:: June 2007 Volume 6/Number 5

Ayurveda Q & A

By Dr. Jay Apte

Ayurveda has been practiced in the U.S. for only about 30 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 am a 30-year-old pitta/kapha [fire and earth elements] woman. I have seasonal al-lergies: They are worse at the beginning of the year, after windy days, in the morning or if I stay up late.
I don’t take pharmaceuticals. Is there anything Ayurvedic I can do?

A: You are a kapha/pitta person. Spring is the kapha time. So your kapha rises in spring, giving you seasonal allergies. But you are not alone. Millions of people start sneezing and sniffling during late winter and spring.

Avoid:

• Cold drinks and cold foods.
  
• Sweet, heavy foods.
  
• Salty junk foods and sour foods such as yogurt.

Emphasize:

• Warm drinks – ginger tea, cinnamon tea and warm water and honey.
  
• Spices such as ginger, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, cayenne and black pepper.
  
• Dry, light and warm foods such as sandwiches and wraps.
  
• Baked, broiled or grilled veggies and light meats.

Life-style

• Stay warm.
  
• Exercise daily, do some aerobic activity such as a brisk walk, jog, tennis or dancing.
  
• Do pranayama (breathing practices): bhasrika, kapalabhati.
  
• Learn to do neti (nasal wash).

(Learn the above practices from a qualified yoga teacher or Ayurvedic practitioner.)

Herbs

• Trikatu: ginger, black pepper, pippali (long pepper).
  
• Triphala: haritaki, amalaki, bibhitaki.
  
• Tulsi, turmeric, dhamasa (Fagonia arabacia), vasa (Justicia adhatoda).

Ginger Tea Recipe

• 1 glass water
  
• Juice squeezed from ½ fresh lime or lemon
  
• 1 Tbsp honey
  
• 1/8 tsp minced fresh ginger
  
• Simmer the ginger in water, add the other ingredients and drink 2-3 times a day to prevent or reduce mucus and congestion.

Next year, get a head start and start following this regimen from January, so you can prevent sneezing and sniffling.

Q: I am 38 years old and 13 weeks pregnant with my third child. My first daughter is 13 years old last September I lost a baby at 20 weeks. My membranes ruptured without any dilation or previous bleeding.

I’m concerned because I have only put on eight pounds. I feel like my digestion is on super slow mode. I feel full and have gas and frequent burping.

I don’t know my Ayurvedic body type, but I would like some suggestions to help my health and the health of my unborn baby.

A: Congratulations! You miscarried one time. That does not mean it will happen again. You have mentioned that your digestion is slow. What about your bowel movements? Do you get constipated often? This may give you gas and burping.

Your baby is also growing on the food you are eating, so it is important that you eat fresh, healthy and preferably organic food.

You feeling happy and content are also very important. The baby feels your energy.

• Take rest as much as possible.
  
• Avoid vigorous, brisk movements.
  
• Take a leisurely walk for 30-40 minutes daily.
  
• Meditate in the morning. Visualize your happy baby.
  
• Eat three meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eat fruits between. Meals should include plenty of grains, legumes, and fresh vegetables, milk and ghee. Eat until you feel satisfied. If you feel like eating certain foods, go for it, because during pregnancy the body creates certain cravings.
  
• Drink plenty of water and (organic) milk. Pure ghee and turmeric are very beneficial for the baby’s immune system.
  
• Shatavari is a good tonic during and after pregnancy.
  
• Mix shatavari (1 tsp), turmeric (¼ tsp) and ghee (1 tsp) in a glass of milk and drink in the morning.
  
• Massage your body with sesame/coconut oil and after 20 minutes take a warm bath.
  
• Eat prunes or soaked raisins at night for regularity.
  
• 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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