how to use ayurvedic products by paavani
What is Ayurveda?
You may have heard of Ayurveda as the “sister science” to yoga. Similar to yoga, Ayurveda is an ancient Indian body-mind medicinal system that takes into account the whole person (meaning- it goes beyond your physical health). If yoga can be a practice of prayer and meditation, Ayurveda can be a practice of health and wellness. Though, as yogis know, yoga certainly can incorporate health and wellness, as can Ayurveda include spirituality.
The two guiding principles of Ayurveda are 1) the body and mind are connected, and 2) the mind has power to heal the body. There are several different body-mind types that help guide an individual on a specific course of Ayurvedic food choices, exercise habits, and other lifestyle choices. These body-mind types are called Doshas.
What are Doshas?
Doshas, or constitutions, are the combinations that the five elements (water, fire, earth, air, ether) found in all living things and how they present themselves in an individual. The different Doshas include one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual make up. It is common to be dominant in one primary Dosha and exhibit characteristics of a secondary one; it is possible to be an even mix of two Doshas, or even all three Doshas. If you are interested in learning what your Dosha might be, there are several online quizzes you can take, as well as many certified Ayurveda practitioners in our area. In brief, the Doshas are:
Kapha–Earth & Water
Stable, grounded, sweet and loving. Slow moving with great endurance. When out of balance, can be the lethargic, have excessive mucous, and stubborn.
Pitta–Fire & Water
Sharp and intelligent, fiery, courageous, passionate. Pittas can be natural leaders. When out of balance, can be irritable, judgmental, have excess inflammation, and impatient.
Vata–Air & Ether
Creative, flexible, alert, dreamy and bubbly. Are inherently very mobile. When out of balance, can be anxious, fearful, have trouble sleeping, and cold.
What do I use these products for?
Facial Toner (for healthy skin, including acne and oiliness/dryness) – spritz onto your face after cleansing to gently remove anything trapped in your pores, then apply your favorite moisturizer
Nasya Oil (for clear and moisturized sinuses, including colds and allergies) – tilt your head back and apply 3-5 drops into each nostril then inhale deeply, an excellent follow-up treatment after using a neti pot
Karna Purana Oil (for ear and jaw health, including wax buildup and lockjaw) – place 1-2 drops into each ear canal, then gently massage
Oil Pulling Oil (for oral health, including plaque buildup and halitosis) – swish 1-2 teaspoons around your mouth and between teeth for 5-20 minutes, make sure you spit into a trashcan to avoid clogging your drain
Neti Pot (for sinus and respiratory health, including colds and allergies) – mix salt and sterile water in the pot, then tilt your head over a sink and place the spout of the pot into one nostril, tipping slowly until water rushes through your sinuses and out the other nostril
Tongue Scraper (for oral and digestive health, including halitosis and poor digestion) – hold the scraper on either end and gently use to siphon off any coating on your tongue, best done first thing in the morning
—
Written by Retail Specialist, Kat Sullivan
Works cited and continued reading: