WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
Do you know What is Ayurveda and What Food is recommended by ayurveda? In Brief, Ayurveda is a science of medicine with its historical roots in India.
The word ‘Ayurveda’ is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ Ayur ’ which means life and ‘ Veda ’ which means science/knowledge . Thus, Ayurveda denotes ‘knowledge of life’.
‘Ayurveda’ is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems for a human body and it was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of holistic health and healing. It is based on the idea that our physical, mental, and spiritual health are interconnected.
” Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates, the father of medicine
This quote focuses on the importance of healthy eating and how the nutrients in various foods have healing properties. Ayurveda says that your mind, body, and spirit should be in harmony with the universe to achieve a good health.
It focuses on eating natural, whole foods in accordance with each individual’s unique constitution or “dosha ”.
Following an Ayurvedic diet can help to reduce inflammation, improve digestion, boost energy levels, and enhance overall health.
Eating according to Ayurveda is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years to promote optimal health and wellbeing. It is based on the idea that food should be tailored to one’s individual needs, taking into account their body type, lifestyle, and environment.
What is the Best Food as per Ayurveda?
The Answer is a ‘Vegetarian Food’. Ayurveda recommends vegetarian food. Why? Ayurveda says that there is a strong connection between our body and our mind and it can be nurtured by healthy eating.
Eating mindfully is an important part of Ayurvedic eating practices. By taking the time to pay attention to what we eat and how we eat it, we can nourish our bodies and minds in a balanced way.
Three Doshas
Ayurveda is an ancient science of healing and health that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments.It focuses on eating natural, whole foods in accordance with each individual’s unique constitution or “dosha ”. It is based on the belief that each person is made up of three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – which must be balanced in order to maintain good health. Eating the right foods can help balance these doshas and restore health.
Ayurveda suggests choosing the food according to a body type. In short, Our body is made of 3 dosha( vata, pitta and kapha). Vata means body aches/ pains, Pitta means acidity problems and kapha means one who usually suffers from cold, cough etc. One should choose the food according to their body type.
When we eat plant-based food, we get more energy for daily activities and don’t feel lazy or get tired.
One important aspect of Ayurveda is the concept of doshas, which are three biological energies that govern our physical and mental health. Ayurveda believes that the food that we eat also reflects our mood.
Which food should be avoided for a specific ‘dosha’ ?
- Vata Dosha
The person who has ‘Vata’ should avoid eating sour fruits such as apple and pears as it can deteriorate or worsen the problem. In winter, the cold weather increases Vata in the body resulting in dryness of skin.
Foods that dry up the mouth and skin increase dryness and aggravate the Vata such as apples, cranberries, pomegranate, artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, rye, rice cakes, and crackers should be avoided.
2. Pitta Dosha
The person who has ‘Pitta’ should avoid or minimize consuming caffeine (coffee), black tea, nicotine (smoking) and drinking alcohol.
3. Kapha Dosha
The person who has ‘kapha’ should avoid eating cold food such as yogurt, ice-cream as it can deteriorate or worsen the problem.
Through understanding your dosha, you can make better food choices that will help keep your body in balance and improve your overall health.
What is Ayurvedic Food?
Ayurvedic food consists of natural ingredients, such as spices, herbs, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. These foods are often cooked in a way that preserves their nutritional value and allows them to retain their healing properties. Eating an ayurvedic diet can help to reduce inflammation in the body and restore balance within the system.
Food that is recommended by Ayurveda:-
- All fruits and vegetables
- Dry fruits
- Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and butter milk
- Sprouts
- Spices and herbs which aids digestion.
Benefits of Ayurvedic Food:-
- Food requires less time and energy to prepare
- Promotes bone health
- Promotes heart health
- Helps in weight loss
- Betters Immunity
- Increase energy levels
- Aids in Digestion:-Lighter food is very easily digested than heavier food. Digestion (Gut health) plays a vital role in the overall health of a human body. More than 50% of the health issues are related to poor gut health. So, it is important to look after your gut health to increase the immunity and gain a healthy body. Researches have found that when food is not digested properly, it gives rise to further health problems such as Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea, heartburn, Nausea and vomiting and Stomach pain.
Takeaway
Ayurveda prefers Vegetarian food for the overall health benefits. Ayurveda recommend choosing the food according to your body type. One should be able to understand their body type and choose the food accordingly. There are several reasons but the topmost reason behind choosing vegetarian food is that it is easy to digest. Furthermore, Vegetarian food takes less energy as well as less time for preparation without compromising with its nutrients.
So, Power up your health with Ayurveda!
Which diet do you follow? Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian. If you are following a vegetarian food for a long time, did you experience any benefit after switching the diet? Is there any other benefit, which I have not mentioned ?
I would definitely like to know about them. I appreciate it if you could leave me a comment.
Related posts
