TYPES OF HERBS

Mehendi - Henna (Lawsonia albla)
hair conditioner & tonic.

Tulsi - Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
Antiseptic

Neem (Azadirachta indica)
purifier
beauty enhancer

Amla - Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)
One of the purest forms of natural Vitamin C.
Nourishes the hair, thickening and darkening it at the same time.
Good tonic for the eyes.

Chandan - Sandalwood(Santalum album)
Skin freshener.
Soul-stirring fragrance.

Ghritkumari - Indian Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
Used for liver & spleen disorder.
Promotes & regulates menstrual period.
vitalizer.

Til - Sesame (Sesamun indicum)
Promotes hair growth.
Acts as a herbal dye.

Nirgundi Five-leafed chaste (Vitex negundo)
Essential for acne, boils, eczema and hair loss.
Popular deodorant

Haldi - Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
An excellent anticeptic.

Karpoor - Camphor Powder (Cinnamomum Camphora)
A superb skin vitaliser


Kesar - Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Effective for pimples
Skin cleanser

Alfalfa- used as blood cleanser, it stimulates appetite, has diuretic & laxative properties. Rich in fiber, protein, calcium, and vitamin A. Available as tincture, tea, in capsules, dried leaves, powder extract or sprouts.

Aloe- used to treat sunburn, open wounds, burns, skin infections & irritations, digestion/ stomach disorders, as laxative, also used in beauty aids; moisturizers, cleansers to soften and soothe the skin. Available in powdered capsules, fluidextract, bottled gel, juice, and latex tablets.

Black Cohosh- used to treat female disorders such as menopause, PMS, and menstrual periods, contains estrogen. Acts as a sedative, expels mucous from the lings, promotes urination. Available in Capsules, tincture, syrup, fluid extract and as dried leaves and root.

Black Walnut- used to rid the body of parasites in the lungs, stomach and intestines, relieves constipation, and mouth sores. Available in powdered capsules, dried herb, tincture, extract, fruit and rind.

Blessed Thistle- used in the Middle Ages to treat the Bubonic plague. Has anti-inflammatory properties, stops bleeding, take to induce vomiting when poisons have been taken. Available in capsules, tinctures, extracts, and dried herbs.

Blue Green Algae- used a tonic to improve health, is a blood cleanser, curbs appetite, increases energy levels, enhances mental alertness, boost immune system, controls Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Available in tablets and capsules.

Burdock- used to treat kidney and urinary tract infections, arthritic conditions, external wounds, skin ulcers and blood disorders. Available in capsules, tea, dried herb, powder, and tincture.

Calendula- used to treat wounds, skin abrasions, and infections, helps to heal indigestion, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gallbladder problems, irregular & painful menstruation, and also used in cosmetics. Available in dried & fresh flowers and leaves, lotions, ointments, oils, and tinctures.

Catnip- used for treating indigestion, gas, tension, muscle spasm, insomnia, cols, flu's, bronchial congestion, fever, colic, diarrhea also in treating open wounds cuts and scrapes. Available in leaves, tincture, tea, and capsules.

Cat's Claw- used to treat arthritis, is a blood cleanser, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and has detoxification properties. Available in tincture, dried herb, extract, capsules, tablet, and tea.

Ayurveda

The word Ayurveda is composed of two Sanskrit terms - Ayu meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge. Therefore Ayurveda means the knowledge of life or science of life. It is defined as the science, through which one can obtain knowledge about the useful and harmful ways of life, happy and miserable types of life, conditions that lead to the above types of life, as well as, the very nature of life.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, human body consists of three primary life forces or biological humors, which are Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. These three doshas are called the tridoshas. A balance among these life forces is essential for proper health. Any imbalance among the tridoshas causes a state of unhealthiness or disease.

The first step in the method of diagnosis in Ayurvedic form of medicine is to determine the constitution of the person. That means it is the patient who is diagnosed first and not the disease.

The same disease might appear in different forms in two persons because their constitution is different. Due to this variation in constitution the medicines and treatment may be different for two people with the same illness. This difference in treatment methods according to the constitution is essential to bring back the natural balance of the biological humors. The constitutional approach is the essence of the Ayurvedic system. Understanding ones constitution helps one to lead a life style that is most befitting his constitution, thus optimizing his health and creative potential.

Laws of Nature and Spirituality In essence, Ayurveda explains the laws of nature that cause health or disease. The first cause of illness is said to be the loss of faith in the Divine or experiencing a spiritual emptiness. From here illness develops due to internal conditions (e.g., foods and liquids) or external conditions (e.g., seasons, lifestyle). The main factors that cause poor health (also described as imbalance) are 1) Poor digestion and 2) Weak immune systems.

When food is not properly digested, it sits in the body. Nutrients are not absorbed and the food decays and forms toxins. These toxins cause most diseases in the body. Therefore, it is important to have good digestion.

The immune system can become depleted by poor nutrition, overwork, drugs and other excesses. The finest essence of nutrition develops a life sap that protects the immune system, much like the sap of a tree heals the bruises in its bark. In addition to promoting physical health, it is the life sap that becomes transformed through meditation to produce mental peace and spiritual development. With all the immune disorders that are prevalent these days, it is even more important that persons develop their immune sap.

MANA

MANA

Manas or the mind is considered as 11th Indriya by Ayurveda. By virtue of its functions, Manas performs the functions of both Gyanendriya, the sensory organs and Karmendriya, the motor organs.

It has two specific characters, viz. Ekatwa (solitude or seclusion) and Anutwam (subtleness). Because of its Subtleness, Manas can move swiftly. For its swiftness, Manas is considered as the fastest object in the universe.

Manas are an entity that is responsible for generation of knowledge. It plays an instrumental role in the perception of Indriyartha. For this purpose, it conjugates itself, with the respective gyanendriya and receives sensory signals.

Gyanendriya can’t perceive any type of knowledge on its own, without conjugating itself, with Manas or Mind. Also, it is important to note that, Manas can conjugate itself, with only one sense organ at a given point of time and not more than one. But, it can move from one organ to the other, swiftly-within a split second. Functioning of Karmendriyas also needs a conjugation with Manas.

Apart from such dual role, Manas is also responsible for some more faculties. Analysis, Thinking, Imagination are some of such special functions of Manas.

BUDDHI

Buddhi is another constituent of Purusha. In terms of modern Psychology, Buddhi comprises intellect and will. It contemplates the circumstances that call for an action and provides rule of conduct. Will control the disposition, in harmony with the dictum from Buddhi.

Manas has an ability to perceive various stimuli through Indriyas. Also, it can analyze them in terms of merits & demerits. Based on such analysis, Buddhi produces a decisive knowledge. Thus, Buddhi-the intellect is ultimate decision-maker

ATMA

The word Atma can be literally translated as Soul. Concept of Atma has been the central dogma of Indian Philosophy.

Atma conjugates with all the constituent elements of human body, which is eternal. Such conjugation of Atma is only restricted to the instruments (such as sensory organs, mind & intellect) but, not their with their deeds.

Atma is omnipresent. It is constituent among all forms of life. The biological functions of all living systems are attributed to the presence of Atma, in a body-where all other constituents are incorporated.

KARMENDRIYAS

Pada (The Feet)
Hasta (The Hands)
Vagindriya (The sense of speech)
Paya (The Anus)
Upastha (The Genetalia)

The name of karmendriya includes the entire structure and functional mechanism of that particular organ. The function of a karmendriya is referred to as Indriyartha.

GAYANENDRIYAS

GAYANENDRIYAS

Gyanendriyas are sensory organs. They are the organs of perception. Since they are the tools to acquire –"gyana" –the knowledge or information, they are termed so. They are five in numbers-

Akshi (The Eyes)
Karna (The Ears)
Nasika (The Nostrils)
Jihwa (The Tongue)
Twacha (The Skin)

These five are termed as Indriyadhisthana. It means, the prime location of sensory perception. Every Gyanendriya is a complex system and not just, one or two organs. Each of these Gyanendriyas have a definite object of perception. This object of a sensory organ is termed as Indriyartha.

DHATUS

DHATUS

Dhatus are structural blocks of the body. They constitute the body -termed as S’areera. The most important difference between the Doshas and the Dhatus is that the latter perform functions under the influence of the Doshas.

The word Dhatu means ‘support’, in Sanskrit. Tissues therefore form the infrastructure of the body. There are Seven types of such structural elements that, constitute human body.

Rasa :- It represents the primary constitution of human body. Water is a major constituent of human body. Such water is present in human body, both as extra cellular and intracellular fluid content. Rasa dhatu-the first of seven structural elements refers to both extra cellular and intracellular portions of fluid in the body.

Rakta :- The word Rakta refers to Blood. Thus, Rakta dhatu represents the blood, which includes its cellular components. Blood is perceived as a special type of tissue, in modern concepts of physiology also.

Mamsa :- The muscular tissue, which constitutes many internal organs as well as the muscles, is referred to as Mamsa.

Medas :- Medo-dhatu is referred to as adipose tissue. Commonly, adipose tissue comprises of all deposits of fat-distributed in the body.

Asthi :- All the bones in human body are composed of a tissue termed as osseous tissue. All such tissue is termed as Asthi dhatu in Ayurveda. Asthi dhatu also include all cartilaginous structure in the body.

Majja :- Majja is bone marrow. A special type tissue called myeloid tissue forms bone marrow.

Sukra :- Sukra represents the reproductive elements. This includes the sperm in males and ovum in females. Apart from these elements, Sukra also refers to cellular reproductive elements.

TISSUE NUTRITION IN AYURVEDA

The mechanism involved in the maintenance of nutrition to these 7 structural elements is explained in a concept; known as " Dhatuparinama Vada".

As per this concept, the ingested food is digested in digestive tract and nutrient and waste parts are segregated. This kind of digestion is carried out primarily, by Pachaka Pitta-which is the digestive moiety of Pitta.

Samana Vata and Kledaka Kapha, which are the functional moieties of Vata and Kapha respectively, located in digestive system, support Pachaka Pitta in this process. In view of its fire like role, Pachaka Pitta is referred to as "Pachakagni".

This process can be explained very simply, with an analogy of "Cooking". We need the help of air, fire and water to cook food properly, in our day today practice. In our body, functions of air, fire and water are played by Samana Vata, Pachaka Pitta and Kledaka Kapha respectively. A right degree of cooking is possible when the air, fire and water are just, at optimal level.

After digestion, the nutrients and wastes from ingested food are segregated. The digested food, termed as " Ahar Ras" is a blend nutrients needed for all 7 dhatus.

Nutritional demands of different dhatus are variable and each dhatu derives its selective nutrients, as this "Ahar Ras" is circulated through out the body through circulatng channels. The selective nutrient, picked-up by each Dhatu, undergoes further metabolism in respective tissues.

Such metabolism, within a Dhatu is carried out with the help of specific moieties of Pitta located in respective dhatus. The Pitta element, working within a particular dhatu, is called as Dhatwagni.

Dosha

Taking the dosha quiz is free, and fun! It helps you to determine your dosha, or Ayurveda mind & body type. There are three doshas, or Ayurveda mind & body types: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Your score on the dosha quiz will give you an idea about what proportion those doshas show up in your physiology, and usually one or two of the doshas will be more dominant, and that is your dosha, baby!

The dosha quiz is easy, all the scores are automatically added up for you. Once you have determined your dosha, or Ayurveda mind & body type, you’ll know so much more about yourself, and how to live a healthier and happier life!

This is the same dosha quiz that is in Lissa Coffey’s book “What’s Your Dosha, Baby? Discover the Vedic Way for Compatibility in Life and Love” but it is in an electronic format, so your dosha is automatically calculated. You’ll get a score for Vata, Pitta and Kappha, so you can see your unique balance, and how you score dosha-wise in mind and body.

What is a Dosha?

According to Ayurveda, each of us has a unique mix of three mind/body principles which creates our specific mental and physical characteristics. These three principles are called 'doshas'. Most of us have one or two doshas which are most lively in our nature, with the remaining one(s) less significant.


What are the 3 Doshas?

The three doshas are known as: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To find out your dominant dosha, take the Dosha Quiz.

Vata

Vata

Characteristics of people with a dominant Vata body type

* flexibility
* quick mind
* creative
* always on the go - mentally and physically

Dietary choices that support vata aim at grounding this energy-in-motion. Routine is also very helpful, though not naturally something vata body type people will create! Vata people benefit from meditation, warmth, soothing music, taking breaks, and resting (again, not a natural vata inclination!).

With regards foods, vata body types should include warming spices, including ginger and cloves, anise, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, horseradish, caraway, mint, mustard seeds, parsley, cooked onion, paprika, rose water, vanilla, tarragon, thyme and rosemary.

People with the vata body type should minimize raw food, including salad, though salads should not be eliminated completely as they provide valuable nutrients. But vata should ground the salad with a dressing made from oil and vinegar, and be aware of the weather at the time of eating it. Being more sensitive to cold, vata's should have salads on warmer days.

Icy cold drinks are not balancing for vata - in fact quite the opposite. Sugar also throws vata types off balance, though vata are lucky in that they can enjoy other sweets.

Vata generally love fruit, and it suits their ayurvedic constitution. The exceptions are apples, pears, cranberries, watermelon and dried fruit. Vata types should go for sweet and moist fruit, like mangoes, nectarines, bananas, coconut, fresh figs, peaches, and strawberries.

Cooked grains like oatmeal, basmati rice, and brown rice, are very grounding for the vata ayurvedic constitution. Beans (legumes), on the other hand, are not! Beans are cold, dry, and heavy - not the attributes that support vata.

Things that can imbalance vata dominant body types include:

* a lot of travel, especially by plane
* loud noises
* constant stimulation
* drugs, sugar and alcohol
* cold climates (especially extremely cold ones) and cold food
* frozen and dried food