Ayurveda for Healthy Life

The philosophy of Ayurveda believes that everything in this Universe is composed of five elements, the panchbhootas. They, in turn, constitute the three doshas viz., Vat(Air), Pitt(Bile)  Cough(Phlegm) or bio-energetic forces that govern our health and determine our constitution. The trigunas or psychic forces determine our mental and spiritual health. Ayurveda teaches us to balance all these to live a healthy, happy and contented life.

Unlike modern medicine, Ayurveda recognizes that the mind and body are but the two manifestations of the same consciousness-mind as the field of ideas and the body as the field of molecules and organs. Each tries to help keep the other working and healthy extracting nourishment from the environment. Elimination of impurities of the emotional wounds are as important as the elimination of the waste matter from the body to have true physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Modern “risk factor hypothesis” pales into insignificance in view of the most elaborate knowledge in Ayurveda. Some of the recent additions to the modern medical list like hostility form the basis of the Ayurvedic risk factors. Viz.

"क्रोध शोक भय आयस विरुधाना भोजन, तपोळण लवणक्षार रक्त पित्त प्रकोपयेत”
(Anger, depression and sorrow, extreme fear, exhaustion, wrong foods, sedentary living, too much salt and spices lead to most major killer diseases)

The solution is also simple:

“नित्य हित, मित आहार सेवी समीक्षकारी धाता सत्यपरा क्षमावान आप्तोपसेवि आरोग्यम" (Have food in moderation and that which pleases the mind. Do not cheat or tell lies. Work very hard. Forgive others even if they hurt you. Treat all as your own kith and kin. Health would be yours always.)
   

It is indisputable that Ayurveda is more superior than Modern Medical Science. Ayurveda created by the Indian rishi, whose motive is healthy society and Modern Medical Science created by Industry, whose primary motive is to earn money.  Ayurveda more emphasize on be healthy than cure of diseases. Hence Ayurveda defined everything very minutely. In Ayurveda, there are six season and according to we have to change our food habits unlike western medical system deals with only three season.

Six Seasons of India – The Hindu Calendar –

 A season (Ritu) is comprised of two months (two Masa).

Shishira Ritu (winter, dewy season) – Magha and Phalguna  (Mid January – Mid March)
Vasanta Ritu (Spring season) – Chaitra and Vaishakha (Mid March – Mid May)
Greeshma Ritu (Summer season) – Jyeshta and Ashadha (Mid May to Mid July)

Varsha Ritu (Rainy Season) – Shravana and Bhadrapada – Mid July – mid September
Sharath Ritu (Autumn season) – Ashvayuja and Karthika – Mid September to Mid November
Hemantha Ritu (Winter season) – Margashira and Pushya  – Mid November to Mid January

Regimen of different seasons

Shishira (winter) (winter, dewy season) – Magha and Phalguna  (Mid January – Mid March)

General condition

Mid-January to mid-March (approximately) is considered as Shishira Ritu (winter). During this season, the environment remains cold, along with cold wind. The predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Tikta (bitter) and Akasha, respectively. The strength of the person becomes less, deposition of the Kapha Dosha occurs and Agni (catabolism) remains in a higher state.

Diet regimen

Foods having Amla (sour) as the predominant taste are preferred. Cereals and pulses, wheat/gram flour products, new rice, corn, and others, are advised. Ginger, garlic, Haritaki (fruits of Terminalia chebula), Pippali (fruits of Piper longum), sugarcane products, and milk and milk products are to be included in the diet. Foods having Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) predominant Rasa are to be avoided. Laghu (light) and Shita (cold) foods are advised to be prohibited.

Lifestyle

Massage with oil/powder/paste, bathing with lukewarm water, exposure to sunlight, wearing warm clothes are mentioned to follow.

Vata aggravating lifestyle like exposure to cold wind, excessive walking, sleep at late night, are to be avoided.

 Vasanta (spring) (Spring season) – Chaitra and Vaishakha (Mid March – Mid May)

General condition

The approximate time is from mid-March to mid-May. This season is considered as season of flowering and origin of new leaves. Predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Kashaya (astringent), and Prithvi and Vayu, respectively. Strength of the person remains in medium degree, vitiation of Kapha Dosha occurs and Agni remains in Manda state.

Diet regimen 

One should take easily digestible foods. Among cereals, old barley, wheat, rice, and others are preferred. Among pulses, lentil, Mugda, and others, can be taken. Food items tasting Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), and Kashaya (astringent) are to be taken. Besides those, honey is to be included in the diet. Meats like that of Shahsa (rabbit), which are easy to digest can be taken.

Foods which are hard to digest are to be avoided. Those which are Sheeta (cold), Snigdha (viscous), Guru (heavy), Amla (sour), Madhura (sweet) are not preferred. New grains, curd, cold drinks, and so on, are also to be prohibited.

Lifestyle

One should use warm water for bathing purpose, may do exercise during Vasant Ritu. Udvartana (massage) with powder of Chandana (Santalum album), Kesara (Crocus sativus), Agaru, and others, Kavala (gargle), Dhooma (smoking), Anjana (collyrium), and evacuative measures, such as Vamana and Nasya are advised.

Day-sleep is strictly contraindicated during this season.

Grishma (summer) (Summer season) – Jyeshta and Ashadha (Mid May to Mid July)

General condition

Mid-May to mid-July (approximately) is considered as Grishma (summer) season. Environment is prevalent with intense heat and unhealthy wind. The river-bodies dried and the plants appear lifeless. The predominant Rasa is Katu (pungent) and Mahabhuta are Agni and Vayu. The strength of the person become less, deposition of Vata Dosha occurs, but the vitiated Kapha Dosha is pacified during this season. Agni of the person will remain in mild state.

Diet regimen

Foods which are light to digest—those having Madhura (sweet), Snigdha (unctuous), Sheeta (cold), and Drava (liquid) Guna, such as rice, lentil, etc, are to be taken. Drinking plenty of water and other liquids, such as cold water, buttermilk, fruit juices, meat soups, mango juice, churned curd with pepper, is to be practiced. At bedtime milk with sugar candy is to be taken.

Lavana and food with Katu (pungent) and Amla (sour) taste and Ushna (warm) foods are to be avoided.

Lifestyle

Staying in cool places, applying sandal wood and other aromatic pastes over the body, adorning with flowers, wearing light dresses and sleeping at day time are helpful. During night one can enjoy the cooled moonrays with breeze. Excessive exercise or hardwork is to be avoided; too much sexual indulgence and alcoholic preparations are prohibited.

Varsha (monsoon) (Rainy Season) – Shravana and Bhadrapada – Mid July – mid September

General condition

Mid-July to mid-September (approximately) is considered as Varsha Ritu. During this season the sky is covered by clouds and rains occur without thunderstorm. The ponds, rivers, etc., are filled with water. The predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Amla (sour), and Prithvi and Agni, respectively. The strength of the person again becomes less, vitiation of Vata Dosha and deposition of Pitta Dosha, Agni also gets vitiated.

Diet regimen

Foods having Amla (sour) and Lavana (salty) taste and of Sneha (unctuous) qualities are to be taken. Among cereals, old barley, rice, wheat, etc., are advised. Besides meat soup, Yusha (soup), etc. are to be included in the diet. It is mentioned that one should take medicated water or boiled water.

Intake of river water, churned preparations having more water, excessive liquid and wine are to be avoided. The foods, which are heavy and hard to digest, like meat, etc., are prohibited.

Lifestyle

Use of boiled water for bath and rubbing the body with oil properly after bath is advised. Medicated Basti (enema) is prescribed as an evacuative measure to expel vitiated Doshas.

Getting wet in rain, day-sleep, exercise, hard work, sexual indulgence, wind, staying at river-bank, etc., are to be prohibited.

Sharat (autumn) (Autumn season) – Ashvayuja and Karthika – Mid September to Mid November

General condition

The period between mid-September to mid-November is Sharat Ritu (autumn). During this time the Sun becomes bright, the sky remains clear and sometimes with white cloud, and the earth is covered with wet mud. The predominant Rasa is Lavana (salty) and predominant Mahabhutas are Apa and Agni. The strength of the person remains medium, pacification of vitiated Vata Dosha and vitiation of Pitta Dosha occur, and activity of Agni increases during this season.

Diet regimen

Foods are having Madhura (sweet) and Tikta (bitter) taste, and of Laghu (light to digest) and cold properties are advised. Foods having the properties to pacify vitiated Pitta are advised. Wheat, green gram, sugar candy, honey, Patola (Trichosanthes diocia), flesh of animals of dry land (Jangala Mamsa) are to be included in the diet.

Hot, bitter, sweet, and astringent foods are to be avoided. The food items, such as fat, oils, meat of aquatic animals, curds, etc., are also to be not included in the diet during this season.

Lifestyle

Habit of eating food, only when there is a feeling of hunger is recommended. One should take water purified by the rays of sun in day time and rays of moon at night time for drinking, bathing, etc. It is advised to wear flower garlands, and to apply paste of Chandana (Santalum album) on the body. It is said that moon rays in the first 3 h of night is conducive for health. Medical procedures, such as Virechana (purging), Rakta-Mokshana (blood letting), etc, should be done during this season.

Day-sleep, excessive eating, excessive exposure to sunlight, etc., are to be avoided.

Hemanta (late autumn) (Winter season) – Margashira and Pushya  – Mid November to Mid January

General condition

Mid-November to mid-January is considered as Hemanta (late autumn) Ritu. Blow of cold winds starts and chillness is felt. Predominant Rasa during this season is Madhura and the predominant Mahabhutas are Prithivi and Apa. The strength of a person remains on highest grade and vitiated Pitta Dosha gets pacified. Activity of Agni is increased.

Diet regimen

One should use unctuous, sweet, sour, and salty foods. Among cereals and pulses, new rice, flour preparations, green gram, Masha, etc., are mentioned to be used. Various meats, fats, milk and milk products, sugarcane products, Shidhu (fermented preparations), Tila (sesame), and so on, are also to be included in the diet.

Vata aggravating foods, such as Laghu (light), cold, and dry foods are to be avoided. Intake of colddrinks is also contraindicated.

Lifestyle

Exercise, body and head massage, use of warm water, Atapa-sevana (sunbath), application of Agaru on body, heavy clothing, sexual indulgence with one partner, residing in warm places is recommended. Exposure to strong and cold wind, habit of day sleep, etc., are mentioned to be avoided.

Dincharya(Daily Regimen)

MORNING:

Time to wake up: A healthy person should get up two hours before sunrise. During this hours the Vata element is dominant. Waking up two hours before dawn you utilize the Vata qualities in the nature. Vata is light, subtle and clear and this helps in tuning the body to the delicate messages the nature sends. This is the time when there is the most sattva in the air. It is the most fresh and pure time of the day. Some exceptions to this rule of rising are the very young, the old, parents with small children, and people with fevers or diarrhea.

Elimination:

Drinking a glass or two of warm water helps in the elimination.

As soon as possible empty your colon and bladder. If you wait until later in the morning or during the day you are slowly poisoning yourself and creating an opportunity for chronic conditions to arise.

Cleaning of Senses: Wash the eyes with water. Preferably use rose water and Triphala to purify the sight.

Brush the teeth and scrape the tongue with a tongue cleaner to purify your mouth and sense of taste. Ayurveda considers the coating of the tongue as an indicator of ‘Ama’ or toxins in the colon.

Gargle with warm water or herbal tea to purify your voice and strengthen your teeth.

Finally do Jal neti and put a little oil in your nose to purify the sinuses and your sense of smell. The traditional Dinacharya also recommends that you inhale the smoke of medicinal herbs every morning to purify the mind, head, face, neck and lungs.

Massage: 

Abhyanga is the name for oil massage with sesame oil. This is typically a self massage. It is one of the main ways that Ayurveda keeps us strong and prevents us from aging.This massage need not be long and cumbersome. Massaging the Scalp, forehead, temples , hand and feet for about 5 minutes is sufficient

Exercise: 

Vyayama is the name for physical exercise. This is usually some Yoga postures and breathing exercises(Pranayam) but it can be anything including a walk, a swim, sun salutes or whatever. This early morning exercise removes stagnation in the body mind, strengthens the digestive fire, reduces fat and gives you an overall feeling of lightness and Joy as it fills your body with good Prana. It is not to be strenuous. In fact, exercising at one fourth to one half of your capacity is recommended.

Bathe: After exercise bath to remove any excess oil and dirt. Both showers and bathtubs are recommended in the classics. Usually warm water baths are suggested. Put on clean clothing after the bath

Meditation: 

For a few minutes to an hour sit down and see who you really are, put your attention towards Awareness. This is the most important aspect of Dinacharya. Simply be quiet, sit in Peace

Breakfast: 

This should be warm, nourishing and wholesome

Study / Work : 

Do what you do from now until noon.  

NOON:

Lunch: It should be taken early between 12 and 1 P.M. this coincides with the peak Pitta period, Pitta is responsible for the digestion. Ayurveda recommends that the lunch should be the largest meal of the day. After the meal it is good to take a little walk, a couple hundred steps only, to help the food digest.

Sciesta: Anything more than a short nap should be avoided because sleeping in the day is prohibited in Ayurveda.

Study / Work : Do what you do from now until supper. 

SUNDOWN:

Sundown is a special time of balance between day and night. In this balance it is easier for your mind to stop long enough so that you can see your Self. This is the time for evening prayers and meditations in many cultures around the world. 

DINNER :

It should be taken around 7 P.M. It should be lighter than the lunch. The dinner should be at least three hours before bedtime as gives the body ample time to digest the food. Sleeping just after the dinner with a heavy stomach is not conducive to a sound sleep.

Walk to aid digestion for about 10 – 15 minutes.

Ease: From dinner to bedtime just take it easy. Spend time with family, read, and relax. 

BEDTIME: 

Go to sleep around 10 P.M. so that you can get 6 to 7 hours of sleep before 4:30 am. A good practice is to massage the soles of your feet with a calming oil before going to bed. This will calm your system and promote well being.

And remember to take your Triphala before sleep. 

One should try to keep the routine as close to the recommended Dincharya as possible. The body might resist the change for a first few days but if you do manage to persist then you are bound to get rewarded with a much healthier and satisfying life.

The mouth should be cleaned by gargling with cold  water four, eight, twelve, or sixteen times after urination,  defecation, eating and brushing the teeth respectively. It is because they recognised the value of gargling as a  preventive against infections that this custom was observed  with scrupulous regularity. But alas, the present day table  manners and the present day bustle of life, have almost  banished this good habit.

Ayurveda advocates Varnashrama Dharma, a system of organisation of the whole human life into definite self-adjusting socio-economic units, so that, all people may be happy without any strife for selfish ends and may reach the supreme goal of spiritual progress—Paramaartha. Every man has to strive his best for the full attainment of the four values or aspirations of life namely, Dharma—Virtue or duty to self and society, Artha—acquisition of wealth or power, Kama—satisfaction of desires and Moksha—liberation from the bondage or attachment. Life has thus the great purpose of progressive spiritual evolution.

The Ayurveda is by itself an almost perfect science treating of Surgery, Medicine, Therapeutics, etc., in as efficient a light as possible. Those antiquated sages and Rishis had been men of miraculous powers. The root-medicines, the medicated leaves with which they cured the disease were all powerful and unique. They were, as it were, God-sent medicines. Dr. Wise remarks, “Asia can munificently give, but it does not need to borrow.” 

INDIAN MATERIA MEDICA 

Brahmi is the best drug in epilepsy (Apasmara), goat’s milk is highly beneficial in consumption, fresh ginger is very useful in slow digestion, Goksheera is very useful in Mootra Krischhra (painful urination). Shilajit is the best medicine in diseases of the bladder, iron oxide is best in anaemia (Pandu), Triphala is the best drug in diseases of the eye, buttermilk is the best medicine in chronic diarrhoea (Grahani), Pippali is the best drug in diseases of the spleen, Guggulu is the best drug in rheumatism and lumbago, Vidanga is the best drug for worms.

The virtues of the Indian medicinal plants were known in other countries also. Hippocrates in his Materia Medica recommends several Indian plants such as Jatamansi, Kunduru, ginger, black pepper etc. Dioskorides, a Greek physician investigated the medicinal virtues of many Indian plants which were then taken to the market of Europe and incorporated them in his book on Materia Medica.

The Indian Medicinal Herbs

The central fact of Indian Culture is its conception of the spiritual Ideal. Its core and essence is the fundamental belief that the attainment of perfection is the sole purpose of man’s life. Thus the worth and value of all the other parts and aspects of our life is estimated and equated in terms of their utility in serving this central. Ideal. The value of human birth and body was accepted because man’s body was recognized as the supreme instrument through which to strive for reaching life’s great consummation. The ancient seers, the Rishis of wisdom, therefore, spared no pains in carefully evolving a great system of Medicine to help to keep this precious instrument, i.e., the human body, in perfect trim. The maintenance of the body in proper disease-free condition and perfect health was a sacred duty of man, for it constituted the primary means of all attainments because, “Health is the supreme Good of attainment of the Good Life, of all wealth, fulfilment of cherished desires and ultimate Liberation”. The intuitive sages of India were in full awareness of this important fact, for, notwithstanding their lofty idealism, they had the admirable faculty to be intensely practical and thorough. The Indian seers in the past have devoted special attention to the study of health, disease and therapeutics. They have looked upon Ayurveda or the Science of Life as another Veda. 

Ayurveda believes in treatment by herbs, which form its mainstay. The greater part of the treatment of Ayurvedic practitioner is by medicinal herbs. How very minute and how thoroughly scientific their study of the herbs and their characteristics are amply evidenced by the scholarly treatises of these ancient scientists in which subjects they have given us the results of their admirable researches. Besides this evidence, the very fact of these herbal medicines continuing to be widely used with remarkable success, even up to this day, by quite modern Ayurvedic medicinal practitioners all over India 

 A sound Mind ensures sound Health 

A doubting man always suffers from some diseases or others.

Faith in the doctor from whom he takes medicine is very essential for cure. It is very difficult for a rich man to have faith in any one doctor. He is proud of his wealth. He is very impatient. He takes medicine from many doctors at a time. This is the height of follly. A poor man has faith and he is able to get a cure from an ordinary doctor without much qualification.

In this modern scenario, highly educated people have crave about to obtain luxury car, branded attire, excess shopping or consumerism. How it happened with Indian even educated Indian, where Indian philosophy teaches live simply, avoid materiality.  People are becoming self centric, they are thinking about only themselves and running behind luxury. They are giving more importance to the luxury lifestyle than their own life.  Where is peace and bliss? People are not aware. They forgot Upnishad Famous sentence "Giving is Rejoice".

Change of life style, from the man-eating-man philosophy of the monetary economy, to that of a more tranquil existence, was found to have contributed 54.9% to the success of the war against killer diseases like heart attack and stroke in the West. All the hi-tech stuff, put together, has contributed a mere 3.4%. Despite that the media highlights for the latter are 99%. This is the inverse-law in Nature. "

It is wise for us to love everyone to be healthy as ayurveda suggested (aapthopasevi bhaveth aarogyam). Hatred begets hatred and disease. Diseases are not organ-based entities but mind-body based. Human mind is in every cell and hatred might even make our own cells hate our other cells. (autoimmune diseases)

Ayurveda is very comprehensive code of practice,which covers almost all kind of rules related to diet, daily regimen, seasonal regimen, land-region, body constitute(Prakruti) etc, Strictly follow Ayurveda rules and make your life healthy and Drugless. 

Sources: 

1. Dr. B M Hegde's Lectures & Articles on Ayurveda

2. Swami Sivanand' talks on Ayurveda

3. Many other Ayurveda books and references