it is difficult for tamas to become rajas, or for rajas to become sattva, once they do so they will continue in that same quality.
We can see these two laws in any movement of time. Night as darkness belongs to tamsa, sunrise and sunset as transitional periods relate to rejas, and day as light corresponds to sattva. These three phases must ever alternate. Night gives way to dawn, which in turn gives way to day, which in turn at dusk gives way to the night again in an ever-moving cycle. This is the law of alternation.
However, once a particular phase is created, it will endure with little change for a period of time. The night continues on for some time before changing into the day, which in turn has its period of duration. During these respective periods certain conditions persist. For example, we are active throughout the day and sleep through most of the night.
As the three gunas are relative conditions, we must remember that what is sattva on one level may become rajas or tamas relative to another. Anything that raises a person up in consciousness is sattva for them. What brings them down is tamas. This means that the more we advance along the spiritual path, what was previously sattvic or helpful may have to be discarded as tamasic as we move on to a new level.”
Yoga and Ayurveda emphasize the development of sattva. In yoga, sattva is the higher quality that allows spiritual growth to occur. In Ayurveda, sattva is the state of balance that makes healing happen.

And because, Ayurvedically speaking, I’m a vata/pitta, heavy on the vata, when I get stuck I tend to spin in circles, metaphorically and sometimes physically, when I really need to do what it takes to break on through to the other side and get back to the business – or pleasure – at hand.

For me, that entails either listening to loud, good music or exercise. Sometimes both, as in just turning up the tunes and kitchen-dancing.

I’ve felt particularly stuck lately, with the shoulders and the sore shin and the growing piles of stuff in my house, not to mention the construction going on upstairs and all the work I need to get done.

John called me a “whirling dervish” the other night, which stopped me in my tracks for a discussion along the lines of, “Yes, Sufism is a type of Islam,” (me) and, “No, I think it’s something else,” (John). That entailed a Google search to prove that it is indeed the mystical branch of Islam, and oh, by the way remember that poem by Rumi that I sent you when we first met? (That would be me to John.)

Ohmygosh, I love that poem.

The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don’t finally meet somehwere. They’re in each other all along.                                                   – Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Now, where was I?

Oh, yes, the point of this post is that exercise can be the best possible way to break on through. Just let everything else wait and get some endorphins flowing. Even if you think you don’t like exercise, I’ll bet you will eventually.

I’ve continued to do my three-times-a-week baby weights and walking as much as possible, though pollen has driven me to the treadmill (hence the shin thing, I think). But I’ve been slacking on the other days, except for hula hoop breaks, which are good exercise and great for my sanity.

This morning, though, enough was enough. I got my rear in the living room to do a workout DVD, and instead of going with one of my standard faves, popped in a new one, Ivy Ingram Larson’s Full Fitness Fusion.

Whoa. Fun, fun, and fun. A bit Lotte Berke, a bit Pilates, a bit weights, some calisthenics and a tad yoga. Effective and quick. I highly dig it.

(In a previous incarnation, I was a health and fitness columnist. Review copies still come on occasion, which is how I came by this one – and I’m glad I finally got it off the stack.)

Granted, I’m 20+ years older than Larson and her girlfriends in the video, and, granted, I had to adapt for rotator cuff and other issues. I didn’t use weights, since yesterday was a weight day, either. I’ll probably give this one to my daughter, since she’s more Larson’s age range, but this is a great workout for anyone.

Just remember to adapt. I can’t do reverse plank at all, for example, so I did boat pose instead. Probably shouldn’t have done the modified pushups, my right shoulder is saying. But sometimes I can’t help myself.

Larson, who’s married to a surgeon, has MS, which she seems to be controlling nicely with diet and exercise. She and her husband have a very cool and helpful website, cleancuisineandmore.com, which I encourage you to visit for general health tips and more.

And if you’re looking for a fun, quick workout, try this one. I’m smiling. And not whirling for now.

Looking at Baby Silas, grandchild No. 5, is another way to calm me down when I’m whirling. And all those grandkids are good reasons to keep exercising.

I do believe that this is a wonderful segway into my topic today: Excuses and inflammation.

Everyone knows someone who is  constantly complaining.  ”I’m too fat.” “I’m too tired.”  or “I’m in pain.”  (I’ll leave the “I’m so broke” to someone else, because money is definitely  not my specialty.)  Health is something we pass off to our doctors to fix.  We go in with a list of complaints and hope for a pill or some surgery to fix  but we never get at the root of the problem.  We never even think to ask!  We just assume that our bodies have given up on us, that there’s something inherently wrong with our genetic makeup that is causing us these horrific ailments.  The last one, “I’m in pain.” is one that  can clear up in matter of days if lifestyle changes are made.

The first thing that comes to mind when someone is complaining about chronic pain is inflammation.  The reason things like aspirin and ibuprofen and naproxen work so well is because they block the enzymes that cause pain and swelling.  Inflammation leads to all sorts of things, back pain, joint pain, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer.  Yes, cancer.  Inflammation is the bodies way of removing enemies such as bacteria, injured cells and chemical irritants.  From http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2013/02/01/feeling-the-heat-the-link-between-inflammation-and-cancer/

So how does inflammation lead to cancer? Here’s the current thinking.

When a tiny tumour starts growing from a few rogue cells, it can scavenge enough oxygen and nutrients from its surroundings. But as it grows bigger, demand starts to outstrip supply, and things start getting desperate.

As they struggle to survive, and as they accumulate more and more genetic faults, the cancer cells release chemical signals that lure immune cells called macrophages and granulocytes to infiltrate the tumour.

Once inside the tumour’s inner sanctum, these cells secrete molecules (called cytokines) that kick-start the growth of blood vessels (angiogenesis), which ferry in much-needed oxygen and nutrients. 

 

Inflammation is the route cause of many many ailments, but the thing is, its completely preventable!  AND THERE IS NO REASON TO MAKE EXCUSES!  There are many natural ways to eradicate inflammation from our lives.

• Turmeric - taken like Golden milk (recipe here) or even in  capsule form, tumeric is the most powerful anti-inflamatory that nature provides.  Many studies are being conducted to isolate the enzymes so they can patent it and sell it on the market as a drug.  But why wait?  Just go out and buy a jar of the yellow spice and add it to your daily diet.
• Ginger – Also anti-inflammatory
• Willow bark – taken like a tea or in capsule form
• Elder Claw – Taken like a tea or in capsule form
• Rosemary
• Devil’s Claw – taken like a tea or in capsule form
• Honey – Manuka honey is the best kind (and quite expensive) but all honey has phenolic  enzymes, which have proven to be a very useful anti-cancer tool, showing anti-inflammartory properties and has been used in Ayurveda medicine for ages.
• Flavanoids – Found in natural fruits and vegetables (blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflowers, kale, papaya, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries.)
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – the good fats found in avocados, olives, walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, and fatty cold water fish. (cod, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines)
• Vitamin D – The sun
• Magnesium – the “natural muscle relaxer” is found in many foods such as  banana, kale, coconut….and it is the number one deficiency in America.

But before you can even begin to heal using the natural remedies stated above, you need to stop putting CRAP into your body.  Inflammation is caused by the toxins you use on and around your body (your cleaning products, your personal care products, your plastics, your man-made material clothes.)  And FOOD!!!  Red meats, fried foods, milk and cheeses, white breads, flours, gluten, additives  sugar: ALL CAUSE INFLAMMATION!  The  best part is, eating to stop inflammation is also alkaline, it also leads to weight loss, it leads to increased energy and concentration!  Stop eating crap and everything falls into place.  

You can go to the  doctor, you can get a pill, you can get surgery, but nothing is going to change unless you change yourself.  Your body is going to keep fighting you if you keep filling it with crap.  That’s all there is to it.   It is so frustrating to sit and watch people in pain and know how to help them, and they don’t want help.  They don’t want to look at what they are doing to themselves, they don’t want to think about it.

Chronic pain is not “normal.”  It pains me to live in a society where it is so common that we think it is.  We think that when we turn 30 our  bodies just start to fall apart and there’s nothing we can do about it.  This is not the case at all, and until we as a society understand the saying you are what you eat, nothing is going to change.  Food is a powerful weapon and like all powerful weapons it can either help or harm.  It is a choice, and the only one who can make that choice is you.  We have more power then we give ourselves credit for, and there is no reason to make excuses when we have the knowledge.

Introduction

Ayurveda is a science based on the knowledge that the human body like nature, is made of five elements; namely earth, fire, wind, space and ether. For optimal health, there must be balance between the five elements. A combination of these five elements is classified under three doshas namely, vata, pitta and kapha.  Vata is composed of air and ether. Pitta is composed of fire and water, kapha is composed of earth and water. Each dosha has its own functions. Vata because it governs movement is known as the “queen” of doshas. Childbirth, nervous system function, movement of food through the intestines, elimination of wastes are some of the functions of vata.  The concept that improper decisions and lifestyle are responsible for the genesis of disease is a well-known Ayurvedic idea.  Ayurveda advises a great degree of care and attention in the management of a pregnant woman.  Especially when she approaches full term, critical care is necessary as “one foot is considered to be in this world and the other in the world of Yama” (the god of death).  New mothers also require and deserve a great of support and nourishment to heal their bodies and to fulfill their motherly responsibilities. In India, it is said that if the mother is happy then her baby is happy. So every effort is made and great care is taken to ensure the mother’s needs are met and that she is happy. Her health and happiness are vital for the blossoming of the mother-baby relationship.

Pregnancy Care

In Maharishi Vedic Medicine, it is understood that pregnancy is a time when everything the pregnant mother tastes, sees, touches, hears, and smells should be nourishing to the mother and child. There are very specific recommendations to bring about a state of balance in the consciousness, mind, body, behavior, and environment of the pregnant woman.  “When a mother is pregnant, the kind of soul she can accept depends on her mental attitude. And then there is another beauty that within the realm of your belly, which is your pregnancy, you can totally transform the soul. The soul is pure and has nothing to do, but the subtle body carries the karma of the previous life. A mother can totally purify the subtle body of the new child.”  (Yogi Bhajan, Women’s Camp 1976.)  The connection between mother and baby is very strong. Therefore, the mother’s diet, mood, and emotions affect the baby. If the mother is feeling well, the baby feels well. It’s so important that the mother be happy and healthy, for then the baby will be happy and healthy, and will have the, best possible start in life.

Diet for Pregnancy

The Vedic texts recommend sattvic foods, which are pure, easily digested foods that nourish the dhatus (tissues) of mother and the unborn child. The food she eats should be tasty, more of it should be in a liquid form, moist, nourishing, enriched with all the six rasas (tastes.)  These include foods such as milk, rice, wheat, and ghee (clarified butter), fresh vegetables, fruits and grains.  Sattvic foods do not cause constipation or indigestion, and they create a more settled state of mind. These foods help the mother enjoy ideal health and vitality, and also help with the growth of the baby. Ayurveda Vata Churna is a convenient way to add Vata-balancing spices to your diet.

Practices for Balance

In Maharishi Vedic Medicine it has been recognized for thousands of years that the mother must be very happy and feel harmony with nature during pregnancy. For this, various strategies have been recognized. One is the social environment, which means that the family tries to keep her happy, especially her partner. The ayurvedic tradition says, “Let her hear good news, let her hear harmonious music, let her eat sweet foods, let her attend monthly celebrations to always keep her uplifted and nourished.  Techniques such as abhyanga, (Ayurvedic oil massage) are recommended for the mother. Mothers who do this once a day, on arising, find that they feel more evenness, more balance, more energy throughout the day. The massage and other techniques balance her Vata dosha (the mind-body operator that governs movement and many mental functions), so that the mother feels steadier, more even, and less anxious. This creates more happiness, and more balance in her entire nervous system. Any feelings of agitation, depression, or sorrow dissolve.

Postpartum Care

In Western medicine, the typical mother gives birth, stays in the hospital between 24 and 48 hours, and then is on her own. In modern medicine we do recognize that it takes six weeks for tissues to recover from childbirth, and consequently the mother usually returns to the hospital for a six-week check-up. But otherwise, there is literally no support for the healthy mother who does not have a medical condition.  In contrast, Ayurveda focuses on the revitalization of every mother through specific diet, rejuvenation techniques, and rest.  This phase is called the Sutika period – a term derived from the word prasuta or the mother after delivery. There are different opinions about the duration of this period, which ranges from six weeks to six months and some believe that it lasts until the restoration of menstrual cycle.

In Western medicine, the typical mother gives birth, stays in the hospital between 24 and 48 hours, and then is on her own. In modern medicine we do recognize that it takes six weeks for tissues to recover from childbirth, and consequently the mother usually returns to the hospital for a six-week check-up. But otherwise, there is literally no support for the healthy mother who does not have a medical condition.  In contrast, Ayurveda focuses on the revitalization of every mother through specific diet, rejuvenation techniques, and rest.  This phase is called the Sutika period – a term derived from the word prasuta or the mother after delivery. There are different opinions about the duration of this period, which ranges from six weeks to six months and some believe that it lasts until the restoration of menstrual cycle.

Ayurveda says that after delivery the mothers agni will be low and her vata is vitiated immediately after delivery.  Basic postpartum care in India lasts for a minimum of 40 days during which the mother is massaged with herbalized oils. During this time, the mother is not allowed to do any tasks or chores in the home. In fact, her only activity is nursing the baby, bonding and resting. This 40-day period of rest and recuperation is considered a long-term investment in the mother’s health. Since the mother is never left alone to deal with any anxieties of motherhood and is encouraged to breastfeed the baby on demand, postpartum depression rates are low among Indian mothers.  There is recognition in ayurveda that even the healthiest of mothers can experience enormous postpartum fatigue and stress. A first-time mother, especially, is facing the transition into motherhood with all of its tremendous responsibilities and joys just when she feels most exhausted and depleted. If one helps a mother rejuvenate, if one “mothers the mother,” then she can care for her newborn with joy and ease instead of feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. She can be a better mother. Thus the aims of postnatal care are: to restore the agni, normalize the vata, optimize the quality of breast milk, to avoid exertion, and her diet should be very light.

Diet for Postpartum

The mother’s digestion is usually very weak after giving birth. Foods must be easily digestible, yet very nourishing. Rice, warm vegetable soups, milk and Ghee (clarified butter) are all part of the postpartum diet. Yet it is very specific, because certain Vata-producing vegetables will cause gas, and will show up in the baby as colic. So those foods must be avoided.  Regular intake of the canned foods, hot, pungent, and spicy food recipes should be avoided, as these decrease milk secretion. The best diet for a nursing mother is a simple, bland vegetarian menu.  Also, Ghee and oils should be taken in adequate amount to improve digestion, facilitate the evacuation of bowels, nourish the traumatized tissues, and subdue the vitiated vata dosha.  All of a mother’s food should have these qualities: liquid or moist, oily, warm, spiced.  Food ideas for immediate postpartum include:

Rice pudding with spices, ghee, raw sugar, basmati rice

Oily, spiced cooked vegetable soups

Cream of wheat with dates

Barley konji with sesame seeds

Yams, sweet potatoes, cooked roots

Date & almond shake – soak the almond!

Spiced warm raw cow’s milk

Simple yogurt lassis (homemade yogurt, water, spices, salt,

Dahl & kitchari

Simple vegetable soups

Foods that are not part of the postpartum diet are ones that are difficult to digest and those which extract nutrients. It is important to simplify this process of digestion and absorption as much as possible. Otherwise, a mother may develop a slew of postpartum symptoms including: bloating, constipation, postpartum depression, insomnia, irritability, and cravings for poor food choices. Furthermore, her baby may become colicky, irritable, or develop thrush. Therefore she should watch what she eats for the first 42 days postpartum.

Practices for Balance

In addition to proper nutrition, it is a known fact that many cultures do not leave a mother alone to care for herself and the new baby. New mothers need tremendous support and rest and help in caring for other children. In most ancient cultures older women in the family care for the new mother. Mothers are nurtured during pregnancy and after birth as well. It is a special time for care and pampering by women family members. The expectant or new mother becomes the central figure in a family. Doulas can provide the same care to new mothers.  Belly binding after birth is a practice used traditionally in Ayurveda.  It offers stability and comfort, like being hugged at a time when there is so much flab or stretched tissue and empty spaces inside.   The body is able to function and heal better.  This healing includes tissue rejuvenation, proper bowel movements, digestion, reducing gas and bloating, and support of the mood and hormones.

In the first week of the postpartum period special care should be taken for Lochia- (accumulation of abnormal blood in the uterus). The vagina should be cleaned twice daily with medicated lukewarm water. Use of medicated jaggery water is also recommended for three to four days.  The pelvic region and thighs and the parturient canal should be massaged regularly with warm mustard oil, at least for of thirty days. After the body massage the stomach should be wrapped tightly with large piece of clean cloth. The wrapping helps in compression of the abdomen and it avoids the presence of hollow space in the abdominal region thereby obviating the possibility of vata vitiation. The massage should be followed by a bath with sufficient amount of lukewarm water.

During this period the head of the mother should be properly covered and care taken to avoid her contacting the cold air. Light physical exercise is suggested, however care should be taken to avoid physical stress and fatigue. She should not indulge in sexual activity during this period.  Proper adherence to this regimen results in faster recuperation and restoration of the health of the mother.

120th Day Celebration

Yogic tradition celebrates that woman becomes a mother one hundred-twenty days after conception. The Creative Force grants full incarnation of the soul into the body. Previously, the soul was subtly linked to the growing cells in the womb. The woman is now the vehicle for the soul to fully incarnate; now she is mother.  Before the 120th day, the incarnating soul is still unaffected by the limitations and influences of the earth. After the 120th day of pregnancy until the navel cord is separated from the mother, the subconscious mind of the child is formed. While the child is in the womb, the mother is the vibratory receptor for the child.

“On the 120th day, we give our women a blessing and tell them to meditate more, and look toward God, so that they may have very calm, quiet, intelligent, self-creative children.” (Yogi Bhajan, Women’s Camp 1979) On the 120th day of pregnancy, family and close friends are invited to rejoice. The celebration is to honor the mother and offer her loving support. Everyone gathers to meditate, chant, and reflect on the reality that a soul is entering her womb. This celebration also offers prayers for the woman’s spiritual, mental, and physical well-being so that she may inspire, teach, and guide her child.

Conclusion

From examining the postpartum traditions of many cultures, it is clear that care for a postpartum mother is just as important as prenatal care particularly for her long-term health.  Mothers need, desire and expect quality holistic postpartum care.  As health practitioners, it is imperative that we are more attentive to the women we are serving. Caring for the mother in a loving way will help restore strength, vitality, muscle tone, mental clarity and an overall sense of well-being.  Mothering the mother is one of the greatest gifts that we can give a mother before and after birth. She will be forever appreciative of all the love.

Resources 

Bu, Ysha.  (2013). Belly Binding after Birth. Retrieved from online source: http://sacredwindow.com/

Khalnolkar, Aparna. (2008) Post-partum Care — The Ayurvedic Way. Retrieved from online source: http://www.medhajournal.com/medha-health/578-post-partum-care-the-ayurvedic-way.html

Reddy, Kamuna. An Ayurvedic View On Pregnancy and Early Motherhood.  Retrieved from online source: http://www.mapi.com/ayurveda_health_care/newsletters/index.html

Kundalini Women. (2009). Conscious Pregnancy.  Retrieved from online source: http://kundaliniwomen.org/pregnancy_pages/pregnancy.html

Vedangi Ayurveda Kendra. (2010).  Antenatal Care; Pregnancy and Motherhood in Ayurveda.  Retrieved from online source: http://sandeepaniayurveda.blogspot.com/2010/01/antenatal-n-postnatal-care-in-ayurveda.html

these are the gunas (read: Qualities) by which all things are categorized.  food, people, pets.  we all have the three within us at all times, the object is to balance out our own specific set; each body is different and each persons goal is different.

‘another way of putting this is that sattva should control whatever degree of rajas and tamas are indispensable to health survival – sleeping for six or seven hours, for example, rather than ten, eating a modest amount of food, rather than gorging, etc…’  pg 18, Sutras of Patanjali, E.F.Bryant.

garbage in garbage out.  you are what you eat.

how many more sayings do we need to illustrate the truth behind this sutra?   change what you eat and you WILL change who you are.  you can see the very same in action.  watch those around you, watch what they eat, how they eat.  is it quickly?  do they chew slowly? or shovel food in like a machine?  do they speak with mouth full?  then, watch how they act.  the way one eats is a direct reflection of how one acts, this is from personal experience and not of the sutras.  should you eat fast, hastily you will gain nothing from your food.  you will most likely want seconds, and thirds.  you are not taking in any of the qualities of the food as you are too busy focusing your attention everywhere but where it should be.  on the food.  and not to forget to be thankful for the food!

also, if possible, always devote 100% of your focus and attention to your food.  this is important.  do not watch tv, do not read a book, do not do not do not.  DO devote yourself to the food.   do not eating standing if at all possible.  sit, offer a simple prayer of Thanks and consume.  chewing thoroughly   do NOT drink water or anything while you are consuming food.  wait until after the food is done.

the above are not easy.  no.  most definitely in the fast paced lives they are very difficult.  so, do not try to do all in one day!  start with one thing.  set the bar of success LOW, then as one success turns to two and two to three it is like a wave of success and soon it will overcome you.  you will notice a difference in your life if you change the way you eat.

if you are serious about wanting to change things, and wish to start in the kitchen, you should then start with your DOSHA.  there are many tests avl. online for you to find this out.  ( Link ) what is your DOSHA?  basically it is your, YOUR OWN, specific body type.  based on who you were when you were born and who you are today.  through finding out ones DOSHA you will then be able to find out which foods are specific to you and your body (not your moms, your dads, your own.  we are all different.  why are we all eating the same things?  dare to be different and you will soon see others follow in your footsteps!)  it is not a diet.  it is the food which we would eat instinctively if we were more in tune with our bodies; it is the food required to put your body in a balanced state.  this is called Ayurveda or, The Science of Life.

when you begin to change the foods you eat you will notice a change in who you are.  this is easy to see.  start looking around you, i ask you to trust no one and to believe only that which you experience.  if you think the Sutras are a crock, test them!  change what you eat for at least a few months and watch your own attitude on life change.

the more in tune you are with your diet, the more in tune you will be with your body and consequently, the more yoga you will wish to do.  be a yogi, for it is truly what we are all destined to be.  you do not have to be a stretchy pretzel.  this is not yoga.  this is what the west has done to yoga.  the ability of one to be flexible is simple a reflection of the flexibility in ones mind; it is not your muscles/body that is stiff, no friends, it is your mind.  open it.  see what is inside.  you may, just may, be surprised.

I ask you, how are the examples given any different from what Hitler did to the masses of Jews; I agree, the afore mentioned examples are seemingly on a much smaller scale but, nonetheless evil, this is my point.

Two sayings that are often used during my counsel with people often come up when discussing such things. I am careful in discussing evil with many human being because, for the most part most people are not prepared to even think about, let alone discuss it. One saying is something to do with, ” having your own agenda” and the other “having too much on my plate.” Now, these sayings produce somewhat cringing reflex in my whole being and my throat wants to close and this is because they reek, reek of laziness, inertia and narcissism. It leaves a person with plenty of room for an out; I wasn’t involved so how could I possibly know; it’s not my job, I’m only the little guy, I have no power to make decisions.

Now, I know better than anyone the absolute awareness of my childlike idealism. I brought it with me into this life and it has served me well and it will always be. And, I have been warned about my idealistic ways and many situations namely doctors in the clinical field of psychology and I have received very stiff consequences for it.

Numerous attempts to squash it, kill it, have not succeeded. If we’re punished harshly enough we may choose to see things differently, which of course, as we’re told will make our life a lot better, a lot easier, so why fight it. Well, of course, these consequences for refusing to go along with the collective norm, evil, plane and simple are confining.

I do Accept WILLING female students, perhaps we’ll meet in my travels teaching, or you will contact This One when you choose. You are @ least worthy to know of the matrifocal hidden studies since you live the patriarchal hell! Peace is in the BALANCE!!!

TRUTH IS THE ANSWER Guruji

Ayurveda es una milenaria medicina (más de 5000 años) que abarca todas las ramas de la medicina moderna; su función es la de devolver el equilibrio físico, mental y emocional a cada persona, tratándola de forma individualizada y según sus propias necesidades.  Dicho equilibrio se busca con alimentación, masajes, ejercicio y medicinas naturales.

Obesidad, migrañas, cefaleas, artrosis, problemas de piel, alteraciones digestivas, insomnio, fiebres, alergias, dolores musculares, etc… son algunos de los desequilibrios que puedes tratar con Ayurveda.

El próximo Sábado 11 de Mayo, de 10 a 14h, tenemos la oportunidad de compartir una estupenda mañana hablando de cómo la alimentación puede ayudarte a equilibrar tu salud, a fortalecerla y a trabajar con las emociones.

Lugar:  KINEMA  (C/Ortiz de Zúñiga, 10  Sevilla)

Precio:  40 €

Inscripción previa :  10 €

                                         Para inscribirte y más información, entra en http://www.kinemasevilla.es

The peepal is used extensively in Ayurveda. Its bark yields the tannin used in treating leather. Its leaves, when heated in ghee, are applied to cure wounds. Peepal or Ashwatha tree is of great importance in Ayurveda. It is believed to cure diseases such as gonorrhoea, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, dysentery, gastrohelcosis, neuralgia and inflammations. Peepal tree is of religious importance also in India.

Some believe that the tree houses the Trimurti, the roots being Brahma, the trunk Vishnu and the leaves Shiva. The gods are said to hold their councils under this tree and so it is associated with spiritual understanding. The Peepal is also closely linked to Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, he says: “Among trees, I am the ashvattha.” Krishna is believed to have died under this tree, after which the present Kaliyuga is said to have begun.

The Peepal originates from India and is found in the most unlikely of places. In Nepal, travellers will rest under the Peepal to regain energy. In India, Hindus and Buddhists consider it a holy and sacred tree. If you do your qi gong or your yoga meditation under a Peepal, the benefits double or triple due to its strong energy.

• Popularity of Ayurveda and yoga exercises as treatment methods moving growth of resorts

Increasing reputation of the Ayurveda & yoga exercises therapies to eliminate the illnesses declares and illnesses has let the growing of hotels offering Ayurvedic therapies. With such a service, guests can get good accommodations and during their remain at a particular hotel, they can go out for touring of some essential destinations in the area such as mountain channels, backwater houseboats or the seashores. On other times, when they are remaining in the hotels for Ayurveda, they can acquire some unique offers of Ayurveda therapy, in assessment with the in-house group of physicians. This allows the guests to graph out the strategy of their remain and make sure that they get the best therapy, commensurate to their circumstances they are struggling.

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Some of the important treatment procedures are the Restorative treatment and Filtration Therapy. These two treatments are common in the hotels, which include methods like treatment massage, fragrance treatment, cleansing of the body system of toxins, etc. With the ingredients for the Ayurveda & yoga exercises treatments being resulting from natural herbs and ingredients, they have a unique way in which their system works on the body system. Not only do people feel wonderfully comfortable and rejuvenated in these treatments, the effects are a sign of a clear turn-around in their ability to handle stress. Various yogic positions and asanas are taught and practised in the centers, which visitors can acquire through the Kerala Kerala Honeymoon Packages, Offers, in some of the best known resort centers.

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Ayurveda hotels in Kerala have doled out a exclusive identification to the condition of Kerala, eye-catching visitors with the attract of once in a life-time encounter. Treatments have been perfected over the decades and the particular therapies are instructed for a particular outcome. At the end of these holidays, visitors go returning to their position, after getting confident that their holidays were well invested and cash was value it through best Ayurveda offers in Kerala. Including to the treats of these holidays in Ayurveda hotels is the appeal of touring of some of the essential eye-catching locations in the area where the hotels are located like Kovallam, Alleppey, Cochin, Trivandrum, etc.