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Ayurveda
Have you ever heard of Ayurveda? It is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. The origin of Ayurveda is based in India, more than 5000 years ago. The basic goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to prevent and treat illness by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness through proper diet and lifestyle, as well as offering herbal remedies. Because GOLO is a health & wellness company, we find this topic very interesting. We do realize however, that not everyone is into holistic medicine, but for those of you who are…read on to find out more!
According to Ayurvedic beliefs, each person has a distinct pattern of energy - a specific combination of physical, mental and emotional characteristics. These energy types are called “doshas.” There are three types of “doshas.”
- Vata - This dosha is associated with the energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion, such as blood circulation, breathing, blinking and heartbeat. When the vata energy is balanced, there is creativity and vitality. When it is not balanced, there is fear and anxiety.
- Pitta - This dosha holds the energy that controls the body’s metabolic systems such as digestion, absorption, nutrition, and temperature. When balanced, pitta leads to intelligence and contentment. When it is out of balance, it can cause ulcers and anger.
- Kapha - The kapha is energy that controls growth within the body. It supplies water to body parts, moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system. In balance, it leads to love and forgiveness. When it is out of balance, it leads to insecurity and envy.
You are probably asking, “How am I supposed to know which dosha I am?” There are quizzes that you can take online to help you decide. I recommend the one on this page: https://www.theayurvedaexperience.com/dosha-quiz/.
One of the balancing measures in Ayurveda is diet:
For the vata dosha, you want to stick to sweet, sour and salty tastes and warm, moist, easy-digestible foods.
- Steamed vegetables
- Ripe fruits such as apricots, bananas, dates, lemons, mango and peaches
- Warm milk
- Mild spices such as cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and fennel
- Teas such as chamomile, licorice and lemon
With the pitta dosha, you want to stick to sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and cool, heavy foods.
- Steamed or raw vegetables
- Sweet fruits such as bananas, mango, peaches, and papaya
- Soupy grains such as brown rice and oats
- Mild cooling spices such as coriander, cloves, turmeric, and mint
- Teas such as peppermint, spearmint, and chamomile
For the kapha dosha, you want to stick to pungent, bitter and astringent tastes and light foods.
- Steamed or raw vegetables
- Ripe fruits such as berries, apricots, grapes, kiwi and melon
- Grains such as oats and barley
- Substitute honey for sugar
- Strong spices such as pepper, paprika, basil, allspice, and cloves
- Teas such as cinnamon, fenugreek, peppermint and raspberry
The goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to prevent diseases. Besides diet, there are many ways that you can balance your dosha – specific colors, exercises, nature and herbs. Do some exploring and find out what you can do to balance out and feel great!
References:
“Understanding the Doshas: An Intro to Ayurvedic Principles.” Yoga Journal, 21 Jan. 2021, www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/intro-ayurveda/.
“Vata Diet Guide: Grounding and Nourishing with the Right Food.” Ayurvedum, 7 July 2018, www.ayurvedum.com/vata-diet/#:~:text=Eat%20Juicy%20And%20Oily%20Food.%20Your%20Vata%20dosha. Accessed 19 Jan. 2022.
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