TREATING INSOMNIA WITH AYURVEDA
January 5, 2022 TREATING INSOMNIA WITH AYURVEDA Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles Most of us can manage a day or two of poor or restless sleep, but when sleeplessness becomes chronic, it can have serious consequences not just on the body but also on the mind. Many factors can cause poor sleep, like constant travel, excessive caffeine and alcohol intake, irregular bedtimes, and workaholism. While we can bring all these under control, there are no easy ways to combat the most common sleep disruptor of all – stress. In Ayurveda, insomnia or Anidra is associated with Vata and Pitta doshas imbalance. A balanced state of mind is essential for good health and good sleep. Here are some of the Ayurvedic remedies for better sleep. Bring back routine and rhythm into life Disruption of a natural balance in the body triggers insomnia. So, try to bring back the rhythm by simulating the balance by going to bed and getting out of bed simultaneously, regardless of sleep. Read instead of reaching out for your phone or TV when sleepless. Also, avoid all kinds of energy-inducing foods and drinks after 7 pm and create a winding down ritual for yourself. Ashwagandha The magic root ashwagandha is known not just for its sleep-inducing potential but not just for its ability to combat stress and fatigue as well. The plant’s leaves contain triethylene glycol, which also have sedative-like properties. Brahmi sharpens the mind and improves cognitive function. Add a teaspoon of ashwagandha and Brahmi in a glass of water and take it before going to bed. Triphala Triphala, considered the wonder drug in Ayurveda, can combat stress owing to its Vata-balancing properties. Take Triphala powder only as directed by an Ayurvedic physician, and do not go overboard. A teaspoon of churna would be enough for a day, which you can wash down with honey or milk if the taste is too bitter. Other Ayurvedic herbs with sleep-inducing properties are shatavari, sarpagandha, vacha, and shankupushpi. Samvahana Samvahana or body massage can relax the body and is also a form of self-care. Massage your body with warm sesame oil and take a long warm bath afterward with aromatic body cleansers whenever you feel overly stressed. While whole-body massages might not be practical every day, devote five minutes of the day to massaging your feet and the head with ayurvedic oils. Yoga Various gentle yogasanas are believed to be specifically beneficial for good sleep. Some of them can be done in the bed itself, before going to sleep too. Child’s pose or shishuasana, halasana, viparita karani, and uttanasana are some of the restorative yoga poses. Finish off your day with a 15-20 minute meditation and breathing exercise routine. Pranayama has been proven to reduce the heart rate and relax the body and mind when practiced regularly. At the same time, regular practice of yoga as a whole can also improve one’s mental and physical state, as the body and mind are slowly brought to balance.
CLEANSING YOUR BODY AFTER HOLIDAY INDULGENCE
January 5, 2022 CLEANSING YOUR BODY AFTER HOLIDAY INDULGENCE Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles The year has been challenging for many, and some of you would have drowned your sorrows with partying and food during the holidays. Now that the holidays are getting over, you realize it’s time to detox and undo some of the damage you have done to your body. But there’s no need for guilt, or crash diets; you can get the same results by just slowing down things and tweaking your diet. Ayurveda defines the undigested toxins in the stomach as Aaama, and suggests plenty of natural methods to detox. Here are some of the ways to ease your body into the old without having to starve yourself.Drink lemon waterThe easiest way to cleanse your stomach and guts is drinking lemon water every morning. This is a great way to begin the detox process in the healthiest manner possible. Add a pinch of ginger, and you have the perfect Ayurvedic detox drink. Not only will it reduce appetite, but it can also help digestion and act as Vitamin C shots. Prepare a few cups and keep sipping them throughout the day, and you will see nausea and bloating disappear gradually. Go vegetarian for a week Caffeine, meat, and alcohol are the biggest culprits when it comes to loading the calories, and your body would have been working on overdrive, digesting all of them. The ideal way to give the system a break is to have only easily digestible foods, ideally a vegan diet. If not, go vegetarian for a week, and the stomach will get a breather. All the greens will also give a much-needed boost of anti-oxidants to your body and rejuvenate not just the skin but your energy levels as well. Mindful eating In Ayurveda, mindful eating is always mandated. More often than not, it’s the quantity and not the quality that poses a problem for your stomach. For a week or two, be considerate with every single morsel of food and drink you consume, and soon you will realize for yourself what to cut and what not to. You can also try having a light, early dinner at around 7 pm and then give the stomach a rest till the following day. Alternately, take meals as usual but cut down on the sugar as much as possible. There is no need to say no to cakes and desserts entirely, as you might still have a lot of leftovers but again, be mindful about how much you eat. Get back a proper sleep and exercise routine Your sleep and exercise routine would have gone for a toss during the holidays, and it is quite normal if it takes a few days for you to get back on track. Skip the afternoon naps, and you will find yourself nodding off early. Instead of signing up for a gym in the New Year, start light by daily walks and jogs and slowly scale up. You can also try yoga to warm up the body without taxing it too much. Hunger pangs should not be ruthlessly suppressed, and Ayurveda suggests daily meditation instead, which will reduce the urge to overeat and help get better control over the body.
BENEFITS OF ROSE WATER
December 24, 2021 BENEFITS OF ROSE WATER Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles Since time immemorial, Rosewater has been a part of health and beauty routines in Asian cultures, especially the Middle East. Its beautiful fragrance and anti-inflammatory properties make it a necessary part of beauty routines even today. It is also used for Ayurvedic applications. Rosewater is made by the steam distillation of rose petals or infusing fresh or dried rose petals in boiling water. Pure rose water will be transparent and not pink. The pink tone is achieved by the addition of colour for the sake of making it look more enticing. Its therapeutic benefits are manifold, but most importantly, it’s the easiest antibacterial liquid you can use on cuts and wounds since it would be readily available and is toxin-free. Here are some of the common uses of rose water for beauty and wellness. Natural toner If you have oily skin, look no further for a toner. Rosewater can remove make-up, dead skin, grime and excess oil, leaving it fresh and clean. It can also treat mild acne and breakouts due to its astringent properties. At the end of a hectic day, spray rose water on your face and gently massage it onto your skin. Rinse with cold water. Even if you have dry skin, you can use rose water on it, as the pH of rose water is 5.5, which is considered ideal for the skin. Lock in the moisture with oils or serums afterwards. For youthful skin The antioxidants in rose water can fight free radicals generated by UV rays, pollution and stress. It also arrests elastase and collagenase, slowing down the ageing of the skin. Packed with Vitamin A and C, rose water can help the skin rebuild collagen when used regularly. And the best part? There are no harmful chemicals involved. As lip scrub Dead skin on the lips can give it a dry and dull appearance. Add a pinch of salt/sugar to rose water and dab the mixture over your lips gently. Remove with wipes, and you will see supple and soft lips sans discolouration. And the bonus? A mild fragrance on your lips all day. To combat frizz Hair can get extremely frizzy, especially during extreme temperatures. But worry not; rose water to the rescue! After you shampoo and condition hair, give your hair a final wash with rose water. Not only will it combat dandruff and other scalp issues, but it smoothens your hair and rid it of frizz. Those with curly hair say that rose water relaxes their curls to an extent and makes the hair manageable. In aromatherapy At the end of a tiring day, all you would want is to take a long relaxing bath. Add rose water to your bath and experience the stress dissolve as the heady aroma hits you. You can also add it to your bath scrubs for extra benefits. Alternately, spray it on your pillow before hitting the bed for a good night’s sleep. Inhaling rose water steam is also beneficial for headaches and migraines. Ayurvedic Rose Water Masks for Skin For best results, apply a honey and rosewater mask to your face and let it stay for half an hour. For dry skin, replace honey with coconut oil.
AYURVEDA IN HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT
December 24, 2021 AYURVEDA IN HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the most common lifestyle diseases affecting people today across the world. It is also known as the silent killer, as it can lead to a host of other conditions and lower the quality of the person’s life. Those affected by hypertension are at higher risk of heart disease and stroke as well. Symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, and breathlessness. In Ayurveda, it’s considered that Vata and Pitta dosha imbalances causes hypertension. Unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and alcohol, unchecked consumption of fried foods, and salt, which leads to high cholesterol levels and hardening of the arteries, can all cause blood pressure variations. Stress and anxiety can also wreak havoc on the endocrine system, which leads to hypertension in the long run. As with every other disease, Ayurveda primarily advocates preventing the disease rather than curing it afterward. Rather than medications, Ayurveda recommends lifestyle, nutritional and routine changes, and regular exercise, all of which help the heart regulate blood pressure. Here are some of the methods suggested by Ayurveda. 1) As stress and anxiety are considered the leading causes of hypertension, yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises should be part of one’s daily routine. Also, remove yourself from situations that cause anger and anxiety, be it a job or a relationship, as your health is more important than any of those. 2) Regular exercise, including daily walking and jogging, can decrease body fat and cholesterol levels. 3) Avoid overly salty, spicy, and fried foods. It’s ideal to avoid red meat and meat altogether and switch to baked and boiled foods. 4) Amla, or the Indian gooseberry powerhouse of nutrients, is readily available in India. Having one raw every morning is ideal. If not, take it in juiced or powdered form. 5) Garlic can lower cholesterol, chewing a few cloves every morning on an empty stomach can do wonders for your blood pressure levels. Another superfood for BP is buttermilk, and so you can combine the two and drink buttermilk flavored with garlic every day. 6) Triphala, the all-in-one Ayurvedic herb, can also help regulate blood pressure levels and be consumed in powdered form. Alternately, take a teaspoon of honey on an empty stomach every morning. 7) Soak a handful of fenugreek seeds in water every night and consume the water the first thing the following day. If you don’t mind the taste, chew the seeds as well. 8) Moong dal is considered highly beneficial to treat blood pressure in Ayurveda. Add a bit of cumin, turmeric and coriander leaves to moong dal soup and consume every day with lunch. 9) Orange, coconut water, cucumber, and watermelon are all beneficial for the heart and hypertension. You can try out innovative methods and make a salad of them and have it once a week. Add a few Tulsi leaves to add an extra boost of nutrients.
TREATING VERTIGO WITH AYURVEDA
December 24, 2021 TREATING VERTIGO WITH AYURVEDA Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles Vertigo is not a life-threatening illness, but it can severely impair a person’s quality of life, owing to the nature of the condition. Patients will feel that the world around them is constantly spinning, especially when they get up after lying down or sudden head movements. Vertigo patients are at risk of falling and injuring themselves, especially if elderly, and care should be taken not to leave them alone. The loss of balance is usually accompanied by symptoms such as giddiness, nausea, sweating, headache, and other unpleasant sensations in general. Causes of Vertigo The causes of vertigo are many, the most common one being a fluid imbalance in the ear. This could be caused by ear infections, cold and sinusitis, lack of sleep, stress and anxiety, migraine attacks, impaired eyesight, side effects of medications or age-related issues. The causes of vertigo are mostly harmless, except for rare instances of brain tumour, epilepsy, or other serious illnesses. Ayurvedic Treatments for Vertigo According to Ayurveda, vertigo is caused by the Vata and Pitta doshas imbalance. Ayurveda always looks at diseases holistically, and the treatment methods are always multi-pronged. For vertigo, ancient science primarily recommends changes in one’s diet and sleep routine. Avoid fried, overly spicy, and sour foods and cold and fermented foods. People should avoid excess dairy and meat. A stomach detox and a light diet could do wonders, not just to the stomach but to your entire body, and improve health in general. Those affected by vertigo should also sleep early and at a fixed time every night and sleep for at least eight hours. The best medicine for vertigo is restoring the balance in the ear, for which sleep is crucial. When waking up, do not get up with a jerk, and instead, turn to your side gently and sit up for a while before standing. Yoga and Panchakarma Ayurveda is founded on the principle that one’s body, mind, and soul are intrinsically connected. For the same reason, most of the illnesses of the present-day world are caused or aggravated by stress and anxiety. Thus deep breathing and meditation are recommended for vertigo to ease and relax the mind. There are also specific yogasanas to restore the Vata-Pitta balance, though these should be done only under supervision as there is the danger of falling. Besides these, Panchakarma therapies are also available for treating vertigo, which needs to be done under the recommendation of certified practitioners. The most common is Shirodhara, which involves pouring medicated herbal oils on one’s forehead, which will also calm and relax the body and mind. Massages for the head and neck and whole-body massages to improve blood circulation will also ease the symptoms of vertigo. Herbal Medications Among the common Ayurvedic herbal medications for the condition are: Triphala, Guduchi Kashaya, Ashwagandha, Amalaki, Haritaki, Yavasa, Sariva, Giloy, and Pitpapda. Brahmi, liquorice, Sankhupushpi, and Vacha are other remedies available from the garden, all of which have anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving properties. Medicate only under the advice of a practicing Ayurveda doctor.
THREE AYURVEDIC BREAKFAST IDEAS
December 17, 2021 THREE AYURVEDIC BREAKFAST IDEAS Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles One of the core principles of Ayurveda is that food is medicine and that it can heal as much as harm. This ancient science divides food into different kinds, hot and cold among other categories, which provide energy and those which make one lazy. The timing and one’s eating routine are also important and so is the manner of eating one’s food. Ayurveda believes that one should begin the day by drinking a glass of warm water on waking up. Add a few drops of lemon if possible. In fact, according to Ayurveda, one should avoid cold water altogether and drink only warm, boiled water, preferably infused with fennel seeds Also, one should never eat in a rush or gulp down food. Instead, one should chew food properly and savor it. Eating less than what’s required is always better than overeating. We should ideally take meals at the same time every day, and the food should neither be too cold nor too hot. Any imbalance in it can lead to indigestion, bloating, and lethargy. From a deeper perspective, the field of science also recommends that one should eat foods suited for one’s body type. Best are foods that grow well during the season in your locality. Also, raw or boiled foods are the best for the body, while fried foods put pressure on the digestive system and lead to loss of nutrients. Ayurveda also recommends regular detox of the stomach and has a long list of foods that ideally should not be taken together. For example, milk products and meat/fish/acidic fruits. According to Ayurveda, breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. For the same reason, breakfast should be healthy and full of nutrients. Here are three simple and easy-to-cook Ayurvedic breakfast recipes. Kichdi Ingredients: Soaked mung beans, lentils, buckwheat or brown rice, chopped vegetables,Coconut oil, onion, ginger, garlic, mustard seeds, turmeric, cumin, coriander powder cumin, red chillies, lime, pepper, and salt. Method: Sauté chopped onions over medium heat, add ginger and garlic. Add pepper, salt, soaked mung beans, buckwheat, or brown rice. Add powders, water, and chopped vegetables and bring to boil. Cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Squeeze lime and coriander leaves and serve hot. Energy Boost with Banana Ingredients: Peeled and crushed ripe banana, dates, any other fruit of your choice. Ashwagandha or Shatavari. Method: Combine all of it in a blender for about 30 seconds and serve with a topping of grapes or a slice of apple. When you have little time for cooking, this energy-rich drink can get you going for hours. Roasted Rice with Dates and Spices Ingredients: Dates, ghee, rice Method: Chop the dates and keep them aside. Add ghee to a heated saucepan and let it melt. Add the uncooked rice and heat, stirring continuously on a low fire. After around five minutes, add the dates and any spices of your preference. Add water and let it boil. Cover and simmer. Keep checking, and once it has reached the right consistency, switch off. Serve hot.
FIVE HERBAL TEAS TO STAY HEALTHY THIS MONSOON
December 9, 2021 FIVE HERBAL TEAS TO STAY HEALTHY THIS MONSOON Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles The monsoon is here, and what could be better than watching the rains from a cozy corner, sipping a cup of hot tea? But then, tea doesn’t need to be the same old beverage always. Why not experiment with some herbal teas so you can get some health benefits alongside? And if you thought herbal teas were bitter to taste, think again. If brewed well, they can be as refreshing as regular tea. Here are some herbal teas you can easily prepare for this monsoon. Keep in mind that all these should be consumed black, without adding milk. Tulsi tea Tulsi or Indian basil is a ubiquitous herb found in the country and has various therapeutic benefits. Tulsi can strengthen the immune system, control blood pressure, and alleviate stress symptoms. It is also said to aid heart health by bringing down cholesterol levels and can improve bowel movements when consumed daily. Preparing tulsi tea is easy, and it can be made with fresh leaves, dried leaves, or powder. Add a handful of fresh leaves into boiling water and let it sit for ten minutes. Alternately, add half a teaspoon of tulsi powder to water and bring it to a boil, stirring all the while. You can also try variations by adding ginger, lemon, honey, etc. Ginger tea Since time immemorial, ginger tea has been a staple in India for its manifold benefits for digestion and immunity. If you have a headache or migraine, think no more. Sip warm ginger lemon tea, and you will find your headache disappearing gradually. You can make ginger tea easily by adding fresh or dried ginger to hot water. Let it sit for a while, add a few drops of honey or lemon just before consumption. Lemongrass tea Are you constantly stressed? Lemongrass tea is the right choice for you. The herb native to India is said to have a calming effect on the nerves and can be taken before going to bed. Lemongrass is also believed to stimulate menstruation in women and improve skin and hair texture due to its antioxidants. You can use both the stalk and the leaves for making the tea by adding them to boiling water. Let it sit and steep for 10 minutes. If the aroma of lemongrass is too strong for you, add a few regular tea leaves and sugar or honey. Cardamom tea The tastiest of all, cardamom tea is nothing short of a treat. Drinking cardamom tea after a heavy meal can aid digestion and prevent bloating. Cardamom’s antibacterial properties prevent bad breath and also ease a sore throat. You can prepare cardamom tea by adding a few pods to boiling water and simmering. Add a pinch of brown sugar or honey. Hibiscus tea Hibiscus is a plant abundant in the tropics, yet its health benefits have never been utilized properly. Hibiscus is a storehouse of antioxidants and is believed to regulate blood sugar levels and control hypertension. Drinking its tea can slow down aging and improve skin complexion, says studies. Hibiscus tea can be prepared by boiling hibiscus flowers in water. Once the water turns red, switch off the flame and cover the vessel. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Add tulsi or mint leaves for extra flavors.
STAY HEALTHY WITH AYURVEDA THIS RAINY SEASON
December 9, 2021 STAY HEALTHY WITH AYURVEDA THIS RAINY SEASON Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles The rains are here, and together with the fresh, cool showers comes the possibility of ailments from the changing climate. When the body’s immunity weakens, digestion slows down, and Vata and Pitta doshas increase. In fact, in the past, our ancestors used to stay indoors and chant positivity enhancing prayers to keep diseases away during the monsoon. Ayurveda prescribes specific diet and lifestyle changes to stay healthy during the rainy season. By following a particular lifestyle, the monsoon can be transformed into a rejuvenation of the body and mind. Here are some of the methods Ayurveda suggests: Diet Changes During the rainy season, one should consume light foods easy on the stomach, like old grains and old rice. Ayurveda recommends steamed and adequately cooked foods over raw foods and leafy greens, which are more prone to contamination during this season. Extremes should be avoided but mildly sweet, salty or sour foods are recommended. Moong dal and urad dal are easier to digest than toor dal, so add that to your diet. Take ghee with rice and not curd, as the former aids digestion and boost immunity. When the weather gets cold, sipping drinks sprinkled with salt, pepper and ginger will warm the body. One should avoid heavy foods like meat, fish, and potato as they are difficult to digest. Similarly, frozen, cold, and oily foods are not recommended either. Make sure to drink only warm water which has been boiled well as there are more chances of water-borne diseases during the monsoon. Karkidaka Kanji Ayurveda recommends a special rice gruel for the monsoon months, which is called Karkidaka Kanji in Kerala. A traditional medicinal soup made up of many herbs, pulses, and grains, the gruel can boost the body’s immunity and prevent fevers and rheumatic illnesses that affect the body during the monsoons. The gruel should be taken warm every day for at least seven days for full benefits. Mild Exercises and Massages Owing to the rains, usual walks, and outdoor exercises would be limited to a great extent. Thus one should ensure that they do light exercises and yoga inside the house. Oil massages using sesame oil done before the bath can keep the body warm and protect the skin of the feet from infections. Drying the Hair Properly Most of the monsoon-related ailments like cold and sinusitis are caused by the high humidity levels in the air. As a result, the hair does not dry properly, especially in the case of long-haired people. Ayurveda has a specific drying method for the hair during the monsoon, using ingredients like eaglewood, camphor, costus, frankincense, and sandalwood. These are crushed and smoked using burning embers of coconut shells in an earthen vessel. After the bath, one should let the hair loose and allow the smoke to pass over it. The fragrant smoke will dry the hair properly and give off a heady aroma as well. This hair treatment can also ward off infections of the scalp and dandruff.
Top Benefits of Thyme
December 6, 2021 Top Benefits of Thyme Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles Thyme, or Banajwain as it is called in India, is native to the northern shores of the Mediterranean, though it grows in Asia as well. Thyme is not a single plant species, though, and refers to all the species of the genus Thymus of the mint family. There are around 350 plants in the family, and all of them are aromatic. We usually associate Thyme with cooking, as we commonly use it as a flavoring for soups, salad, sauces, pickles, etc. But Thyme is much more than a flavoring agent and has a host of health benefits recognized in Ayurveda. Thyme has been used in the Middle East for thousands of years as an antibacterial agent and digestive. The herb is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C. Even today. Thyme tea is popular in cafes in Iran, where people drink it for sore throats, breathing issues, etc. Here are some of the most common health benefits of Thyme: The five procedures are: For Respiratory Issues Thyme is a natural expectorant, and thyme tea can ease cough and nasal congestion by thinning the mucus. It also helps cure all kinds of respiratory ailments like bronchitis because of its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. You can make Thyme tea easily by adding a few teaspoons of Thyme into boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes and strain like regular tea. For Bone Health Being a rich source of vitamin K, iron, calcium, and manganese, Thyme can boost the health of the bones. Regular consumption is also said to prevent diseases like osteoporosis and anaemia. It is also believed that the terpenoids in Thyme can prevent cancer. As Essential Oil As Thyme has a good percentage of thymol, it is widely used as an essential oil to cleanse the skin. Thyme oil was used for medicated bandages for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is still used for mouthwashes. Aids Digestion The volatile oils in Thyme can improve your digestion and prevent the growth of intestinal bacteria. Chewing Thyme after food can arrest chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and improve gut health in general. Consuming Thyme is believed to help with diarrhea and colic. Controls Blood Pressure The rosmarinic acid present in Thyme has been linked to increased blood flow and a consequential controlling of blood pressure. Boosts Mood It might seem no surprise that an aromatic herb can be stress-relieving, but Thyme has anxiety-reducing properties. Europeans used to place a sprig of Thyme under the pillow for a good night’s sleep. This is because the Vitamin B6 present in it can boost the production of serotonin. Thyme tea is recommended for migraines and menstrual pains. How to Use Thyme Besides thyme tea, Thyme can be consumed as syrup or inhaled as steam for respiratory issues. Thyme is considered safe when used in small quantities in cooking, but in large quantities, it may stimulate the uterus, and hence it’s not advised for pregnant women to use it. It is said that diffusing thyme essential oil elevates the mood by enhancing dopamine and serotonin for cough, insomnia, and anxiety diffuse about 5 drops of Thyme essential oil. Mix 2–3 drops of Thyme essential oil with a half teaspoon of coconut oil and apply topically to nose, neck, chest, and feet. But, you should not take thyme essential oil internally without proper dilution. Excessive use of pure essential oil is toxic and can cause mild to significant health hazards. Even for external application, use a diluted form to avoid skin irritation. Thyme is used to treat fibroids and PMS symptoms, too. It’s often recommended to rub two drops of Thyme oil on the abdomen twice daily.
PRE-CHRISTMAS DETOX PLAN WITH AYURVEDA
December 6, 2021 PRE-CHRISTMAS DETOX PLAN WITH AYURVEDA Contact Us +65 6398 0415 admin@ayurvedasg.com Recent Articles Holidays are not just about celebrations and food. They are also a time to reboot yourself and start a new you. And the first step to reboot is to detox first. People often clean up their houses, gardens, and cupboards but forget to detox the essential part of it all—themselves. Every day and even every minute, the body and mind are getting cluttered with negativity, pollutants, unhealthy foods, and stress. Regular detoxing the body and mind with the help of Ayurveda has been a part of Indian culture since time immemorial, but it’s only now that the West is catching up with the concept. According to Ayurveda, detoxing one’s body is a crucial and mandatory step for any kind of healing and lays out several procedures for it. The basis of these practices is the core concept of Ayurveda which is that every human body is made up of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – in different ratios. The detoxes cleanse the body of impurities and toxins, and all the healing practices aim to restore the balance of the doshas. All procedures should be done only under the supervision of Ayurveda experts. Here is a basic Ayurvedic detox procedure. Panchakarma Panchakarma, or the five procedures as the word means, refers to whole-body detox. The first stage of Panchakarma is called Purvakarma, the preliminary step to prepare the body for Panchakarma. All the harmful toxins in the body are stimulated by Swedana (induced sweating) using steam baths and Snehana (massage therapy with herbal oils). The five procedures are: Virechanam: It refers to the therapeutic purgation of the intestines using herbal powders and pastes. The elimination of toxins using a therapeutic laxative is believed to help diseases like jaundice and haemorrhoids. Vamanam: It refers to therapeutic vomiting through herbal medicinal treatment and is induced to eliminate Kapha and excess mucus. Vamanam is ideal for treating lung diseases and colds, coughs, and congestion. Basti: It refers to therapeutic massages and enemas using warm oils. This therapy is believed to help obesity as well as Vata diseases like joint pains, paralysis, constipation, arthritis, and fertility problems. Rakta moksha: A procedure that should be done only by experts, Rakta Moksha, refers to bloodletting or removing toxins from the blood using various methods like controlled leech bites and puncturing the skin. The procedure benefits skin diseases, herpes, abscesses, ulcers, and gout. Nasya: Nasyam is administering medicated oils into the nostrils to clear the nasal passages and sinus cavities. As a first step, the patient is given a neck and shoulder massage, which leads to sweating. Toxins in the sinus, nose, and head are eliminated during nasyam, and it is believed to be beneficial for chest congestion, sinusitis, migraine, and chronic cold. However, these are not standalone procedures and should be accompanied by diet and lifestyle changes if the patient has to benefit fully from them. Following the Panchakarma, the patient should take only simple meals of rice and dal for a few days. They are also advised to practice stress-relieving breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga.