:: October 2005 Volume 4/Number 7

Ayurveda Q & A:

By Dr. Jay Apte

Ayurveda has been practiced in the U.S. only about 25 years, yet it is the 5000 year old Indian system of medicine and yoga's sister science. Readers are invited to submit questions for "Ayurveda Q & A" to ayurveda@layogamagazine.com.

Q: I’ve heard that green tea is really healthy and has a lot of antioxidants, so I’ve been drinking green tea instead of coffee. But, is green tea really any better for me, since it also contains caffeine?

Dr. Apte: Drinking green tea has more health benefits. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which slow down aging, fight viruses, reduce high blood pressure, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, fight cancer and boost the immune system.

Here is a trick to wash off caffeine from green tea. Steep the tea for 45 seconds in hot water and then pour off the liquid. Next, add more hot water and steep as you normally would to brew a cup of that tea. Up to 80 percent of the caffeine is released in the first infusion of water so only minimal amounts will remain when you add water the second time. This does not eliminate tea’s flavor and aroma or other antioxidants.

Now you can drink green tea with a peace of mind.

Q: There is a strong history of cancer in my family. Are there herbs I can take as a preventive measure? Or are there foods I should favor or avoid? Are there preventive measures when there is a family history?

Dr. Apte: Yes, prevention is always better than cure. If you have a family history of cancer, you have to do everything you can, to prevent it. The aim is to make your immune system very strong, so the body can prevent many diseases including cancer.
Body Constitution is the unique concept in Ayurveda, which makes each person very special and different than others. Once you know your mind-body make up, it is easy to make right food choices, life style modifications and use herbs to achieve balance and strengthen ojas - immune system.

You have to eat according to your body constitution. (This is important step to achieve balance). If possible, eat only three meals per day and zip your lips in between. (Improves digestion and prevents building toxins in the body. The food should be natural, organically grown, and fresh, (best if you cook at home). Stay away from trans-fatty acids (margarine), canned foods and TV dinners (they have lot of preservatives).

Exercise and meditation are essential steps of the preventive program. (It pacifies mind – balances emotions and reduces stress).

The best herbs for prevention are Haritaki, Turmeric, Punarnava, Brahmi, Guduchi, Amalaki. Depending on what type of cancer, and your body constitution, many other herbs also can be used.
Currently modern medicine has its eyes on Turmeric. More and more papers are being published on turmeric as curative and protective against many types of cancers. In many Ayurvedic recipes turmeric is used making “my food be my medicine.”

Q: I’ve heard that eating just before meditation is not advised? Does meditation interfere with digestion? How should I space my meditation practice, asana practice and meals?

Dr. Apte: When you eat food, the blood and prana goes more towards your digestive system to digest food. If you meditate right after eating, you will not be able to digest food or concentrate on meditation.

During meditation, you need prana and your attention directed towards your heart and brain. So it is best to meditate on an empty stomach early in the morning. You also can’t do yoga on a full stomach, so do yoga practices after meditation, and eat breakfast, after an hour or so. If you want to do yoga in the evening do it before dinner. (Have some fruit about an hour to two, before yoga practice).

If you want to meditate at night, do it before going to bed. This way there will be 2-3 hours of gap between your dinner (around 6 -7 pm) and meditation.

Remember whatever activity you do, the blood gets pooled in that direction, so don’t rush; give your body some time to change gears. (Eating just before exercise, or exercising just before meals is not a good idea either).

Q: Do you have any suggestions to alleviate difficulty getting up in the morning? As my body clock follows the seasons, the shorter days combined with my kapha nature make getting too much sleep hard to avoid. Is there something I could do before bed?

Dr. Apte: “Early to bed and early to rise, makes person healthy and wise” is a perfect saying. Also fits into Ayurvedic philosophy. The trick is to get up before sunrise. It is a vata time – vata is an energy of action and movements. You will feel energized getting up around 6 A.M. To get up early you have to go to bed early too, around 10 P.M. Eight hours of sleep will be good enough for you or anybody. Have a schedule to do meditation, yoga or an aerobic, right after you get up. This will help you get into routine.

Q: I am a former smoker. What can I do to clean up the tissues in my throat and lungs?

Dr. Apte: Chronic smoking affects your whole body, not only lungs or throat, so you have to concentrate on deep cleansing and rejuvenation. Panchakarma is best for that. (Panchakarma is a five fold rejuvenating and detoxifying Ayurvedic procedure).
Regular practice of pranayama will be very beneficial (Join yoga class where there is more emphasis on pranayama). Don’t forget the importance of food. Fresh, organically grown, natural foods also help to increase prana (life energy) to the system.
Gargling with turmeric tea and a pinch of salt will cleanse mucus in the throat. Neti (Cleansing your nasal passage with salt water) will help you reduce swelling and congestion.
Tulsi, Vasa, Licorice, Triphala, Dhamasa, Bharangi are good herbs which work on respiratory system.

Jay Apte, BAMS, earned her degree in doctor of Ayurveda (BAMS) in India and is a traditional Ayurvedic physician.
Dr. Apte regularly schedules consultations in Los Angeles at Dancing Shiva & Ayurveda, Ph: 323-934-VEDA.
Reach her at www.herbalcare.com.

 

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