Ayurvedic Medicine
Developed over 5000 years ago, Ayurvedic Medicine is one of the oldest holistic healing systems, with its historical roots in the Indian subcontinent.
mind, body & spirit
Based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body and spirit. Its emphasis is to promote good health and prevention and treatment of illness through lifestyle practices.
Those who practice Ayurveda believe the body is made up of the five basic elements found in the universe. Air, fire, water, earth and ether. These combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called doshas. They control how your body works. They are:
Vata: Space and air
Pitta: Fire and water
Kapha: Water and earth
Every person has a unique mix of these doshas. Each one controls a different body function; however, one tends to be more dominant. It is believed that your chances of getting sick and any subsequent health issues you develop are linked to the balance of your doshas.
To maintain or return to balance, Ayurveda uses many different therapies, including diet, herbal supplements, meditations, massage, yoga and the use of medicinal oils to name a few.
There are many different Ayurvedic therapies. Here are those that I have tried.
Amnanda Process
Amnanda is an Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy. Amnanda is the Sanskrit word meaning “path to joy”.
Path of joy
According to Ayurveda, physical and mental trauma leaves a residual trace in our cell memory. These residues negatively impact our daily lives, our health, and our ability to heal which can lead to premature signs of ageing.
It aims to address these effects of long-term stress and trauma. Working holistically on a physical, emotional and psychological level by dissolving the storage of traumatic experiences in the cell memory, leading to more ease and serenity in life and allowing a process of revitalization to unfold.
Moksha
Moksha can be translated from Sanskrit to mean freedom or liberation. It is a freeing and boosting Ayurvedic treatment.
freedom & liberation
Moksha is a series of a minimum of six treatments a month apart. Your entire body apart from your arms is anointed with special herbal oil.
As the treatment progresses, your inner feelings change as you respond to this gentle touch. It stimulates the metabolic/digestive and reproductive systems, bringing increased energy to the body. Simultaneously, it can also help develop a sense of inner freedom in your life, it can help you connect more to the ‘I’. It can kick-start you either physically or emotionally, helping you to identify and fulfil more readily your life’s purpose.
It can also help you to release any hang-ups or blockages that may be holding you back in life. Thereby is it a very liberating therapy.
It can also help you to release any hang-ups or blockages that may be holding you back in life. Thereby is it a very liberating therapy.
During an initial consultation, suitability will be established.
Tongue Scraping
Another Ayurvedic practice. Once you scrape, you’ll never go back.
self-care
A natural self-care ritual that effectively removes bacteria, dead cells and toxins from the tongue surface. Scraping has an immediate effect. Studies have shown that removing these toxins can have a positive effect on your immune system, and digestive health to improve overall wellbeing.
I use a copper scraper (available online). Copper is a natural anti-microbial and antibacterial material, but any scraper will work.
Oil Pulling
The Ayurvedic practice of swirling oil around your mouth and then spitting it out, like mouthwash.
self-care
It usually involved coconut oil, sunflower oil or sesame seed oil. Rinsing should be continued for between 5 and 20 minutes. Its main benefits are that it reduces the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This bacterium gets swished away and dissolved in the liquid oil, helping prevent various problems including bad breath, gum inflammation, gingivitis and cavities.
Practitioners
Practitioners
People who I can recommend
Simple Ayurveda
Julie Ulbricht
After struggling most of my life with various stomach issues, I started seeing Julie in September 2020.
I loved the whole ethos immediately and it made total sense to me. I have now been following a vegan Ayurvedic (Veganism is my add-on, this isn’t part of the Ayurvedic diet) diet and have taken Ayurvedic supplements since I started seeing her.
It’s helped me really connect with my body, I have miles more energy and if I can stick to it (you can be a pretty painful guest!), I have none of the issues I was previously experiencing.
Julie has been amazing. Not only has she helped me with my diet, but I have also been through the Amnanda and Moksha Processes with her. She has taught me a lot and I have enjoyed my time with her immensely.
Email: Julie@simpleayurveda.co.uk
Website: simpleayurveda.co.uk
Helpful Books
Simple Ayurveda
Amadea Morningstar
The Ayurvedic Cookbook
Ayurvedic Cooking for Westerners
Simple Ayurveda
Greeta Vara
Ayurveda: A practical guide to optimal health, healing and vitality
Helpful Websites
eatandbreath.com – All things Ayurveda
essentialayurveda.com – Ayurvedic Products
