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Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine:Oldest System of Natural Healing in the World | Ayurvedic Medicine | Body

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AyurvedicHerbalMedicine:OldestSystemofNaturalHealing
intheWorld
byWalterKacera,D.N.,Ph.D.,Herbalist&AyurvedicNutritionist
"AyurvedicHerbalismisnotoftheeastorthewest,ofancientormoderntime.itisascienceoflivingthat
encompassesthewholeoflife,andwhichrelatesthelifeoftheindividualtothatoftheuniverse.

Aknowledgethatbelongstoalllivingbeings."~Dr.DavidFrawley&Dr.VasantLad,'TheYogaofHerbs'

ThenameAyurvedaoriginatesfromtwoIndianwords:ayur,meaninglife,andVedameaningknowledgeorscience.Inabroad
senseitmeansknowledgeconcerningthemaintenanceoflife.TheaimofAyurvedicmedicineispreventative,treatingpeople
beforeadisorderhasachancetomanifestitself.

0281772

EVENTCALENDAR

Ayurvedaevolvedfromtheancientwisdomofhealers,prophets&RishisthatliveddeepintheHimalayas.Theirwisdomwas
passeddownorallyfromteachertostudent,andeventuallywrittendownonlyinthelast5,000yearsinSanskritandnamedthe
Vedas.AyurvedicHerbalmedicinehasbeenrefinedbythousandsofyearsofpracticalapplicationandexperience.Inabout800
BCthefirstmedicalhealingschoolwasfoundedinIndia.Awellknownscholar,healerandherbalistCharakainhiswritings
described1,500medicinalplantsinhisbookthe'CharakaSamhita'.Thisvaluableherbalbookisstillusedasamajorreference
textandisstillconsultedbymodernAyurvedicherbalpractitioners.
OthernaturalhealingsystemsofmedicinesuchastheChinese,Tibetan,andIslamic(UnaniTibb)traditionshavetheirrootsin
Ayurveda.EventheBuddha(born550BC)wasafollowerofAyurveda.ThespreadofBuddhismintoTibetwasalso
accompaniedbytheincreaseofAyurveda.TheknowledgeofAyurvedicherbalpracticesbroadenedtootherancientcivilizations
thoughthespiceroutes.TradersobtainingknowledgeofthematerialmedicaofthehealingplantsofIndiapassedthisontobe
studiedbyArabphysicians.ThisknowledgewasfurtherpassedontotheancientGreeksandRomans,andeventuallybecame
thecommonpracticeandbasisofEuropeanmedicine.

<<April2016>>
M T W T F S S

AyurvedicHerbalMedicineisapracticethathaswithstoodthetestoftime.Itisasoldaslifeitselfandintimatelytiedtohowlife
functionseverywhereintheuniverse.Aswesternsocietylearnstoembracetheseancientteachingswewilldiscovertheirmany

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gifts,andbegintousethemasacomplementaryformoftreatment.

Inthefollowingparagraphswewillexplorefivemainpoints:

1.WhatisAyurvedicherbalmedicine?

2.TheoryofthefiveelementsandtheTridoshas.

3.Diagnosing&theimportanceoftheconstitution.

4.Herbalenergeticsthoughthesixtastes.

5.Puttingitalltogetherinthreecasestudies.

WHATISAYURVEDICHERBALMEDICINE?

AyurvedaHerbalMedicineisbasedonthetheoryofTridoshas.Thistheoryexplainshowthefiveelementsair,fire,water,earth
andether,whichmakeupphysicalcreation,dynamicallycombinetomanageallprocesseswithinthehumanphysiology.The
fiveelementsarethebasicbuildingblocksofalllifeandthroughthemwecandeterminethefundamentalnature,called,the
constitution,oftheindividual.Itisacomprehensivesystemofhealthcarethatworkstowardprescribingawayoflife,ratherthan
atreatmentofspecificdiseasesanddisorders.Theskillofthepractitionerliesinidentifyingapersonsuniqueconstitution,
(accordingtothetridoshasystem),diagnosisthecauseoftheimbalanceanddecidingontheherbalprotocol.

THETRIDOSHATHEORYTHETHREEVITALENERGIES

ThethreedoshasareVata,PittaandKapha.Theyrepresentourgeneticblueprintandfashionhowwerespond,both
psychologicallyandphysicallytoourenvironment.Theconstitutionaltype,VataisacombinationofAirandEther.Pittaisthe
combinationofFireandWaterKaphaWaterandEarth.Theseelementsarethefoundationofalllife.

Anunderstandingoftridoshasystemhelpsusknowaperson'sconstitutionalpredisposition,assistingtheherbalistincreatinga
therapeuticherbalprogramthatintegratesallaspectsofthatindividual'slife.Theprinciplesandqualitiesthatfollowarewhatan
herbalistslooksforindetermininganindividual'sconstitution.

Vata:governsallmovement,respirationandthenervoussystem.Itsqualitiesaredescribedasbeingdry,cold,light,mobile,
subtle,rough,hard,erratic,dispersingandclear.

Inaderangedconditionitwillcausecoldness,dryness,tremors,abdominaldistention,constipation,weakness,insomniaand
numerousotherneurologicalcomplaints,andlackofstamina.

HerbsthatreduceexcessVataarenutritivetonics,demulcentwithapleasantsweet,saltyandsourtasteandwarmingqualities.
HerbsthataggravateVataarebitter,astringentandpungent.

Pitta:governsalltransformingprocesses,metabolism,allchemicalreactions,digestionandcirculation.Itsqualitiesare
describedashot,sharp,fluid,light,oily,soft,andmobile.

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Inaderangedconditionitwillcauseajaundicedappearanceorayellowishtonetotheskin,eyes,urineandfeces.Thismaybe
accompaniedbyincreasedhungeranddryness,burningsymptomandinflammations.

HerbsthatreduceexcessPittaaredryingandcooling,withbitter,astringentandsweetflavors.HerbsthataggravatePittahave
awarmmoistnaturewithpungent,sourorsaltytastes.

Kapha:governsallcohesion,liquidation,growth,bodystabilityandstrength.Itsattributesarecold,wet,heavy,slow,dull,
smooth,andcloudy.

Inaderangedconditionitwillcauseadiminutionofdigestivefunction,excessivephlegmandmucus,heavinessofthebody,
coldness,andagreatdesireforsleep.

HerbsthatreduceexcessKaphaaredrying,warmandeliminativewithpungent,bitterandastringenttastes.Herbsthat
aggravateKaphaaresweet,saltyandsour.

OneoftheuniqueaspectsofAyurvedaHerbalismisthatonceyouknowthedoshaconstitutionofanindividualyouthenknow
whichherbstoprescribe.

OneoftheuniqueaspectsofAyurvedaHerbalismisthatonceyouknowthedoshaconstitutionofanindividualyouthenknow
whichherbstoprescribe.Forinstance,herbsareclassifiedaccordingtowhichdoshatheyincreaseanddecrease.

Everythingintheuniverseiscomposedofthefiveelements.Thesecombineintothethreedoshasorbioenergeticforcesthat
governourhealthanddetermineourphysicalconstitution.

PRINCIPLESOFPHYSIOLOGICCONSTITUTIONS

TheAyurvedicsystemrecognizesthateachhumanbeingisbornwithauniquearrangementofthethreedoshas,andthis
equilibriumiswhatisresponsibleforthedistinctivenessamongpeople.Aparticulardoshaconstitutionindicatesaheightened
tendencytomanifestimbalanceordiseaseinaparticularwayascharacterizedbythedosha.Ourconstitutionalbalance
influenceshowthebodyandmindwilltendtoreactwhenexperiencingaparticularstimulus,suchasfood,herb,weather,or
emotions.Byrecognizingandmaintaininganindividual'sconstitution,Ayurvedacanteacheachpersonhowtoachievehisor
herownstateofhealth.Fromthiswecancreatealineofherbaltreatmentprotocolsuniquetotheindividual'srequirements.
ThispersonalizingaspectofAyurvedacanbeintegratedintoanynaturalhealingsystem.

HERBALENERGETICS

"FromtheEarthcameherbsandfromtheherbscametheseedthatgavelifetohumans."

TaittiriyaUpanishad(11.1)

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Inofferingthemostbeneficialformoftreatment,theAyurvedicHerbalPractitioner,notonlydrawsontheknowledgederived
fromthescienceoftheTridoshas,butmustalsoincludetheuniquescienceofHerbalEnergetics.Thissimplesystemclassifies
thebasicpropertiesofherbsaccordingtotheirenergies,tastes,theorgansandchannelsaffected,aswellastheirtherapeutic
propertiesandbiochemicalproperties.Thetastes,attributesandtheelementsareallpartofthelanguageofnature,alanguage
oflife.ThissystemissimilartotheChineseherbalapproachoftastesandenergies.Theknowledgeoftheenergetic
classificationofherbshaslargelybeenlostinthewest.ByunderstandingandapplyingthewisdomofHerbalEnergetics,plant
remediescanconnectusallwithwhathasbeencalled"thevitalrootsofexistence".
Accordingtotheirenergiesor"energetics"eachherbhasitsowntherapeuticeffects.
1.Initialtaste
2.Element
3.Heatingorcoolingeffect
4.Postdigestiveeffect
5.Specialproperties
ATTRIBUTESOFHERBALREMEDIES
PractitionersofherbalAyurvedicmedicineprescriberemediesonthebasisoftheirattributesorenergy/quality.Theseare
determinedaccordingtothetwentyattributessuchasslow/sharp,oily/dry,cold/hot,slimy/rough,dense/liquid,soft/hard,
static/mobile,subtle/gross,cloudy/clear,andheavy/light.Theotheraspectsofclassifyherbsisaccordingtosixtastes:sweet,
sour,salty,bitter,pungentandastringent.Tasteisconsideredtherapeuticforseveralreasons.TheSanskritwordfortasteis
Rasa.Itmeansdelightoressence,bothofwhicharehealing.Everyoneneedssomeofeachofthesixtasteseveryday.Tastes
ofherbsareseldomsingle,thoughoneusuallypredominates.
Examples:
Sweet,sour,andsaltytastingherbsincreasewaterurinaryandfluidity.
Bitter,pungent,andastringenttastingherbsincreaseairnervesystemfunction.
Sour,salty,andpungenttastingherbsincreasefiredigestionandliveractivity.
TASTES,HERBS&FOODS
InAyurveda,herbalismandnutritionareasinglescience,andnohealingcanbetrulysuccessfulthatdisregardsoneorthe
other.Particularfoodsareprescribedtherapeuticallyasherbs,orincombinationwithherbs.Herbsgivesubtlenutritionand
stimulationtothedeepertissuesandorgansfoodsdealwiththegrossernutrition.Theactionsofaherbisstrongestwhen
fresh.
Inordertoputalltheseprinciplestogetherletuslookatthreecasestudies.
CASESTUDY#1
Brittany,awomaninherlate50's,fullofjoyandalwaysthelifeoftheparty.Herbodyisthinwithdry,rough,anddarkskinand
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darkeyes.Shedidquitewellincollegeandtendedtogetbyoncharmratherthanacademiccompetenceandchangedher
majorseveraltimesbeforedecidingonacareeringraphicdesign.Onceintheworkfieldshegotboredeasilyandwasalways
seekingsomethingnewandexciting.Shehasatendencytobeaworkaholic.Herhealthwasgoodtillherearly40'sthenshe
startedsleepingpoorly,tossingandturningthroughoutthenight.Astheyearshavepassedherdigestionsystemhasseemedto
becomequitedelicateespeciallywhenshefeelingrushed.Inthelastfewyearsherenergyhasdroppedconsiderably,her
enthusiasmhasfaded.She'salsodevelopedasenseofunderlyinganxietyanddepressionespeciallyduringthelatefalland
winterwhichisherleastfavoriteseason.Herworsttimeofdayisinthemiddleoftheafternoon.

Brittany'sconstitutionisVata.TherecommendationsforaVata/Airimbalance,fromanherbalperspective,wouldbegrounding
herbsandfoodsthatreconnecthervitalsourcethatwouldbetheEarth.Thetastesthatwouldprovidethisaresweet,sour,and
salty.Theherbswiththistastearelicoriceroot,aniseed,nutmeg,cinnamon,ginsengroot,fennel,fotiroot.,freshgingerroot
andcatnip.

CASESTUDY#2

Peterhasbeenamotivatedmansincechildhoodwithagoodstrongphysicalbuild.Hehassoft,fairskinreddishhairwith
greenishyelloweyes.Nowinhisearly40's,havingcompetedhistrainingasafirefighter,hekeepshismindactivebycontinuing
studyingandfollowinghispassions.Itseemsthathismindjustneverstops.Healwaysfeelstheneedtotakeonanother
challenge.Inthelastfewyearshehasstartedexperiencingthrobbingheadaches.Althoughusuallyabletoplowhisway
throughchallenges,hefounditincreasinglydifficulttoregainhisdriveaftertheseemotionalandphysicalassaultsofthe
migraineonhissenseofinvulnerability.Whenprescriptionmedicationfailedtorelievehispain,hedecidedtotakeanother
approachtotreatment.Hisworsetimedayisinthemiddleoftheafternoonandhisworseseasonisduringtheheatofthe
summer.

AnAyurvedicdiagnosiswouldstatethatPeterwasexperiencingsymptomsofimbalanceinhisinherentlyfieryconstitution,in
otherwordsaPitta/Fireconstitution.Petermustlearnhowtocoolofftheexcessiveheatinhismindandbodywithherbal
relaxants,calmingbreathwork,andsoothingactivities.Thetastesandherbsthatwouldbeappropriatetorelievehissymptoms
andtogettothecausearethefollowing:sweet,bitter,andastringent.Theherbsthatwouldassistinthehealingprocessare:
gotukola,ginkgoleaf,woodbetony,chamomile,passionflower,andsandalwoodoilappliedtothehead.

CASESTUDY#3

Marthaawomaninherlate30's,tendstocarryafewextrapoundssinceherpreteenyears.Shehaspale,coolskinandher
eyesarebigandbluewiththick,darklashes.Asanadultshemarriedearlyandenjoysraisingherownfamily.Withageher
weightincreases.Sheisnowover185pounds,withhighbloodpressure.Sheisexperiencingalossofvitalityandstamina.
Gettingoutofbedisastruggle.Hercravingsandindulgencesaresweetbakedgoods,andextrasaltandbutterwithhermeals.
Herworsetimeofdayisinthemornings.Andherworstseasonisthemiddleofwinter.

MarthahasapredominanceoftheKapha/Waterelement,whichhasbecomeincreasingimbalancedwithage.Tobringabout
morevitalenergysheneedstohavemorelightnessandfireintoherdiet.Herbalrecommendationswouldbeherbsthatare
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bitter,astringentandpungent.Examplesofusefulherbs:Calamusroot,cinnamonbark,fenugreekseeds,yellowdockroot.and
burdockroot.Theseherbssupportthedigestiveprocesses,helpingherbothtoloseweightandincreaseherenergylevel.The
bittertastingherbsawakenthetastebudsenhancingonesdesireformorevarietyoffoods,thusbalancingtheaddictive
patterns.
"JustasflowerscomefromtheEarth,sotheremedygrowsinthehandsofthephysiciantheremedyisnothingbut
aseedwhichdevelopsintothatwhichitisdestinedtobe".

Paradd

THEUNIQUENESSOFAYURVEDICHERBALISM
Modernpharmaceuticaldrugsarepoorsubstitutesforplants.Theymaybeappropriateattimesforshorttermoracute
conditions,buttheirlongtermconsequenceswillinallcasesexhausttheprimarylifeforceduetotheirinorganicnature.
Greenplantsandherbsreestablishourconnectionwiththenaturalworldsustainingandbringuslife.'Lifesupportinglife.'Aswe
becomeproficientinourunderstandingofAyurvedicHerbalismwedeepenourrelationshipwithourselves,aswellaswiththe
naturalworld.EnhancingourrelationshipwiththeEarth,throughthegreenhealingplantsisinitselfaremarkablehealing
experience,dissolvingthesenseofseparationwithnature,isattherootofalldisease.Developingarespectfortheabundance
andgenerosityofthisgivingplanet,wewillperhaps,learnhowtowalkmoresoftlyupontheEarth.Ourcommonsensesays
"youcan'thavehealthybodiesonasickplanet.
ThesignificanceofAyurvedicHerbalpracticesisproveninpartbyitstimelessness.Havingsurvivednumerousobstacles,it
continuestobepracticedasanunbrokentradition.Thegreatestcontributionthatthisancienthealingsystemgivesusisa
methodofteachingprevention.Howdoyoutreatanindividualbeforethereareanysignsorsymptoms?Howdoesapersonuse
herbsinapreventativewayandnotjusttreatthedisease?TheaimofAyurvedicherbdoctorsistobalanceapatient'sunique
body/mindconstitution.Ayurvedaoffersvaluablepracticalguidelinesforhealthyliving,applicabletoeveryaspectofdaily
existence.Itteachessimplewaystowalkthroughlifeinaccordancewiththecyclesofnature,andthusenhancethewellbeing,
longevityandharmonyofallwhobringthesepracticesintotheirlife.
"Natureandwisdomalwayssaythesamething."

RomanPoetJuvenal

WalterShantreeKacera,D.N.,Ph.D.TherapeuticHerbalist&AyurvedicNutritionistwithover30yearsexperienceintheNatural
HealingArts.HeisthefounderofSPIRIToftheEARTH'The'TheLivingCentre'EcoSpiritualEducationalRetreatCentre&
Sanctuary.London,ON.CANADA.HeteachesCertificateCoursesinConsciousLiving:TheSevenfoldPath,Therapeutic&
PracticalHerbalism,ShamanicHerbalEnergetics,ConstitutionalAyurvedicMedicine,LivingNutrition,ClinicalIridology&
TongueDiagnosis.Hehassynthesizedanuniqueandnaturalapproachwithworkingwithhispatientsinunderstandingtheir
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constitutiontoachievewellness.PresentlyWalteristeachingandwritingacoursetextbookonConstitutionalAyurvedic
Medicine.HecontinuestoleadCleansingRetreatsinCostaRicawhereheworksbothasaHealthCarepractitionerand
workshopfacilitator.HismainteachingishowtointegrateholistichealthintothefieldofSpiritualEcology,meaningallowing
naturetobebothourTherapistandourTherapy.

SPIRIToftheEARTH,'TheLivingCentre,5871BellsRd.,London,ON.N6P1P35196520230

Email:info@thelivingcentre.comWebsite:www.thelivingcentre.com

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