Examination methods in Ayurveda: 2. tongue diagnosis
In addition to the pulse examination, the inspection of the tongue Jihva Pariksha is one of eight classic examination procedures in Ayurveda. The traditional compendium Ashtanga Samgraha Samhita already described signs of a tongue „spoilt“ by Vata, Pitta, Kapha and blood. Our tongue lies on the floor of the oral cavity and is a muscular organ belonging to the upper digestive tract. It [...]
Trikatu: The three hot ones - ginger, black and long pepper
No Ayurvedic kitchen or pharmacy should be without it - it consists of dry ginger (shunthi), long pepper (pippali) and black pepper (marica) and is one of the most famous three-spice recipes in Ayurveda: Trikatu means „the three hot ones“. Trikatu is more than the sum of its three individual spices, the combination potentises its effect. The pungent flavour has a [...]
Examination methods in Ayurveda: 1. pulse diagnosis
Ayurvedic diagnostics is multimodal. It consists of verbal questioning in an anamnesis interview and a physical examination. All the results are then analysed in order to gain a holistic understanding of the origin and development of the complaints and all the factors involved. In my series of articles „Examination methods in Ayurveda“, I introduce you to the 8 most important Ayurvedic procedures: Pulse, [...]
Running in Ayurveda: what you need to bear in mind
Around 20 million Germans jog occasionally or regularly, and one in ten managers runs marathons. There are many good reasons for running as a popular sport: it reduces obesity, prevents cardiovascular disease and diabetes, strengthens the immune system, promotes cognitive abilities, regulates tension and simply makes you feel energised. Surprisingly, there is even a connection between training diligence and salary, as the [...]
Therapeutic fasting in Ayurveda - Things to know about Ayurvedic fasting cures
„Fasting is as old as the peoples of the world“, wrote Otto Buchinger in 1935 in his book „Therapeutic Fasting“, taking into account the three dimensions of the human being (medical, psychosocial and spiritual). Buchinger fasting using special fasting drinks (water, tea, vegetable broth, fruit or vegetable juices and honey) is one of the most frequently used fasting methods today. In the guidelines for [...]
High blood pressure in Ayurveda therapy
„You have high blood pressure. This is genetic. That's why you need lifelong antihypertensive medication.“ Many of the approximately 30 million Germans with high blood pressure hear these words. A disease that is considered the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in turn is responsible for most deaths. How does high blood pressure develop and how is it treated in the West? How is high blood pressure treated ayurvedically [...]
Tongue scraper in Ayurveda
It is part of the equipment of every Ayurveda devotee and should not be missing when travelling: the tongue scraper. What is the truth behind the recommendation, what are the benefits, how is it done and what should you look out for? Oral hygiene in Ayurveda The Ayurvedic classic „Caraka Samhita“ emphasised the importance of daily hygiene for health 2000 years ago. [...]
Sattva, Rajas and Tamas - the basis of Ayurvedic psychology
Ayurveda is more than just the body and constitution theory of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Ayurvedic psychology distinguishes between three characteristics that characterise our personality: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Ayurveda - the knowledge of life In classical Ayurveda, life is understood as a combination of body, senses, mind and soul. „The knowledge of this concept of life [...]
The Ayurveda medicine cabinet: help for self-help
Wait and see and drink tea. Most people prefer to stay at home when they are acutely ill. Many only visit a doctor's surgery when severe symptoms persist for several days or the course of the illness worsens. Until then, they help themselves - unfortunately not always successfully. Ayurveda offers a variety of [...]
Self-massage in Ayurveda
For many followers of Ayurveda, the daily self-massage with selected oils or dry as a stimulating „rubdown“ is part of the morning routine. Others, on the other hand, find it extremely annoying and unrealistic to quickly oil themselves in the morning before work and then remove the intense odours and sticky colour residues in the shower. Does the classic [...]