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The Humble Life Of Yoga Master, B.K.S Iyengar

iyengar yoga

Iyengar Yoga – A Shutterstock Licensed Image

As trendy as yoga has become, when it’s properly practiced it can help earnest people release physical and emotional toxins, and reach deeper levels of clarity and self-realization. Improperly practiced or bastardized, yoga becomes nothing more than an ego-serving, adrenaline-inducing exercise.

While there are many social-experimenters in the US and UK offering varieties of classes involving Party-in-Your-Pants Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar, and his Iyengar Yoga are the real deal, both grounded in spiritual truths and ancient texts. While some of Iyengar’s followers and teachers may come from a more egoistic state than their master, Iyengar’s teachings have endured the tests of time and dilution. They remain profound and penetrating.

“My Body Is My Temple And Asanas Are My Prayers”
— B.K.S. Iyengar

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar’s career spanned eight decades, during which he developed and taught a unique version of Hatha Yoga. Hatha was founded in the early 10th century by Matsyendra, the yogi-saint known to be an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara, who has been honored in both Buddhist and Hindu traditions.

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Iyengar’s style focused on correcting alignment through the precise performance of yoga postures (asanas). This “new yoga” was the first popularized form that utilized benches, blocks, belts, sandbags, blankets, and other tools within the practice. This was not only revolutionary, but it also opened the doors for people with physical limitations to correctly perform the asanas without hurting themselves.

Yoga And Sex

Hatha Yoga was originally an extension of Tantra, the celebratory practice of physical and spiritual fusion of masculine and feminine aspects. With specific poses aimed at raising the kundalini or “life force,” Tantric aspirants were enveloped in blissful unions with the eternal consciousness of the cosmos. Tantra, as it’s practiced today, can be exciting, transformative, and yet challenging to master. It can also become addictive and inspire ongoing sexual promiscuity, which can detract from living a balanced, love-based life.

Have no doubt, yoga awakens our most coveted aspects, including our sexual prowess. This is why some yoga masters become sexual predators or at least sexual experimenters. The lure of multiple partners can be enticing and overwhelming, and eventually intoxicating.

But if we consider that most yoga asanas were designed to awaken the flames within us, how can we find faults in our desires, addictions, and yoga teachers? Sexual expression and healing have always been intertwined with the tenets of yoga. Eventually, it comes down to taking responsibility for our projections, and enjoying the outcomes, whether they result in disaster or bliss. Remember, there is no “other.”

“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.”
— B.K.S. Iyengar

Trendy Yoga

While it used to be an honor to be invited to study yoga, today, anybody can wander into a gym and sign-up for classic forms of yoga. Gym and yoga studio members can also engage with the more hipster versions of this ancient rite, including “Rage Yoga,” Metal Yoga,” and “Sailor’s Mouth Yoga,” the latest forms designed to massacre the ancient texts with ego and attitude. There’s even a USA Yoga Championship and The International Federation of Sports Yoga. Hooray!

While these concepts are exciting and potentially fruitful for their followers, they have nothing to do with the original yogic disciplines. Yoga is not a sport or a hobby. It’s a spiritual path that can lead to awakening. And while you might feel joyful, accomplished, and self-validated when competing, copping attitudes, or slamming shots of Jäger after downward-facing-dog, these activities tend to be more self-aggrandizing than transformative.

The Basics of Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga requires discipline as it strives to unify the body, breath, mind, and soul. What also makes Iyengar Yoga unique is that it focuses on learning and experiencing rather than pushing through a list of poses in one sitting. It’s all about quality instead of quantity. While this style of yoga veers from the traditional flow of Hatha Yoga, it’s equally calm, gentle, and mindful. While the practice of Iyengar Yoga does not require its students to adopt any set of beliefs, it follows this teaching to its core:

“Let us bow before the noblest of sages Patanjali, who gave yoga for serenity and sanctity of mind,

grammar for clarity and purity of speech, and medicine for perfection of health.”

BKS Iyengar authored many books on yoga, including “Light on Yoga,” which sold over 3 million copies, and became an international best-seller, translated into 17 languages. He also authored 13 additional books, including “The Tree of Yoga,” “Light on Pranayama,” “Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,” and “Light on Life.” Although he was a profound teacher and master, he never required his students to follow his personal, religious traditions. In fact, he would encourage them to remain devout to their birth religions and cultures, the sign of a true spiritual master.

The BKS and Ramamani Iyengar Family

Married to BKS in 1943, Iyengar’s wife was a humble, loving woman named Ramamani, for whom he later opened The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India. During their loving marriage, Ramamani gave birth to five daughters and one son. Their children Geeta and Prashant continued the Iyengar Yoga legacy by becoming internationally-known teachers and authors.

Throughout her life, Geeta (1944-2018) focused on yoga for women and published “Yoga: A Gem for Women.” Prashant authored several books on yoga and served as director of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Institute for many years. It is said that Iyengar’s and Ramamani’s other children Vanita, Sunita, Suchita, and Savita, led more secular lives. Yet, the lineage continues: Abhijata Sridhar Iyengar, their granddaughter, continues to each at the family’s institute in Pune, and in other countries.

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While many yoga masters fall under the tutelage of a guru very early in their lives, Iyengar did not hear the calling until his brother-in-law invited him to a class when he was 15. Not only was his brother-in-law a respected teacher of yoga, but Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is also often referred to as “The Father of Modern Yoga.”

“There is a universal reality in ourselves that aligns us

with a universal reality that is everywhere.”
— B.K.S. Iyengar

BKS Iyengar’s Early Education

BKS Iyengar lived a fascinating life. Born in a poor village in Karnataka, India, he was the 11th child of 13. After contracting influenza during the pandemic that ravaged his hometown, the young BKS was never the same. Before reaching adulthood, he was stricken with malaria, typhoid fever, poor nutrition, and bouts of tuberculosis.

By the time he was 15, he was ready for a change. Beckoned by his famous brother-in-law, the yogi Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, Iyengar moved to Mysore, India, and spent two years devoutly practicing yoga asanas. In 1937, when Iyengar was 18 years old, Sri Krishnamacharya ordained the young man as a yoga instructor and sent him to Pune to spread the gospel of asanas.

During the time of his study with Sri Krishnamacharya, the young Iyengar struggled. Since he neither showed spiritual promise or was a favored student, Iyengar was often assigned to the drudgery of household chores. Because of this, his relationship with Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya was often strained.

It wasn’t until Sri Krishnamacharya’s prize students moved away when Iyengar’s master training began.

While some students were given lighter exercises and less stringent schedules, Iyengar was taught a series of difficult postures, often being instructed to fast until he mastered specific asanas.

After teaching yoga for many years, Iyengar felt called to teach in other parts of the world. He spent time in Switzerland and Europe teaching violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Back at home, Iyengar taught celebrities Jiddu Krishnamurti and Jayaprakassh Narayan. He also taught the Queen of Belgium how to do a headstand, and writer Aldous Huxley and actress Annette Bening to perform his unique asanas. Iyengar continued to teach and lecture through to his death on August 20, 2014. He was 95 years old.

“Be inspired but not proud.”
— B.K.S Iyengar

B.K.S. Iyengar Quotes

“It is through your body that you realize you are a spark of divinity.”

“Breath is the king of mind.”

“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul creates the symphony of life.”

“Yoga does not just change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.”

“There is no difference in souls, only the ideas about ourselves that we wear.”

B.K.S. Iyengar’s Legacy

As an Indian national hero, Iyengar’s government awarded him several prizes, including “The Padma Shri” in 1991, “The Padma Bhushan” in 2002, and “The Padma Vibhushan” in 2014. These accolades were heard around the world. In 2004, Time Magazine named Iyengar as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2005, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors declared October 3 as “B.K.S. Iyengar Day.” In 2011, Beijing’s China Post honored this prolific writer and teacher with a commemorative stamp.

More recently, the Oxford Dictionary recently defined the noun “Iyengar” as “a type of Hatha Yoga focusing on correct alignment of the body.” On December 14, 2015, Google honored what would have been Iyengar’s 97th birthday with a Google Doodle, a digital animation that was shown on browsers in India, North America, Europe, Russia, and Indonesia.

A true master of yoga, BKS Iyengar continues to inspire millions of people to improve their postures, health, happiness, and souls through his uniquely profound Iyengar Yoga.

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Enliven Your Mind And Immune System With Eleuthero And Caprylic Acid

Eleuthero

Eleuthero – A Shutterstock Licensed Image

I first became excited about Eleuthero root and Caprylic acid when doing bookstore and comedy tours. I had been pushing myself so hard, I became mentally foggy in the early afternoon. My energy had also decreased, and I was showing signs of fatigue, and a bit of despair. It turns out that the stress of touring was taking its toll. That’s when a friend suggested that I look into Eleuthero (Ciwujia, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Acanthopanax senticosus), a small shrub native to Northeastern Asia. Some call it Devil’s Bush, but its most popular name is Siberian Ginseng.

This 2000-year-old Chinese remedy is not related to American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) or the more famous Panax Ginseng. Eleuthero is unique. It’s an adaptogen that can help your body and mind handle stress. It has a long list of potential health benefits.

Here are the most popular Eleuthero benefits:

  1. Increased blood flow to the brain. Improves memory, concentration, clarity, and flow of ideas.
  2. Reduced fatigue and boosted energy
  3. Improved metabolism
  4. Improved cardiovascular health by helping with blood flow and blood pressure.
  5. Regulated blood sugar
  6. Improved mood and attitude
  7. Enhanced exercise
  8. Reduced instances of osteoporosis with increased muscle and bone strength
  9. Manages menopause by binding to estrogen receptor sites
  10. Reduced respiratory tract infections
  11. Improved lymphatic function, which results in reducing edema (swelling)
  12. Prevents and repairs nerve damage

While all of these things are positive, there are potential side effects when consuming Eleuthero, including confusion, insomnia, headaches, feelings of agitation, raised blood pressure, hormonal changes, nerve pain, and rash.

If you’re taking medications, there might be more extreme side effects, so please be careful. Always consult a physician when adding new herbs and supplements to your regiment.

What is Caprylic Acid (and what are its cousins)?

Also known as MCT Oil, Caprylic Acid is fatty acid distilled (fractionated) from coconut oil. MCTs comprise unique types of fat that most of us can easily and quickly convert to energy. While there are many brands, there are only four types of these medium-chain fatty acids (triglycerides).

Here’s how these four big-boys measure up:

  • Caproic Acid or Hexanoic Acid (C6): oily, unpleasant odor, water-soluble, boosts production of blood ketone (compounds produced during fasting that provide accessible energy for the brain and muscles)
  • Caprylic Acid or Octanoic Acid (C8): helps with weight loss, increases energy, boosts ketone production, fights cancer, antimicrobial
  • Capric Acid or Decanoic Acid (C10): similar to C8, but a little more potent, and might take longer for the body to convert the acid into ketones
  • Lauric Acid or Dodecanoic Acid (C12): a major part of coconut oil, antimicrobial, bigger molecules means it takes a long time to process, which is not helpful to brain function, energy levels, or other systems in the body

While coconut oil contains 65% MCTs, feel free to increase your intake of this luscious oil. Raw coconut oil is also helpful when trying to eradicate yeast. It also kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants in your body.

Since many relevant tests now point to Caprylic Acid (C8) and Capric Acid (C10) as the most concentrated MCTs (10X that of coconut oil) and have emerged as the purest and beneficial MCT oils, they’ve become quite the rage.

Benefits of Caprylic Acid (C8) and Capric Acid (C10)

Since C8 and C10 are flavorless, you can add them to coffee, smoothies, and more, without having to endure any cumbersome aftertaste. Just be careful not to take too much. If you’re more sensitive than most, more than a teaspoon might result in an upset stomach or diarrhea.

Here are the most popular benefits of these helpful oils:

  1. Improves metabolism
  2. Increases physical and mental energy
  3. Provides an easy way to lose a little weight
  4. Increased feelings of tummy fullness
  5. Reduces appetite
  6. Less likely to be stored as fat
  7. Enhances exercise performance
  8. Beneficial for tooth infections, active bladder, and respiratory health

Over 30 years, scientists have studied various types of Ginseng, including Eleuthero, and their impact on competitive athletic performance.

The subject of a large-scale study with over 5,000 participants, Eleuthero emerged as a powerful ally in several categories:

  • Lung capacity was improved
  • Depth of breathing grew
  • Reduced restlessness
  • Increased stamina
  • Athletes saw a significant improvement in the length of time it took them to recover from a grueling workout or competition
  • Participants showed decreased chances of tissue hypoperfusion, hypoxia, hemorrhagic shock, or pulmonary embolism

Similarly, some of the studies that show the effectiveness of Caprylic Acid were equally positive:

  • Helpful in eradicating candida (fungal) infections
  • Superior and less expensive than the drug Diflucan
  • Effective anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anti-Autism, anti-infection
  • Effective in general circulatory improvement

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While all of these results are encouraging, many people in the scientific community have not been friendly toward proponents of Eleuthero and Caprylic Acid. While several studies conclusively point to specific values of these brain and energy boosters, many other studies are inconclusive.

When seeking improvements in peacefulness, along with boosts in brain and immune system functions, it might be helpful to add Holy Basil, Gotu Kola, and Ashwagandha to your daily regiment. These herbs will give your body, mind, and heart a little relaxation amid all the passion, power, and excitement.

To improve your brain function and the immune system, you might also consider the following ideas:

  • Buy, cook and eat healthy, organic, whole foods
  • Reduce meat consumption
  • Increase your awareness of herbs and healing tonics
  • Exercise regularly
  • Selflessly serve other human beings
  • Meditate
  • Kundalini yoga
  • Prana (Pranic) breathing
  • Prayer
  • Monthly, quarterly, and yearly rituals of rebirth and renewal

In all things, assume that you and the Divine are working in unison to improve conditions and realities for yourself, and for all living beings, in all the realms, throughout all instances and trajectories of spacetime.

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Herbs and Tinctures That Heal Inflammation

Heal Inflammation

Tummy Herbs Heal Inflammation: A Shutterstock Licensed Image

Inflammation can begin as a benign condition and slowly turn into a nightmare. It might start with stiffness and strains in the muscles and bones and later develop into pain and agony. It might only occur on occasion, or it can be constant and dreadful. Some describe inflammation as nagging and uncomfortable, while others say they experience steady stabs and pinches throughout their waking day. It all depends on the intensity and severity of the inflammation.

Inflammation can emerge and cause damage to our bodies and lives, even when it’s not overt. It might appear as fatigue, chest pain, stomach pain, mouth sores, disorientation, fever, rash, or joint pain. Down the line, if inflammation isn’t healed, it can feed or cause a variety of diseases, including arthritis, some cancers, atherosclerosis, periodontitis, and hay fever.

You might have one of these chronic conditions, which often include inflammation: asthma, ulcers, tuberculosis, Crohn’s Disease, hepatitis, bronchitis, infected skin and nails, sore throats, mouth sores, scratches and cuts, intense exercise, sinusitis, and physical trauma.

All the science now points to naturopathic and herbal treatments for inflammation and arthritis. In this article, you’ll find helpful lists of the most successful treatments to ease your pain around inflammation, joints, and their related conditions.

 

“Inflammation is the cornerstone of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis – all of the neurodegenerative diseases are really predicated on inflammation.”
— David Perlmutter

Western Medicine Helpful To Relieving Inflammation And Arthritis

For 200 years, western medical practices have often worked against the body, sometimes having little effect, or creating more problems than they’ve healed. Luckily, times have changed, and western medicine is much more inclusive of the ancient traditions found in tribal, herbal, and naturopathic remedies and treatments.

While these western medical treatments might not be helpful for you; specifically, they have helped millions of people around the world reduce the effects of inflammation and arthritis:

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  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help ease the pain associated with inflammation and provide arthritis relief. NSAIDs like naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin might be helpful in the short-term, but they can cause dangerous changes in the immune system and contribute to the growth of stomach ulcers. They might also cause kidney damage, increased risk of strokes and heart attacks, and turn low-level asthma into life-threatening conditions.
  • Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoids) promise to prevent several aspects of inflammation and replace depleted hormones. These medications can also cause long-term problems, including high blood pressure, deficient potassium levels, and more.
  • Hyaluronic acid creams and injections can help reduce the symptoms of inflammation and arthritis, mainly when applied to the knees.

Because every person’s condition and its related origin is unique, you might not find the “Best Anti-Inflammatory” or the ultimate tincture for arthritis pain relief. But if you’re willing to do a little research, you’ll most certainly find that the most potent anti-inflammatories come from herbs and natural remedies.

Science is now learning that the most successful and potent treatments for inflammation and arthritis come directly from the earth, raw and untainted.

Review the following lists and consider taking the herbs that feel best to you.

“Reduce inflammation to treat the root of many issues. If your gut isn’t working right it can cause so many other issues.”
― Jay Woodman

Natural Anti-Inflammatory Herbs And Remedies For Arthritis

Some natural remedies for inflammation have become very popular in the United States and Europe. Many of them were originally found in Ayurvedic medicine.

When taken thoughtfully, these herbs can produce wonderful results when applied to the healing of inflammation.

  • Boswellia (Salai guggul, Frankincense)
  • Bromelain
  • Hyssop
  • White Willow Bark (contains salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
  • Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens, Wood Spider, Grapple Plant)
  • Ginkgo (Maidenhair tree)
  • Nettle (Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica)
  • Myrrh
  • Resveratrol
  • Maritime Pine Bark
  • Chili Peppers (Capsaicin)
  • Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
  • Turmeric (Curcumin)
  • Green Tea (an excellent anti-inflammatory tea)
  • Cardamom, Cumin, Clove
  • Rosemary
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Thyme
  • Cannabis (this is not for everyone, and it’s not for every condition)
  • Honeysuckle

Additional Ayurvedic Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Ayurvedic Medicine is over 6000 years old and has been traced to ancient masters like Babaji. Ayurveda seeks to help the body, mind, and heart find peace and balance. I have had tremendous results when using Ayurvedic medicine and methodologies.

Here are a few powerful, healing herbs that are often promoted by Ayurvedic practitioners.

  • Amalaki
  • Triphala
  • Mulethi (Licorice Root)
  • Manjistha
  • Arjuna
  • Gotu Kola
  • Shatavari

Chinese Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Arthritis Remedies

Chinese medicine has one of the most complex and intricate systems of healing the mind, heart, and body. Focused on reducing heat in the body and creating flow, Chinese herbs for inflammation and related treatments date back at least 2500 years, with many of its original teachings still in practice today.

Chinese medicine addresses the ebbs and flows of our energies, consciousness, and physical forms. When taking Chinese herbs, be cautious and sensible. Some herbs, when taken too aggressively, can cause more harm than good.

Here are a few of the most successful and scientifically proven Chinese herbs that help to heal inflammation:

  • Huáng Qín (黃芩 Scutellaria baicalensis)
  • Huáng Lián (黃連 Coptis chinensis, Coptis root)
  • Jīn Yín Hūa (金銀花 Flos Lonicerae)
  • Léi Gōng Téng (雷公藤 Tripterygium wilfordii, *Thunder God Vine)
  • Lián Qiào (連翹 Forsythia suspensa)
  • Dà Qīn Yè (大青葉 Isatidis Folium )
  • Yú Xīng Cǎo (魚腥草 Houttuynia cordata)
  • Bǎn Lán Gēn (板藍根 Radix Isatidis)
  • Zǐ Huā Dì Dīn (紫花地丁 Viola yedoensis )
  • Bái Tóu Wēn (白頭翁 Pulsatilla Radix)
  • Chuān Xīn Lián (穿心蓮 Andrographis paniculata)

“Joint pain, bloating and foggy thoughts are not imagined symptoms, They’re the result of improper diet. Make eliminations. Start with wheat, then dairy, then sugar. These are the most inflammatory foods.”
― Nancy S. Mure

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Home Remedies For Arthritis

Finding the source of our discomfort can be difficult. As you search for the tools and treatments that serve you best, consider adding these ideas to your regiment. All of these are recommended by Chinese, Ayurvedic, and western doctors throughout the world:

  • Use hot and cold compresses
  • Swim and Exercise
  • Lose weight
  • Do Panchakarma (Ayurvedic cleansing program)
  • Do Yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong
  • Try Chondroitin and Glucosamine
  • Nerve stimulation
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Add more omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D to your diet
  • Add the following foods to your diet: olive oil, tomatoes, nuts, spinach, kale, wild salmon, blueberries, oranges, and beets.
  • Avoid fast foods and processed meats, including red meat, fried chicken, French fries, flour, soda, sugar, dairy, raw fish, and unnatural fats like margarine.

Summary

Finding the sources of your inflammation can be a daunting task. All of the suggestions in this article might also feel a little overwhelming. One tip might be to start slowly and select your favorite ideas from the above lists.

You might begin by adding a few healthier foods to your diet. Soon after, you might add one or two medicinal herbs. If you want a deep-dive into healing your inflammation, make notes on how each set of herbs and foods makes you feel. Consider implementing a 90-day program where you try three small subsets of herbs, each for 30 days.

The simplest things you can do to improve your health and inflammation are to regularly exercise, visit with your doctor twice a year, and continually improve-upon your diet. You might consider rotating groups of foods in your daily meals so that you can give your body exposure to a wide variety of nutrients.

In all things, keep calm, pray, and remain positive. Miracles await!

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What Is Ayurvedic Medicine And How Can It Help Me

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic Medicine is healing! A Shutterstock Licensed Image

The word Ayurveda is Sanskrit, based on two words, Ayur, which means “life” and Veda, which refers to knowledge. Also known as “Ayurvedic Medicine,” this ancient medical science can be traced to around 6000 BCE. It was most likely the ancient masters, in the lineage of Babaji, who were the original teachers of Ayurveda’s soul-expanding and holistic healing methods.

Ayurveda is based on the premise that wellness depends on the balance and peacefulness of mind, heart, body, and spirit. By focusing on promoting wholeness and health (instead of fighting disease), Ayurvedic medicine is known to reinvigorate muscles, bones, cells, and souls through a variety of healing herbs and modalities. It is often called “The Mother Of All Healing.”

The History of Ayurveda

Compared to today’s western medicine, Ayurveda is over 6000 years its senior. Both spiritual and practical, Ayurvedic medicine was originally an oral tradition that was taught by masters from a variety of disciplines. The goal of Ayurveda is to bring the patient into harmony with the divine aspects of the Self and the Universe.

The inception of Ayurveda is unknown, yet many believe that it was born in The Vedas, and originally composed in Sanskrit. These ancient Indian writings were considered to be “Apaureseya” or “not of man; eternal, superhuman, and without authorship.” The four primary Veda collections include Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.

Ayurvedic medicine was first promoted in the United States in the early 1970s, most likely by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi organization of Transcendental Meditation. It was eventually popularized by notable healers and doctors, including Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Andrew Weil, Robert Svoboda, Nancy Lonsdorf, John Douillard, and Dr. Jay Apte. While some of these luminaries have taught Ayurveda for more than 30 years, there are many highly qualified Ayurvedic counselors and practitioners in the United States and throughout the world.

Today, in addition to local, state, and regional organizations, practitioners can join The National Ayurvedic Medical Association, which seeks to “preserve, protect, promote and advance the consciousness-based philosophy, knowledge, science, and practice of Ayurveda for the benefit of all beings.”

Ayurveda’s Three Doshas

When Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe healing herbs and modalities, they base their prognoses and treatments on an individual’s doshas or doshic makeup. There are three doshas, Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha, each of which refers to specific sets of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual attributes. An individual may have one or any combination of these doshas. When our doshas are in alignment, we experience good health. When our doshas are out of balance, we might experience discomfort, pain, or disease.

Vāta Dosha contains the elements of ether and air. Vata is responsible for our vitality, energy, flow, movement, nerves, breath, speech, levels of anxiety, circulation, and digestion. Vata-dominant people are active, excitable, sometimes anxious, enthusiastic, creative, clever, and open to new adventures. If you’re Vata, you might have problems sleeping, feel nervous regularly, and occasionally forget to eat. You might one day develop arthritis, and in the meantime, tend to be the life of the party.

Pitta Dosha contains fire and water. Pitta is responsible for our hormones, hunger, intelligence, attitudes, and organizational abilities. If you’re Pitta-dominant, you might be clear of mind and heart, competitive, practical, organized, a lover of teaching, and tend to feel immediately rejuvenated when spending time outdoors. You might even feel fits of anger or rage, most notably when you haven’t eaten protein in a while. If you forget to relax, you might develop sleeping disorders. The order of the day for Pitta-folks is to relax, keep your environment cooler versus hotter, and avoid extremes, especially when exercising.

Kapha Dosha is the embodiment of earth and water. Given these grounded elements, Kapha-folks tend to be heavy, slow, dense, sturdy, and lovers of routine. Kaphas are generally lovable, playful, and patient. If you’re Kapha and you’re having a bad week or month, you might eat or sleep too much, hold grudges, feel depressed for long periods, and gain too much weight. You also might develop diabetes. Regardless of the physical challenges that Kapha people tend to have, they gravitate toward a grounded life and financial abundance.

Ayurveda’s Eight Canonical Components

Ayurveda treatises divide medicine into eight components, first found in the ancient Sanskrit epic, “The Mahābhārata.” They are as follows:

Kāyachikitsā: the basis for all general medicine focused on the human body

Kaumāra-bhṛtya (Pediatrics): this component is focused on prenatal and postnatal care of the mother and her children, contraception methods, allowing the emergence of a child’s gender, intelligence, and constitution, childhood diseases, and birthing processes

Śalyatantra: this is where we learn about surgery, medical technological advancements, extraction methods for objects and ideologies that cause the body and soul to feel imbalanced

Śhālākyatantra: treatments that heal problems associated with the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and throat

Bhūtavidyā: modalities designed to soothe and extract negative and possessing spirits, and the healing of people with broken minds and spirits, either resulting from soul-possession or other challenges

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Agadatantra/Vishagara-vairodh Tantra: refers to the toxins and antidotes in the categories of epidemics, poisoned animals, and the bacterial and viral infections found in animals, vegetables, and minerals

Rasāyantantra: the study of body/mind/soul rejuvenation and the tonics, supplements, and modalities that increase lifespan, intellect, emotional expression, heart-expansion, and physical strength

Vājīkaraṇatantra: this category is focused on the supplements, herbs, aphrodisiacs, modalities and other treatments that increase vitality, sexual wholeness, sexual healing, reproduction, conception, and the health of semen, eggs, and sex organs; it also addresses fertility, infertility, and spiritual development related to the transmutation of sexual energy into spiritual energy

Best Ayurvedic herbs for health and longevity

Here is a shortlist of some of the most popular, healing Ayurvedic (Indian) herbs and spices:

Amalaki: reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, detoxifies organs, sharpens memory, and protects against the development and spread of cancer

Ashwagandha: reduces blood sugar levels, improves cardiovascular and immune health, reduces stress and anxiety, reduces depression, supports both testosterone and fertility, increases muscle strength, supports the nervous and endocrine systems

Triphala: powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, protects against cancer and chronic diseases, reduces constipation, improves dental health, helpful for weight loss

Guggal (Guggalu): anti-inflammatory, can act as a steroid, neuroprotective, antioxidant, lowers cholesterol, relieves arthritis pain, acne treatment, weight loss, reduces eye inflammation, improves the activity of thyroid enzymes, protective of the kidneys, liver, brain, and heart

Neem: treats eye, nose and stomach disorders, leprosy and skin ulcers, cardiovascular disease, fever, diabetes, and liver problems

Boswellia (Frankincense): anti-inflammatory, improves joint and musculoskeletal health, reduces the effects of osteoarthritis and asthma, reduces pain and discomfort associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD and IBS)

Ginger: helps digestion, reduces nausea, menstrual pain, and morning sickness, improves digestion, helps the body heal during the flu or cold, acts as an anti-inflammatory, lowers blood sugars, improves heart health, reduces muscle pain and soreness, helps to prevent cancer, reduces cholesterol, improves brain function, fights infections

Brahmi: full of antioxidants, strengthens the immune system, reduces stress and anxiety, reduces symptoms of Alzheimer’s, improves intelligence and IQ, helpful to people with arthritis, regulates blood sugar, helpful in healing dandruff and rejuvenating the scalp, helpful to the brain

Gotu Kola: longevity herb, improves cognition and memory, reduces anxiety and depression, improves circulation, reduces joint pain, expedites the healing of wounds, helpful to the liver and kidneys

Mulethi (Licorice Root): improves the health of respiratory tract, boosts immunity and digestion, anti-inflammatory, eases menopausal symptoms

Turmeric (Curcumin): anti-inflammatory, improves heart health, improves body’s response to cancer and arthritis, may prevent or delay diabetes and Alzheimer’s, can act as an antidepressant, reduces free radicals and eye degeneration

Cardamom: antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels, fights cancer and chronic diseases, reduces digestive problems and ulcers, helps to prevent cavities, improves breathing, improves liver health, reduces anxiety, has positive effects toward weight loss

Cumin: antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, regulates digestion, lowers cholesterol, relieves fatigue and anxiety, improves brain functionality including memory, reduces chances of diabetes, fights colds and flu, helpful toward weight loss

Manjistha: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, boosts the immune system and skin health, lymph cleanser, supports liver

Arjuna: anti-fungal, heals damage from free radicals, anti-inflammatory, reduces high blood pressure and blood sugar levels, boosts energy and physical stamina, antioxidant, helpful to the heart, heals the damage caused by smoking, protects liver and kidneys, healing for the stomach, reduces the chance of diarrhea and ulcers

Shatavari: antioxidant, boosts the immune and respiratory systems, a powerful anti-inflammatory, known to relieve incessant cough, may help treat diarrhea, helps to maintain blood sugar levels, helps treat kidney stones, anti-aging properties, helps to reduce the effects of depression, supports healthy female production and hormones, helpful for digestion and milk production

Summary

In addition to the above Ayurvedic Medicine or herbs list and their related benefits, Ayurveda has much to offer! If you are serious about your health, seek the help of an Ayurvedic Practitioner or Counselor, many of whom are also MDs. Meeting with an Ayurvedic counselor or doctor can be an inspiring experience.

When I first met Dr. Lad over 30 years ago, he had just arrived in the United States. We sat comfortably on floor-pillows, and he described exactly how my body functions, and how it would develop and heal over time. Throughout our session, he was able to answer precise and personal questions about my mind, heart, attitudes, beliefs, and future. It was one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.

I wish you a long and healthy life!

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A Holy Trifecta: Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, And Magnesium

Vitamins For Health – A Shutterstock Licensed Image

When it comes to your health, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, and Magnesium are remarkably nutritive allies. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, supporting a variety of functions throughout your body. Vitamin D and Calcium seamlessly work together to protect your bones. Calcium builds and maintains your bones, while Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium and Magnesium work together to provide a similar value. Magnesium keeps calcium out of the soft tissue and within the bones, where it’s needed most.

Let’s start with a deep-dive into Vitamin C. We’ve heard about the benefits of Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, for a long time. Discovered by biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi’s in the 1930s, this remarkable chemical enables the body to healthfully sustain itself and helps it efficiently use fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

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Centuries ago, when fresh vegetables were not always easy to find, sailors would experience fatigue, weakness, open sores, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and unusual hemorrhages beneath the skin. The condition was known as Scurvy, and in the 15th century, it ravaged sailors and low-income families, causing sickness, disability, and death. Szent-Györgyi’s won a Nobel Peace Prize for his discoveries, the lot of which provided excellent value for the British Navy.

What is Vitamin C?

Commonly known as Ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is an organic compound comprised of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. While our bodies can not produce it, it’s a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits.

In its purest form, ascorbic acid is a synthetic, white solid derived from the sugar dextrose. It can be found naturally in a variety of fruits and vegetables and is known to be an immune-boosting and curative supplement. One of its primary functions is helping the body manufacture collagen, a protein found in every person’s connective tissues, cartilage, and tendons.

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are chemical compounds that inhibit oxidation, which is the chemical reaction that produces cell-damaging, free radicals. When free radicals accumulate, they produce oxidative stress in our bodies, which has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases.

Antioxidants like Vitamin C terminate these types of reactions, which reduces free radicals, and keeps our systems in balance. When it comes to preventing disease and improving our immune systems, it’s all about antioxidants.

What Can Vitamin C Do for Me?

  • Reduce free radicals and oxidative stress
  • Reduce the emergence of chronic diseases
  • Reduce high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Slow the progression of vision loss
  • Lower the chances of heart disease
  • Prevent gout
  • Improve iron absorption
  • Boost immunity
  • Protect memory and thinking
  • Reduce occurrences of dementia
  • Reduce incidents of pneumonia

Contrary to popular belief, Vitamin C has not proven itself when it comes to curing a common cold or treating cancer. Additionally, when dosed over 2000 milligrams, Vitamin C can cause severe diarrhea, kidney stones, and other issues. Smoking can significantly reduce the levels of Vitamin C in the body.

Foods rich in Vitamin C include: Kakuda plumbs, Blackcurrants, Acerola cherries, chili peppers, rose hips, guavas, sweet yellow peppers, red and green peppers, thyme, parsley, mustard spinach, broccoli, green beans, cantaloupe, lemons, lychees, American persimmons, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, kiwis, orange juice, papaya, sweet potatoes, strawberries, and tomatoes.

What Is Vitamin D3?

Vitamin D is more than just one vitamin. Studies suggest that Vitamin D3 is more effective than D2, yet they are both critical compounds found in the lower layers of our skin. Their primary benefit is that they improve the absorption of calcium and immune function.

D3 and D2 production come through a chemical reaction that’s dependent on exposure to the sun, otherwise known as UVB radiation. This fat-soluble, lower-class steroid can increase our chances of absorbing calcium, Magnesium, and phosphorus, which are essential to human life.

D3 comes mostly from animals and can be found in food like oily fish, butter, and liver. D2 is generally sourced from plants, for example, mushrooms that are grown in UV light, and several other fortified foods.

Because exposure to the sun can also increase our risks of skin cancer, the best way for us to benefit from this vitamin is by taking it as a supplement. Not technically vitamins, D3 and D2 are best described as hormones.

Here are the benefits of D3 and D2:

  • Improves muscle strength, mass, and function
  • Improves bone health
  • Eradicates rickets (a disease that softens and weakens the bones)
  • Improves the body’s absorption of calcium, essential for bones
  • Reduces the chances of osteoporosis and osteomalacia
  • Reduces the risk of early death in the elderly
  • Reduces the risk of death from cancer
  • Improves teeth health
  • Reduces fatigue
  • Reduces depression
  • Reduces the severity of viral infections
  • Decreases the risk of acute respiratory tract infections
  • Reduces the exacerbation of asthma
  • Reduces inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the forms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • With calcium, we can improve brain function
  • Might reduce the risk of flu
  • Might aid lung function
  • Might reduce the side effects of chemotherapy

A Harvard study has shown that taking too much Vitamin D, in any form, can reduce its benefits and create further health risks. When it comes to receiving the benefits of Vitamin D3 and D2, less is often better.

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Hispanic and African-American communities are less efficient at making Vitamin D because the melanin in their skin inhibits it. Some studies suggest 600 IU is sufficient for all adults, and that taking more than 4,000 IU (100 micrograms) can induce toxicity, and cause vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination.

The foods that are excellent sources of Vitamin D3 include fish oils, wild salmon, milk, butter, orange juice, eggs, cheddar cheese, and yogurt. When it comes to nutrients, always choose food over pills.

What Does Magnesium Do for You?

Mg in the periodic table, Magnesium is the lightest structural metal and the eighth-most abundant element in the Universe. It has proven itself as one of the key elements essential to all cellular life.

Magnesium is required for the processes that involve DNA, RNA, and ATP. DNA produces the code for all of the activities of our cells. RNA converts that code into proteins to carry out cellular functions. ATP provides energy to drive living cells.

Because it’s never found free in nature, Magnesium had to be isolated and extracted to be useful. This first occurred in 1808, at the hands of Sir Humphry Davy, an English chemist.

Magnesium has been found in pyrotechnics, lightbulbs, airplanes, missiles, rockets, cameras, paint, Epsom salt, milk of magnesia, and horseshoes. It also fills 2.5% of the earth’s crust. The top producers of Magnesium in this century include China, Russia, Turkey, and Austria.

Why take Magnesium? When it comes to your health, Magnesium is one of seven essential macrominerals, along with calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur. It plays a vital role in supporting how your body’s enzymes function and support your health.

Here’s what Magnesium can do for you:

  • Help metabolize food (convert food to energy)
  • Prevent problems with bones
  • Help create and repair DNA and RNA
  • Regulate your nervous system
  • Fight depression
  • Act as an anti-inflammatory
  • Support your cardiovascular system
  • Help your body absorb calcium
  • Help activate Vitamin D in your kidneys
  • Decrease your chance of developing type 2 diabetes (reduces Insulin resistance)
  • Synthesize fatty acids and proteins
  • Improve the transmission of nerve impulses
  • Reduce premenstrual symptoms
  • Lower your risk of arthritis and high blood pressure
  • Reduce the risk of arrhythmia
  • Help prevent migraine headaches
  • Relieve anxiety
  • Support the body’s glutathione levels (Glutathione is a power-player when it comes to your health)

Be aware that some medications interact with Magnesium, which can cause serious problems. Consult with a doctor or certified nutritionist before adding magnesium supplements to your diet. As with all naturally occurring chemicals, it’s always best to source your Magnesium from whole food. The best time to take Magnesium is one or two hours before you go to bed.

The foods that contain high levels of Magnesium include: dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, sesame seeds, cashews, avocados, fatty fish (like wild salmon, mackerel and halibut), shrimp, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, spinach, soy milk, tofu, edamame, oatmeal, broccoli, peanut butter, black-eyed peas, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, peas, lentils, bananas, and brown rice.

Summary

While supplements are helpful and healing, do your best to get most of your nutrients from whole food. Given that there are now over 2000 legal, untested chemicals in our packaged foods, it’s never been more important to feed and nurture ourselves through the most wholesome foods and supplements.

Besides outlining how you can improve your health, the biggest takeaway in this article is that dark chocolate contains oodles of Magnesium and antioxidants. Be happy. Eat more dark chocolate.

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Are Digestive Enzymes Important? Can I Become Addicted To Them?

Digestive Enzymes

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Since the global market for digestive enzyme supplements is on track to hit $1 billion by 2025, it means enzymes are all the new rage! You might be wondering, “How do enzymes work?” Or “What can enzymes do for me?” Given your possible problems with gas, bloating, or diarrhea, you might be thinking about taking enzymes every day. You may have a friend who suggested that you only take them in spurts, so that your body can adapt and rebuild itself, without becoming dependent.

You may have heard about beets, cinnamon, fenugreek tea, celery, and other fresh ideas that could help you improve your digestive tract. You might not know that your digestive tract (also called your gastrointestinal tract) is the pathway through which food enters and solid waste expels.

What Is An Enzyme?

To answer this question, we’ll first want to ask, “what is a chemical reaction?” A chemical reaction is a process that converts substances (reagents, reactants, and substrates) to other types of substances (the products of chemical reactions) through processes of interaction and engagement.

Now, let’s get back to enzymes. In general, our bodies form enzymes by stringing together 100 to 1000 amino acids. These chains are proteins that are born from and live within living cells.

How Do Enzymes Work?

As complex living-beings, we need biochemical reactions to keep our systems functional, clean, infused with energy, and in movement. For each specific chemical reaction within our bodies, we require energy to activate it.

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Enzymes help initiate repeated, identical, chemical reactions by making it easier for chemical reactions to occur. They reduce the amount of energy required for each reaction, and thereby kickstart them.

Because all change requires work, enzymes are the power-plants for activated changes within our bodies. They increase the rate at which specific chemical reactions occur, without deteriorating, and without being consumed, or permanently altered.

Big Facts About Enzymes And Enzyme Activity

Enzymes help cells communicate with each other. They keep your cells healthy, happy, and whole. They can also assist in life-or-death situations. Without enzymes, our body might not process food very well. Also, the necessary biochemical reactions within your body might be occurring too slowly to keep you healthy and alive. enzymes help with all this.

What Is Amylase? Where is Amylase Produced?

The pancreas and salivary glands make Amylase, the enzymes that act as catalysts (accelerator of reactions), which break-down (hydrolyze) starch. Hydrolyzing refers to the process of adding water molecules to produce reactions. This fractures and fragments the starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules.

Other enzymes are activated to turn disaccharides and trisaccharides into glucose. Glucose gives our bodies energy. Plants and some bacteria also produce Amylase.

Where Is Lipase Produced?

Small amounts of Lipase are created in the stomach and digestive tract, mostly by the pancreas. Your “gastric Lipase” digests the butter-fat in your food.

Where Is Protease Produced?

Our bodies produce Proteases (proteolytic enzymes or proteinases) in the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. The function of these enzymes is to hydrolyze (break-down) peptide bonds of proteins, or linear chains of proteins, part of the process of digestion.

Enzymes: The Power-Players Behind Digestion!

Digestive enzymes have specific tasks and targets. Lipase distills fatty acids from fats and oils. Proteases break-down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. Amylases split carbohydrates (starch and sugars) into shorter chains and simple sugars, such as glucose.

This system allows our bodies to digest (process) food and convert the necessary elements into energy. Digestion is a core function that creates healthy environments that can support and sustain life.

Are Enzymes Good For Everybody?

The short answer is YES, although our digestive problems are not always a result of enzyme deficiency. Due to a variety of reasons, our bodies can lose their abilities to absorb the nutrients we need. We’ve all had this experience.

Here are some of the things we might experience during enzyme deficiency, and when our bodies are not functioning correctly:

  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Weight loss
  • Belching
  • Sluggish elimination
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Leaky gut
  • Indigestion
  • Constipation
  • Acid reflux
  • Difficulty chewing food
  • Mucus in the stool
  • Undigested food in stool

 

These types of reactions are how our bodies respond to internal imbalances. While we might research methodologies that could bring our bodies back into balance, we might not know the implications of these methods.

Given all the thousands of new-age botanicals and supplements available to us today, it can be difficult to separate reality from marketing fiction. Be careful when taking supplements, including digestive enzymes. Consult a certified nutritionist, Ayurvedic health counselor, or a doctor, before flooding your system with new herbs and pills.

Ways To Naturally Assist Digestion

While taking enzymes can be helpful for periods, there are many ways to improve our digestive tracts and produce enzymes naturally. Before diving head-first into a heavy regiment of enzymes, try a few of these suggestions:

  • Beets (bio-movers)
  • Apples
  • Celery
  • Artichokes
  • Fenugreek tea
  • Cinnamon (a little sprinkle goes a long way as a decongestant)
  • Pineapple, Papaya, Mango, Kiwifruit
  • Miso, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Kefir
  • Ginger
  • Honey
  • Leafy Greens (2/3 of every meal, chewed not juiced)
  • 1-2 tsp of Olive Oil and 1-2 tsp of Lemon Juice before bed or upon waking
  • Drink water 15 minutes before your meal
  • Relax when you eat
  • Relax after you eat
  • Soak and lubricate your gut in herbal oils
  • Detox your liver

How Do We Know When We Need Digestive Enzymes As Supplements?

As we age, some doctors will tell us to take digestive enzymes regularly. This routine isn’t always the best option. In many cases, we can stimulate our bodies to function like they did when we were 25 years old, and without getting into an endless, regular consumption of supplements and enzymes.

When we become dependent on enzymes, we might be telling our bodies that they’re broken, and they might believe us! If we’re too aggressive with our bodies and regiments, we could also add unnecessary pressure to the liver. This is not only unhealthy; it’s insane. In most cases, our bodies are not broken. They just need a little encouragement.

Encouragement becomes ineffective when we hammer somebody with our projections of truth. Assistance works best when we give someone a few suggestions and allow the person to take it from there.

Our bodies work the same way. A little encouragement can produce miraculous results. If you’re taking digestive enzymes to help you with some of the challenges listed in this article, consider only taking them for short periods.

You might also consider the idea that you may already have given your system what it needs to return itself to its former glory. Your body might already be on the mend.

While some extreme situations require a continuous regiment of enzymes, these cases are rare. As with all remedies and regiments, be careful not to flood your system to the point of conflict or collapse.

Always be gentle and careful with your body. It’s more sensitive, conscious, and intelligent than you might think. Your body is always in a state of restoration and readily available for reparative growth.

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Fenugreek, Maca, and Mucuna: What Can These Lovely Herbs Do For You?

Fenugreek, Maca

Fenugreek Lovely Herbs – A Shutterstock Licensed Image

Fenugreek is a luscious, healing cousin to soy, and its dried leaves, twigs, seeds, and roots are used to heal a variety of conditions, and add delicious spice to several unique dishes.

For thousands of years, this potent medicinal plant has been used by healers and shamans and has been a staple in Chinese medicine. The Fenugreek plant grows to two to three feet and has green leaves and white flowers. Along its thin stems and branches, you’ll find golden pods, each of which contains gold and brown seeds.

80% of Fenugreek is produced in India. With its distinct sweet and nutty flavor, it’s common to see Fenugreek leaves added to dishes throughout India, including bread and sandwiches like “Aloo Methi Naan” and Aloo Methi Ka Paratha” (potato fenugreek). You’ll also find Fenugreek in a variety of Aloo Methi entrees.

A typical household spice in Iraq, China, and India, this diverse plant has a variety of benefits.

Fenugreek Benefits

Whether it’s Fenugreek tea benefits, or the benefits of Fenugreek oil or Fenugreek seeks, this earthy supplement packs a lot of value. While not all studies point to success in every category, there is now enough evidence to support most of the following benefit claims successfully.

  • Benefits for hair include the promotion of hair growth and stronger hair follicles
  • Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
  • Constipation
  • Inflammation
  • Decreased risk of cancer
  • Fenugreek benefits for women include new mothers who found an increase in breast milk production
  • Fenugreek benefits for men include increased libido and sexual strength, and improved sexual function
  • Increases carb tolerance
  • Improves insulin function
  • Appetite control and weight loss
  • Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  • Heartburn, potentially equal to popular antacid medications

Fenugreek Side-effects

While it seems the verdict points to excellent, not everyone is a fan of Fenugreek for everyday usage. Confirmed solely in animal studies, high doses of Fenugreek have caused DNA damage, decreased fertility, neurological problems, and increased chances of miscarriage. Some scientists are alarmed by the trending use of Fenugreek as a dietary and nutritious supplement.

Here are some of the challenges experienced by human adults and children who participated in Fenugreek studies:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Asthma
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Gas (flatulence)
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Wheezing
  • Unusual body odor (children only)
  • Loss of consciousness (children only)

Maca (Lepidium meyenii, Peruvian Ginseng)

To many, Maca has super-secret super-powers and is known to improve energy and stamina, enhance sex drive, and improve fertility in both men and women. It’s also been reported that Maca can save relationships and reinvigorate self-esteem.

Well, at least that’s what they say.

Originally cultivated in the harsh climate and high altitude of the Peruvian mountains, it’s often harvested for its powerful root. Maca is considered to be a cruciferous vegetable with famous cousins that include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.

Given the problematic landscape and unique attributes of Maca, it’s always harvested manually. Farmers tend to extract the nutritious Maca root for production and then spread the leaves to fertilize their fields. They’ll also leave it for their livestock to consume.

Similar to radishes and turnips, Maca has other benefits, making it a unique and beneficial supplement. Maca can be added to salads, smoothies, breakfast cereals like oatmeal and corn flakes, and can be sprinkled into baked goods, home-made energy bars, and many meals.

Maca Benefits

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Maca is an adaptogen, which means it helps your body fight stress and improves homeostasis, your internal processes that maintain your stability in response to changes in external conditions. Whether it’s Maca powder benefits or its root powder benefits, many people are finding that Maca is helpful and wholesome.

Here’s what we know right now:

  • Maca is nutritious, chock full of helpful nutrients
  • Backed by some convincing studies, it seems that Maca boosts sexual performance and function
  • Might relieve menopause symptoms, and the mental and emotional highs and lows experienced during menopause
  • Improves self-esteem
  • Improves energy levels
  • Anemia or “tired blood”
  • Improves mental clarity, learning, and memory
  • Reduces depression and anxiety
  • Boosts sports performance and endurance, and enhances muscle mass
  • In lotions, it may help protect your skin from sun damage
  • May reduce the size of the prostate
  • While it was initially believed that Maca provided benefits for men, studies consistently show that Maca offers equal benefits for women

Maca Side-effects

Before adding Maca to your regular diet, it might be best to seek the advice of a nutritional expert. While Maca is a medicine that appears to improve circulation and provide a variety of other benefits, Maca research and mass production is in its infancy.

  • Like all cruciferous vegetables, people with Thyroid issues would limit their intake of Maca, as it could have adverse effects
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women might want hold-off on consuming Maca until after the birth and breastfeeding of their children

Mucuna (Mucuna Pruriens, Mucuna pruriens inflorescence)

If you’re looking for a magic pill to help boost your mood, improve your libido, and help you feel better about life, you might explore Mucuna pruriens, the natural herbal supplement used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Mucuna pruriens is a popular, mass-produced legume (a member of the pea family), native to Africa and Asia. Other names for this happy bean include Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Mauritius velvet, Cowage, Lacuna Bean, and the Lyon Bean.

It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. It’s also been used in Unani or Yūnānī (Greek) medicine (Perso-Arabic system of medicine given to us by the Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen), to heal many diseases and dysfunctions.

Mucuna pruriens is considered an effective, alternative treatment for Parkinson’s because of its high content of L-dopa. This amino acid converts to dopamine, that feel-good chemical that helps us learn to regulate our body movements, process emotions, and create normalized emotional responses. Also interesting is that Mucuna pruriens is one of the only natural sources of L-dopa.

In short, dopamine contributes to being productive, adds to feelings related to pleasure, and can support experiences where the individual feels a sense of satisfaction.

Mucuna Pruriens Benefits

  • Effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease
  • Reduces feelings of depression
  • Increases sperm count and libido
  • Improves sexual function
  • Reduces menstrual discomfort
  • Helps to treat male infertility
  • Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antibacterial
  • Anti-diabetic properties
  • Antioxidant
  • Mucuna pruriens benefits bodybuilding

Mucuna Pruriens Side Effects

While many herbs and plants can be beneficial to human beings, they can also be dangerous for us. In the case of Mucuna pruriens, there is enough evidence to support its value to a variety of conditions, but there are dangers. Be very careful when self-prescribing this powerful supplement, in any form. You’ll be safest when consulting a doctor or nutritional expert.

Here are the potential side effects you’ll want to consider before consuming any size portion of Mucuna pruriens.

  • Agitation
  • Increases in addictive behavior
  • Compulsive gambling
  • Over-spending
  • Hyper-sexuality (dysfunctional obsession with sexual fantasies)
  • Binge eating
  • Anger
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Nausea
  • Nervousness
  • Feelings of abdominal bloating
  • Vomiting
  • Abnormal and spontaneous body movements
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive dreaming and thinking
  • Headache
  • Temporary fast heartbeat
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Tummy Herbs: How To Heal A Gurgling Stomach

Tummy herbs

Tummies are important Tummy herbs! A Shutterstock Licensed Image

There are many reasons why our stomachs make noise and feel unsettled. When you have a bad case of the stomach grumbling, you might also be suffering from excessive bloating, farting, irritable bowel, or a hyperactive bowel. You might even have a belly murmur that sounds exactly like “borborygmi!”

These symptoms might coincide with feelings of anxiousness, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, and cramps. While it might be temporary, your discomfort could stem from a variety of causes. If you’re asking, “Why is my stomach growling?” or “Why is my stomach always grumpy?” consider these ideas:

  • You may have eaten too fast or too much
  • Your stomach might not enjoy cold food or ice water (most don’t)
  • You may have eaten something that wasn’t cooked properly
  • You might be so nervous that your tummy is generating too much acid
  • You may have consumed food or water that had bacteria like Salmonella enteritidis or Listeria monocytogenes
  • You may have eaten food that had parasites like Giardia
  • You might have allergies that resulted in inflammation in your digestive tract
  • You may have swallowed overly chlorinated water
  • You may have drunk too much alcohol
  • The healthy bacteria in your system might be depleted
  • You might not be getting enough nutrients in your diet
  • Your recent meal may have been too spicy

“When I prayed for success, I forgot to ask for

sound sleep and good digestion.”

— Mason Cooley

 

When complaining about your gurgling stomach, and the aches and pains throughout your abdomen, it’s important to remain calm and refrain from jumping to conclusions. When searching online for answers, while interesting, the majority of the information you’ll source will not pertain to your specific situation. Even if you chance upon the perfect protocol, one that feels aligned with heart, brain, and each of your chakras, it’s possible you might not have given yourself the correct diagnosis.

Before popping self-prescribed pills and tea-steeping yourself into hysteria with hipster healing regiments, seek the counsel of a professional. In almost all cases, you’ll be safer when you consult with Medical Doctors (MDs), Nurses (RNs), Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs), Chiropractors (DCs), Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine (NDs), and nutritional experts.

While I am not prescribing anything specific in this article, here are some ideas you might consider when researching healing modalities, herbs, and supplements.

Herbs And Foods For Upset Stomachs

A few herbs, supplements, and foods can go a long way when we’re trying to heal our upset stomachs and digestive tracts. While you might feel safe when experimenting with some of these things, it’s best not to try everything at once.

While some of these foods are healing in small amounts, they might be dangerous in larger quantities, and when combined with other items. There’s also a chance you’ll have allergic reactions, so be careful and mindful.

Consider making warm and hot beverages with these herbs and foods:

  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Chamomile
  • Fennel
  • Turmeric
  • Calendula
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Mint
  • Basil
  • Cumin
  • Manuka Honey
  • Fenugreek
  • Marshmallow Root
  • Artichoke Leaf Extract
  • Warm saltwater

Chinese Antimicrobial And Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

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In Chinese medicine, qi (chi) is the life energy that runs through our bodies. This energy is continuously in flux. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments help to promote, maintain, and heal the flow of the body’s energy. The two opposing sets of attributes within our qi are Yin and Yang. Yin refers to night, dark, cold, feminine, and negative. Yang’s characteristics are day, light, warm, positive, and masculine.

Long before western medicine hit its stride, the Chinese had sourced and tested thousands of healing herbs and remedies. With regard to our bellies and intestines, Chinese Medicine offers profound methodologies for healing inflammation in the gut and extinguishing harmful microbes in the body.

Here is a sampling of some of the more popular Chinese herbs in this category. As with all medicinals, be sure to properly educate yourself, and be judicious with quantities and repetitive usage.

  • Huáng Qín (黃芩 Scutellaria baicalensis)
  • Huáng Lián (黃連 Coptis chinensis)
  • Jīn Yín Hūa (金銀花 Flos Lonicerae)
  • Lián Qiào (連翹 Forsythia suspensa)
  • Dà Qīn Yè (大青葉 Isatidis Folium)
  • Bǎn Lán Gēn (板藍根 Radix Isatidis)
  • Zǐ Huā Dì Dīn (紫花地丁 Viola yedoensis)
  • Bái Tóu Wēn (白頭翁 Pulsatilla Radix)
  • Chuān Xīn Lián (穿心蓮 Andrographis paniculata)
  • Yú Xīng Cǎo (魚腥草 Houttuynia cordata)
  • Bài Jiàn Cǎo (敗醬草 Patrinia Herba)
  • Geng Mi (粳米 Oryzae Semen)
  • Shan Zha (山楂 Fructus Crataegi)
  • Ji Nei Jin (鸡内金 Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli)
  • Mai Ya (麦芽 Fructus Hordei Germinatus)
  • Chen Pi (陈皮 Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)

Ayurvedic Herbs That Can Heal Your Gut

Ayurvedic medicine is over 5000 years old. The word Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit term, Ayur (life), and Veda (knowledge). Ayurvedic medicine is based upon the Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of these biological concepts refers to tendencies and attributes found throughout our bodies and minds. Your Dosha might be one of the three or a combination of them.

Each Dosha refers to a specific set of mental processes, health blueprints, and overall physical and emotional tendencies. By balancing and healing our Doshic constructs, we become healthier, happier, and more whole.

To be safe, visit with an Ayurvedic Doctor before consuming any of these herbs.

  • Triphala
  • Shatapushpa
  • Shatavari
  • Amalaki
  • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
  • Kapardika Bhasma
  • Asafoetida Gum (Hing, F. foetida and F. assa-foetida)
  • Yastimadhu (Licorice, Glycyzrrhiza glabra)
  • Lavanga (Clove, Syzygium aromaticum)
  • Alsarex, Ayucid, Avipatrikar Churna

Over-The-Counter Supplements For Stomach And Bowel Issues

While every stomach and bowel illness has a unique source and required therapy, the following tried-n-true offerings will help heal your belly and improve conditions in your intestines:

  • Pepsin
  • Alka Seltzer Gold (no aspirin!)
  • Probiotics (friendly bacteria)
  • Activated Charcoal
  • Digestive Enzymes

Parasites, Bacteria, And Food Poisoning

If you’ve ever had a parasite or nasty intestinal bacteria in your gut, you know how debilitating it can be. Western medicine has found it challenging to address these things without prescribing antibiotics. Oftentimes, antibiotics only kill a portion of the little creatures that are nesting in your system. Also, over time, antibiotics can harm our most beneficial bacterias, putting us in even greater jeopardy.

In a balanced regiment, the following supplements can help counter the invasions of harmful parasites and bacteria:

  • Monolaurin
  • Propolis
  • L-Glutamine
  • Anise
  • Barberry
  • Chaparral
  • 5-MTHF (Levomefolic acid)
  • Slippery Elm
  • Rice Bran
  • Papain
  • DGL (Licorice)
  • Berberine
  • Black Walnut Seed
  • Castor Oil
  • Clove Oil
  • Peppermint Oil
  • Flaxseed Oil
  • Goldenseal
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract
  • Oregano Oil
  • Wormwood

Additional Symptoms

Sometimes stomach pain coincides with constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, bloody urine and stool, arm pain, anemia, and discomfort when urinating. If any of these things are prevalent for you, it’s time to see a medical doctor. In situations like these, it’s always best to be cautious.

In all things related to health and life: maintain a positive attitude, be ready to continually release outdated conditions and ideas, and expect the Universe to shower you with blessings. Finally, remember that thousands of miracles happen every day. Your miracle could be next.

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The Electromagnetic Nature Of Emotions

Electromagnetic nature of emotions

Electromagnetic nature of emotions. A Shutterstock Licensed Image

When we allow ourselves to feel our emotions, it’s as though hidden forces, even tidal waves, move within us. As we process them, vast amounts of space within our minds and hearts emerge. We feel lighter and more resolved. Our emotions help us evolve and teach us how to expand, yet our understanding of them is limited.

Electromagnetism is the study of electromagnetic force, which is born from interactions that occur between electrically charged particles. Particles attract, matter is formed, and energy is emitted.

Electromagnetic fields transport these forces, giving birth to electromagnetic radiation, such as light. As atoms attract via electromagnetism, they create our physical realities. We cannot exist without electromagnetism.

Lightning is the result of electrostatic discharge. Emotions are similar. When we have experiences, we immediately absorb them, and then our personalities form responses. Meanwhile, without any apparent effort, our minds and hearts funnel our experiences through our unique webs of perceptions and beliefs. At the end of this speed tunnel, and without much effort, our emotions are born.

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As ideas and imagery move through our minds and bodies, they bounce around like pinballs, creating, and provoking emotional responses. It’s in this way that emotions appear to be ultra-compact, contained hurricanes of raw energy. Since they can be stored and extracted, it means that emotions most likely have mass.

Emotions Are Somewhat Infectious

You’ve been in movie theaters and experienced waves of emotions. During specific scenes, you can almost feel the weight in the room. It’s quite possible that when we express emotions through laughter, yelps, and gasps, we release chemicals and electromagnetic discharges born from emotions. This is why being in a funeral home might feel different than being in your living room.

Are my emotions more powerful than God?

When religions tell you to ignore your emotions, they’re telling you to deny your impulses and refute your ability to expand. Since your expansion can produce your divinity, you’re a threat to every religion.

The more conscious religions will encourage you to honor your emotions, and expand your understanding of self. While it might be challenging to become self- and God-realized, religions should encourage these pursuits. What can be more critical than your expanded consciousness? Maybe nothing.

If emotions weren’t the byproduct of interactions, we’d have a better chance at controlling them.

Emotions are tiny, energy-Beings that are created and fueled by our thoughts. When we have a charged thought, whether positive or negative, we will undoubtedly experience emotions. Because we often assign meaning to our thoughts, they tend to have a flavor of angry, sad, delight, fury, excitement, and more.

While it’s difficult to control how we express our emotions during traumatic and profoundly beautiful events, it’s possible.

Emotions like love, joy, comfort, relaxation, peace, and positive passion can improve our attitudes, relationships, and immune systems.

Meanwhile, emotions like fear, hate, anxiety, shame, blame, and despair tend to deplete our energy levels and health and even kills cells. Regardless of this distinction, dormant emotions, harmful or not, must be encouraged to move.

Here’s how you might awaken or move your emotions and the related electromagnetic discharges toward your favor:

  • When having an emotion, allow it to breathe. Don’t judge it. Try to love it.
  • As it moves within you, note how much energy it requires to sustain.
  • If an emotion commandeers your passion or clarity, note its value: positive or negative.
  • If it’s negative, permit yourself to express it safely. Letting out a little steam will reduce its internal effect on you. If the feelings of negativity remain dominant, choose a modality to help you express it. You might consider crying, exercising, writing in your journal, pounding the earth, or doing a healing ritual to help you expand beyond your temporary self-identity.
  • If your feelings are positive, let them fill you up, then share them with abandon.
  • In every situation, you can choose a higher-level perspective. In doing so, your emotions will follow suit. While honoring your emotions is essential, it’s best not to fuel negative emotions. Give them their say, even a vote, but don’t give them a seat at the table or cement them into your reality.

Can We Replace Emotional and Mental Mechanisms to Make Life Easier?

Human beings do not react similarly to the same conditions, largely because our perceptions and beliefs are not uniform. Each of us is a unique machine, with indeterminable mental pathways, emotional mirrors, and projection systems. Given the complexities of each person’s life, it would be quite challenging to successfully swap one person’s wirings and inner workings for another’s.

Current technological advances seem to allude to the possibility of replacing aspects of ourselves with prosthetic emotional and mental constructs. While this is compelling, it would most likely require brain transplants, and thorough expunges of our neural networks. In cases like these, individuals would no longer be themselves. In fact, they might be considered adult new-borns.

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Where Can Our Emotions Lead Us?

Just like a compass needle, our emotions seem to point us in specific directions. Anger tends to lead to destruction, although rage can protect us, and noble fights can produce miraculous outcomes. Joy tends to point to positivity, although it can also result in permeable boundaries and unwanted pregnancies. It’s all a matter of perspective, and it’s situation-specific. If we’re careful with our emotions, we can construct formidable personalities, through which, we can create empowered lives.

What’s The Takeaway Here?

Your emotions comprise one, massive, collective organ. Each emotion is akin to a mini hurricane, which can save, protect, or heal you. Emotions either fuel your reality or feed its deconstruction. Every emotion you have is a piece of you. It lives within your body and emits electromagnetic discharges. Your emotions have a substantial influence on your overall vibration.

Treat this vital, collective organ with respect. Seek modalities and rituals that ground and nurture you, and use your words and tears to express your position. Remember that you can often choose your emotions, or at the very least, choose to improve upon them.

Finally, in all things:

  • Accept what is happening in the present moment.
  • Release your resistance to the flow.
  • Be careful when assigning meaning to circumstances, events, and relationships.
  • Focus on love, joy, and health.
  • When confronting hypocrisy and insanity, be fierce, firm, and swift.
  • Remember, the past is a canceled check.
  • Choose positive responses whenever possible.
  • Set clear boundaries so you can protect your beautiful garden.
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