Psychological Effects of Herbs

The Flame of Intelligence

From an ayurvedic perspective, all that we take in through the five senses is processed into a meaningful experience by sadhaka agni, the flame on intelligence in the mind. Pitta dosha, the bodily humor made up primarily of fire and water, has 5 subtypes relating to various sites and functions of the body. Sadhaka pitta is one these subtypes relating to the brain and higher mind function. Pitta is the container of agni, (fire) and this specialized sadhaka agni is responsible for good comprehension, discrimination, learning, and wisdom.

Just as food and water are processed by the gastric fire (jathara agni), the agni that governs mental and high mind functions transforms the “food of the senses” into a meaningful life experience. When an experience is not fully processed, it can cause mental residue, similar to the toxins that accumulate in the GI tract as a result of poor digestion of food. These unresolved thoughts feelings and emotions are often referred to as psychic or mental ama.

For example, if we experience a trauma from abuse or an accident, or we are involved in an unhealthy relationship that is causing us emotional pain, these experiences are not only felt in the mind, but also within every cell of our being. If we don’t come to terms with these thoughts, feelings and emotions, they can tend to linger, and in a sense crystalize within the tissues of our body. My teacher, Dr. Vasant Lad often says, “the issues reside in the tissues.” I have seen in my own life and with those I have had the honor to work with clinically, that deep healing comes when unresolved psychic ama is release into the light of pure awareness. Again Dr. Lad says,“when we observe our thoughts and emotions, they eventually blossoms into pure love.” This can come like rays of sunshine, bliss, tears, the surfacing of old memories, desires and tendencies. When we become conscious in this way, rather than causing further impressions of pain and suffering, they are transformed into a deeper self-knowledge and wisdom that further nourishes our soul.

These unresolved experiences are frequently being brought into the light through our daily life experience and practices, especially if we are sensitive to what life is constantly sharing with us. We can also utilize tools such as herbal treatments, Panchakarma (cleansing and rejuvenation therapy), meditation, mantra, yogic exercises, psychotherapy, prayer, and energy work.

In the ayurvedic theory of body constitution, an imbalance in the dosha can also cause emotional imbalances to manifest. For instance, pitta imbalances can cause feelings of anger, this could be from inappropriate diet, lifestyle or seasonal factors. Likewise for vata imbalances causing emotions such as anxiety, or kapha imbalances creating grief, and attachment. Here we might treat the dosha as another way of addressing the emotional state. Often Ayurveda takes everything into consideration and comes at it in a multi-faceted way.

Herbs for the Mind

Here I would like to talk specifically about how herbal medicine can help with healing the mind. The channel of the mind is known as manovaha srotas. It’s marga, or pathway, runs though the entire body, to every cell. In yoga philosophy this is referred to as the manomaya kosha, the sheath of the mind.

There are many herbs that have profound effect on the manovaha srotas that are classified as medhya rasayanas. In Western herbology they fall under the category of Nervines. Medhya herbs help to rejuvenate the mind, and senses, increase memory, relax and replenish the nervous system and help to free the flow of prana (vital energy) within the mind. It is often hard to determine why a plant has a specific affinity to certain organs and tissues with biochemistry alone, but we do know through the time-tested wisdom of Ayurvedic energetics, that herbs can dramatically shift our consciousness.

Herbs like brahmi (gotu kola & bacopa), skullcap, and bhringaraj (eclipta alba) help to clearing excess pitta, in the form of heat from the liver and blood, thus calming volatile emotions of anger and generalized irritability. Some herbs affect the heart, like Hawthorne berry, elecampane or arjuna. They work to support healthy heart function, but can also help to open the heart in an emotional and spiritual way. When I see clients that have a lot of emotional pain, but they are not aware of why they hurt emotionally, or how to get in touch with that part of themselves. Here I might use herbs that open the heart like arjuna, along with herbs that increase conscious awareness, like calamus, tulsi, or gotu kola. This is an entirely different way of looking at the use of herbs.

For instance, we might use an herb that acts directly on the lungs, like osha root, which is decongesting, and helps fight viruses and infection, but it can also help to open the emotional body through its potent aromatic energy. Osha is a very spiritually cleansing herb. Some Native Americans used it in sweat lodges while praying and offering to purify physically and emotionally.

Herbs and Emotions

Ayurveda also see a relationship that certain emotions have a tendency to affect certain organs. For instance, vata related emotions such as anxiety and worry tend to become lodged in the colon; fear in the kidneys; and Pitta types of emotions like anger and irritability to the liver; and hatred to the gallbladder. Deep-seated grief and sadness get lodged in the heart and lungs.

This is not to say that emotions and their effects are limited to only these ideas, but if we look closely at the body and how it responds to how we are feeling, we can see for ourselves. Emotions circulate in the system, and can migrate from one area to another, until it is brought out into the light of our awareness and fully assimilated. Our body is designed to first assimilate, before it can release what is not useful to our life energy.

Examples of Medhya Rasayanas (nervines) herbs: Gotu Kola & Bacopa monnieri, jatamansi, skullcap, avena, shankapushpi, calamus, ashwagandha, chamomile, st. john’s wort.

Herb specific to organs:

Heart herbs: Elecampane (pushkarmula), arjuna, hawthorne berry, cardamom, rose, ashwagandha.

Lungs herbs: Pippali, osha root, licorice, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, calamus root, mullein.

Kidneys/Adrenals: Gokshura, brahmi (gotu kola & bacopa monnieri), licorice.

Liver: Brahmi, bhringraj (eclipta alba), milk thistle, kutki, shankapushpi, rose.

Spleen: (See liver herbs).

Pancreas: Turmeric, shardunika, neem, bayberry, barberry, tulsi.

Colon: Triphala, haritaki, sesame oil (enema).

Dosha Specific:

Vata: Ashwagandha, bala, vidari- kandha, calamus, dashamula compound, saraswati churna, haritaki.

Pitta: Shatavari, guduchi, burdock root, brahmi, rose, bhringraj, amalaki.

Kapha: Gokshura, calamus, trikatu, punarnava, bibhitaki.

Choosing the Right Herbs

Herbs can be selected to address dosha imbalances, specific conditions, and the organs and relating channels and tissues that are affected. If we are not aware of any emotional imbalances, we can just make note if any emotions that surface during the normal course of treatment of any condition. Sometimes emotional content will come up and pass, leaving one feeling more refreshed than before. If there is a psychosomatic aspect to a condition, herbs used to treat at the physical level also act on the emotional and mental body level. The separation of the physical, mental, and emotional bodies is only a mental construct, in realty all koshas (sheaths) exist as an integral whole.

Be Well!

Benefits of Nadi Shodhana – Alternate Nostril Breathing

One of the most powerful and simple pranayama methods (breathing practices) is Nadi Shodhana. It is designed to balance the right and left sides of the brain, thus bringing balance to the solar and lunar pathways of the metaphysical body. It also helps to purify all nadis or subtle pathways of the body, so vital life force can freely move throughout the body.

There are three major nadis, or pathways in the body, two running on either side of the spine in a spiraling motion, and the third in the center that follows the same pathway as the spinal cord. The left side represents the Ida Nadi is lunar, female, and cooling, while the right side is named Pingala Nadi and represents the solar, male and heating energy. When these two forces of the sun and moon within the body are harmonized it allows the prana, or life force energy to more easily enter the central channel know as Sushumna Nadi. The Kundalini Shakti, the serpant like spiritual force, moves along this pathway form the Muladhara chakra at the base of the spine, to the crown of the head, Sahasrara chakra.

Practicing this technique is easy, but it should be done with enthusiasm and concentration. If the mind wanders while performing it, gently redirect your attention back to the practice. Below is a simple hand gesture called Vishnu Mudra that can be used to help block the nostrils while preforming this practice.

Instructions of Nadi Shodhana

Gently exhale all air, block the right nostril with the thumb of the right hand, and then inhale a full three-part breath through the left nostril. Block the left nostril with the ring finger while simultaneously releasing the thumb and exhaling though the right nostril. Once the exhalation is complete, inhale through the right nostril, block it with the thumb and exhale out the left nostril. This equals one round. Do 6 to 12 rounds slowly. More rounds can be done if desired, but quality is better than quantity when it comes to pranayama.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Male Reproductive Problems

There is no doubt that low libido is a serious concern nowadays, as it is made obvious by the increasing amount of erectile dysfunction drugs surfacing on the market. Yet the conventional approach of these drugs tends to focus on suppressing symptoms without looking at the bigger picture and finding the root cause of the problem. Another concern related to male reproductive health is sterility. Ayurveda can certainly help us get a deeper understanding of these complex issues and deal with them in a holistic manner with the use of herbs along with diet and lifestyle guidelines. A unique aspect of this approach is that it is not concerned with just a quick fix, but it is aimed at dealing with the long-term management of these imbalances and at resolving the underlying factors that caused them in the first place.

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.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Hypertension

Blood pressure basics

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the artery walls. A Blood pressure reading includes two numbers, the first being systolic, which indicates the pressure during contraction, and the second is diastolic, which indicates the pressure of your heart while at rest. It is standard practice to consider a systolic rate of 120 to 139mm Hg. and a diastolic rate of 80 to 89mm Hg. as pre-hypertension, whereas 140/90 or higher is considered to hypertension. Blood pressure fluctuates during the coarse of a day, so borderline readings should be observed over several days or weeks before drawing conclusions as to wither or not one truly has hypertension.

According to the CDC, Center for disease control, one in every three adults in the United States are diagnosed with hypertension, which is considered to put one at risk for heart disease and stroke. No doubt this is a matter of great concern, but simply giving medications is not a long term solution. And in many cases medications can be avoided if one takes action towards better health. Diet and exercise as well as herbal medicine can play a valuable role in the healing process and in many cases reduce the need for pharmaceuticals.

An Ayurvedic appoach

In Ayurveda, hypertension is classified according to constitutional imbalances relating to the three bodily humors, or doshas.

Vata related hypertension is caused by excessive mobile or erratic quality of vata affecting the mind and nervous system. This is characterized by symptoms such as increased anxiety, worry, mental tension, hyperactivity, fear, restlessness and insomnia. Here the blood pressure readings will often vary and change quickly. This is seen with what is referred to as “white coat syndrome,” where the blood pressure goes up just from having a doctors examination.

One of the best aids for calming vata dosha is the practice of gentle or restorative yoga and the daily practice of meditation. Here calming or sedative herbs such as tagara, jatamansi, sarpagandha, Saraswat churna, and bhringaraj have a relaxant effect on the mind and nervous system.  Also, nutritive herbs including ashwagandha and dashamula compound can be added to a heart formula. Additionally, a clove of fresh garlic can be crushed and mixed with raw honey and eaten twice daily.

Vata Heart Formula:

Ashwagandha- 4 parts

Jatamansi- 3 parts

Sarpagandha-3 parts

Saraswata churna- 2 parts

Pitta related hypertension is aggravated by excess physical and psychic heat. It involves the hot, sharp, and spreading qualities of pitta that can cause volatile emotions such as anger and irritability as well as severe headaches, and light sensitivity. Here calming and cooling herbs like Brahmi, bhringaraj, skullcap, shankapushpi and passionflower can be taken along with cooling diuretics such as punarnava, and gokshura.  A tasty ayurvedic Rose petal jam called Gulkhand is great to sooth and cool the heart, both physically and emotionally.

Pitta Heart Formula

Brahmi-4 parts

Punarnava- 3 parts

Shankapushpi-3 parts

Sarpagandha-2 parts

Passion flower-3 parts

Arjuna- 4 parts

 

Kapha related hypertension is associated with weight gain, lethargy, and poor metabolism of the water element. Kapha predominate individuals are often sedentary by nature and gain weight easily. It is of great importance that kapha predominate types get plenty of exercise and eat light, healthy meals with lots of vegetables. “Eat less and exercise more” is the best remedy to reduce kapha. Eating a low sodium diet with no refined grains or sugar.

Herbs that stimulate the digestive fire and burn fat and ama (toxins) from the system are an important aspect of kapha treatment. Here ½ tsp of Trikatu churna can be taken after meals 2-3 times daily in hot water. Also, herbs having a diuretic action such as punarnava and gokshura, along with condition specific herbs like sarpagandha, arjuna, hawthorne berry, pushkaramula (elecampane), and passionflower are useful.

Kapha Heart Formula

 

Punarnava- 4 parts

Chitrak-  2 parts

Hawthorne Berry- 3 parts

Passion flower- 3 parts

Arjuna-3 parts

If a condition is dual-doshic, meaning a mixture of two or more doshas, treatments can draw from the approaches mentioned above.

Ayurvedic Tips for Insomnia

From an Ayurvedic perspective, insomnia is caused primarily by an imbalance of vata dosha. Vata is comprised of both air and ether, and has both light and mobile/irratic qualities. When these qualities accumulate and become excessive, they can cause difficulty either falling asleep or staying asleep. Pitta dosha also shares this light quality and pitta predominate individuals have a tendency for overworking, and burning the midnight oil, which eventually interferes with good restful sleep.
Kapha dosha can interfere with sleep mainly due to sleep apnea. This condition is complex and is best addressed through ayurvedic diet and lifestyle counseling as well as herbal treatment.

In ayurveda, dinacharya (healthy routines), can be used to treat insomnia very effectively. One of the most important routines to balance vata is to go to sleep by 10 pm, if this is difficult, work towards it to the degree your life allows. Also, try not to eat dinner much later than 7 pm. This allows us to fully digest our meal, so the digestive process doesn’t interfere with our sleep.

Below is a list of home remedies for improving the quality of sleep and restore depleted energy cause by the lack of needed rest. Note that these remedies are mainly for high vata and pitta.

Ashwagandha Siddha Milk-
Add 1 tsp. Ashwagandha powder to one cup of whole milk and a half cup of water and boil lightly for 5 minutes in an uncovered pot until one cup of liquid remains. Drink this decoction, powder and all, before going to sleep. If you can’t digest dairy well, just drink a tea of ashwagandha or take 2 tablets of Ashwagandha in the evening after a meal, this herb helps to pacify vata at the root level.

Sesame oil massage-
Massage a little unrefined Sesame oil scalp and soles of the feet before going to sleep. You don’t need to apply a lot of oil to the hair, mainly to the scalp around the top of the head. Also, after massaging the feet nicely, put on an old pair of socks. This self treatment is a miracle for vata types. Pitta types can use unrefined coconut oil instead of sesame oil.

Relaxation-
Do Shavasana (corpse pose) for 15-20 minutes everyday, and especially before rolling over to go to sleep at night. Consciously releasing all tension from each and every part of the body and mind before letting go into sleep helps us to empty the mental garbage can, so to speak. This way we don’t wake up later, mulling over the day or feeling restless in our bodies for unknown reasons. If there are issues that need attending to, write a list of things to deal with the next day, and consciously put them aside first.

Deep sleep Tea-
Make a relaxing cup of tea by combining 1 tsp. each of (rounded) of passionflower, chamomile, oat straw or milky tops, scullcap, and tulsi. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbs and steep for 15-20 minutes, strain and drink. This is not a heavy sedating formula, but helps to calm and replenish the nervous system.

Anointing with essential oils-
Put a drop or two of any of the following essential oils on your soles, temples and third eye before bedtime.
-Lavender oil
-Jatamansi (Indian spikenard) oil
-Chamomile oil
-Nutmeg oil

A good general rule to keep in mind is that an hour of sleep before midnight equals two hours of sleep after midnight. If we stay up late at night or have an erratic sleep schedule, it becomes hard to establish a balanced sleep cycle. Rest Well!

Eating Beyond the Ayurvedic Food Lists.

 

Self-care through proper nutrition plays a large part in Ayurveda. In the west, Ayurvedic training and clinical practice tends to focus heavily on this facet. The benefit of having a strong emphasis on this aspect is that a healthy diet provides a strong foundation for healing and prevention of disease, as well as a support for other therapies being administered. The treatment of a disorder or disease often hinges around what we put into our body on a daily basis.

 

In Ayurveda, foods can be classified according to their qualities, such as hot or cold, light or heavy, dry or wet, and so on. This knowledge of quality helps us to refine food choices to the degree needed to maintain balance with our unique body constitution and to treat disease. A relatively new tool that is used to help tailor one’s diet is the doshic food list. It categorizes foods as being appropriate or inappropriate for each of the doshas (bodily humors), vata, pitta, and kapha. The creation for such list likely arose out of the need to provide quick information to clients new to Ayurveda, as well a simplified approach to diet for introductory books on Ayurveda.

 

The classic texts of Ayurveda do not layout a cut and dry dietary list for each constitutional type. They give examples of the energetics of certain food items and how they relate to dosha, but not a clear cut yes and no list to follow. Everyone is unique and the factors that go into how well we digest a particular food are not only related to our unique constitution, but also to age, state of health or disease, season, the climate in which we live, and our overall psychological state.

 

There is no need to throw the baby out with the bath water here. Food lists can help people to do some detective work to see if they are eating too much of certain foods that clearly increase a certain dosha relating to one’s overall constitution or imbalanced state, but to base food choices solely on these lists would leave all pitta types without any nuts or pungent vegetables in their diet, and vata types without many legumes and foods like broccoli or raw apples. If we examine the qualities of an avocado for instance, we will see they are heavy, fatty, and wet, but I have never met a kapha person that gained too much weight from eating avocados.  The main point I’m trying to get across is that we can look at these lists from the perspective of increase and decrease, rather than yes and no. The greater the imbalance, the more the need to emphasize foods that decrease/pacify the dosha(s) involved.  

 

In clinical practice, food lists are often too restrictive by nature, and are impractical for people new to eating in a healthy way. And they are utterly confusing for those with dual-dosha constitutions. To minimize confusion and provide useful and practical advice, clinicians can simply examine what patients eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well for snacks and drinks that are taken on a regular basis. This useful information can give us a framework to customize a dietary program that is focused on strengthening weakest links first.

 

 

Generally speaking, vata types may develop more gas from eating legumes like black beans or garbanzo beans, but if we were to strictly follow the food list, we would be left with very few choices when it comes to larger types of beans. What I have noticed is that individuals who are really sensitive to legumes tend to form excess gas and bloating from most types of beans.  Conversely, I have met vata types that can digest beans just fine. For those with sensitivity, I suggest experimenting for your self to see which foods you digest better than others. Here a food list can be helpful to fine tune things.

 

In my private practice, I rarely give more than a half dozen food items for a person to avoid on their initial consultation. Often just reducing or avoiding the few items that are the contributors to the imbalance gives plenty of homework over the weeks and months that follow an initial Ayurvedic consultation. An important point here is to offer or seek out healthy alternatives to the foods that we are eliminating. It can take time to get past the learning curve, but it is well worth it, and provides options when we are out shopping for groceries.

 

So where do we begin when working with the complexity of diet in Ayurveda. First and foremost, eat sensibly. If you’re eating a good amount of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and quality proteins, your are already heading in the right direction. A trained Ayurvedic practitioner can help tailor one’s diet based upon a person’s specific needs. For those going it alone, I strongly suggest putting down the books and get in to see your local practitioner, this will streamline your experience and make it a more peaceful and enjoyable process.

 

 

Slow change is lasting change. Enjoy the journey!

 

 

 

Triphala, Ayuveda’s Wonder Formula

Triphala is probably one of the most popular Ayurvedic compounds, and it can be found nowadays in almost every health food store and Indian grocery store. It is well known for being a mild laxative and lower bowel tonic. Triphala literally means ‘three fruits’ and contains equal parts of the amalaki, haritaki, and bibitaki fruits. These fruits come from the various Myrobalan trees found in India and have particularly balancing effects on each of the three doshas.

Amalaki

Amalaki or amla is regarded as a sacred tree in India. The tree was worshipped as Mother Earth and is believed to nurture humankind because the fruit is very nourishing. Amalaki fruit is well known for its cooling, pitta pacifying properties, and is rich in iron and vitamin C. It is strengthening to the blood, bones, liver, and heart. It is used alone or with other herbs to treat a variety of inflammatory types of disorders related to excess pitta. Even though it is sour to the taste, it has a special cooling quality that helps balance pitta.

It is also nourishing to all the bodily tissues and a tonic to the immune system, and it is the basis for the herbal jam known as Chyavanaprash, which is a general rasayana (rejuvenative tonic) used in Ayurveda. It reduces the toxicity of environmental pollutants, normalizes cholesterol, sheds unwanted fat, cures ulcers, prevents cancer, detoxifies the body, and regulates digestion.

Haritaki

Haritaki fruit rejuvenates vata dosha; it is warming and nourishing to all the bodily tissues. It promotes digestion and absorption, helps tonify the colon and regulate healthy eliminatory functions, and also has anti-parasitical properties. It nourishes the brain, respiratory tract, throat, nerves, eyes, and skin and is supportive to mental functions. It is also referred to as the king of herbs in Tibetan medicine.

Bibhitaki

Bibhitaki fruit is primarily a tonic to kapha and has an affinity to the lungs and stomach, and is nourishing to the bone tissue. Its anti-kapha action helps to break down stones in the urinary tract. It also has both a laxative and tonifying effect on the colon and promotes digestion, absorption and the elimination of parasites. It is also used to improve and restore the voice and vision and to promote hair growth.

A Well Balanced Mix…

When these three fruits are mixed together in equal quantities they form a well balanced and rejuvenating formula. Most laxatives tend to be habit forming and can weaken the tone of the colon over time, whereas triphala can be used safely for extended periods to provide both a cleansing and rejuvenating action.

Drinking triphala tea everyday helps to cleanse the body of toxins, promotes digestion, assimilation, and absorption, and rejuvenates the body and mind.

A word of caution: Triphala shouldn’t be taken in cases of ulcerative colitis or during pregnancy. In these cases, amalaki alone can be used safely.

Triphala Tea

Triphala tea is made by stirring a 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the powder into a cup of hot water and letting it steep for five to ten minutes.

As laxative and bowel tonic, any of the following methods are effective ways to aid and regulate elimination: Drink the tea, powder and all, before bedtime.
To provide a stronger effect, when needed, boil 1/2 to 1 tsp. in a cup of hot water for 3 to 5 minutes, then strain it before drinking.
A cold infusion can also be made by soaking 1/2 to 1 tsp. of triphala in a cup of room temperature water overnight and drinking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

If there is dry constipation and triphala doesn’t work, then adding a 1/4 tsp. of licorice powder per 1/2 half tsp. triphala can help promote moisture in the colon.

A Final Note…

Anyone following an Ayurvedic regime and lifestyle should make a habit of drinking Triphala tea on a daily basis to help eliminate toxins and rejuvenate their intestines. Triphala also helps increase the digestion and absorption of other herbal formulas one may be taking as part of an Ayurvedic regime.

In Ayurveda good digestion is the key to optimal health, and a healthy GI tract is the key to good digestion and elimination. Triphala can do wonders to cleanse and rejuvenate it.

So keep drinking that triphala tea!