:: Mach/April 2006 Volume 5/Number 2

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: Sea vegetables are a regular part of my diet and I wonder about the Ayurvedic energetics of sea vegetables? I feel like they might be pitta. I often feel like I digest raw foods better if I eat them with sea vegetables.

A: Sea plants, with all the different parts such as stems, leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds, are ideal according to Ayurveda. They are healing if they are rich in different colors. Sea vegetables, if they get enough sunlight, become rich in chlorophyll. Being grown in salt water, they increase pitta and help digestion and that is why what you experience is true. You digest raw foods better if you eat them with sea vegetables. (Raw foods are more difficult to digest).

Q: I am frustrated about a recurring low-grade ear infection. What are your recommendations for clearing up this problem?

A: Try putting garlic oil in the ears for a few days.

Here is the recipe:
Chop a couple of cloves of garlic and sauté in 2 - 3 tbsp sesame oil for 2 minutes or until the garlic turns golden brown. Remove garlic pieces or strain the oil. Store it in a small bottle. Everyday keep the bottle in hot water. Let the oil become lukewarm and put 5 - 10 drops of oil (with a dropper) in both ears.

Q: I have been reading about the benefits of probiotics. Most days I have a digestive lassi with my lunch, but I also take a powdered acidophilus every morning as a few years ago I was on antibiotics for an extended period of time. What does Ayurveda have to say about acidophilus supplements?

A: Many antibiotics are known to destroy good bacterial flora causing digestive problems. Acidophilus stimulates the growth maintaining the balance. Many foods also help build and restore this flora. If you were on antibiotics years ago, then by now your system might have rebuilt those bacteria.

Ayurveda emphasizes healthy digestion rather than taking supplements. You have to pay attention to eating natural and whole foods and making sure your digestion is good. It takes care of everything.

Q: My son is predominately vata dosha. Several years ago, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Autism and was placed on a regimen of medications including Resperdal, Concerta and Depakote. He is now 13 years old, and I would like to reduce his dependence on these medications and seek dietary and other complementary therapies. He is currently under the care of an Ayurveda-friendly pediatric neurologist who is reevaluating his diagnosis and treatment. Could you please give some advice about alternative therapy? Is there any dietary suggestions, Ayurvedic books or other information that would help him understand that there are other options?

A: Autism is considered vata condition. He will benefit by following a vata balancing diet and life style regimen. His doctor can lower the dose of his medications after seeing the results.

Dietary tips:
Stay away from cold foods and drinks and emphasize warm, moist foods such as oatmeal, cream of wheat and grits. Take warm soups, stews, sautéed or steamed veggies, sweet fruits, etc.

Lifestyle tips:

• Massage the whole body with warm sesame oil 2 - 3 times a week. Leave the oil on for 15 minutes and then take a warm shower.
• Massage scalp and soles of the feet with warm sesame oil everyday in the evening.
• Sit in a hot bathtub for 20 - 30 minutes once a week.
Pour 5 - 6 drops of warm sesame oil in both nostrils and both ears everyday.
• Teach him pranayama.
• Do some activity where he will sit quietly for some time (drawing, painting or whatever his hobby is).

These are simple changes but the benefits are profound.
Right now I don’t know any book which is easy for children to understand. “Perfect Health” by Dr. Deepak Chopra is a good book.

Q: Some months I have PMS (premenstrual syndrome) characterized by swelling of breasts and an appetite that won’t stop! I’ve read that PMS is avoidable. What is your opinion? I am a pitta kapha constitution.

A: Many things are avoidable, if you follow Ayurveda. To get answers to many health problems, start thinking in terms of vata, pitta, kapha doshas (energies). For example, the first 8 - 10 days of the menstrual cycle are kapha related, the middle 8 - 10 days are dominated by pitta and last 8 - 10 days are controlled by vata. PMS symptoms appear mainly due to vata during the vata period of the cycle. So, keep your vata happy. PMS symptoms differ by body constitution. Swelling of breasts is mainly a kapha sign and strong appetite is a pitta sign. No wonder you have these symptoms. Your kapha-pitta constitution makes you prone to these kinds of symptoms.

The best treatment is Triphala. Take it (1/2 tsp. in warm water at bed time) for last 10 days of your cycle. Gokshura and ginger are other good herbs for PMS. Regular pranayama will also help.

Q: Do you have a Spring cleansing you can recommend?

A: This is the time for Spring cleanse to “Spring into health”! Again, think in terms of kapha, pitta and vata. This is the transition time (Ritusandhi) from vata season to kapha season. Do a kapha cleanse, get that kapha into balance and prevent colds, cough, sinus problems, migraines and many more mucus-related problems.

You can try one of the following:

• Fasting - Skip dinner for a week (Eat only breakfast and lunch) and take digesting herbs (Trikatu - Ginger, Black pepper and Long pepper - Pippali - 2 capsules twice a day).
• Take 4 - 5 tablespoons of castor oil on an empty stomach on a weekend. A few rounds of lose motions will cleanse you out. Do it only once. Eat khichadi for a week for lunch and dinner.
• Do classic vamana treatment. A few panchakarma centers do this treatment.

Try any of these cleanses to enjoy April showers and May flowers.

As always, consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before undergoing treatments or starting medications.

 

Jay Apte, BAMS, earned her degree in doctor of Ayurveda (BAMS) in India.  Dr. Apte schedules consultations in Los Angeles at Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda.  Reach her at
(800) 313 – 4372; www.herbalcare.com.

 

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