Cough / Cold / Sinus related conditions

Ayu = Life

Veda = Science/Knowledge

Hence, ayurveda means the science of life.

Preventive: Preservation of health of healthy people

Curative: Relief from illness or ‘dis’ ease of people

The entire Universe (both animate and inanimate) is made up of Pancha mahabhutas/5 elements.

Space: Vibrations of all vital systems

together

Air: Breath / Prana

Fire: Acids and Enzymes in the body

Water: Fluid in the body

Earth: Physical Body

The PANCHA MAHA BHUTHA Concept

The FIVE ELEMENTS Concept

Different combinations and permutations of five elements = difference of form and qualities in them.

(a) Dosha (the disease causing factors)

(b) Dhatus (bodily tissues)

(c) Malas (the waste products)

CONCEPTION, NATURE & FUNCTION OF DOSHAS

Space (Akash)

Earth (Prithvi)

Water (Jala)

Air (Vayu)

Fire (Tejas)

Water (Jala)

Pitta Vata Kapha

energy of Movement energy of Metabolism energy of Structure

Rajasic Sattvic Tamasic

Gall Stones, Kidney stones

When water evaporates what happens?

Earth or body’s solids increases

Edema/ Oedema

Too much water and less earth

Gastric Ulcer

Fire predominates and water unable to contain

VATA: Air & Space

PITTA: Fire & Water (liquid)

KAPHA: Water & Earth

Elements: Water & Earth.

Qualities: Heavy, oily, cool, moist, slow, soft & stable/static.

Body Characteristics: potential to become overweight. Good muscular

development. Short neck & large bone structure.

Personality: Slow speaking, slow moving, consistent & dedicated.

Physical Challenges: Prone to mucous conditions of the lungs and sinuses.

Has the potential for water retention & diabetes.

Emotional Challenges: Lethargy, depression & over attachment.

Balanced by: Warm, light, dry & mobile qualities

Balancing Tastes: Pungent, Bitter, Astringent

Imbalancing Tastes: Sweet, Sour, Salt.

Organs and main sites: Stomach, Chest, Sinuses, Lungs, Joints, Head.

Good Qualities: Unconditional love, nurturing and devotion. Kaphas make

wonderful caretakers & supporters.

Time of Day: 6-10 AM and 6-10PM.

Season: Winter – Early Spring.

Life Cycle: 0-16 years old

The main function of the Kapha in the body, is

stability and structure.

In ayurveda, diseases are categorized into two Physical and Mental.

Both body and mind are considered to be the seat of disease.

Hence treatment must be for both body and mind.

Body develops according to the food intake:

So take daily food after knowing the properties of it

We are what we eat !

3 qualities (gunas) for mind are:

Sattva guna,

Rajo guna and

Tammo guna

State of mind = the proportion of these gunas in our mind = the food we eat!

mind and body are interconnected

Lead a life useful to the society as a whole.

Unless the society becomes happy it will not be possible for the individual to attain his own happiness

DIET

Sleep

Lifestyle

Food is the keeper of the 5 elements Space: Vibrations of all vital systems together

Air: Breath / Prana

Fire: Acids and Enzymes in the body

Water: Fluid in the body

Earth: Physical Body

Transformation of food gives the body - LIFE

• Good food = good health • Good digestion = good health • Each mind/body type digests differently.

• • Agni : Digestive Power

• Malas : Waste Products

• Ama : Toxic by-products

• Ojas : Energy/Vitality/Vigor

DIGESTION

AGNI =FIRE

Enzymes and acids

responsible for digestion of food and its assimilation.

takes place continuously in the body.

AHARA, PROPER DIET = health & happiness.

There is NO ONE SINGLE DIET or food that is healthy for all individuals.

Modern nutritional theories tend to recommend "one size fits all" guidelines that change with each new wave of research

• Air pollution

• Lifestyle pattern

• Alternating between hot and cold

weather

• Consuming excess amounts of

cold, heavy or sweet foods,

• Lack of sleep

• Insufficient exercise

• Kapha imbalance leads to physical and

emotional / mental imbalances

• Physical problems: will be related

to the WATER principle

• E.g., cold, flu, sinus congestion,

diseases involving mucus-bronchial

congestion-asthma etc

• Sluggishness, obesity, diabetes,

water retention and sinus

headaches

• Emotional problems:

• Possessiveness

• Greed

• Attachment

• Envy

• Lust

• Lethargy

• Kapha type depression

• Skin disease: Kapha dosha results in

too much oil in skin and chances of skin

allergy.

• Respiratory System: respiratory system

is governed by the Kapha Dosha and

dominance of this Dosha makes you

prone to respiratory allergies.

• Immune System: Immunity is governed

by the Kapha Dosha while Pitta Dosha

adds in sensitivity resulting in

hypersensitivity responses

• Metabolism: Due to Kapha Dosha

metabolism will become sluggish

• Sinus problems are caused due to underlying

imbalance in VATA and Kapha

• Resulting in Ama, the sticky waste-product after

digestion

• Ama mixes with Kapha in the sinus area, resulting

in an even more toxic and sticky mucus called

Shleshma, which settles in the area, clogging the

sinus channels.

• Due to this restriction, there is an imbalance of

Pitta, and this leads to inflammation.

Be active on a daily basis as Kapha types are prone to sluggishness, depression, and being overweight.

Choose foods that are light, warm, and spicy. Tea with dried ginger and lemon is a ideal for

Kapha types.

Spices such as black pepper, ginger, cumin, chilli and lots of bitter dark greens

Avoid heavy oily and processed sugars, which are detrimental to Kaphas.

Dry ginger:- Ginger stimulates salivation. Saliva, produced by the salivary glands, blends with the carbohydrates in the food in the mouth and initiates carbohydrate metabolism, which consequently eases digestion

Black pepper :- Black pepper also stimulates bile secretion without increasing the volume of cholesterol and bile acid

Long Pepper:- Long pepper prevents erosion of the gastric membrane by stimulating mucin secretion and reducing shedding of the cells present on the stomach lining.

Triphala is the combination of three herbs :- Amlaki (Emblica officinalis) :- It is one of the richest

source of Vit.C, it is found to reduce the toxic effects of known carcinogens, mutagens and clastogens.

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) :- Its widely used as a

laxative and astringent, skin and liver diseases. Possesses anti microbial, anti HIV, anti malarial, anti fungal, anti diuretic and anti mutegenic effects.

Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica) :- It is reported to exhibit a variety of biological activities including anti mutagenic, anti microbial, anti viral, anti anaphylaxis, anti cancer, anti oxidant and free radical scavenging activities, protective effect against oxidative stress induced hepatotoxicity ..

Nutritional value

Cleansing action

Mild laxative

Stimulates digestive health

Improves liver and gallbladder function

Boosts immunity

etc

How to use :-

To take triphala as a tea, make a decoction by adding ½ teaspoon of triphala powder to a cup of hot water.

Stir and allow the tea to cool and drink.

Triphala is usually taken on an empty stomach, most commonly in the evening before bed.

Tulsi is abundant in essential oils and antioxidants, which are tremendously effective in reducing the effects of stress on the body.

The Tulsi plant has been used topically for skin conditions like eczema, ringworm and insect bites.

It is also commonly used to reduce fevers, improve lung and digestion issues, reduce the effects of colds, eliminate toxins/poisons and as a preventative antibacterial for infections.

A tea prepared with the leaves of Tulsi is commonly used in cough, cold, mild, indigestion and diminished appetite.

The tea is said to be relaxing, and, when taken in the evening, helps to promote sleep.

Chewing a couple of leaves before a meal helps to stimulate the appetite; and a tea taken after a meal promotes digestion by increasing the flow of gastric juices, while reducing gas and bloating.

The juice is recommended as a general tonic,skin problems,etc,.

In Ayurvedic cooking, turmeric is everywhere, this multifaceted wonder spice helps in:- Detoxify the liver

Balance cholesterol levels

Fight allergies

Stimulate digestion

Boost immunity

Enhance the complexion

It is analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, appetizer, astringent, cardiovascular.

Therapeutic uses of Turmeric: Anemia, cancer, diabetes, digestion, food poisoning, gallstones, indigestion, IBS, parasites, poor circulation, staph infections, and wounds.

How to use: - ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with warm

glass of milk, early morning or before going to the bed is enough. In case you don’t want milk can mix the same amount of turmeric in warm water (early morning is the best).

Most Balancing Most Aggravating

Vata Sweet, Sour, Salty Bitter, Pungent, Astringent

Pitta Sweet, Bitter, Astringent Sour, Salty, Pungent

Kapha Pungent, Bitter, Astringent

Sweet, Sour, Salty

Ayurveda recommends a Sattvic Diet (for all 3 doshas) to keep your brain in balance. Sattvic: Balanced

Rajasic: Hyperactivity

Tamasic: Sluggishness

Eating too much of rajasic or tamasic food is said to create a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Eat food in moderation

Meat

Alcohol

Fish, Eggs

Fried foods ,Stale or overripe foods

Junk food, Fast food, Canned, processed and packaged food

Cold food, sweets

Salted food

6 major tastes required in our daily diet

sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, & astringent.

Each of these tastes has specific health-giving effects. ?

By including all six, we will be most completely nourished and satisfied.

AIR

FOOD FOOD

WATER

The recommended ayurvedic diet is VEGETARIAN. ??

Sweet juicy fruits (gooseberry) are excellent cleansers - they help flush toxins out of the body.

FAT performs some essential functions in the body

GHEE has the ability to transport the benefits of herbs and spices to the brain and to other parts of the body. Eat Ghee in moderation

Indian Porridge (Khicidi)

A very light traditional Dish

Ingredients:

1. 1 part of rice

2. 1/2 part of Mung dhal/ split green gram dhal

3. 8 parts of water

4. Turmeric 1 tea spoon

5. Cumin seeds 1 tea spoon

6. Ghee 1 table spoon

7. Salt (preferably rock salt) 1 tea spoon

8. Garnish with coriander leaves

9. Asafoetida 1/3rd tea spoon

10. Dry ginger

Abhyangam (oil bath)

Swedana(sudation)

Virechana(induced purgation)

Vamana (induced emices)

Nasyam (nasal drops)

Rakta mokhshana (blood letting)

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TIPS TO TACKLE COMMON COLD:

PREVENTIVE:

TULSI LEAVES

RASAM (pepper)

TIPS TO TACKLE COMMON COLD:

CURATIVE:

Avoid Yoghurt (instead use boiled buttermilk)

Dry foamentation: at night

Steam Inhalation (for sinusitis)

Drink boiled/hot/warm water and hot rasam (pepper)

X

TIPS TO TACKLE COMMON COLD:

CURATIVE:

SOAR THROAT: Rock Sugar & Pepper

Gargle with warm salt water every

½ hr or 1 hr

Haridrakhandam

Vyoshadi vatakam

Thaleesapathradi choornam

Dasamoola rasayanam

Agastya rasayanam

Dasamoolakaduthrayam kashayam

Honey

Rasnadi choornam

Dasamoolarishtam and vasarishtam