The Spiritual Health

Malas means body wastes. For the maintenance of good health there should be proper elimination of wastes. The body waste includes urine, faeces, tears from the eyes, spit from the mouth, sweat, oily secretions from the skin, mucoid secretions from the mucus membrane and smegma from the genitalia. The excretory byproducts are also called Dushyas. The proper functioning of the body is maintained with the help of Malas.

The body is provided tone and support by the faeces. The faeces also help temperature maintenance of the colon. Vayu illnesses can occur on improper functioning of the excretion process.  Vayu illnesses include fear, worry, nervousness, a feeling of being ungrounded, gas, headaches, constipation and distention. Excessive use of purgatives and colonics along with fear and worry can lead to damage to proper elimination of the faeces. This damage can also take place by consuming wrong foods (such as junk food), coffee, antibiotics, prolonged diarrhea, excessive travel, oversleeping, drugs, and insufficient exercise. Ayurveda states that purgatives should not be given to debilitated persons who are suffering from tuberculosis. The temperature of such persons is maintained by the faeces.

Water and other solid wastes are expelled from the body in the form of urine which in Ayurveda is also called ‘’Mutral”. Disorder in elimination of the urine can lead to bladder infection, fever, dry mouth,
bladder pain, difficult urination, thirst, dehydration. Urine elimination is influenced by alcohol, trauma, intake of too few liquids, diuretic drugs, excessive sex, and fright.

The body temperature is controlled by sweat which in Ayurveda is also called “Sweda”. This regulation of the temperature is done by discarding excess toxins and water. The expulsion of sweat leads to the cooling of the body , removal of excess fat from the body, moistening of the hair and skin, and purification of blood. Both excess sweating and deficient sweating are harmful to health.  Excess sweating can lead to skin diseases such as boils, burning skin, fatigue, eczema, fungus, dehydration, and convulsions. On the contrary if the sweating is deficient then it can cause skin fissures, dandruff, colds, flu, stiff hair, dry skin, and wrinkles. Activities such as excessive use of diaphoretic herbs, eating too many dry foods, excessive or deficient exercise, and lack of salt can damage the process of sweating.

The ingested food undergoes metabolic process and the waste products need to be segregated from the useful products (nutrients). If the waste products are not removed from the body in time they can prove to be toxic and harmful to the health in one way or another.

The word ‘Dhatus‘ originates from the word ‘DHA’ which means foundation or basis.  The word ‘Dhatu’ in Sanskrit means “that which binds together”. Dhatus is element. Our body is constructed of Dhatus. The base of survival and growth is Dhatus. For the purpose of maintaining life the Dhatus take various forms in the body. The Dhatus make up various organs and body systems. The Dhatus are the bases of development and nourishment. The mind is supported by Dhatus. The Anatomy and the physiology of the human body are dependent on Dhatus.

According to Ayurveda the seven Dhatus are:

1.      Rasa: It is the preliminary Dhatu. It is derived for food digestion. Each and every cell, tissue and part of the body is nourished by Rasa. This is done by circulation of the nutrients. The loss of appetite and other problems are possible if the Rasa is on the increase.  Deficiency of Rasa leads to loss of weight, retarded perception of senses, fatigue and dry skin.

2.      Rakta : Rakta is also known as blood. It is a fluid connective tissue. It is considered basis of life. Many vital functions of the body are served by Rakta.  The Rakta keeps us alive. It provides glow and vigor to the body. It nourishes the intellect and the muscles. Disorder related to Rakta can cause tumors, tiredness, boils, high blood pressure and anemia.

3.      Mansa: Mansa strengthens and supports the fat or Meda Dhatu. It is a derivative of blood. It is responsible for providing stamina and physical strength to the body. Disorders in Mansa are expressed as tumors around the neck, face, thigh, abdomen or genitalia.

4.      Meda: Meda means the adipose tissue. It acts as the store house of fat. It lubricates the body and provides energy. It insulates the body.

5.      Asthi: Asthi means the bone tissue. It forms the skeleton and supports the muscular tissue. Among the connective tissue it is the hardest.

6.      Majja: Majja means the yellow and red bone marrow tissue. It is present within the cavities of the bones. It produces the blood cells. It nourishes the semen. Its deficiency may result in sunken eyes and osteoporosis.

7.      Shukra: This Dhatu is associated with female and male reproductive system. It is responsible for production of children. The source of Shukra is the Majja.

For perfect health one requires appropriate quantity and quality of each Dhatu and the functioning of these Dhatus should be balanced.

Agni is the Digestive Fire which in modern biological terminology is Enzymes. Agni in other words the enzyme is found in the gastrointestinal track. The gastrointestinal tract is also know and alimentary canal. The alimentary canal digests the food. The three doshas on proper normal digestion result in samagni. The aggravated state of the doshas governs the digestive activity. The digestive activity could be excessive, deficient or healthy. The three agnis produced by the three doshas are Vishamagni (irregular fire), tikshnagni (sharp fire) and mandagni(mild fire)

The digestion is weak and irregular and gas is causes if there is excessive Vayu in the body.

A situation similar to an overheard furnace is created when there is excessive Pitta in the body.  When this is the situation there is rapid burning of food, indigestion, thirst, sensation of burning, acidity etc. Sometimes malnutrition can be caused by the burning of the nutrients by the agni.

Presence of excessive Kapha in the digestive tract lowers the digestive fire and consequently the digestion of the food becomes difficult. This results into the person feeling lethargic, dull, inadequate, and poor.  The person may feel his stomach to be heavy and he may suffer from constipation.

The Vayu , Pitta and Kapha also affect the type of feces that are excreted in other words ‘stools’. Disorders in Vayu result in hard stools because of dryness. Disorders in Pitta lead to excess of heat that ultimately results in soft or liquid stools. Stools because or Kapha are moderate. A moderate stool is considered a healthy stool and is thrown out of the body once or twice a day.

There are in all 13 agnis that are housed in the human body and these 13 agnis are responsible of digestion.

• Jatharagni: The Jatharagni works at the gastrointestinal level. It governs and controls the basic digestion. It also controls the remaining 12 agnis.
• 5 Bhutagnis: The five elements present in body tissues are metabolized by the 5 Bhutagnis. The 5 Bhutagnis are a form of heat. They are always there in the tissues. The proper development and functioning of the tissues is dependent on the 5 Bhutagnis.

7 Dhatagnis: The seven dhatus present in the body tissues are metblized by the 7 Dhatagnis. The digestion of food is followed by this biochemical activity. This biochemical activity includes the catabolic as well as the anabolic activities going on in the body.

‘Dosha‘ in Sanskrit means ‘that which maintains and controls the body ‘. The word ‘Tri’ means Three.  The Tridoshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Tridoshas cannot be seen by the naked eye. In this universe particularly in man all the activities are set into three main fundamental functions which are destruction, creation and organization. According to Ayurveda the health is maintained because of the Tridoshas.

• Vata (air ) is liable for movements in the body
• Kapha (water) is liable for immunity and strength
• Pitta (fire ) is liable for metabolism and digestion

Vata :Biological element is formed by the combination of air and space. Destruction is controlled by Vata. Vata is considered the main dosha among the Tridoshas because it controls the functions of the other two doshas.  The subdivisions of vara are:

• Prana: Prana means life. The main function of prana is control of all sense organs and respiration.
• Udana: Udana means upward thrust from the naval -diaphragm. Udana assists in the process of memory and speech.
• Vyana : Vyana is liable for blood circulation, and transport of nutrients got from food to the body cells.
• Samana: Samana means balance. The digestive juices from the tissues are brought in to the organs for metabolism and digestion.
• Apana: Apana means energy that is moving downward. Apana is liable for the act of the pelvic organs.

Pitta:Pitta is fire, the thermogenic element. After transformation the Pitta organizes the body. The subdivisions of Pitta are:

• Pachaka: The main site of Pachaka is the stomach. Pachaka assists in digestion
• Ranjaka: The main site of Ranjaka is liver. Ranjaka is liable for tissue or secondary digestion
• Sadhaka: The main site of Sadhaka is heart and brain. It is liable for the maintenance of our cognitive memories and digestion of knowledge.
• Alocchaka: The main site of Alocchaka is in the eye. Alocchaka assists the eye for suitable vision.
• Bharahaka: The main site of Bharahaka is in the skin. Bharahaka is liable for digestion and absorption.

Kapha: Kapha is the combination of water and earth and is liable for maintaining the creation. Its subdivisions are:

• Kledaka: Kledaka is in the stomach. The mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract is protected from the hot irritant fluids of pitta secretions by Kledaka
• Avalambaka: Avalambaka is in the vertebral column, lung apparatus and the heart. Avalambaka protects these organs from the wear and tear.
• Bodhaka: The site of Bodhaka is mouth. The tongue and the mucous membrane are protected by Bodhaka. This gives appropriate taste of the food.
• Tarpaka: The site of Tarpaka is in the spinal cord. It is liable for mental peace
• Shleshaka: Shleshaka is in joints. The wear and tear of the joints is prevented by Shleshaka.

“Panch maha bhootas” means 5 basic eternal elements. Every non living being and every living being  in this universe is an amalgamation of  five basic eternal elements. These five basic elements are

1.       Air or Vayu

2.       Space or Akasha

3.       Fire or Tejas

4.       Earth or Prithvi

5.       Water or Apa

The human body is made up of these five elements. These elements are in various proportions in the cells of the body. Every cell of the living being is living. When we compare the living body with the non living  the difference that we conclude is the manifestation of life.

The above mentioned basic elements have to be understood. They have to be studied in detail. These five elements are derived from one creative principle. These elements are expressions of an undifferentiated creative principle. When we try to understand these five elements both senses, the material sense as well as the subtle sense are of prime importance.  The meaning of these words are not restricted or limited to their physical meanings. Their meanings have to be studied and known in depth.

1.  Air or Vayu : Air is the kinetic force that is transparent and which is resoponsible to set the universe in motion. It moves in the blood, as well as removes the wasted from the body. According to Ayurveda the thoughts move through the mind because of air. Air is responsible for the birds to migrate from the colder region to the warmer region and is also responsible for the movement of the planet around the sun.

2.  Space or Akasha : This is the most delicate element that is omnipresent. It is a container in mind that receives the impressions. This element accepts love in the heart. Space is always ready to accept the truth.

3. Fire or Tejas : This element radiates light and produces heat . It portrays our commitment to pursue an objective by overcoming obstacles. It is that element which makes us void of ignorance and allows the truth to prevail.

4. Earth or Prithvi:  The element of Earth or Prithvi means the iron in our spleen and red blood corpuscles, the land of our planet, strength of one’s moral character, the quality of devotion of mind, the defiance to the act of showing off of others and one’s quiet, slow and persistent advancement in the direction of the set goal.

5. Water or Apa: The element of water or Apa means Implication of the cohesive aspects of reality which flows into the body and binds things together.

Do you know why many people across the world drink herbal tea? Do you know, why it is said that ginger is good for your cough?

Herbs are some of the most important plants that are cultivated by many people throughout the world. They are simple plants with various medicinal values that are used to treat various types of illness and diseases. Herbs have values that are yet undiscovered by the scientists and the researchers. From some of these herbal plants, many chemicals have been extracted that are further used to create various allopathic medicines. One of the most common example is that of quinine, a medicine used to treat malaria which was extracted from a tree. The chemical structure of the chemical extract was copied and a synthetic copy was used to create the medicine. There are many such medicines that have been created from various similar plants.

The use of plants as medicines for the various ailments started many thousand years ago. In the earlier prehistoric times, medicinal plants were the only source to treat various diseases when the other types of medicines like the allopathic, homeopathic medicines etc. were not yet discovered. Since those times, the use of plants for treating various ailments is being practiced all across the world. Today, the two countries China and India are the most famous countries that follow the use of herbal plants and also are the largest producers of herbal plants all around the world. Growing the herbal plants is no longer restricted to the herbalists. Instead throughout these two countries, there are vast numbers of farmers who specially cultivate herbs for their various medicinal values. As there are very few countries that follow the use of herbs and also cultivate herbs, the necessity to grow them is very high based on its requirements in the various countries. Thus, there are various people who just cultivate herbs in their farms.

Farming herbs is very easy and just requires very little requirements such as a small part of land with proper spacing between the plants and sunlight. Some of the herbs that are cultivated are partially considered as cash crops with very less risk involved with them and are tax free which when sold turn out to be very profiting. Today, there are also numerous herbs that are used in the creation of various types of medicines, cosmetic products like the creams, lotions, shampoos etc. Thus, the demand of herbs has also increased to a great extent. Another reason why the cultivation of herbs is today considered as growing gold is that the use of herbs and other herbal products amongst the people has increased to a great extent and so with the increase in this number of users, the need to grow the herbs has also increased to a great extent.

As a result of the high returns obtained from the medicinal herbs, they are believed to turn a simple soil into gold. Also, these herbs have life saving qualities and so they are no less than gold.

Herbs play a very important role particularly in modern times when the harmful effects of over-medication and food processing have assumed startling proportions. Herbs are generally related to six tastes i.e. sour, salty, sweet, bitter, pungent and astringent. They are now being more and more used in cosmetics, tea and food, as well as alternative medicines.

The rising interest in herbs is a part of the progress towards the change in life-styles. This change is based on our thinking that plants have a huge potential of being used as remedial medicines for a number of ailments.

India has been acclaimed internationally as the warehouse of herbal ayurvedic secrets. There are numerous Indian herbs which are used by many people for the purpose of skin care, which are as follows:

Aloe Vera

It is useful for X-ray burns, Cutaneous, Dermatitis and disorders of skin. Drug from juice of Aloe Vera is tonic and is used in ameneorrhoea, jaundice, piles and atonic. Aloe Vera Gel has the outstanding ability to cure ulcer, burns and wounds.

Amla

Emblica offencialis (Amla) also called as the Indian Gooseberry which is a good source of vitamin C has anti aging properties. Also, the plant has antibacterial properties which are good for skin disorders.

Neem

The tree has many medicinal values. It is vermifuge, Astringent, antiseptic in nature. Due to its antibacterial properties, it is used in most of the cosmetic products such as tooth paste, shampoos and creams.

Henna

The roots are basically bitter, depurative, diuretic, refrigerant, abortifacient, trichogenous and abortifacient and are effective in burning sensation, amenorrhea and leprosy skin diseases. Henna is extensively used for drawing tattoos, designs and arts. Leaves are useful in ulcers, wounds, strangury cough, dysentery, bronchitis etc. The fruit is believed to have emmenagogue properties.

Pudina

The whole plant is antifibrile, antibacterial. It gives up menthol and an essential oil which exert, by way of their rapid evaporation, anaesthetic, aslightly and anodyne local effect. It is useful in headache, cough sore throat, rhinitis, prurigo, colic and vomiting. Menthol obtained from this is used in balm. It is also used as flavoring agent in preparations of culinary.

Thus, there are numerous Indian herbs which are used for the purpose of skin care by several people.

Know about the Herb Vaporizer and get benefited.

The history of herbs as medicines can be traced back to the ancient times in China and India. Even today, china and India are the two leading countries in the production as well as in the use of herbs as medicines for various ailments and diseases.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated from the strong roots of the ancient Chinese herbs which are followed for over 5000 years. The main concept over using the Chinese herbs as medicines was to maintain a proper balance between the nature and the other forms of the environment to maintain a good health. This knowledge of using herbs for a healthy body is one of the best gifts for the mankind. This ancient knowledge about herbs and their herbal remedies have been passed out from one generation to the next generation.

Huang Di Nei Jing- The Yellow Emperor‘s classic of internal medicine is considered to be the oldest medical book which mentions the use of herbs as medicine for various ailments. This ancient book consisting of medical theories and the various medical practices is believed to be used by the ancient Chinese people somewhere between 800 BC and 200 BC. Around 500 AD, another medical book named as The Divine Husbandman’s Classic was published. This book contained references and other textual materials about the properties of herbs, the first ever classification of the herbs other than the classification based on the taste of the herbs. In this classification, the herbs were classified into three main categories namely:

• Superior herbs- The herbs which nourish our life were categorized under this section.
• Middle herbs- Under this category, the herbs which correct our constitution were categorized
• Inferior herbs- In this final category, the herbs which help to eradicate various diseases were categorized.

This book on herbal plants and there uses also had the herbs grouped variedly based on their tastes and temperature and also mentioned about the toxic herbs. The book Grand Materia Medica had about 1892 entries which was further extended to about 5,767 until 1977 AD.

The Chinese herbal remedies include hundreds of different organic ingredients which work hand in hand to create the desired effect in the patient’s body. These herbal medicines are created from the roots, bark, seeds, leaves and flowers of the herbal plants. Each of these parts of the herbal plant has different organic ingredients which have specific effects on the body.

Today, the use of Chinese herbs has increased tremendously due to its great medicinal properties. According to the recent studies it has also been proved that the chemically synthesized, synthetic medicines have some or the other side effects but at the same time the Chinese herbs don’t have any side effects. Thus due to their simple yet powerful effects, Chinese herbs have become quite famous for their usage and effectiveness against the varied diseases. Even the most common medicines such as aspirin and other chemotherapy treatments have their strong roots from some of the most important herbal composition.

Mo yao (Commiphora abyssinica), A li shan wu wei zi (Schisandra arissanensis Hayata) etc. are some of the Chinese herbs that are used to treat various ailments.

Even in the history of India, the ayurvedic vaidyas used these medicinal herbs since a very long time. The knowledge of ayurvedic medicines developed amongst the Hindu’s through the four sacred books of Hindu wisdom. The rig-veda, contained the sacred Hindu chants, medicine formulations, description of the surgeries, amputations etc. along with the help of numerous herbs. The ayurvedic vaidyas and the other literates used these herbs in a number of forms like oil, concoctions, paste, filtrate etc. as a treatment for numerous diseases. The oral medicines that were taken are usually in the form of pills or powders which were combined with sugar. Somewhere around in 1200, BCE a literate named Punarvasu Atreya initiated the first medical school in India in the state of Punjab. Later, some seven years after this a professor from this school, named Charaka gathered about 500 distinct herbs and created herbal remedies from them and thus created the Charaka Samhiti which today is considered as one the greatest ayurvedic books. The Hindu herbal medicines mainly are categorized under two main categories.

• The ones which cleanse with cathartic actions.
• Sedatives.

In the early 250 BC when the great emperor Asoka converted himself into Buddhism, he sent Buddhist monks trained in the medicinal uses of ayurveda to the countryside to heal large masses of people. During this phase, the Indian healing technique reached new level and also became more popular amongst the common people. People from various places like the Middle East, China etc. came for treatment using these herbs. In the beginning of the 600 CE, when the Islamic armies started to expand their rule, also learnt about the magical effects of ayurveda and then took these remedies to their home and in Europe. The healing aloe gel, oil extract from castor, sesame oil, the sandalwood and the use black pepper were all discovered in Europe.

There are innumerable Indian herbs that have found great importance as cures in the present world. For instance some of the most famous herb of India include aloe vera, nutmeg, cardamom, sesame oil, eclipta alba, tulsi etc.

Directly or indirectly, we all use Ayurveda in our regular life. Do you add, mint leaves, tulsi (ocimum sanctum), ginger into your tea? If you do, then you follow ayurveda regularly.

Ayurveda is a self care system which originated more than 5000 years ago in India. Ayurveda uses herbal plants in various forms and combinations to cure a wide range of illnesses and sickness. Slowly, but consistently ayurveda is becoming popular all around the world with many practitioners adding various new practices, well researched and experienced principles and also therapies to improve the life. Thus it can be in a simple line said as the art of healthy living.

Ayurveda- The word can be divided into two root words “ayu” and “veda” which combine together to form the magical medical treatment method named ayurveda that uses various herbs. Ayurveda when translated means “the science of life”. This simple definition of ayurveda is further expanded by the experts making us understand the new meaning of ayurveda.

According to the great ayurveda experts, the meaning of “ayu” is not just restricted to life. According to the principles of ayurveda, when our complete body, all five senses, heart, mind and spirit function properly in a coordinated manner and are in proper balance only then it can be truly said as a true life or the living body. Similarly, “Veda” does not exactly mean science. It means an ageless never changing knowledge which is based on basic fundamental properties. Veda is also a map which will guide you onto how to benefit from knowledge.

Ayurveda not just provides you the basic information to cure disease and illness but also teaches us what life is and how to sustain the physical health and also our mind, heart senses and spirit. It helps provides a wide range of information from what a person should eat, drink and what type of lifestyle to follow to achieve maximum amount of benefit for a healthy living. Thus even if you don’t want to get too much into depth of ayurveda some small amount of knowledge is still necessary for a healthy problem free life.

There are two basic objectives of Ayurveda.

• The first objective of ayurveda is to keep an already healthy person healthy for life.
• While the next objective of ayurveda is to teach a person who does not have any knowledge of ayurveda or how to keep healthy the right method to get rid of the bodies imbalance and thus live a healthy life.

So, if you don’t have much knowledge about the science of healthy living, you better start taking your life a bit seriously and follow the ayurvedic principles to sustain the good health.