Other Examples of Basic Tastes
Sweet - starchy vegetables e.g. parsnips, grains, milk, pasta, sweet fruits
Sour - yoghurt, lemons, cheese, vinegar, wine
Salty - sea salt, food with added salt
Pungent - spicy foods, peppery foods e.g. chillies, watercress, garlic, onion, cumin
Bitter - green leafy vegetables, spinach, courgettes, turmeric
Astringent - beans, lentils, apples, rhubarb, lettuce, black tea
- Have a liquid diet – of fruit and/or vegetable juices - for 1 day every two weeks.
- Take regular moderate exercise and practice a yoga routine regularly, preferably daily
- Although some sunbathing is good for you - 10 minutes uncovered – as it stimulates production of Vitamin D, and your feel-good hormones, if you spend anymore time in the sun, ALWAYS wear sunscreen.
Detox Massage
Massage your head, neck, and feet daily with warm sesame oil for relaxation. Give yourself a full body massage with warm sesame oil at least once a week – and this will aid detoxification
Warm Bath Detox
Mix 1 cup of Epsom salts and 1 cup of Sodium Bicarbonate for a refreshing bath. The water used for the head and face should be cooler than that for the body. Soak both feet in a bowl of hot water, with 1 tablespoon of salt added, for 20 minutes.
Oral Cleanse
Gargle with 1 tablespoon of warm sesame oil for 5-8 minutes - do not swallow! Spit out the oil, and rinse mouth with warm water. Then brush teeth and gums thoroughly. Clean tongue with tongue scraper or firm toothbrush.
How does Ayurvedic treatment work?
Ayurveda is as concerned with preventing disease as it is with treating it. The state of your body, mind and spirit is ruled by one of three doshas known as "vatha", "pitha" and "kaptha" and they each have their own characteristics.
Our constitution, temperament and body type are governed by the individual balance of the "doshas" that we are born with. If they become imbalanced due to diet, lifestyle, stress or even negative thoughts our health suffers.
Patients are influenced by one or more dominant "doshas" or they may be a combination type. The belief is that they can affect outlook as well as physical constitution.
Each of the three "doshas" has its own individual role in the human body, which are as follow:
Kaptha
Controls the secretions from mucous membranes, phlegm, lymphatic flow and fatty tissues.
Pitha
Controls the metabolism and is responsible for the digestive juices in the body as well as bile, stomach acid and enzymes.
Vatha
Controls the body's energy and stimulates the nervous system.
Our nutritional balance is responsible for keeping the doshas balanced, along with exercise, stable emotional and spiritual health and the elimination of unhealthy waste substances.
In ayurvedic philosophy we are all born in the "prakruthi" state and all our "doshas" are in perfect balance. It is only when outside influences disrupt the careful balance of our body that ill health occurs.
Practitioners aim to bring patients back to the prakruthi state and do so by adjusting diets, making changes in lifestyle or by detoxification.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that emotional repression can lead to such illnesses as food allergies or IBS because of the build up of toxins in the body. Apprehension, stress and anxiety can cause abdominal cramps and bloating. Ayurvedic Practitioners believe that physical health can be treated with lifestyle or dietary changes whereas emotional problems respond better to meditation or yoga.
For more information on Ayurvedic Medicine and for a list of qualified practitioners contact the Ayurvedic Medical Association in the UK on Tel: 01908 617089.
What is Ayurvedic Medicine
"Ayurveda" translates as "the knowledge of life" and is the traditional medical system of India. Its origins go back over 5,000 years and it is one of the fastest growing complementary treatments in the West today.
Apart form being a healing system it also provides guidance regarding diet and lifestyle. The aim of ayurveda is to enhance a sense of well-being and establish mental and physical harmony by balancing the flow of the inner energies. Like all living organisms we are subject to the laws of nature and ayurveda sees human characteristics and functioning from this wider viewpoint. We are each unique, our own particular "blend" and good health involves maintaining a state of balance.
The complex holistic system of ayurveda involves both the mental, spiritual, emotional as well as the physical aspects of health and illness. Similar to Chinese Medicine it looks at the root cause of any issues and teaches us to bring about balance in our life before we can fulfil our true potential.
Ayurvedic treatment has to be tailored to each individual patient as everyone is different and the practitioner has to locate the exact source of any energy imbalance so that it can be corrected.
For more information on Ayurvedic Medicine and for a list of qualified practitioners contact the Ayurvedic Medical Association in the UK on Tel: 01908 617089
What problems can be helped by ayurvedic medicine?
As ayurvedic medicine is a holistic form of treatment it can help greatly with a broad range of health problems by restoring harmony of both the mind and body, enabling us to function more fully as our true selves.
Ayuredic practitioners treat all manner of illnesses from headaches and fluid retention to chronic fatigue (ME), joint problems, IBS and cramps. It can also improve skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.
Menopausal symptoms, period problems, pre-menstrual syndrome and even infertility can also be treated.
It is worth noting that some traditional herbal products may not be suitable for pregnant women, the elderly or the seriously ill. Check with your practitioner if any of the above apply to you.
For more information on Ayurvedic Medicine and for a list of qualified practitioners contact the Ayurvedic Medical Association in the UK on Tel: 01908 617089.
Which Ayurvedic type are you?
Ayurveda - the ancient Indian system of medicine - literally means "science of life". The cornerstone of Ayurveda is that everyone's constitution is a combination of three fundamental types or energies - VATA, PITTA and KAPHA, and these affect your eating and sleeping habits, digestion, metabolism, moods and predisposition to certain health conditions. Check out the following characteristics to see what type you are:
- Vata - tendency towards: light frame, lean, dry skin and hair, constipation, being cold, nervousness, insomnia, changeable
- Pitta - tendency towards: medium build, being hot, lustrous skin, assertive, sharp intelligence, ambitious
- Kapha - tendency towards: putting on weight, solid build, thick lustrous hair, pale skin, being calm, grounded, with good stamina
In fact people are generally a combination of two types or even all three types, but generally one constitutional type predominates.
If you think you are VATA: make sure you eat lots of warm, nourishing foods, get plenty of sleep, establish a good routine and avoid being over-stimulated. Try drinking chamomile tea.
If you think you are PITTA: keep cool by eating salads, and cold drinks, make sure you take "time out" from achieving, and take walks in nature. Mint tea is good for your digestion.
KAPHA: get moving, take plenty of exercise, eat light dry food, and keep stimulated. Try drinking ginger tea to pep you up and keep you warm.