Food and Herbs: The Ayurvedic Diet
The Importance of Food
Former US Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop recently commented, ''If you are among the two out of three Americans who do not smoke or drink excessively, choice of diet can influence your long-term health prospects more than any other action you might take.'' Practitioners of Ayurveda would agree, as Ayurveda identifies improper diet and subsequent compromised digestion as a main causative factor of disease. Almost without exception, no matter what or where the imbalance, no matter what other therapies it may employ, Ayurveda addresses imbalances in the body and mind by ensuring that diet is compatible with the individual, and that digestion is functioning efficiently. For those newly introduced to Ayurvedic principles, it is sometimes a surprise to learn that very common digestive complaints thought to be quite “normal” or “benign” in our population are viewed by Ayurveda as precursors to more serious complaints, and not thought of as so “benign” at all.
We’re all familiar with the adage, “you are what you eat.” Our bodies are made up of food, our mind and emotions are affected by foods’ subtle nutrients. Without proper food, we can’t expect our bodies to function and heal optimally, whatever else we may do. The ancient system of Ayurveda proposes that food, and how you eat it, is a major therapeutic tool for the body, mind, and spirit. Thus, Ayurveda highlights proper diet, and attention to digestion and elimination, as the essence of self care and ultimate health..
From Ayurveda’s perspective, there is no single “one size fits all” diet for everyone; instead we all have different dietary needs based on our unique constitutional makeup. Different foods are positive or negative for different people, and even the “purest” foods and diet may encourage a disorder if they’re not in harmony with one’s unique needs. In practice, once an individual's constitution is assessed, they are given guidelines regarding specific foods and beverages to optimally support the needs of their unique mind and body.
At Vitality and Balance, we offer our clients constitutional assessments, individualized Ayurvedic food and beverage guidelines, helpful suggestions to promote optimal digestion and assimilation, counseling on how to make positive long-term changes, and supportive coaching to ensure success. We provide a number of simple, practical ways for our clients to learn and make changes, including individual appointments, classes, and focused coaching programs. We’ve supported hundreds of individuals seeking to correct imbalances and introduce positive changes, and we’re happy to consult with you about your needs.
Herbal Therapies
Viewing disease as an imbalance, it is easy to understand that food is of paramount importance in rebalancing and promoting healing. Botanical herbs may be thought of as “potent foods” used to apply focused attention to specific concerns. While proper diet should be followed throughout one’s lifetime, herbal formulas are often suggested for limited periods to effect change. Ayurveda employs a vast materia medica of herbs and traditional herbal formulas to rebalance and rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. Most of Ayurveda’s pharmacopoeia has been in use for literally thousands of years.
Many people can relate stories of an herb they’ve tried that has worked well for them, but didn’t seem to do anything for an acquaintance, and they wonder why. What worked for their migraine, may not work for their sister-in-law’s migraine. Ayurveda would state that this is perfectly understandable and predictable - because herbs, just like foods, are compatible or not, with specific constitutions. Just like foods, every herb is not right for every individual. Different constitutional make-ups require different therapeutics, even if the treatment is for the same condition. When recommending an herbal formula, it’s necessary to match and balance the qualities of the herbs with the qualities of the person’s constitution, or the herb is likely to have little effect. Prior to recommending any therapeutic food, herb, or practice, an Ayurvedic practitioner must assess the unique nature of the individual.
Ayurveda classifies herbs, much like the Chinese system, as to their heating and cooling qualities. Additionally, Ayurveda categorizes herbs by taste, post-digestive effect, and specially recognized abilities. Traditionally, herbal formulas are prepared and offered as powders, teas, tinctures, poultices, syrups, herbalized oils, and in other ways. The choice of preparation and dose depends upon the individual’s constitution, their specific imbalances, their strength, age, and several other factors.
At Vitality and Balance, we’ve been providing herbal recommendations to clients for over two decades. We’ve worked with individuals of all age groups, from infants to the elderly, for all manner of imbalances and disharmonies in the body. We recommend, provide or prepare both patent and custom formulas for our clients. We offer organic herbs whenever possible and we’re supplied by the most reputable importers of herbs and herbal products available. We’d be happy to assist you.