Ayurvedic Herbs

A great professional goal is to love what you do and feel invigorated by doing it. I, personally, am constantly evolving my career so it meets (or comes close to) these objectives daily. There were times in my life, however, when this goal was definitely out of reach. During my medical training I experienced several episodes of burnout, with fatigue, disenchantment, and an intermittently despairing mood. This caused me to embark upon a multi-year mission to heal myself and transform my career into something I could genuinely love and successfully manage without losing my balance.

Keeping our doshas balanced is an important part of maintaining a healthy body and mind throughout the entire year. Seasonal shifts are big news in the world of Ayurveda and can cause doshic imbalances if we aren’t honoring their cycles and living accordingly. While the summer season is a magical time of year, it is also Pitta season, and if we don’t adjust our diets and lifestyle to keep Pitta at bay, we risk accumulating excess heat in the body. A Pitta imbalance can show up as anger, irritation, loose stools, acid reflux, skin disorders, and more.

Contrary to what the billion-dollar skin care industry would have you believe, the health of your skin actually starts on the inside. And while spa days and facials are a wonderful way to treat yourself, you don't need to be spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on your skincare routine.

When it comes to concentration, sometimes we need a little bit of support. There are many reasons why it may be hard for you to concentrate. It could be due to stress, lack of sleep, nutrition deficiencies, or doshic imbalances. The good news is that Ayurveda can offer us relief naturally. If you feel foggy, distracted, or unable to focus, incorporating Ayurvedic herbs into your lifestyle may be a good idea.

The changing of seasons causes huge shifts in the mind and body in the world of Ayurveda. The transition into springtime is an important time to make sure we are caring for our bodies properly, avoiding the imbalances that can occur during this time. Springtime is associated with Kapha, the dosha associated with earth and water.

Herbs are a critical component of Ayurvedic healing. Traditional Ayurvedic herbs can assist us in promoting wellness, preventing disease, and optimizing our overall well-being. Maintaining a balanced mental state during these unpredictable times is becoming increasingly important. We all could use some assistance keeping our peace, and herbs are here to help.

This holiday season, we may find ourselves torn between eating nutritious foods and sharing in holiday treats. Ayurveda can help us do both at once, while including one of Ayurveda’s Four Aims of Life: enjoyment. These are some simple variations on holiday recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth and appetite, as well as your agni.

An ancient Ayurvedic sutra from the Suśruta Saṁhitā states: “A person who is established in the Self, has balanced doshas, balanced agni, balanced tissues, proper elimination of wastes, properly functioning bodily processes and who is peaceful and content in the mind, senses and soul is defined as a healthy person.” (Su. Sū. 15)

As a Western-trained physician, one of the things I appreciate the most about Ayurveda is the wisdom and depth of its nutritional recommendations. Going through medical school, I didn’t learn how to teach people to eat a healthy diet that supported all aspects of our physiology and physical health. I not only struggled to help my patients in this area, but I struggled with my own diet and didn’t know which fad to follow. When I first learned about Ayurvedic nutritional guidelines, it was a game-changer for me, my family, and my patients.