doshas

By now in this Ayurveda 101 series, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the Mahabhutas, their archetypal qualities, and how they show in every single aspect of our lives.

Turmeric, a bright-yellow-hued root spice, has been used in cooking, medicine, and cultural ceremonies for thousands of years, especially in South Asia. Practitioners of both western healthcare and Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient holistic healing system with Indian roots, have lauded this plant’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Have you ever noticed that you find yourself drawn to one particular season over another?

Perhaps you are a chaser of the sun and avoid cold climates at all cost. Maybe you are more of the snow bunny type and become irritably uncomfortable with higher temperatures and humidity. Or perhaps overcast, rainy days are your jam.

Anti-aging isn’t a dirty word anymore, for looking the best you can at all ages should come naturally to us. And if it comes via Ayurveda, that’s the best possible scenario.

Bloated. Puffy. Stuffy. Stiff. Tired. Stressed. Sore.

When you think of how food tastes to you, you probably can think of certain tastes you like or favor, and others that aren’t as appealing to you, or you dislike. Well it turns out that there is a lot more to taste than just personal appeal. The taste of food actually has a profound influence on your health and your experience of your body and mind.  Read the rest of this article to find out how.

We don’t pay the tongue much attention. A dominant feature of our mouths, it works thanklessly to help us enunciate our speech and appreciate and consume our food. Many people prefer to ignore this part of the mouth, especially in the morning, when the furry buildup that has accumulated there overnight has us running for the toothbrush.

Do you have thick hair, thin hair, or maybe more coarse hair?

Are you talkative or not?

Prone to anger, fear, or escape in a stressful situation?

Seven - it seems like a consistent, magical, cosmic number. The same number of days it supposedly took to form the earth, the number of main chakras in the body, days of the week, and the main levels of tissue formed in the body...all counted by sevens. What nurtures one doesn't always nurture all, but when the foods which can nourish the whole are recognized, eating healthy takes on a whole new meaning.

Vitis vinifera Linn, otherwise known as raisins, have been a common ingredient used in many Ayurveda dishes over the years. Many people specializing in Ayurveda practices encourage the mixing of healing foods, such as raisins, in with every day foods. Although I’ve always been aware that dried grapes were a nutritious food, it wasn’t until recently that I discovered more about their beneficial uses in Ayurveda practices. Of course, I couldn’t keep this discovery to myself.