:: May 2006 Volume 5/Number 3

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’m 56, primarily pitta constitution. I have been in menopause for five years without much intervention of any kind, so I have had my share of hot flashes. I have been a lacto-vegetarian for over 20 years and eat pretty consciously and exercise regularly so I believe that helps everything.

There are two aspects I would like you to address for me. I feel like I haven’t been assimilating calcium well for 5-10 years, as I watch my finger nails become thinner, weaker, lots of longitudinal ridges and longitudinal splitting. I’ve tried many different supplements and nothing seems to help and I suspect my bones are cracking a bit, too. Also, my skin and hair have become extremely dry with the skin losing tone and elasticity. Any advice, please?
Thank you for making your knowledge available.

A: Let us begin with your body constitution first. You mentioned that you are predominantly pitta. Is your secondary dosha (energy) vata? Many of your issues are related to vata. For example, cracking bones, weak nails, longitudinal ridges and splitting of nails, dry hair and dry skin are clear indications of a vata aggravation.

Vata is related to bones in the body and is also responsible for the health of nails, hair and teeth. Aggravated (increased) vata weakens bones (may cause osteoporosis), makes nails thin, dry and brittle. Longitudinal ridges appear (and because of them) nails split at the ridges when they grow. Hair becomes thin, brittle and may start falling. Skin becomes dry and wrinkled - you have all these issues, which show that you have chronic vata aggravation.
Another important concept in Ayurveda is life cycles. Our whole life is divided into three stages. From birth to puberty we are in kapha life cycle, from puberty to menopausal age, pitta predominates and after menopause vata starts controlling the body and mind.
In your case, the verdict is vata. So, instead of just worrying about not assimilating calcium, focus on balancing vata in the body, so you can enjoy your golden years.
Make a few of these changes:

• Stay away from ice cold drinks, dry, light foods such as pop corn, toasts, dry sandwiches, salads etc.
• Milk products and green vegetables are good sources of natural calcium. Buy organic milk - drink warm milk (add a pinch turmeric to boost the immune system, and a pinch of ginger if you have any issues with digestion). Steam or sauté greens instead of eating salads.
• Eat warm, cooked cereal such as oatmeal, cream of wheat and herbal tea for breakfast. Moist foods such as soups, stews, steamed or sautéed vegetables are better for lunch and dinner.
• Massage your whole body with sesame oil, including scalp, hair and nails at least twice a week. Leave the oil on for 15-20 minutes and then take a shower.
• Take triphala (1/2 tsp. or two tablets) at night with warm water. In short, if you want to be happy, keep your vata happy.
• Do pranayama and meditation along with yoga.

Follow these guidelines for a few months and see the results.

Q: I have signs of arthritis in both of my knees and my right hip. I understand that this is a vata condition however it also could be a pitta condition. I’m pitta vata accordingly to the different questionnaires that I have read. I do basti with coffee and also take ginger tea at night. I do yoga, however the pain in my knees is holding up my progress. What recommendations do you have? Any product you can recommend? I’m vegetarian. God bless you and thanks.

A: You are right, arthritis can be because of vata, pitta or kapha. To answer your question, I have to know how old (or rather, young) you are, what are other signs besides pain? What is your diet, lifestyle?

With whatever information you have provided, the following are my suggestions:

• Massage all joints with mahanarayan oil before doing yoga. Mahanarayan oil is a special herbal oil blend ideal for joint pain. (It is cured with many herbal decoctions). After massage, use a moist heat - cover knees with a towel squeezed in hot water or sit in a hot water tub.
• Herbal products with guggul, ashvagandha, ginger, etc. relieve pain. You have to be careful taking guggul because it is heating and you mentioned your constitution is pitta/vata.
• Stop doing coffee enemas, rather, take sesame oil enemas. Consult with an Ayurveda practitioner for the details. (Sesame oil enemas are lubricating, moistening and balance vata).

Here is one important note about guggul - Never use herbs as “one size fits all.” Use them in combinations to balance dosha involvement. Guggul is a natural anti-inflammatory but it also creates heat. If pitta people use guggul without addition of pitta-balancing herbs (to balance the heating quality), they may experience skin rashes. It doesn’t mean that guggul is bad, but it has to be used wisely.

Q: I was interested to see your statement that autism is considered a vata condition (LA YOGA Ayurveda and Health, March/April 2006). Could you please point me to further work or writing on this topic? I am a psychologist working on ways of supporting people with autism, and I would like to investigate the Ayurvedic approach to autism further.

A: In “Ayurveda Q & A” column, I express my opinions through my own experience. “Autism affects the functioning of the brain, impacting normal development of the organ in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.” All these signs are functions of vata. Among the five types of vata - prana, udana and vyana vayu (vata) are mainly involved in Autism.

With Ayurvedic oil massages, steam therapies, vata-balancing foods and herbs such as brahmi, shankha pushpi, ashvagandhas, gokshura and haritaki, I see fascinating results. I did some research on Autism and Ayurveda. There are a few papers published on complementary medicine in neurological cases, but I didn’t find any specific paper on Autism and Ayurveda.

Q: My friends often talk about ‘doing PK’ (pancha karma), and when I ask more about it and where to find it, they just say they are doing a cleanse of some kind. It was my understanding that pancha karma is a serious procedure that should only be administered under very strict circumstances and proper conditions. When I see pancha karma offered, I cannot tell anymore if it is what I should be looking for. I would like to do pancha karma because I am a former smoker and I read in a previous column of yours (LA YOGA Ayurveda and Health, October 2005) suggestions to clean up the tissues. You suggested pancha karma, would you please elaborate? I am pitta vata.

A: Pancha Karma is a thorough, detoxifying and rejuvenating procedure described in Ayurveda. It cleanses the whole body, removes toxins from all tissues, improves digestion, strengthens the immune system and calms the mind. It has a profound effect on our health. Yes, these days the term panchakarma - PK - is used very loosely. The meaning of panchakarma is: (performing) five cleansing procedures. Classic panchakarma is done at least for a week to achieve true benefits, not for a day or three days.

The Five Karmas are:
Vamana - Medicated emesis (vomiting)
Virechana - Medicated purgation
Basti - Medicated enemas
Nasya - Administering herbs nasally
Rakta moksha - Blood letting

Among all, virechana, basti and nasya are done routinely here in U.S. Before these main procedures (called pradhana karmas), there are important pre-procedures (called purvakarmas) need to be performed for seven days. They are mainly various oleation (called snehana) and steam therapies (swedana).

Herbal oil treatments and steam help loosen toxins lodged in various tissues and bring them back to the digestive system. On the last day these toxins are removed from the body by main (Pradhana) Karmas.

If you want to get panchakarma done, do it with an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner who will design a custom tailored protocol ideal for your constitution. You will surely benefit from it.

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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