Ayurveda

What I have found in my experience teaching at and attending Ayurvedic schools is that there is a fairly simple but robust formula for who does best in which school.  I get asked pretty often by students which school to go to.  This post is for you.

Each school has an overall characteristic that can tell you what its working rising sign is.  For example, a certain school has a very academic approach, very technical.  It functionally has a Gemini ascendent.  Sure enough, almost all of the students have a Scorpio rising sign.  How does this make sense?  Well, Ayurveda is represented by the eighth house. Scorpios have Gemini in their eighth house and so tend to learn Ayurvedic mystery-school type stuff, represented by the eighth house, in a Gemini way.

There is a nice symmetry here too in that the sixth house of Gemini, which represents the healing model that the Gemini school takes, is Scorpio. So, all these Scorpio rising students satisfy the healing approach of the Gemini school, and the Ayurvedic education of these Scorpios are satisfied by the Gemini approach of the school.

In short, the 6/8 relationship works very well in general for Ayurvedic education.
Similarly, an institute-style school is very Aquarian in its approach, taking the grand transhumanist Satabishak (a fixed star in Aquarius that means “100 physicians”) framework.  Sure enough, the students who do best there are Cancer types, very loving, nurturing and feminine in their approach to life, since they have Aquarius in their eighth house, and the Aquarian school has Cancer in its healing sixth health house.

A nutrition based school, Taurus rising, similarly does best with Libra ascendants. I have empirically seen this.  Similarly a truly temple-like spiritually complete school which is Piscean and meditation-centric is a great home for proud Leos looking for Ayurvedic education.

Is the school’s approach meticulous, plodding, careful to approach completion, perhaps with a hatha yoga emphasis? It may be Capricorn rising.  Here the detailed high ordered geekiness of a Gemini student is best.

Is there a strong charismatic leader, perhaps with government connections, that is leading the school?  The plodding careful work of a Capricorn rising student would be best in such a Leonine school.  And so it goes.

Finally, as a sidenote, one merely needs to look to the tenth house to see how the school appears to the world: the Gemini school hence appears as highly spiritual and Piscean.  The Aquarian institute would have a public reputation of  a very transformative, somewhat scary Scorpionic mien. The Taurean nutrition school is likely to have a reputation of a nonpersonal society-improving  higher purpose of Aquarius, and the Piscean spiritual school as a mutable fiery place of monks in higher Saggitarian  learning.

However, I must emphasize that love for the teacher is paramount, that it comes before any of the above analysis, and that a good teacher can teach to and for anybody.  For example, the Aquarian institute would be fine for a Scorpio as long as the Scorpio is willing to accept his or her Ayurvedic education as a kind of remaking college experience (Aquarius is fourth house, symbolizing college and other things, for the Scorpio) even if if the Scorpio has already been to college or even graduate school.

The bottom line to all of this is that Ayurvedic schools, all holy, all beautifully intentioned, have dramas of their own. It would be a disservice to the student to say otherwise.  The responsibility is on the teachers to make sure that a complete experience is available to each student.  The responsibility is on the student not to take the dramas of the sky personally.  If he or she could learn this as a general principle, he or she will go far toward becoming a general healing practitioner.

Make sense?  This system of observations has really held up empirically.  I hope it is of use.

Good luck in your search and feel free to ask questions.

Renay

A rotational relational database on herbs and techniques of Ayurveda , the traditional ancient Indian form of medicine. [Click on the link for the big version - it may also work better.]

Please note that it is a work in progress and not complete nor exhaustive. Additions and changes will be added weekly.

Louise

Nutmeg

sanskrit jaTI phala, mada zauNDa

latin Myristica fragrans

rasa pungent, bitter, astringent

vIrya heating

vipAk pungent

guNa light, oily penetrating

doSa VK-,P+

rasayana to reproductive, nervine, and intestinal tissues

karmas astringent, nervine, sedative, psychotropic, carminative, aphrodisiac, stimulant, expectorant

suggested dose 1/8-1/4 teaspoon

Botanical Description Nutmeg is the seed (about 1 x 3/4 inch) of the tree which is an angiosperm or evergreen.

Habitat and Varieties Indigenous to the Spice Islands of Indonesia, it is also grown in Malaysia, the Caribbean, and the Kerala state of India. M. malabarica is an adulterant sometimes used in India, and is called Jaiphal as well.

Indications:

• vAta mind
• transient insomnia
• restless leg syndrome
• need for muscle relaxation
• angina
• fibromyalgia
• arthritis
• intestinal spasms, gas, bloating
• premature ejaculation
• female infertility

Contra-Indications:

• high pitta
• high doses (>6g) may cause intoxication, leading to hallucinations, headaches, dizziness, and heart palpitations
• inhibits prostaglandin in the expectant mother and may be hallucinogenic in the fetus

For, Combine With:

• Inflammation and Bleeding :  bitters
• Spasms and Gas :  aromatic herbs
• Nervousness and Insomnia :  ashwagandha, brahmi, jatamansi
• Digestive Upset :  amalaki, haritaki, fennel, cardamom
• Diarrhea from Coldness :  haritaki, kustha, bakuchi
• Impotence and Premature Ejaculation : ashwagandha, gokshura, lotus seeds
• Female Infertility and Menstrual Irregularity : shatavari, rose

Dr. Lad uses nutmeg essential oil for marma point massage therapy.
Nutmeg is also considered an Ayurvedic dhupana, or smoke therapy agent.

Renay

Sources:

1. Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, Sebastian Pole, Elsevier Limited, 2006, p. 235-6.
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myristica_fragrans, accessed 5/31/9.

Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of South Asia, has a philosophy of matter (Sankhya) that is based on the five elements of space, air, fire, water, and earth. There are notable parallels between this well-established system and the more recent Western philosophy of matter as displayed in the Periodic Table.⁽¹⁾

Space is the primary element in Ayurveda, from which all others are derived. Similarly, the space element of pure hydrogen is the first element of the Periodic Table.

Why do I call hydrogen THE space element? Here are supporting quotes:

“Hydrogen is estimated to make up more than 90% of all the atoms — three quarters of the mass of the universe!“⁽²⁾

“Hydrogen gas is so light that, uncombined, hydrogen will gain enough velocity from collisions with other gases that they will quickly be ejected from the atmosphere “⁽²⁾

All very exciting stuff.

Some might say that they were taught that the space element is well, just space, without atoms.  We would not be the first to debate this.  Kanaada in Vaishesika theory stipulated long ago that space is atomic.  Indeed even the tanmaatraa of sound in space is understood by current Western physics to require atoms (called “manu” by Kanaada) to move around to make that sound.

Also, space is well described in Ayurveda as being nuclear energy.  Energy is matter.  Hydrogen is used to make nuclear energy. So, I feel confident that in the analogy of the five Ayurvedic elements to the Periodic Table, space IS matter, space is hydrogen protons, called “paramanu” by Kanaada.

What is interesting too is that, just as in Vedic theory, hydrogen (space) goes on to make air:

“Stellar hydrogen fusion processes release massive amounts of energy by combining hydrogens to form helium.”⁽²⁾
[Ed: called "dvyanuka" or double atom by Kanaada]

We can extend the “air element” to include other very significant gases such as nitrogen and oxygen and their p3 and p4 equivalents. Electrical energy enters into the picture here due to the free electrons in these subsequent air elements all of which seem seem to be led by helium

“the second most abundant element in the known Universe”

in part because

“… all natural gas contains at least trace elements of helium.”⁽³⁾

Electrical energy is huge here even with the complete “noble gas” helium, because

Almost all helium in the Universe “is found in a plasma state, with properties quite different from those of atomic helium. In a plasma, helium’s electrons are not bound to its nucleus, resulting in very high electrical conductivity, even when the gas is only partially ionized.” <ref>

The ancients knew this 5000+ years ago.

Moving on, fire (radiant energy) can be represented by such active alkali metals as sodium and potassium which are simple proton (hydrogen/space) additions to the gases representing the air element.

“Alkali metals are famous for their vigorous reactions with water, and these reactions become increasingly violent as one moves down the group.”⁽⁴⁾

I can’t think of a better description of pitta, which is after all fire and water together. Moreover,

Alkali metal + water → Alkali metal hydroxide + hydrogen gas

With Sodium as the primary example:

2Na (s) + 2H₂O (l) → 2NaOH (caustic lye, an ancient substance) + H₂ (g)

Note, the triplet  NaOH. Same things happens for other alkali metals (fire). Thus tryanuka (the next stage, three atoms) holds.

When these air, fire and space elements combine we get water compounds (chemical energy) such as H₂O, NaCl and all other natural non-earth compounds that we see on our planet.

What finally then is earth element (physical energy) in the Periodic Table? Seemingly it is one or more of the alkaline metals such as calcium and magnesium, the p1 and p2 equivalents (including carbon and silicon, essential to life) , and their compounds.

Caturanuka (4 atoms, the final stage of molecular theory by Kanaada) holds with the four bonds of Carbon.

Indeed,

“The alkaline earth metals are named after their oxides, the alkaline earths, whose old-fashioned names were beryllia, magnesia, lime, strontia and baryta. These oxides are basic (alkaline) when combined with water. “Earth” is an old term applied by early chemists to nonmetallic substances that are insoluble in water and resistant to heating–properties shared by these oxides. “ ⁽⁵⁾

To summarize:

Space => H => paramanu (beyond, before atom)
Space and Air => He and above => dvyanuka  (2 atoms)
Air, Space, Fire and Water => Na and above =>  tvyanuka  (3 atoms)
Air, Space, Fire, Water, and Earth => C and above => caturanuka  (4 atoms)

We might also want to look closer at the word paramanu for Space.  By some translations, param means “before”:

A paramanu is much more minute than even an atom.

from the fascinating  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajiva

Therefore, our understanding of Space = paramanu = H+ = not yet matter is still an option from Vaisheshika.

Finally consider 3 subatomic particles ( neutrons, protons, and electrons) x 3 types of neutrinos x 4 types of atoms (from Kaanaada of Sankhya theory x 3 mahagunas of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas (also of Sankhya) = 108, a holy Vedic number.

Please note that this whole post was meant to be spoken from the Vaisheshika point of view, not what I would consider a Universal or contemporary Vedantic one.

Moreover, Vedic culture achieved the Bronze Age in 4000-3500 B.C.E. ⁽⁶⁾ Thereby, a sophisticated complete understanding of the five elements up to earth was firmly established in everyday life. They were even able to create steel:

“Ancient Indians employed a process called ‘Andamusha” to convert iron into steel. Carbonic acid plays a major role in achieving hardness in Iron. Our ancient blacksmiths knew this method. They used to place Iron balls in an earthen furnace (Bakayantram) and fill it with carbonic acid and heat it. They were manufacturing steel by this method.” ⁽⁷⁾

The mysterious alloy used in making the Sword of Damocles is believed to be a progression of this method.  Steel pillars still stand in India from thousands of years ago.

I am NOT saying that Kanaada knew of electron orbitals or that he didn’t.  Rather, like Ayurveda not needing MRI’s to get the job done, Vaisheshika theory is equal, perhaps better, than modern notions of atoms because it gets different as well as similar things accomplished.

There is much else to say, with many supporting references, that may have to wait for another venue. Briefly, the theory of electricity, atomic and molecular structure, and theories of motion were all also developed by Vedic culture using this same five element theory as a base some 1000-3000 or more years before the Western system’s similar achievements (which are mostly of the last 300 years).

Thus, the glories of understanding the Periodic Table are at least equal to that of the five Ayurvedic elements.

Renay

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_table_(extended)
2. http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/1.html
3. http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/2.html
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkali_metal
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_earth_metal
6. class notes, History of Ayurveda, RMIYA, January, 2009.
7. Samskrita Bharati, Pravesha, book six.

In Ayurveda, copper drinking vessels are suggested for the dinacharya (daily rituals) of the yogi, as well as the material of choice for items of complex rituals and pancha karma.

This study may indicate why:

A study found that copper fittings rapidly killed bugs on hospital wards, succeeding where other infection control measures failed.

In the trial at Selly Oak hospital, in Birmingham, copper taps, toilet seats and push plates on doors all but eliminated common bugs.

It is thought the metal ‘suffocates’ germs, preventing them breathing. It may also stop them from feeding and destroy their DNA.

Lab tests show that the metal kills off the deadly MRSA and C difficile superbugs.

It also kills other dangerous germs, including the flu virus and the E coli food poisoning bug.

RSis once again prove they know their stuff.

Renay

Current science is a funny thing.

In the Western model, it is by definition the apex of what we currently know and less than what we will know in the future. Yet, it is accepted as the “final truth” in the moment.

It may be helpful as confirmation, but never as final confirmation. More and more it just seems a way to reference a complete system from the past.

In this article, it is reported that:

Results from two different arthritis studies have confirmed that an active ingredient of rose hips has been shown to protect and possibly rebuild joint tissue broken down by arthritis.

and

‘The results of these new studies suggest that the primary mechanism of action of rose hips is to reduce inflammation and protect joint tissue from damaging substances produced by an over-active immune system.’

but, you can also know this by remembering your Ayurveda.

Rose has been a well-established pitta-reducing anti-inflammatory for millennia.

Renay

After the herb dust settled on last month’s JAMA article, I decided to write about this challenge to the business of Ayurvedic herbs, where lead, mercury, and arsenic levels have been detected.

The first thing to remember is that, alas, there is lead even in India’s spinach. I don’t think this is really about Ayurveda.

As our friend, a prominent practitioner, has elegantly summarized,

“As long as our entire food chain is polluted by human activity it will be impossible to remove every detectable trace of heavy metals, yet the levels are too low to be of harm.”

The Indian government seems to to say that the JAMA article authors are enemies of Ayurveda and others seem to say that they are Ayurveda’s friends.  I think the truth is somewhere in the middle, and that battle lines need not be drawn.

To be sure, most journalists covering this story irresponsibly and breezily conflated the single worst case of metal presence with the much more common least cases, when there is a differential of 200,000%!  The JAMA article summary, which is ALL that most of the newspaper articles are based on, seems designed to facilitate such confusion.

Here is the National Ayurvedic Medical Association ‘s response where they advocate for

• the stoppage of imports of rasa shastra where metals are intentionally added (for ancient reasons) and
• the adherance to ANSI levels of presence of metals
• an invitation to our government to finally determine and publish reliable Good Manufacturing Practice levels.

Here is Banyan Botanicals’ response where they stand by their products – which after all met the ANSI standards (and typically the CA Proposition 65 standards as well which are used in the JAMA article, are 1/40th of ANSI, and are not at all universal).

In sum, the reduction of active metals in the food supply is admirable and necessary, but this article does the sensible reader no favor:

• no comparison to metal presence in other American and Indian agricultural products like leafy greens
• no rational separation of herb products into the majority which met ANSI limits and the 4% (mostly rasa shastra products) that did not
• no discussion of the ecology of industrial chemicals in agriculture, large or small
• no investigation, no consideration at all, of the possibility that rasa shastra may confer some sort of protection from or via the elevated metal presence, as presented in ideas from the ancients (perhaps by binding the metals, etc.).

If you have questions about whether your herb is included in the study, feel free to contact us.

Renay

Taraxacum officinale.

Proposed Sanskrit: tooth of the lion, simhasyadADAkaH

bitter,sweet/cooling/pungent.

PK- V+

On an herb trip one of the instructors had a printed T-shirt that said ” If you can’t beat em eat em”. This is referring to the plant with the yellow flowers that appear in the spring time. Flowers that open with the morning sun and close in the evening and in gray weather.

By the way – spring time is time to clean our liver not just our house.

Our Dandelion, considered an obnoxious, annoying weed that won’t go away despite our efforts to eradicate it.

It is hardy, abundant, and ever there. It is thought that Dandelion was introduced to America by the pioneers from Europe and Asia. Why? Because since ancient times it was widely and successfully used as a food, a medicine, and a dye.

In the U.S. it is seen more and more in the grocery stores. The systems affected by Dandelion are the liver, stomach, kidneys, and bladder. Its properties are diuretic, hepatic [medicinal action on the liver], chologogue [stimulates bile in the liver], anti rheumatic, laxative, and tonic.

Dandelion plant is traditionally used as a tonic, blood purifier, for constipation, and liver, gall bladder, kidney ailments, inflammatory skin conditions, joint pain, eczema, weak digestion, and rheumatism. Chinese medicine uses Dandelion for lung, breast tumors abscesses, and hepatitis.

A red dye is made from the Dandelion root.

Dandelion contains vitamins A [ a richer source than carrots], B [thiamine, nicotinic acid], C and D. And minerals magnesium, zinc, potassium,manganese, copper. And more iron and calcium than spinach. There is boron, silicon, and hi carotenoid. More beta carotene than carrots, more potassium than broccoli or spinach.

The root is dried, roasted and ground for a coffee substitute that has no caffeine. The roots are used in the treatment of rheumatism because they are a mild anti-inflammatory. Root is used for dyspepsia, loss of appetite, a diuretic, and for disorders associated with inhibited bile secretion from the liver.

Young leaves are less bitter – with the flowers are eaten raw in salads. Leaves can be cooked or boiled as a pot herb.

The leaves are a diuretic with a good source of natural potassium. Thus, can be use for water retention and bloating with the flatulence and loss of appetite.

The fresh juice is applied externally to kill bacteria and help heal wounds. The white sap from fresh leaves eases pain from sores and bee stings, removes calluses, corns, warts, and acne.

However, some people may be allergic to the milky sap.

People with gallstones should be under a physicians care when using Dandelion. The bitter compounds in the root help stimulate digestion are are mildly laxative. The acidity may cause hyperacidity in some people and may increase pain in those with ulcers.

Because of the increased bile secretion, people with bile duct obstruction or other serious gall bladder and gall stones should avoid Dandelion or be under a physician’s care.

There are no known drug interactions with Dandelion. But, the drugs used to decrease blood sugar levels [hypoglycemic medicines] may work with Dandelion root to lower the blood sugar levels further. And the physician may adjust the medicine doses.

People taking blood thinning drugs or anti-inflammatory drugs be in contact with your physician. Because, in Dandelion there are chemical compounds similar to warfarin [coumadin]. If you plan on taking herbs for treatment of an illness first talk to a certified herbalist or health practitioner.

Always be aware of the side effects of the modern, experimental, pharmaceutical drugs. Is it better to take care of one symptom or organ while the others are being damaged?

After all of that here is a tasty receipe:

Dip full bloom Dandelion flowers in a bowl of water, then dip in corn meal, and saute [not fry] 2 minutes in butter or ghee or an oil you like. You can add spices that you like. Yummmm. ‘

Here is a Dandelion wine receipe from Ann Drucker’s herb class:

3 quarts dandelion blossoms 2 1/2 lbs. sugar 2 lemons 1 orange 1 yeast cake [any variety] Pour 5 quarts boiling water over the blossoms. Let stand between 3 hours to 3 days.

Strain, add the sugar, lemon and orange rinds. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Cut up orange lemons. And pour cooked mixture on top of fruit.

When mixture cools to just above body temp. add yeast which has been dissolved in 1 cup of the warm mixture. Let entire mixture stand 12 hours, then strain.

Let it stand for 2 months and strain again. Sample in 4-6 months.

It is traditional to make the wine at the summer solstice and drink it in the winter.

A Dandelion Italiano receipe from Ann’s class:

Put 3-4 cups dandelion leaves in a pot. Boil water separately and pour over the leaves. Let water come to a boil, then strain. Repeat with new water.

In a skillet saute 6+ cloves garlic. Turn off heat and add the dandelions. Mix in 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 1/2 tbsp. vinegar, 1 tbsp tamari. Adjust to your taste.

References: class notes takes over the years. And the dictionary.

Louise

Holy Moley.

Here is a study in the New Scientist that is just about as positive as can be.

“It can almost completely correct the measurable defects of the disease,” says Michael Caplan at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, US, part of the research team.

It doesn’t get any better than that, at least in mice.

Caplan cautions that this does not necessarily mean that curcumin will work in humans. He notes that Asian people do have a much lower incidence of the disease, but says this may have more to do with population genetics than with more turmeric in their diet.

“It would be great if people had figured out 2000 years ago that this stuff works and we’re just rediscovering it,” he says. A human clinical trial is now being launched by the US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

I am keenly interested in cystic fibrosis these days, having just written a long paper on a case study using Ayurveda and astrology.

Turmeric makes PERFECT sense in the case study because of turmerics’ actions against systemic catabolic activity that is central to the model proposed in the paper.

Renay