Incorporating ayurvedic practices and medicine into your lifestyle may just be what the doctor ordered.
Your unique energy type—or dosha—plays a huge role in your overall health
Each
person has a different combination of the three doshas or energy types:
vata, the air and space sign, which is associated with movement; pitta,
the fire and water energy, which controls digestion and metabolism; and
kapha, the earth energy type, which controls growth and maintenance. If
your three energy types are out of balance, you may experience a health
issue, according to Ayurvedic practitioners. “The term combines the
Sanskrit words ayur—life—and veda—knowledge and
science,” says Miriam Amselem, an Ayurvedic practitioner and holistic
nutritionist. “The main goal of Ayurvedic healing is to help people live
long, healthy and balanced lives without the need for medication,
surgeries or painful conditions.” Grow these medicinal herbs to get you started toward a healthier future.
You are what you eat
Your diet plays a big role in Ayurvedic treatment. Rather
than medicine, your Ayurvedic practitioner might “prescribe” certain
herbs or types of food to bring your body into balance. “Treatment in
Ayurvedic medicine is patient-specific,” says Caleb Backe, health and
wellness expert at Maple Holistics. Your practitioner will consider your
genetics, lifestyle, behavior, and many other conditions that could be
affecting your physical, mental, and spiritual state. A change in diet
and lifestyle may be in order; as the saying goes, “let thy food be thy
medicine.” For instance, certain spices and herbs, such as turmeric,
might be used to decrease inflammation. Consider incorporating these 10 healing herbs and spices into your diet.
Your lifestyle is key to balance and improving your health
In addition to your diet, Ayurvedic philosophy requires that
you work to improve your whole life, often through meditation and yoga.
“One who strives to live a more Ayurvedic life facilitates a state of
balance between body, mind, and spirit,” says Backe. “This may sound
like a cliché, but in essence, these are the major benefits of this
life. Follow the diet, meditate, treat others with love and respect, and
your awareness levels will grow significantly.” Read about the benefits of yoga.
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Ayurvedic medicine can treat more than just weight gain
Keeping your diet in balance can help you lose weight—and
many use Ayurvedic medicine for just that. But Ayurvedic medicine goes
way beyond maintaining weight. “According to a 2015 report by University
of Maryland Medical Center, the conditions that can be best treated are
digestive, inflammation, hormonal and autoimmune,” Amselem says.
“Ayurveda can also help treat conditions such as IBS, asthma, high blood
pressure, PMS, high cholesterol, anxiety, and depression.” Try these 31 tips to reduce high blood pressure.
Ayurvedic medicine is as effective as traditional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis
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A 2011 study
found that herbal medicines from Ayurveda were just as effective as
more traditional pain relief for people with rheumatoid arthritis. See
what you should eat to ease your rheumatoid arthritis.
Ayurvedic medicine can help you reduce stress
Feeling less stressed can really boost your health—and much
of Ayurvedic practice is dedicated to reducing stress in your life.
“Since stress is related to almost every aspect of health, Ayurvedic
medicine takes that into account because stress may lead to many
diseases and illnesses,” Amselem says. “There are several benefits a
person can expect when following Ayurvedic principles: lower anxiety and
stress, lower inflammation resulting in a healthier, illness-free body,
hormonal balance, better sleep, and higher energy levels and helps
promote faster recovery from illness.” Learn proven strategies that will help you beat stress fast.
Ayurvedic medicine can work side by side with Western medicine
“Aryuveda practices are excellent for helping you live a healthy life,” says Barry Rose, MD, a surgeon and the author of The Cutting Edge of Compassion.
“It prescribes natural remedies for care, it is founded in general
wellness, and should be considered complementary to the treatment of any
illness. It should accentuate Western medicine and hopefully helps to
prevent disease.” See how another Eastern medical practice—acupuncture—can help you.
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You’ll want to find a trained Ayurvedic practitioner
Ayurvedic practice isn’t well regulated in the U.S., so make
sure you do your research before you settle on someone to help you.
“When looking for a practitioner, find one that is highly recommended
and with many years of experience,” Amselem says. “If you already have a
disease, let your healthcare provider know that you are considering
Ayurveda since some herbs may interact with medications you are already
using.”
You may find that your Western-style doctor doesn’t understand Ayurveda
