Menstruation Guidelines

In today's world, women curse to the knowledge of having their period.  But according to Ayurveda, having your period is a blessing and not a curse.  Apart from preparing the body for conception and pregnancy, the body is being cleared of all toxins.  Every month we get to clean out our system and we don't even have to do anything!  Nature does it for us!  Our bodies are being renewed.  We are born again!  What a beautiful support from the laws of nature.

Constipation, diarrhea, irritability, mood swings, bloating, upset stomach, cravings, fatigue, breast tenderness, breakouts, sadness, anger, sensitivity - just to mention the very few variety of symptoms we might experience.

Here are some guidelines that will help during our menstruation -

• the body needs to be free of ama - this means no fast food, junk food, leftovers, alcohol and drugs.  Best to favor vegetables, grains, fruits, milk.  These fresh foods will keep your body clean and be easy on your digestive system.
• favor light and warm foods - the ones that will pacify your Vata.
• take it easy!  Don't engage in certain activities or people that will get you moody.  Best to be more inwards.
• light to moderate exercise is recommended; walks in particular
• avoid daily massages during menstruation 
• definitely follow a routine when menstruating as this will help in regulating your menstruation 
• use the following spice mix when cooking to help balance your cycle - 
• 6 parts fennel
• 1 part black cumin
• 1 part cumin
• 6 parts coriander 
• 1 part turmeric 
• 1 part black pepper 
• sauté this mix in ghee and add to your meals 

Healthy Seeds

The origin of seeds is its nutrition.  

They contains vitamins, minerals, protein and enzymes.

It's the best thing to snack on because it is a living food. 

It's best to eat seeds naturally and in its raw state.  

Do not heat the seeds as the nutritional value breaks down.  

Here's a list of the healthiest seeds on earth - 

• Apricot seeds
• Hemp seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Chia seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Flax seeds
• Pomegranate seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Grape seeds  

Vata Pacifying Diet

Is your vata of balance?
Here's what you can do to pacify Vata.

Favor the following foods -  

General - sufficient quantity, unctuous food, warm food and drinks.  Sweet, sour and salty tastes.

Grains - wheat products, rice (whole rice is best), cooked oat flakes in small amounts.

Beans/Daal - yellow mung beans (green skin removed)

Vegetables - white pumpkin, zucchini, okra (lady fingers), artichokes, asparagus, tender eggplant, carrot, beet root, sweet potatoes with fat, tomato, cucumber, tender radish, celery, green papaya spinach in small amounts.

Dairy - All dairy products, cheese should be soft and fresh.

Oils - All

Nuts & Seeds - All except peanuts, seeds in small amounts.

Spices & condiments - cumin, ginger, mustard seeds, fenugreek, hinge (asafoetida), cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, fennel, black pepper (small amounts), salt, lemon juice, tamarind.  All others in small amounts.

Fruits - ripe, sweet and juicy fruits.  Dried fruit is better soaked.  Sweet grapes, pomegranate (sweet and sour), mango, papaya, sweet pineapple, banana, avocado, sweet and juicy apples and pears, sweet oranges, melons, plums, cherries, raisins, dates, prunes, figs, kiwi fruit, peach, apricot.

Avoid or reduce the following foods -

General - light and dry foods.  Cold foods and drinks.  Pungent, bitter and astringent tastes.

Grains - barley, corn, millet, rye, buckwheat, raw oats.

Beans - all except yellow mung beans and red lentils

Vegetables - large quantity of green leafy vegetables, orange pumpkin and squash, peas, potato, sprouts, mature eggplants, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery.

Fruits - unripe, dry sour fruits.  guava, jambu, cashew, cranberries, persimmon (dried), chicory.

Tips For Healthy Hair

Tips for healthy hair -

• include lots of leafy green vegetables and sweet juicy fruits
• coconut is best
• favor fresh yogurt, milk, buttermilk, ghee 
• favor seeds, nuts and grains 
• eat less of processed, canned food - no nutrition is given to body and mind
• cumin, turmeric, black pepper are good for the hair - include these spices in your cooking
• stress is a huge factor for hair loss and graying of hair - practice TM or any other meditation technique
• harsh chemicals in hair products is a big NO - it damages the hair - read the labels
• oil massages to the scalp once or twice a week stimulates the hair follicles, provides nourishment to the scalp, stimulates the mind and clears any impurities on the head
• do not comb or brush your hair when wet - more hair will break and fall
• blow drying hair is a big NO - excessive heat damages the hair, is not good for the mind and gives you split ends
• it's good to brush the hair regularly to stimulate the scalp and keeping the hair looking healthy and lustrous! 

Healing Water for Doshas

Water represents soma, the nourishing, cooling quality that is associated with the lunar energy.  Water helps with digestion, cools and balances the pitta dosha, supports kapha and counteracts the dryness of vata.

The council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians explains how the healing effects of water can be enhanced using Ayurvedic methods.

Vata Balancing Water -

• boil 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 3 mint leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon of marshmallow root
• place the water in a thermos
• sip it throughout the day at a warm but not hot temperature

Pitta Balancing Water - 

• boil 2 quarts of water for 2 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 1/4 teaspoon of fennel seed
• 2 rose buds
• 1 clove
• store it hot inside a thermos
• before drinking pour it into a cup and let it cool to room temperature in summer
• in winter, it can be slightly warmer

Kapha Balancing Water - 

• boil 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes
• take it off the heat and add 3 holy basil leaves
• 2 thin slices of fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of fennel
• place the water and spices in a thermos
• sip the water at a hot or warm temperature throughout the day 

Remedy 3 - Immunity Spice Mix

What is the main function of the immune system?  The answer is to protect the body from foreign invaders.  To strengthen and keep the immune system in balance is vital to health.  Here's a great way to boost your immunity with spices.

• 3 parts ground cumin
• 3 parts coriander
• 6 parts turmeric 
• 6 parent ground fennel
• 1 part powdered, dry ginger
• 1 part ground black pepper
• 1/4 part ground cinnamon

- Mix the spices together 

- In 1 tablespoon on Ghee (clarified butter), heat 1 teaspoon of this spice mixture until it releases aroma

- Add this to your vegetables, rice, etc. 

Must have spices in your spice rack

Spices and herbs have healing powers.  
Spices and herbs are in direct relation to the entire holistic functioning of the body.
They're therapeutic.
Flavorful.
Convenient.

Be sure to have the following spices in your spice rack. 

• Turmeric
• Coriander
• Fennel
• Cumin
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Asafoetida 
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Basil
• Cayenne
• Black pepper
• Saffron
• Ajwain
• Dill
• Mustard seeds
• Sea salt
• Black salt
• Fenugreek 

Remedy 2 - Acidity, gas, indigestion

How do you feel after food intake?
Heavy, bloated, acidic, gaseous?
Here's a simple home remedy you can make which can help with any discomfort.

Acidity, gas and indigestion -

1. Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
2. Coriander seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
3. Black salt - 1/2 teaspoon
4. Sugar - small pinch
5. If you're experiencing any pain, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of Ajwain seeds

Mix all the ingredients above, let it boil nicely and drink as a tea.

For full effect, best to have after lunch and dinner.