Ayurveda is not just a system of medicine but also a science of health promotion designed to increase our well-being and happiness in all aspects. It shows us not only how to treat disease but how to live in such a way as to arrive at optimum health and the maximum utilization of our faculties, which according to Yoga and Ayurveda are almost unlimited.
Ayurvedic Regimen for Optimum Health :
Maintenance of a healthy life by one's own right action is called "Swasthavritta," which literally means "the regime of abiding in one's own nature. According to the Ayurvedic science of life and the yogic science of self-realization, harmony is our natural state. Yet to maintain this condition we need to know our nature and learn to live according to its real needs. This is the key to health. It is this science of self-care and the observation of certain principles that teach us to live a health and happy life.
Daily seasnol regimen
Occasional duties
Precautionary observances in sexual activity
General rules of conduct for the well-being of society
Precautionary measures against untimely old-age
Conduct and practices to achieve self-realization
The Ayurvedic regime of right living is designed for maintenance of health, achievement of a long, healthy, active life, providing relief from pain and disease, allowing satisfactory enjoyment of the pleasures of life, and attainment of Self-realization. In short, Ayurveda helps the individual to achieve the four main objectives of human life. These are Dharma, service to society; Artha, service to family; Karma, service to self; and Moksha, Self-realization.
Daily Regimen :
Ayurveda outlines the main practices to be observed on a daily basis to promote health and optimal usage of the faculties.
Time to Wake Up :
A healthy person should get up two hours before sunrise. After emptying of bladder and bowels, one should meditate for half an hour and then do Yoga exercises, including Pranayama, emphasising postures (Asanas) according to one's constitution:
Vata: Lotus pose, Vajrasana, Siddhasana, Solar Pranayama.
Care of Teeth :
The teeth should be cleaned with medicated powders mixed with oil and salt. The mouth is the place of Bodhaka Kapha and has an alkaline pH. Hence the teeth should be brushed or cleaned with the fingers or with medicated powders containing astringent, bitter and slightly pungent taste substances. Recommended for this purpose is a mixture of the powder of Catechu, rock salt, black pepper, long pepper, camphor, turmeric and neem in equal proportions, along with small amount of cloves and honey. Sweet toothpastes are not recommended.
Such Ayurvedic tooth powders are commercially available. The base is mostly of natural astringent and antiseptic clays, along with various spicy and astringent herbs. If used regularly, they can eliminate many dental problems.
Care of Tongue :
The tongue should be cleaned with a flexible and long strip made of metal (steel or copper)or wood daily. Clearing the tongue not only cleanses the mouth but also stimulates the whole digestive tract and improves the digestive fire. Failing to clean the tongue in the morning is considered in Ayurveda as equal to not washing the face.
Care of Mouth :
Gargling with a quarter-cup of warm undiluted sesame oil gives strength to the teeth, improves the voice, and imparts proper taste to the food that is eaten.
Care of Face :
Every morning the face and the eyes should be washed with cool water. A medicated paste containing Haritaki, sandalwood and milk should be applied to the face and kept on for ten minutes, before washing off with water. This paste is a little astringent and helps tighten the skin and prevent wrinkling. Other herbal and facial oils such as Brahmi oil can similarly be used. An Ayurvedic facial paste can be made with one part Amalaki powder, a half part Haritaki powder, and a quarter part of Sandalwood powder. This should be mixed with two or three tablespoons of milk until it becomes a paste.
Care of Eyes :
Every day, Collyrium or Kajjal should be put into the eyes. This helps remove dirt and dust, and relieves watering or burning of the eyes through strain. Regular use of Collyrium increases the brightness of the eyes and strengthens their ability to withstand bright light. Collyrium should be made from a decoction of barberry, licorice and triphala in equal parts along with enough honey to produce a paste. This can be applied to the eyes.
For making collyrium the best substance is the ash from a ghee lamp. To make this, a copper or silver bowl with a small amount of water in it is held over a ghee lamp. The black precipitate which accumulates under the bowl is collected as collyrium.
Medicated ghee made with triphala is also good for oil application to the eyes.
Care of Nose :
Medicated oil should be put into both nostrils each day (this is called Pratimarsha Nasya). A few drops can be put on the end of the little finger and gently applied inside the nose. For this purpose the Ayurvedic oil called Anu Tail should be used or, if it is not available, such oils as sesame oil, Brahmi oil, or ghee are also helpful. Constant use of Nasya protects the eyes, nose, and throat against disease and improves their efficiency. It also helps to prevent diseases of the neck and head region and strengthens the voice.
Exercise :
Regular light exercises help the body to shape up increase muscle strength, improve appetite and mountain health.The body comes to withstand exertion, fatigue, heat and cold. It also improves appetite and maintains health. Exercise is most beneficial in winter and spring. It is best when done to the extent of half the exercising capacity. When sweat appears on the forehead and armpits, respiration speeds up and one starts breathing through the mouth, the exercise should be stopped.
While doing any exercise, due consideration must be given to age, strength, physical condition, time, season of the year and diet. If exercise is done without paying attention to these factors, or if too much is done, it aggravates Vata and produces many health problems. Similarly, those suffering from diseases or who are too old, debilitated and exhausted should not do any strong exercise.
Smoking :
Smoking a cigarette made of medicinal herbs (without tobacco) is useful for alleviating Kapha in the neck and head region. This type of smoking is also helpful for maintaining health and treating certain diseases.
Medicinal herbs and substances used for smoking are Harenu, Priyangu, Keshar, Sandalwood, Cinnamon leaf, Cardamom, Licorice, Jatamansi, Guggul, Agaru, Udumbara, Ashwattha, Plaksha, Lodhra, Yperus, resin of Vateria Indica, Lotus, resinous extract from Pinus Roxburghii, and Shallaki. All these herbs should be powdered and then made into a paste and applied to a reed. Then they are made into a cigarette having the thickness of the center of the thumb and the length of eight fingers breadth. It should then be dried up and the reed taken out. Then with the help of a cigarette holder one can smoke the cigarette after greasing it with an oily substance like sesame oil.
Smoke should not be exhaled through the nose because this can irritate the eyes. Effects of correct and good smoking are lightness in the head, throat and chest as this procedure liquefies excess Kapha in these regions.
Bath :
A hot water bath should be taken after oil massage and proper exercise. For washing the head, the water should not be too hot.
A hot water bath relieves fatigue, increases strength, cleans the body, improves appetite and generates a pleasant sensation in the body as well as in the mind.
Rest and Sleep :
Before going to bed one should meditate, and critically examine his own conduct. Usually six to seven hours' sleep gives sufficient rest to both body and mind.
Seasonal Regimen :
The atmospheric changes resulting from changes of seasons affect all living beings. Some changes are beneficial, while others are detrimental. In order to achieve maximum benefits from good qualities of the atmosphere and protection from the bad effects, Ayurveda has prescribed certain rules in regard to diet, behaviour, and medicines. These are called the "seasonal regimen" or Ritucharya.
All the activities in the universe are governed by two energetic principles, hot and cold. Based on this concept the entire time span of the year has been divided into two parts, accumulation (Adana) and release (Visarga). In India they follow the northern course of the sun (Uttarayana), the period from the winter to the summer solstice, and the southern course of the sun (Dakshinayan), the period from the summer to the winter solstice. In the Adana (taking) period, nature takes away energy and strength from all living beings, whereas during the Visarga (giving) period, nature gives energy and strength to all living beings.
During the accumulation period (Adana) the increasing heat of the sun imparts hot and dry qualities to living beings as well as to plants. During this period, the green grass supply is scanty and consequently animal and dairy products are not supplied sufficiently. Their quality is not nutritious, either. Because of extreme heat, the natural decomposition of foodstuffs is faster. This increasing heat reduces the strength of all people and also lowers the appetite. The grains, vegetables, or herbs that grow during this period are predominantly of bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes. The incidence of disease is more frequent.
During the Visarga (release) period, there is a dominance of the moon and the principle of the cold. Hence the strength of the creatures increases along with their appetite. In plants, predominantly sour, salty, and sweet tastes are found. As immunity or resistance to diseases increases during this period, people at large do not suffer so much from diseases and their health is maintained. The food that is available during this period is also more nourishing since the natural process of decay is not as fast as it is in the extreme hot season. As a result of this, the whole environment enhances the possibilities of better tissue building.
While discussing seasonal schedules, one should understand the principle on which the entire pattern is based. A change in the environmental factor (hot or cold) is a stimulus for all living beings. To compensate for this stimulus, a modification in the response pattern is essential. This is known as the seasonal regimen. The division of the seasons depends on the actual meteorological conditions in each place. In India there are six divisions, but in other countries there may be as few as only two different seasons in the whole year.
The substances that are advised for a particular period must also be understood according to their qualities (the three guna, five elements, and twenty attributes). In general, the substances to be selected in a particular season should have qualities opposite the season. If this rule is not followed, then these substances can have adverse effects.
Ethical Regimen :
A healthy mind is as important as a healthy body. The mind influences many physiological actions. When the body possesses a Sattvic quality of the mind, it directs all desires and actions for the welfare of an individual; Rajas and Tamas are harmful qualities of the mind and are produced by passions and ignorant actions. Such an unhealthy mind generates wrong judgements and misconceptions by the intellect and is responsible for producing diseases. Hence every attempt should be made to increase the Sattvic quality of the mind.
Ayurveda prescribes certain rules for maintaining a healthy state of mind. They are called the "Ethical Regimen" (Sadvritta). These are not simply moral principles that reflect a particular cultural bias, but instead are the principles of right conduct that are applicable to all people of all times and places. Practising them gives balance and peace of mind. Violating or ignoring them makes us agitated in our thoughts and feelings. These are:
Avoid overeating, drinking too much alcohol, too much sexual activity and too much or too little sleep
Never eat food at an unhygienic place, at an improper time or with unhealthy people
Do not disclose another's fault or secret
Do not take another's wealth or property
Do not keep company with people who break the rules of good conduct
Do not undertake strenuous work when you are ill, or which is more than your physical capacity can bear
Do not undertake any job that is beyond your capacity
Rules of eating
Try to keep your meals on a regular schedule, but if you do not feel hungry at meal time, fast until next meal.
Eat slowly, and savour your food. Chew it thoroughly till the solids are made to a pulp in the mouth, remembering that digestion begins in the mouth. Drink solids and eat liquids is relevant here.It allows the saliva to mix up thoroughly with the food. Do not drink water in between, lest it will dilute the digestive enzymes. Drink only when you are thirsty.
Do not eat more ,fill half the stomach with food and quarter with liquid and leave the rest empty.
Do not eat complex mixtures of food that is difficult to digest.
Do not eat too much of oil fried food items, artificially coloured or with preservatives.
Avoid all junk foods, go for natural food.
Maintain peaceful attitude during eating. Try to eat in silence.
Change your diet gradually.
Avoid cola and all aerated liquids, instead go for fresh juices.
Eat at least one raw salad every day.
Try to fast one day a week.
Eat to live don’t live to eat :
Before you eat remember of god , who dwells in all foods and who bestows all bounties.
Take rest for 15 minutes after a heavy meal.
Leave a gap of atleast 4 hours before each meal.
Try to limit to two meals a day and preferable finish it before sun set. Remember, all vegetarian animals finish eating before sun set.
