Maintaining good health and treatment of disease are two sides of the same coin. The food, drugs and regimen that Ayurveda prescribe for both are similar. The components are the same: they are all found in nature. Equal importance is given to the kind of food to be taken as to the drugs prescribed. Each reinforces the other and both act in similar ways to maintain the equilibrium of the doshas in the body.
Regimen for the Day (dinacharya – daily ayurveda routine (eg early to bed, early to rise, brushing teeth, bathe, sadhana, timely ayurvedic meals and lifestyle, etc.)Traditionally, a person should wake up before dawn when it is calm and quiet, the air is free from pollutants and there is time to pray or to meditate. There is also time enough to plan the day’s work.
After getting out of the bed one should wash one’s face with water-lukewarm or cold according to the season (some authorities suggest room temperature or sipping boiled water (in the cold weather)). While gently splashing water over the eyes, it helps if one keeps one’s mouth full of water. This helps exercise the eye-muscles. The eyes should be kept wide open while splashing water over them.
After this, the teeth should be brushed. In India, twigs of the neem tree and others are used for brushing the teeth. The neem twig is chewed at the top while brushing. Herbal tooth powders and paste are also available. Along with brushing the teeth, scraping is also highly recommended. Tongue scrapers should be made of gold, silver, copper, tin or brass. They should be curved and should have smooth edges.
After washing and cleaning one’s face, it is always advisable to drink a glass of room temperature water. This is prescribed for all days in all seasons unless one has a cold, a cough or a sore throat. The importance of drinking a glass of water in the morning cannot be overemphasized for it helps in the excretory process.
Drinking a cup of tea in the morning only produces pressure and stimulates the intestine to start the movement for evacuation of waste. It is like a reflex action, which is different from the effect produced by drinking a glass of water. Hot tea stimulates the intestine so strongly that the effect loses its significance after some days leading to constipation. The caffeine content in tea also produces some adverse effects in the intestines. A glass of water, on the other hand, is excellent for the peristalsis of the intestines.
Evacuation of stool early in the morning should become a regular habit and a glass of room temperature water helps overcome any problems caused by indigestion and inadequate sleep if the previous night’s meal has not been assimilated properly.
Worry, anxiety, a short temper, over-sensitivity cause a lot of wind to form in the stomach which gets accumulated in the intestines at night. Fried food and certain ‘heavy’ lentils cause flatulence as also the absence of an adequate quantity of leafy vegetables and fruit in one’s diet. Flatulence causes obstruction and irregularity in bowel movements.
Very often this incomplete metabolism leads to loss of appetite, indigestion, headache, fatigue and even sleeplessness. Excessive flatulence can also put pressure on the heart and cause palpitation. Proper food, drink and sleep are therefore of primary importance.
The use of oils in therapies can be of two kinds – internal and external. Oil massage for the body is an essential part of the daily routine in most parts of India. The oil used for this purpose are generally mustard oil, sesame oil and coconut oil.
MassageMassage with mustard oil particularly in winter, is characteristic of the north of India while sesame oil is used in the south.
Coconut oil is generally used for massaging the scalp and for luxuriant hair growth. A good oil massage slows down the ageing process. It keeps the skin moisturized and shiny. It helps to overcome fatigue, tones up the nervous system, promotes eyesight and nourishes the body by opening the pores of the skin. A good oil massage followed by a bath helps one to sleep well and feel rested. Applying oil (sesame oil or coconut oil preferably) on the head quite regularly is a good way to prevent hair from falling. Massaging the body with oil is also somewhat like oiling a machine. It keeps it in shape. It strengthens and maintains the body and relaxes the muscles.It smoothens the skin and removes roughness and dryness, prevents susceptibility to Vata – aggravated diseases and relieves exhaustion and the effects of exertion. It alleviates the effects of strenuous physical exercise and even of injuries.
Foot Massage: Massaging the soles of the feet with oil cures roughness, immobility, dryness, fatigue and numbness. The feet become strong and steady and eyesight is improved because the eye muscles are strengthened through this. Regular oil massage of the feet helps prevent sciatica, cracks in the feet, and constriction of vessels and ligaments.Oleation relieves drowsiness and itching. It also eliminates unpleasant body odours because of perspiration.
Sesame oil has several excellent properties. It can be used for gargling, it effectively strengthens the jaws, gives depth to the voice, a fuller face, provides excellent gustatory sensation and increases appetite. Regular gargling with this oil prevents dryness in the throat and cracked lips, while massaging the gums with this oil strengthens them and prevents caries. The teeth become strong and less prone to disease.
Nasal inhalation with Anu taila during all the three seasons – the rainy season, autumn and spring – is an extremely useful practice with numerous benefits. Habitual nasal therapy according to the prescribed methods helps keep the eyes, nose and ears healthy, restores and strengthens hair, prevents graying.
Inhalation therapy also helps cure disease such as torticolis, headache, facial paralysis, lockjaw, rhinitis, hemicrania and tremors of the head. It gives strength to the veins, joints, ligaments and tendons of the head and neck. The voice becomes stable and sweet and the face fills out. All the sense organs regulated. Signs of age such as grey hair are not manifested.Oil used as ear-drops prevents deafness and other diseases of the ear.
To be useful and productive, exercise must be done in moderation. Physical exercise in excess causes exertion, exhaustion, consumption, thirst, bleeding from various parts of the body, acute form of dyspnoea, cough, fever and vomiting.
On the other hand, if exercise is done correctly, there will be perspiration, enhanced respiration, a feeling of lightness and proper functioning of the heart and other organs of the body. It also builds resistance and alleviates excess doshas especially Kapha. It also stimulates the power of digestion. Ayurveda does not recommend exercise while laughing, taking or walking. Exercise should be done in a relaxed manner, not on a full stomach, nor when one is tired. Rest after exercise is essential.Yoga has two meanings – spiritual and physical. Spiritually, it means union or uniting the seemingly separate into oneness or eternal, without boundaries soul or consciousness. Physical yoga is often spoken of as asanas or postures (i.e., taking a yoga class). It also relates to the unification of the life energies within the body, all finally channeling into the sushumna or spiritual tube within the spine. When this process is unified, and the kundalini shakti or spirit energy rises through the sushumna tube and out the top of the head, one is said to be fully united – individual soul with universal soul.’) is an excellence form of exercise helping the body, mind and soul. Yoga stretches, tones, balances, while walking gives aerobic activity; both types of exercise are required.
A bath in the morning is refreshing and stimulating. It enhances stability in the body and gives it strength. Above all, it helps remove fatigue, dirt and perspiration. Generally, warm baths should be taken in winter or during the rainy season. Cold baths are better in warm weather. Hair and scalp should be washed with cold to tepid water.
Wearing clean clothes adds to one’s appearance and personal hygiene. Clean apparel inspires self-confidence. Enhancing one’s looks and providing a well-groomed appearance by trimming one’s hair and beard (for men), combing one’s hair, keeping the finger-nails trimmed and clean.
Longevity, cleanliness and beauty help in maintaining physical and mental well-being. Proper and comfortable shoes preserve the skin of the feet. It protects the feet from contact with germs, disease-carrying bacteria and from the attacks of reptiles and other creatures.